Recovery after DBS for head tremor

Recovery after DBS for head tremor is usually quick. The stimulator is switched on the day after surgery, and after a successful operation the tremor stops almost immediately. Stitches are removed on day 12, you can shower three days later, and after one month you can dye your hair, swim and use a sauna or hammam. The whole system lies under the skin, and wounds are closed cosmetically, so scars are usually barely visible.

Key facts

Switch-on the day after surgery; the tremor usually stops at once after a successful operation.
Stitches removed on day 12; shower three days later.
Hair dye, swimming, sauna and hammam after one month.
Everything is under the skin; scars are usually barely visible.
Remote programming continues after you go home.

Timeline

When	What happens
Day of surgery	Electrodes placed (awake testing under local anesthesia); stimulator implanted under general anesthesia; CT to confirm position
Day 1	Stimulator switched on; each contact tested; tremor usually stops after a successful operation
Days 1–6	Hospital stay: daily wound care, programming, physiotherapy
Day 12	Stitches removed
Day 15	Showering allowed (three days after the stitches come out)
Days 10–18	Return home, depending on the package
1 month	Hair dyeing, normal hair care, swimming, sauna and hammam
Following months	Remote programming by video call as needed

Wound care and scars

Wounds are cleaned and checked daily during your stay. Prof. YILMAZ closes the wounds himself, using cosmetic techniques, so scars are usually barely visible once healed. Effective antibiotics are given after surgery to reduce the risk of infection.

Will anything show from outside?

No. The electrodes, the connecting wire and the stimulator are all under the skin. The stimulator sits under the collarbone and may be felt as a small bump, but nothing is visible on the head.

Hair

Only small areas of hair are shaved for the incisions. You can comb your hair gently once the wounds are dry, and dye it normally after one month.

Activities

Walking and daily activities: from the first days, as comfortable
Showering: three days after stitch removal
Swimming, sauna, hammam: after one month
Flying home: at the end of the program; you receive a device card for airport security
Work: desk work usually within a few weeks; heavier work after discussion with the team

Living with the stimulator

Carry your device card; airport scanners may detect the stimulator
Tell any doctor or dentist that you have DBS before procedures that use electricity or heat
MRI is possible only under specific conditions for your device — always inform the imaging center
Rechargeable stimulators need regular charging; non-rechargeable ones are replaced in a short procedure under local anesthesia

Follow-up

Remote programming by secure video call is free for 3 to 5 years, depending on the package chosen; after that it remains available, without limit, for a fee. See how DBS is programmed.

Your surgeon

Prof. Atilla YILMAZ, MD

Every operation is performed personally by Prof. YILMAZ, a stereotactic and functional neurosurgeon who has carried out 1,200+ neuromodulation procedures, including 800+ DBS surgeries, for patients from 60+ countries. He is the first author of the published double-target Vim+PSA series for rare tremor syndromes ^[1].

President, Middle-Eastern Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (MSSFN); Board of Directors, WSSFN and International Neuromodulation Society
Proctor for Medtronic, Abbott and Boston Scientific — the three leading DBS manufacturers appoint him to train other neurosurgeons on their systems
40+ neurosurgeons trained from 30 countries; first-ever DBS surgeries performed in six countries
Trained at the University of Florida (observership with Prof. Okun and Prof. Foote) and Umeå University Hospital, Sweden

Full profile and credentials

Frequently asked questions

When can I shower after DBS surgery?

Stitches are removed on day 12, and you can shower three days later.

When can I dye my hair after DBS?

After one month. Combing is fine once the wounds are dry.

When can I swim or go to a sauna or hammam?

After one month.

Will there be a visible scar?

Wounds are closed cosmetically by Prof. YILMAZ, so scars are usually barely visible once healed.

Will any part of the device be outside my body?

No. Everything is under the skin; nothing is visible from outside.

Sources

Yilmaz A, Eray HA, Cakir M, Ceylan M, Blomstedt P. Deep Brain Stimulation with Double Targeting of the VIM and PSA for the Treatment of Rare Tremor Syndromes. Stereotact Funct Neurosurg 2024;102:224–239. DOI 10.1159/000539162. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38934181/