FINALLY! my surgery is only 22 days away! seems like its been forever, and that its taken forever to get to this point. I've had this pain for years and Im only 24 years old. When the pain first started they pulled 4 teeth (which alot of us probably have..)and I've been on countless medications. The pain in my mouth has gotten worse over time and now i just have to wait. My TN occurs on the left side of my face in my mouth which makes eating,talking, and brushing my teeth very difficult. Now that the surgery is getting closer I am starting to get nervous because I dont know what to expect. I can barely remember being pain free. Anyone whos had the surgery can you please fill me in a little on what to expect. Are they gonna shave much of my head? Am I gonna be in more pain than I have been with my TN? Or is it going to be nothing compared to the pain TN has inflicted us with? Let me know! thanks

hi welcome we are glad you are here.
have to ask what type of surgery are you having ?
Motor cortex?? yes they shave your head for that.
I gotta get to work but will check back later.

PEACE
BMW

I'm having MVD(microvascular decompression) but im a female and have long hair and the doctor said he would b shaving some of my head but didn't specify how much and i am pretty nervous!

yes they will shave a good wide patch .
there is a sticky up top that explains the surgery.here is the link.
the one who posted it was pain free for 5 years .I had contact with her just last week and sadly the pain has returned but she is getting some relief with the meds .
here is the link about MVD its up top here
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread2052.html

LOL I am female too and just cut my hair short 2 weeks ago cus it is sooo hot here. I even took a pic of my hair cut and if you click on my name and go to my profile page you can see me with my new hair cut
I will be keeping you in my prayers and positive thoughts for your surgery to go well and help take away the pain.
let us know how things go and if you have any questions PLEASE ask... there are LOTS of people here who have gone threw MVD.

PEACE
BMW

Hi
I know how you feel . I could no wait to have my surgery. If you read the pos that I wrote, you will find out i did with mvd. It was a walk in the park. I had a very easy time. And not pain. if you would like to have a lot more info, please email me at calewark@me.com and I will be happy to walk you thru it form the eyes of a patient.

Take care of your self,

Chery

When I had my MVD, they only shaved a very small area.
I guess it would depend on the neuroligist. They went in right
behind my ear. I know about the nerves. I believe most of us has been there. I wish you the best luck.
Doodle bug7

Mrs. Frazier,

I had my mvd on June 16, 2009. The surgery wasn't too bad. They only shaved a small area on the back of my head. I have shoulder length hair and no one could even tell it was shaved unless I lifted my hair up to show them. It grew back very fast. And the scar has completely faded, you can't even tell where it was. The first day after the surgery was the hardest for me because the anethesia makes me very nauseated. They kept giving me medicine for it but it took a good 24 hours to get out of my system. Also the day after the surgery my neck muscles were so weak I couldn't lift my head up or move it on the pillow without using my hands. By the third or fourth day you start to feel much better. Best of luck to you with your surgery. I woke up completely free of the tn pain and I hope you do the same.

Take care,

Laureen

I just turned 26 last month and have had this since I was 22, so I know how it is to have your young adult years stolen from you and dominated by the pain. I haven't run into many in their early 20s who have had to deal with this. If u ever want to talk, PM me. I hope your MVD went well!