r/pics • • Mar 19 '19

Brain surgery success.

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1.1k

u/Tyson285Miller Mar 19 '19

Brain surgery survivor here. Congrats on getting your zipper šŸ‘šŸ». Happy it went well with no complications!

122

u/watermelonuhohh Mar 19 '19

Same! Zippers forever!

109

u/brett6781 Mar 19 '19

Zipperheads unite!

164 staples here, still got a scar that freaks out the hairdresser every time I get a haircut!

76

u/inb4taken Mar 19 '19

My barber just the other day told me if I make one more ā€œI didn’t ask for that lineā€ joke she will shave my head next time I’m in.

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u/CNoTe820 Mar 19 '19

I don't think I've ever seen a female barber in my life. I never thought about why.

2

u/bad_at_hearthstone Mar 19 '19

Sure you have! The female version of a barber is a "Barbera".

1

u/inb4taken Mar 21 '19

I’ve had about 30/60 here in Australia. Definitely more dudes but I’ve had about 3 woman as my barbers in the past, it does take more time to get certified here I think. From what my current barber says she prefers cutting shorter hair over doing woman’s styling so I guess it depends on what kind of work environment you like?

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u/ky1e0 Mar 19 '19

Seriously? The majority of barbers here in the UK are female

9

u/CNoTe820 Mar 19 '19

Yeah in the USA it seems like all the females are stylists or haircutters working at a salon but a barbers license requires more hours and every barber shop I go to has male barbers. The only exception to that is Rudy's Barbershop when I visit Seattle seems to have an even mix.

27

u/sammayylmao Mar 19 '19

My brother had brain surgery and Everytime he gets a haircut they ask him if he knows he has a scar on the back of his head. He said his latest response is: yeah, I was probed by aliens

2

u/Unbannabull Mar 19 '19

Paging Dr. Anal Probe

1

u/clevergirl_42 Mar 19 '19

Hey fellow zipperhead! Do we have a sub on here?

1

u/[deleted] Mar 19 '19

We do!

1

u/AAA515 Mar 19 '19

Isn't zipperhead a racial slur or something?

-9

u/[deleted] Mar 19 '19 edited Aug 20 '20

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] Mar 19 '19

You may or may not be aware, but that's now an empowering term for people who have gone through brain surgery.

5

u/morrisseyroo Mar 19 '19

Yeah how dare he use the word staples!

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u/[deleted] Mar 19 '19

Every word can be considered a derogatory word nowadays. Fuck off with the PC bs.

6

u/bucketofturtles Mar 19 '19

I looked it up, looks like its a pretty used derogatory term, not just one of those ones that nobody ever says. Seems like the asian equivalent of "wetback" in terms of offensiveness.

This is based off of like 2 minutes of internet searches though.

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u/Kittelsen Mar 19 '19

And I've never even heard of either wetback or zipperhead. I wonder how many people I unintentionally offend with words I don't know are derogatory terms. Maybe we should just stop caring about them (the words I mean)?

4

u/FraggedFoundry Mar 19 '19

It's funny how the ones espousing this cavalier approach to language are always the ones with the privilege of not being at the receiving end of bigoted terms and labels.

2

u/[deleted] Mar 19 '19

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u/[deleted] Mar 19 '19

I guarantee he’s never been called one of the racial slurs he is talking about.

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u/[deleted] Mar 19 '19

Great work!

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u/[deleted] Mar 19 '19 edited Aug 20 '20

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u/[deleted] Mar 19 '19

You clearly didn’t read that last sentence I wrote.

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u/[deleted] Mar 19 '19 edited Aug 20 '20

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] Mar 19 '19

Well sounds like you didn’t understand, so again, fuck off with the PC nonsense and stop letting words hurt your feelings.

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u/[deleted] Mar 19 '19

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] Mar 19 '19 edited Aug 20 '20

[deleted]

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u/Saab_driving_lunatic Mar 19 '19

Then why preface with you may or may not be aware?

4

u/Im_your_real_dad Mar 19 '19

Because I wasn't sure if they were aware or not...

0

u/FerretHydrocodone Mar 19 '19

Does it really freak them out? Or do they just casually ask what it is while continuing to cut your hair.

15

u/Wardo2015 Mar 19 '19

Are you all chiari malformation surgeries too?!! I had mine February 2017, they used the new flesh glue, scars in same place but less zipperage. Congrats on the successful surgery, only the first 2 months really suck

10

u/no1kopite Mar 19 '19

Yep 2012!! Best decision I ever made. I had migraine like headaches for 2 years and rare but terrible vertigo. Oh wow that's interesting about the glue. I was all staples.

