Brain Surgery: What It Is and What to Expect
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor provides Brain Surgery?
A neurosurgeon, a surgeon who operates on the brain and nerves, performs brain surgery. Your health care team watches you closely afterward to make sure your brain is working properly. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What it is
Brain surgery is an operation to treat problems in the brain and the structures around it. When the surgeon cuts a piece of skull bone to reach the brain, the operation is called a craniotomy. You may be awake or asleep for it. An awake craniotomy is done when the surgeon works near critical areas of the brain, such as the language area.
Why a doctor might recommend it
Brain surgery may be done if you have one of these problems.
- A brain tumor
- Bleeding or blood clots in the brain
- A weak spot in a blood vessel, called an aneurysm
- Severe nerve or face pain, such as trigeminal neuralgia
- Too much fluid in the cavities of the brain, called hydrocephalus
How to prepare
Your surgeon will examine you and may order lab and imaging tests. Tell your surgeon or nurse if you are or could be pregnant, and about every medicine, supplement, or herb you take. In the week before surgery, you may be asked to pause blood thinners. These include medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Ask your surgeon which medicines you should still take on the day of surgery. On the day of surgery, follow the instructions about when to stop eating and drinking.
What happens during it
The surgeon cuts through the scalp to show the skull. In some cases, the surgeon makes a smaller cut and uses an endoscope, a tube with a light and camera. The surgeon may clip an aneurysm, remove a tumor, or drain blood or an infection. A shunt, which is a tube, can drain extra fluid. The bone flap is usually placed back at the end, held with small titanium plates. It may be left out if the surgery involved a tumor or an infection, or if the brain was swollen.
Recovery
After surgery, your team may ask you questions and ask you to do simple tasks to check your brain. You will usually stay in the hospital for 3 to 7 days, and you may need physical therapy. At home, you may have itching, pain, burning, or numbness along the cut in your skin. Complete healing of the bone may take 6 to 12 months. Keep the cut clean and dry, and follow your surgeon's instructions about medicines and wound care.
Contact your surgeon if you have a fever, chills, vision changes, confusion, new weakness, or trouble walking. Also call if you have a headache that does not go away, a hard time waking up, a seizure, or new problems speaking. Also contact your surgeon about redness, swelling, or discharge from the cut. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have chest pain that lasts two minutes or more, trouble breathing, bleeding that will not stop, or you faint.
Risks and side effects
Any surgery with anesthesia can cause reactions to medicines, breathing problems, bleeding, blood clots, and infection. Brain surgery can also cause problems with speech, memory, balance, vision, or coordination. These problems may last a short while or they may not go away. Other risks are bleeding or a blood clot in the brain, seizures, stroke, and coma. Infection, brain swelling, and the need for more surgery are also possible.
Who performs it
A neurosurgeon performs brain surgery.
Common questions
What is a craniotomy?
A craniotomy is brain surgery in which the surgeon cuts a piece of skull bone, called a bone flap, to reach the brain.
Can I be awake during brain surgery?
Yes, you may be awake or asleep during brain surgery. An awake craniotomy is done when the surgeon works near critical areas of the brain, such as the language area.
How long do I stay in the hospital after brain surgery?
You will usually stay in the hospital for 3 to 7 days.
How does a direct primary care or concierge doctor fit in?
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Your surgeon gives you instructions about which medicines to take before surgery and how to care for yourself afterward.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
