Starting your VNS Therapy^TM Journey

Resting and recovering

After your VNS Therapy™ surgery, it’s time to rest and recover before your device is turned on.

• Be kind to yourself - recovery from surgery is different for everyone, it’s normal to need rest. 
• Encourage yourself to take some gentle exercise and breathe in the fresh air! 
• Drink plenty of water and eat  healthy foods to help your body recover.
• Ask your friends, family or neighbours for help if you need it.
• Get back into your usual routine as quickly as possible.

You’ll have two wound dressings from where your surgeon made the incisions to implant your VNS Therapy™ System - on the left side of your chest and neck. You may feel some soreness, but this is normal. Your doctor or nurse will give you advice on how to keep the wounds clean during the healing process. The most common side effect from the surgery is infection – so contact your doctor if you have any concerns.

Enjoying activities with VNS Therapy^TM

Exercising! 

Regular exercise is encouraged to stay healthy - talk to your doctor before starting something new and continue to proceed with care during activities that could be risky. 

If you enjoy high impact contact sports - be aware that physical trauma to the generator or lead can cause damage, so it’s important to discuss these types of activities with your epilepsy team first to advise on precautions.

Tips at home

The VNS Therapy™ generator is affected by strong magnetic fields, which can be found in some household items containing magnets such as children’s toys, induction hobs, and tablet computers. It’s best to keep these items at least 20cm away from your generator to avoid an extra stimulation or temporarily stopping stimulation. 

So, if you’re watching a film or browsing on your tablet, resist the temptation to rest it on your chest!