Follow-up Care:
After your Craniotomy
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- Eat what you can tolerate. If your pain medications include CODEINE or other narcotics, you may want to consider eating bulky foods such as bran, fruit, etc. Narcotics tend to constipate you.
- Wear your stocking cap (crani cap) until your incision is well healed (two weeks or so). It is okay to wear a scarf or other cap over the crani cap. Keep your incision dry. It is okay to shampoo after the sutures are removed, but do not scrub. Do not wear a wig until your incision is well healed (1 to 2 months postoperatively). You may clean your suture line with alcohol.
- You can do any activity that you can tolerate. If you have any weakness or paralysis, use a cane or walker. It is normal to feel tired during mid-day. Take a nap if you wish.
- The pain relievers recommended by your doctor may include TYLENOL, TYLENOL with CODEINE, DARVOCET or VICODIN (Hydrocodone). Do not take ASPIRIN for one week following surgery.
- You must be alert for a possible urinary tract infection if you had a catheter (a tube in your bladder) inserted. Notify your doctor if you notice any burning when urinating or a foul odor to your urine. Remember that constipation is common due to a decrease in activity and the pain medications you may be taking. Varying your diet and using a laxative of your choice, or an enema, will be helpful.
Other post-surgical situation care situations:
After your carpal tunnel surgery
After your ulnar nerve transposition
After your back surgery or your lumbar fusion
After your lumbar fusion
After your cervical surgery
After your craniotomy
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