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Avatar universal

Shave head for surgery?

I am 16 and very scared as my neurosurgeon has finally come to the conclusion that with my sinking chiari, severe symptoms, and syrinx that I need surgery. This will be my first. I am so scared out of my mind and for the next few weeks I have to somehow balance out school and focus on finals while a BRAIN SURGERY is looming over me. Not to mention I have worked SO hard to get a bunch of internships (ironically one at the hospital I will have surgery) and classes at a college and it was so hard and I was so happy, now I have to cancel them all. Not to mention the mission trip to Bolivia I have been looking forward to since I was 12 is now cancelled even though I already bought the plane ticket. Obviously, I am in freak out mode since my life just tipped over roughly four hours ago. Back to the initial question, should I shave my head for surgery? I want your personal opinion and if you have any medical research to back it I would appreciate if you included that too (like less infection rates). I am sixteen and a girl so that would be a big deal, however this is possibly(hopefully) the only time in my life where I can shave my head without judgment. AKA if people dont like it, I can pull the whole "thats so insensitive, I had to have brain surgery" ;), but would u honestly recommend it? My hair is a few inches past my collar bone right now and hasnt been short since I was six. And how did you guys cope in the crazy scary days leading up to surgery? I'm so afraid I wont wake up, and I have A LOT of allergies to food and medications so I'm afraid that might kill me too. I'm just really scared and need to talk to someone who understands.
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707040 tn?1473944794
Hi,
My son had surgery at the same age as you. It was hard for him too, he had to give up his favorite sport, wrestling. BUT, I will say that he had a really good recovery time. He was in the hospital for about 5 days, then off school at home for about a week and a half. He was supposed to be home for 3 weeks, but he was determined to get back to his routine. He didn't go back to sports for some time either, but he was able to do many of the other things he wanted.
However, everyone is different and has different recovery times. I'd agree with the others on shaving your head - they will take off only what is necessary. Look at this way - if it doesn't work, it could probably get shaved off later instead of before surgery :) I'd wait and see how it looks.
Good luck !!
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Avatar universal
Dont shave it, it can easily hide the incision site.
The dr will shave the site that needs to be shaved and they will shave the very minimal that needs to be done. Then after you heal, you can make the decision to shave it all....or shave it evenly from the site from one side to the other or all of it if you choose so. But at least you will have options and I think it will be best to wait til after instead of doing it before just out of fear.
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620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

  Hi....I was concerned about my hair as well and I asked my NS and he said leave it as long as it is and not to worry as it  will be easy to hid the scar leaving it longer...all I had to do was wear it in a pony tail and the NS took care of the rest.....

I think u need to ask ur NS as they all shave a diff amount and some it is such a small  area to shave ur head may be overkill.....so do not rush to shave ur head.

And make sure u have a hat to cover the scar with the sunny weather ahead,....u do not want to get sunburn on ur scar.

Have u ruled out ALL related conditions?
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