What are the cosmetic considerations with DBS surgery?
Complete shaving of the head is not necessary for surgery. However, patches of hair on top of the head and behind the ear are shaved immediately before surgery when the patient is sedated. Many patients elect to get a short haircut after surgery (must be at least 2 weeks afterwards) so that the hair grows in evenly. There are generally 3 incisions made on each side for DBS surgery: a 5 cm (2 inch) incision on top of the head, a 2.5 cm (1 inch) incision behind the ear, and a 6 cm (2.5 inches) incision in the chest just under the clavicle. For patients with receding hairlines, a slight scar from an incision will be visible on top of the head, but is not especially prominent.
Complete shaving of the head is not necessary for surgery. However, patches of hair on top of the head and behind the ear are shaved immediately before surgery when the patient is sedated. Many patients elect to get a short haircut after surgery (must be at least 2 weeks afterwards) so that the hair grows in evenly. There are generally 3 incisions made on each side for DBS surgery: a 5 cm (2 inch) incision on top of the head, a 2.5 cm (1 inch) incision behind the ear, and a 6 cm (2.5 inches) incision in the chest just under the clavicle. For patients with receding hairlines, a slight scar from an incision will be visible on top of the head, but is not especially prominent. The cap used to anchor the DBS electrode (under the scalp) forms a slight bump, which again may be visible in the case of a receding hairline. There is often puffiness around the eyes for a few days after surgery, but this goes away rapidly. All parts of the device are internal (under the skin), so there are no wires
Complete shaving of the head is not necessary for surgery. However, a significant patch of hair from on top of the head to behind an ear is shaved immediately before surgery when the patient is sedated. Many patients elect to get a short haircut after surgery (must be at least 2 weeks afterwards) so that the hair grows in evenly. When hair grows back, incisions are not visible. There is often puffiness around the eyes for a few days after surgery, but this goes away rapidly. There are generally 3 incisions made for DBS surgery: a 5 cm (2 inch) incision on top of the head, a 2.5 cm (1 inch) incision behind the ear, and a 6 cm (2.5 inches) incision in the chest just under the clavicle. For adult patients with receding hairlines, a slight scar from an incision will be visible on top of the head, but is not especially prominent. The cap used to anchor the DBS electrode (under the scalp) forms a slight bump, which again may be visible but not prominent in the case of a receding hairline. Al