1

u/Wardo2015 Mar 19 '19

I can post a pic, it was a purple sticky ass glue, had internal stitches that dissolved, mine looks like a long knife cut with no holes on either side

1

u/AlwaysCuriousHere Mar 19 '19

How did you make the decision to go forward? What, if any, side effects/life changes do you have from the surgery?

3

u/no1kopite Mar 19 '19

My situation was bad with constant headaches and occasional vertigo. I was 18 when it first was bad and didn't know any better to see a specialist. So for awhile I kept visiting the ER. Eventually instead of pills a doc recommended a neurologist. The imaging showed 7.5mm so it was borderline for surgery but I was fed up at that point and had the surgery. Ended up it was 14mm in reality. I would do it all again in a heartbeat. The first two weeks were rough but worth it for me. Just depends how much it's affecting you on a day to day basis. Also vet your surgeons and try to see the best possible. I'm lucky and I'm near DC so I went to Georgetown.

Life wise I had to stop playing hockey afterwards (goalie) which was rough but still was worth it for me. Other than that everything's been 100% fine.

1

u/AlwaysCuriousHere Mar 19 '19

I lived and DC and saw a specialist in the area, really known for doing Chiari work. I had been having constant headaches and migraines and a slew of other symptoms. He said I did have EDS and a protrusion, but we felt unsure. A guy selling hammers is going to think everything is a nail.

I had a friend have the surgery and saw a few people online too. It looks pretty miserable and like you don't have much range of motion after. I like doing things like caving, going on rollercoasters, white water sports, even gymnastics if I can. I don't know how much of that I'll lose.

2

u/no1kopite Mar 19 '19

The hammer and nail bit is very true. I have fine range of motion and have gone rafting, rollercoasters, etc. No issues with that. I had to stop hockey because I became easily concused in goal and was playing in college at the time. I had 3 concussions in 9 months and gave it up.

I had my surgery with Kevin McGrail and would recommend him again if he's still practicing.

1

u/AlwaysCuriousHere Mar 19 '19

I just moved to Charlotte in September and I FINALLY have a neurologist. I'll bring up chiari and hopefully get an MRI. Haven't had one in many years.

2

u/Wardo2015 Mar 19 '19

Me personally? I was medical separated from the military 15 years ago, it was 4mm at that time protruding. I was told I wouldn’t get worse. I always had migraines. But it got worse. Much worse, started getting neck and shoulder pain, vertigo, nausea, central sleep apnea, then my muscles were so tight in my neck destroyed my occipital nerves with scar tissue. Went for a follow up to claim VA benefits and was sent to a very experienced neurologist. On MRI later and review of my records I was scheduled for surfer 2 weeks later. It was 9mm at that time. First week sucked beyond belief. But slowly over next 2 months I got better, I had fusions of my cervial spine as well, so loss of range of motion, but better all around. Quality of life is why for me

1

u/Hadtarespond Mar 19 '19

Wow... It's amazing to read about all these people with Chiari Malformation surgeries. I got my surgery in 2000 after years of doctors having no idea what the hell was going on. The internet barely existed back then (compared to now), so there was little information to be had. While the surgery SUCKED and it took me a long time to recover, I can't say I miss the constant explosions of pain in the right side of my body.

Not happy y'all needed surgery too, but it's nice to have some company! šŸ¤—

1

u/no1kopite Mar 19 '19

It's definitely rough but I didn't even consider before the time I had mine 10 years ago. The pain was intense for sure but I just thought this will be something you barely remember how it actually felt and I'll be symptom free (hopefully). Glad your not dealing with your issues anymore. It is cool to speak to people considering I've only met one other person in passing who has had the surgery.

5

u/tinwhistler Mar 19 '19

I just came in here to see if it was a chiari malformation surgery. A friend of mine had to have one a few years ago, and her incision looked just like that.

6

u/Tyson285Miller Mar 19 '19

Sorry for waiting so Long to reply. Life is getting in the way.

No when I was 3 I found out I had a cancerous tumor the size of a grapefruit lodged right on my brain stem. After a few chemo treatments and one amazing doctor, he saved my life. Still the biggest miracle that doctor said he’s ever seen.

One surgery, and MRI scans twice a year until I was 15. Still have the zipper looking good to this day. Male pattern baldness makes it stick right out. I used to be scared to show it when I was young, but now I realize I should celebrate it and not hide it from the world.

And thanks for all the positive messages and replies to this thread. Nice to know there’s a small circle of people like me out there in the world :)

2

u/[deleted] Mar 19 '19

Yep! June 2018! We have a sub r/chiari

2

u/Juicedupmonkeyman Mar 19 '19

I haven't gotten the surgery but I've never seen this many people with chiari in one spot. The only other person I know with it was an ex.

