I had the testing done 1st to see where the seizures were occurring. I was taken off my meds to make me have seizures, to locate where the seizures were occurring. (for 50 yrs I was told that I was having seizure activity on both sides of my brain) The testing showed that they were only on the left side. I went back to have the WADA testing done. They found out that with all the scar tissue the seizures have done to the left side of my brain that controls my memory and speach each are located. The right side of my brain had started learning memory and so each on it's own. The neurology team at UCLA were amazed. They put the left side of my brain to sleep and asked me questions. Some of them I wasn't able to answer but some of them I did. I even remember telling them that I answered a question incorrectly when my right side woke up. When I had my surgery done I had long hair. I told the Dr. I was going to shave my hair off. He said that I didn't have to do that. He said they would part my hair where I was going to be cut and then shave just that part of my head, and then part my hair in the middle where I had it and it would cover up the scar. I was so happy to hear that. I stayed at the hospital for 3 days after the surgery. I had 48 staples in my head. I was placed on several meds for the pain and recovery. I continued to have peti-mal seizures for about 6-9 months because of the swelling in the brain. My GP removed my staples after the surgery and that eased much of the pain. I noticed right after the surgery that it had effected my memory. (part of my hippocampus was removed as well) I have only had a few break through seizures for @ 9 & 1/2 years. I am still on Keppra and had the VNS put in before the surgery and was told I would have to keep that in me as well. I still can't drive or work because of the stress, tension, and pressure. That would start triggering seizures again. My depression bothers me still though. Hope this helps you decide. Please keep me posted. Thanks.

If I knew where photo was , I would of shown you mine. My stitches looked like a giant ?mark on my left side. The stitches also ended to my ear too.

It is interesting seeing someone else’s battle wounds ( your stitches ) lol.

Well take care and hope you’ll notice improvement.

I’ve been through everything that your doing @A MyEpilepsyTeam Member . I had my brain in 1998

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A MyEpile...

You may want to start with the VNS. If you feel it’s not working well enough and you are interested in the brain surgery , you need to find out if your a candidate.

When I had my brain surgery, there were many tests I had to do before the day of the surgery.

The VNS you go in and come out . It’s a fast procedure. The brain surgery takes longer with the test and the surgery . It’s also a little more riskier .

LOL .by winter, my hair will be a little longer . Besides winter gear my hair will help me keep warn.

Before the appointment of me brain surgery, had to visit my Epileptologist. He said that I only had to shave the side,they will be working on. I said that I’m just going to shave my whole head so everything grows back evenly.

A few days a or so later after my surgery they took the tape cover off my head. I took a look into the mirror a little in shock. It had nothing to do with the stitches, but how fast my hair was coming back . I knew my hair grew fast at the time ,but not that fast. I was expecting maybe a peach fuzz of hair not 1/8th of an inch..