Close
Open
Share on Facebook
Twitter
Email
 
Notice: Users may be experiencing issues with displaying some pages on stanfordhealthcare.org. We are working closely with our technical teams to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience.
 

COVID-19 Resources »      Vaccine Update »      Visitor Policy »

Menu
Search
Menu
Search
  • Doctors, Clinics & Locations, Conditions & Treatments
  • Patients & Visitors
  • MyHealth
  • Billing
  • Insurance
  • Medical Records
  • Support Groups
  • Financial Assistance
  • COVID-19 Resource Center
  • Locations and Parking
  • Visitor Policy
  • Hospital Check-in
  • Video Visits
  • International Patients
  • Contact Us
View All Information for Patients & Visitors »
We are available to assist you 24/7.
650-498-3333
GuestServices@stanfordhealthcare.org


View the changes to our visitor policy »

 

View information for Guest Services »

New to MyHealth?

Manage Your Care From Anywhere.

Access your health information from any device with MyHealth.  You can message your clinic, view lab results, schedule an appointment, and pay your bill.

ALREADY HAVE AN ACCESS CODE?

Activate Account

DON'T HAVE AN ACCESS CODE?

Create a New Account

NEED MORE DETAILS?

Learn More about MyHealth »
Learn More about Video Visits »

MyHealth for Mobile

Get the iPhone MyHealth app »
Get the Android MyHealth app »

WELCOME BACK

Forgot Username or Password?
Need Help?

Clear

Before Deep Brain Stimulation

  • About
  • About
Overview
What to Expect
  • Before surgery
  • During surgery
  • After surgery
Devices
FAQs
Overview
What to Expect
  • Before surgery
  • During surgery
  • After surgery
Devices
FAQs

Before Surgery

During your initial evaluation, you will see a team of specialists. The team works with you to determine if deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery is the best treatment for you. An important way to determine if DBS will help is to evaluate you both when you are taking medication and off medication.

You will receive medication instructions before your appointment. If you have essential tremor, you may need to gradually stop using medication. You may take extra medication one day and no medication the following morning, if you have Parkinson's Disease.

The evaluation appointment includes:

  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain
  • Comprehensive assessment by a movement disorders specialist
  • Computerized balance testing
  • Physical and emotional readiness assesment for surgery by a neuropsychologist

After your evaluation, the team meets to discuss your case and possible risk factors. If DBS surgery is right for you, you will have a follow-up visit with a neurosurgeon. During the visit, the neurosurgeon answers your questions and discusses surgical options and risks. After the discussion, you will decide together whether to pursue surgery.

Movement disorders team
Our team includes neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists, neurologists, a movement disorders specialist, a neurosurgical physician assistant, and a DBS program nurse coordinator. 

The week of surgery

You will need to be available for several appointments and tests the week before your surgery. These include:

  • A meeting with your anesthesia team and an anesthesiologist
  • An MRI of your brain that will help your surgeon place the device
  • A presurgery medical history
  • A physical exam

The day before surgery

The day before surgery, you will come in for preparation for the surgery. First, we will shave your head and numb your scalp.

Next, your doctor will place small titanium screws called fiducials in your scalp. Your surgeon will use the fiducials and a computerized targeting system to precisely place the DBS leads. Once the leads are placed, your surgeon will remove the fiducials.

Finally, you will have a CT scan.

Previous Section Next Section

Clinics for Before surgery

  • Deep Brain Stimulation Program
    650-723-6469
  • Movement Disorders Center
    650-723-6469
  • Find a Doctor
  • Find Conditions & Treatments
  • Find a Stanford clinic
  • For Patients & Visitors
  • Billing
  • Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills
  • Insurance
  • Hospital Check-in
  • Contact Us
  • Video Visits
  • Send a Greeting Card
  • Get a Second Opinion
  • COVID-19 Resource Center
  • Behavioral Standards
  • Make a Gift
  • About Us
  • Quality & Safety
  • Annual Report
  • 300 Pasteur Drive Renewal Program
  • Stanford Health Care Now
  • For Healthcare Professionals
  • Referring Physicians
  • Nursing
  • Allied Healthcare Professionals
First Responders
  • Newsroom
  • Careers
  • Volunteering
  • Vendors
  • Stanford Medicine Partners
  • Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley
  • Stanford Medicine
  • Stanford Medicine Children's Health
  • Stanford University
  • Legal
  • Privacy
  • Code of Conduct
  • |   Notice of Nondiscrimination      ©2022 Stanford Health Care. All Rights Reserved
Home
Close
Doctors
Clinics & Locations
Conditions & Treatments
Clinical Trials
MyHealth Login

Patients & Visitors
Billing
Insurance
Financial Assistance
Medical Records
Contact Us
Video Visits
Get a Second Opinion
COVID-19 Resource Center
Healthcare Professionals
Referring Physicians
Nursing
Allied Healthcare
About Us
Quality & Safety
Careers
Newsroom
Make a Donation
Stanford Health Care Now
Close