Eggroll/Steve:
Hi, and welcome. I realize you're experienced (having undergone a prior brain surgery procedure) but as a 'veteran' of 'retrosigmoid approach' AN microsurgery (and subsequent FSR treatments) I can try to prepare you for this specific procedure and it's ramifications. The surgery - if you have surgery - will take a good part of a day (or night, as the case may be). Mine took over 8 hours. Of course, you'll be 'out' and know nothing. Your first few days post-op will mostly be a blur, and probably spent in ICU. You'll sleep - a lot. If all goes well, you'll have no facial paralysis or other complications. I didn't. With good health going in, no serious complications and a positive attitude you'll be leaving the hospital in less than a week (I was out on my 5th day) and probably be back to work a few weeks after that. My initial recovery took about six weeks. Some AN post-op patients need longer to recuperate, some even less. This is an average. I was driving 2 weeks following my surgery, if that's any guide.
Balance 'issues' are commonly a major component of AN microsurgery recuperation and those often need to be worked out via exercises, but they do resolve (in most cases). Mine did. Retaining your hearing in the ear affected by the tumor may be problematic but the 'retro' procedure is supposed to offer a decent chance, assuming you have not lost much hearing on the 'AN side', pre-op. My hearing in that ear was already gone so that wasn't an issue for me. The surgeon used the 'retro' approach simply to have a better access to the tumor. Fortunately, I experienced few post-op problems. In the experience of most folks that have undergone AN surgery, your first week home from the hospital will likely be one that involves a lot of sleeping and resting, so don't plan on doing much, right away. Remember: time heals.
Acoustic neuroma tumors and their surgical removal is not a simple one-shot-and-you're-done situation, as with some surgeries. Post-op, there are usually lingering 'reminders' of the tumor (as well as the surgery) that can last for some time, although most symptoms eventually either disappear or become so minimal that they can effectively be ignored. Well, that's been my personal experience. Not every AN patient is as fortunate, as some of the posts here demonstrate. Obviously, no one can guarantee anything as we are all unique and acoustic neuroma tumors (and their effects) are often vastly different in each patient. If you have a small AN tumor (under 3 cm) you may be a candidate for non-invasive radiation treatment instead of surgery. Your MRI results (and your physician) will let you know. Radiation is another story and as I only had it as an adjunct to microsurgery, I'll let those who have undergone that specific treatment explain it, if they wish. I can tell you that it's painless but radiation treatment does have some after-effects, just as surgery does. Usually not as severe. Again, I'm no expert on 'Cyber-Knife' or 'Gamma-Knife' procedures, so I won't try to comment further on them.
I hope and pray that your upcoming surgery is a success and your recovery is rapid. I wish you all the best as your surgery date approaches. Stay focused and don't allow panic to overtake you at any time. Although relatively rare, acoustic neuroma tumors are both benign and treatable. There will be plenty of life to live after you get through this. If you need and/or decide on surgery, be sure to choose an experienced neurosurgeon who has performed this operation successfully, at least 100 times or more. Experience really does make a huge difference when it comes to AN removal. It's a delicate, challenging, tedious and lengthy operation that you want someone with lots of AN-specific experience doing to ensure success and a lack of complications, which can happen to anyone but can also be avoided in many cases, if the surgeon is experienced in this specific procedure, as my neurosurgeon was.
Again, all the best as your AN 'journey' continues. Please know that you are not alone. Come back as often as you wish. We'll be here for you.
Jim