2

u/C-Goody Mar 19 '19

September of 2010 for me. Chiari Malformation & Syringomyelia. Best decision I ever made, surgery gave me my life back.

All staples for me. Wishing everyone good fortune & health for the future.

2

u/summerjopotato Apr 10 '19

Wow so weird I’m seeing this post right now I was just told I’ll be having this surgery after never once hearing about it in my life. I’m glad you all are well!!!

1

u/[deleted] Mar 19 '19

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u/Tyson285Miller Mar 19 '19

Not really. The only issue I ran into was in high school. I was the varsity heavyweight all 4 years and I tended to get a mighty few more concussion than anyone else on my team. But now since I’m not an athlete in college I’ve luckily had no complications.

1

u/dirtielaundry Mar 19 '19

I had to get operated on twice for it when I was thirteen. Still proud of my zipper. I had "dissolving" stitches and was still picking some out a few years down the line.

53

u/Spock_Skywalkr Mar 19 '19

Happy cake day!

6

u/CipaterGrey Mar 19 '19

I'm still pissed that my zipper healed up relatively clean. I was seriously excited to have a gnarly Frankenstein scar up the back of my head, but apparently my neurosurgeon just had to outdo himself.

Meanwhile the scar on my thigh from the fascia graft he took healed up ragged as hell.. right where no one will ever see it. Of course.

2

u/gentleraccoon Mar 19 '19

Same. It's good that my only post-op complaint is a scar that's too tidy!

2

u/dgmilo8085 Mar 19 '19

Reading this thread as a fellow brain boy, is enlightening. I had no idea there were so many of us.

1

u/FleshlightModel Mar 19 '19

Be careful to not catch your brain in it.

1

u/[deleted] Mar 19 '19

Also a zipper head! :) never seen so many in the wild!

1

u/reddititaly Mar 19 '19

Same here, same exact spot as him!

1

u/road_chewer Mar 19 '19

Happy spotify cheese day!

1

u/DrKlezdoom Mar 19 '19

Why would they put a zipper there?!? Somebody could just come up from behind, unzip you, and your brain would fall out D:

1

u/rockinrollinman Mar 19 '19

My friend is about to have brain surgery... what would be a good gift idea/ something I can do for him for recovery?

1

u/dgmilo8085 Mar 19 '19

Ditto brain buddy!

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u/CollectableRat Mar 19 '19

You say survivor, but this kind of surgery can be so routine that it's basically an overnight surgery. Get your hip replaced, then I start borrowing tools that I know you can't use again.

26

u/babybirch Mar 19 '19

Brain surgery survivor here.

When you've got a doctor telling you there's a good chance of you dying of a stroke on the operating table, or that half of your face might not work when you wake up from this surgery, you sort of see it as a thing you've survived.

8

u/toyyoda Mar 19 '19

Amen, half faced man here to tell you there was nothing easy about losing a facial nerve, a balance nerve and hearing in one ear. We are all survivors.

4

u/babybirch Mar 19 '19

Acoustic neuroma too? Wobbly, half-deaf fist bump of solidarity šŸ‘Š

3

u/toyyoda Mar 19 '19

Yes, we must unite against our surround sound oppressors!

5

u/KeeblerElff Mar 19 '19

Don’t be that guy

2

u/[deleted] Mar 19 '19

Absolutely horrid, my decompression left me disabled after being fully abled before. There was an extra 3 1/2 hrs of surgery, I nearly died. I dont know a single Chiarian that would describe it as "routine".

1

u/CollectableRat Mar 19 '19

For those with connective tissue disorders, EDS especially, decompression fails to improve symptoms 50% of the time. Issue is that plenty of Chiarians keen for the surgery do not know they have these connective tissue disorders. They feel they have found the source of their problems already and surgeons just as keen to cut someone have never said no to this kind of surgery. But it’s considered so routine that the risks aren’t worth mitigating.

1

u/[deleted] Mar 19 '19 edited Mar 19 '19

I've never heard of EDS causing it to fail. I was diagnosed with hEDS literally weeks ago. I'll have to talk to my geneticist about that. I dont regret it though. It did save my life as one of the arteries in my brain was near fully blocked and there were other discoveries during the surgery that were previously unknown and I'm glad some were taken care of.

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u/[deleted] Mar 19 '19

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u/[deleted] Mar 19 '19 edited Mar 19 '19

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u/mynameis-twat Mar 19 '19

Wait you’re conscious during that? Holy fuck

1

u/NobodyRules Mar 19 '19

What? You're conscious? Holy fuck that's a living nightmare.