I'm getting ready for my decompression surgery on October 22nd. It is my understanding that my NS will make two incisions, one for the decompressoin and one to get tissue for the patch. Was wondering if anyone had any photos of their incision or incisions they would be willing to share? Or send to my inbox? Feel like if I see it before hand, I will be less likely to pass out when I see my own :)
Mines the 16th… I was wondering the same thing… So I googled chiari surgery pictures … Lol omg some look outrageous … Some not so bad …
I found a picture taken the day after my surgery. My doctor used glue instead of staples so it's not too scary!
Funny side note....I'm at work so I don't have access to many pictures and at first the only one I could find was from a Halloween party I attended 2 weeks post-op. I incorporated my scar into my costume so there was fake blood everywhere. I thought that might scare people too much! lol
330-2012102116.59.35.jpg (1.22 MB)Here’s mine day 8 or so. I guess I was feeling good enough to wear earrings!
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this is mine! a couple hours after surgery 
good luck!
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I couldn't find the pics I took the week after surgery, but it pretty much looked like this, except with steri strips on it. My head wasn't shaved.
The second incision was in my hip, where they took some bone. That one HURT REALLY BAD. For my daughter, the second incision was on her back -- dr used a piece from her rib. We didn't have any warning about where the second incision would be. (It went like this....wake up...ouch! Why does that hurt?? Oh, there's a cut there....)
Dr. Fraser Henderson was my surgeon (& my daughter's).
Hi! Here is a pic 2 days after surgery when I came home and another after the stiches came out. I had seen so many crazy pics that I thought it was going to be way worse then it was. Just try to look at yours for the first time while sitting or have someone around. You can try to prepare but I still almost passed out when I saw mine. It's a strange feeling when you see your own head like that. But it was so worth it for me! Good luck to everyone about to have surgery!
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There are actually quite a few on Pinterest. There are also boards of people with Chiari... another great source of information and community...
Mine was done 26 of September 2013. It is an Australian one, so wonder if that is why it is longer than the others. ?.day 5 the photo was taken.
Wishing you the very best through the surgery, recovery and healing.
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