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Deep Brain Stimulation and Parkinson’ s
Questions to Ask Your Team: The Surgery
Potential risks of surgery
Q What are the possible risks with surgery?
Q How likely are these?
Q What are potential complications related to the device?
Q What about battery replacement risks and complications?
Medications Q Do I have to stop before surgery? Which ones? For how long?
Q When can I resume?
Q How do I adjust medications following surgery?
Surgical procedure Q Do you shave my hair? How much? When?
Q Will I be awake or asleep during the procedure? If awake, for which parts? How long will I be awake?
Q How can I communicate with my surgeon if I’ m uncomfortable or in pain?
Q Will both leads be placed at the same time? Or is there an observation and recovery period between? How long? Why?
Q How long does surgery take? Who will communicate with my loved ones? What should they expect?
Hospital stays Q Required?
Q After which procedure?
Q For how long?
Q What should I know about or plan for during hospital stays?
Q Do I need to bring my own medication?
Q What else should I bring?
Q Should someone stay overnight with me?