Recovery After Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Surgery

Usually you need to stay in the hospital for only one night after the operation. The next day, a clinician will come to your hospital room, turn the Activa™ System ON, and program the pulse generator. Programming is done with a computer that communicates with the pulse generator through telemetry – a non-invasive, painless way of adjusting the stimulation. The clinician will find the best stimulation setting with the most symptom reduction and the fewest side effects. You also will be given an identification card that states you have a medical device. Be sure to keep this with you at all times!

Tremor doesn’t always return immediately after the procedure. In those cases, the clinician may decide to leave the system OFF until tremor returns.

You may feel some pain or discomfort after leaving the hospital, especially headache or neck pain. This may last several weeks. Dr. Duma can suggest medicine to make you more comfortable. Most patients, however, recover quickly and have minimal discomfort during this time.

Be sure to follow Dr. Duma’s instructions about self-care after the surgery.

General Instruction for Self-Care

• Notify Dr. Duma of changes in side effects, such as tingling in the limbs or face, speech problems, or changes in symptom control.
• Notify Dr. Duma if pain, swelling or redness occurs where the devices are implanted.
• Notify Dr. Duma if you experience dizziness or lightheadedness.
• Take medicines as prescribed by your doctor. If you have Parkinson’s disease, medicines may help you control symptoms other than tremor.
• Notify Dr. Duma of persistent headache not relieved by medication.

Follow-up

When you leave the hospital, you will be scheduled for a follow-up visit with Dr. Duma, usually 7 to 14 days after the operation. Dr. Duma or the neurologist will schedule a follow-up visit to initiate the programming of your Activa™ System to adjust stimulation if it has already been started.

After that, you’ll visit once or twice a year for a check-up. The timing of these visits is set by Dr. Duma

Changing the Pulse Generator

The pulse generator will last about 5 years at typical settings. Its longevity depends on how many hours a day it is used and how it is programmed. Your doctor can give you a better estimate of how long the battery will last once the pulse generator is programmed. To conserve the battery, turn OFF your pulse generator when you feel you don’t need it and at night if you can sleep comfortably without it.

During follow-up visits, your doctor will check the battery. If the battery is depleted, the pulse generator will be replaced. The lead in the brain is not replaced. Replacing the battery takes about an hour and is usually done as an outpatient procedure (you don’t have to stay in the hospital).