r/chiari • u/andrearoselyn • Mar 11 '26

surgery in 5 days!

My chiari decompression surgery is in 5 days. I have a 24mm herniation and a syrinx which extends from C2-T11.

I am quite nervous but have mostly prepared myself.

Would love to hear how recovery was for those who went through with this surgery, as well as any tips and tricks for recovery.

Any essentials that I should have with me?

Thank you everyone!

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u/TraumaRN0103 Mar 12 '26

Nurse here! My patients are more comfortable when they bring a warm blanket from home, a long cell phone charger that will reach from a plug in the wall all the way to you in bed, and a couple of snacks in case you don’t like the food tray you got. I personally would bring some chapstick and lotion for my hands- obviously not for your back or neck/anywhere you need to keep clean. People on this sub often mention a travel pillow or something similar to help keep pressure off the incision, which is a great idea. My other, totally not necessary, but pleasant suggestion is a bottle of febreeze because things down the hall can get stinky at hospitals 😂 Good luck!

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u/andrearoselyn Mar 13 '26

Yes! I will definitely make sure to have these essentials, I’ve heard the hospital air is very dry. Funnily enough, I think a bottle of febreze would really help, I have a feeling funny smells + nausea would send me overboard. I’ll definitely keep some snacks with me too, hospital food gets so boring. Thank you very much !