Balance bad pre op what about post op?

[mindyandy]

As you all know im trying to prepare myself for after surgery. My balance is horrible now. I have to concentrate walking a straight line. If I just walk without paying attention then I tend to go to the right. Lol I stumble etc. Walking in the dark is not pretty.
does this mean that I am already compensating? My balance nerve is shot. Im wondering since my balance is shot then I shouldn't have too tough of a time with balance post op right?

[Jim Scott]

As you all know im trying to prepare myself for after surgery. My balance is horrible now. I have to concentrate walking a straight line. If I just walk without paying attention then I tend to go to the right. Lol I stumble etc. Walking in the dark is not pretty.
does this mean that I am already compensating? My balance nerve is shot. Im wondering since my balance is shot then I shouldn't have too tough of a time with balance post op right?

Mindy ~

No guarantees but although your brain is probably compensating now, you're likely to still need some 'balance therapy', post-op.  For me, that consisted of simply taking long walks (with my wife, for company) on uneven surfaces as much as possible until I improved.  I also had 5 in-home balance therapy sessions with a visiting PT nurse and I continued the exercises for a while on my own.

The reality is that you very likely won't instantly re-gain your ability to balance/walk normally after the surgery, but it will definitely improve - with some work on your part.     

Jim

[LakeErie]

My balance was bad pre-op, especially with head movement. Standing with my feet next to each other, crossing my arms across my chest, and then closing my eyes ( a standard balance test ) lead to swaying immediately.
The doctors I consulted both estimated my tumor had been growing for 15 to 20 years to reach almost 5 cm in size. Both doctors also believed I had probably compensated already and would not experience balance issues after surgery.
I did have balance problems for the first 4 weeks I was up and walking, but it resolved over a 4 week period and improved each week. My balance will never be what it once was when I was younger ( I am 65 ) but is fine right now.
I did have to walk outside  with repeating head movements - 45 degrees right, then left, up and down - to feel better balanced. I also walked inside (close to a wall) in a figure 8 pattern until it made me lightheaded. I did it 3 times a day, morning, afternoon, and evening. Soon it stopped making me feel unbalanced. I found these exercises on YouTube and the videos were from University of Michigan physical therapy.