Commercial pilot 2 cm AN with surgery scheduled in two weeks

[barbarakiel]

Are there any commercial pilots out there who have had surgery and returned to flying?  My surgery is scheduled at USC with Drs. Friedman *(formerly at HEI) and Giannotta in mid March.  I'm wondering about your post operative period, FAA clearance, return to work, did you have vestibular/balance rehab, would you be willing to talk?
I would appreciate any information and thanks.

[Trippy]

I don't remember where I saw it, but there was an old website where a heli pilot talked about having an AN.  If I recall correctly he received radiosurgery.  I remember he/she got flight status back.  Everyone responds to treatment differently though.  You will be in very experienced hands at USC.

[PaulW]

I had dreams of being a commercial pilot, but any balance problems or compromised balance may mean you could fail the medical. Basically if they cut your balance nerve in surgery which is a common practice it could mean the end of your commercial pilots license based purely on the fact that nerve is missing
The indications I got was that you could not hold an Air transport pilots license if your balance system was not 100% a missing balance nerve was an automatic fail.
Recreational pilot carrying passengers no problem. Small commercial maybe... Big jets were out.

You may want to investigate which surgical approach is being used and whether your balance nerve will be spared or not. The other option is to look at radiation.
It maybe worth contacting the FAA or an approved medical specialist

Good luck and let us know what you find out. Hopefully you will be able to fly again.

[opp2]

Are there any commercial pilots out there who have had surgery and returned to flying?  My surgery is scheduled at USC with Drs. Friedman *(formerly at HEI) and Giannotta in mid March.  I'm wondering about your post operative period, FAA clearance, return to work, did you have vestibular/balance rehab, would you be willing to talk?
I would appreciate any information and thanks.

I tried to reply to your personal message but it told me your email was full. if you still need to talk to a pilot I know, I have the contact information.