My wife was discharged yesterday afternoon from the Stanford hospital after having her left STA-MCA bypass. She seemed to have been recovering very well 3 days after the surgery. Today at noon she had a seizure that lasted about a minute and became unconscious for 10 mins. Previously she suffered involuntary movements while conscious, but were not seizures. During the episode she suddenly became stiff, her eyes rolled back and followed by convulsions and foaming in her mouth. She has no memory of what happened. She's spending the night in Clinical Decision for observation

We were told that some patients in Dr. Steinbergs's series have had complications with seizures post op on the left side. Is this temporary. I was so scared during the episode. She's being prescribed Keppra and evaluation after 2 months. We have one last clinical visit with Dr. Steinberg on Wednesday, but we hope to see home tomorrow. Is this temporary or will she have life long seizures. I don't want to see her go through it again. I had a roommate in college that has epilepsy and I witnessed him having a seizure once...the experience is just so heart wrenching when it's a loved one :'( I am so nervous traveling back on Friday.

I had a right STA-MCA bypass February of 2010.  I was told that some patients experience seizures post op, which is why my neurosurgeon Dr. Day (formerly of Brigham & Women's in Boston) prescribed Keppra (500 mg 2X per day).  While on Keppra, about 4 months post op, I had a seizure, which was more like a blackout.  About 2 months later I had another seizure/blackout so my local neurologist increased my Keppra dosage to 750 mg 2x pr day. I eventually weaned myself off the Keppra about a year after the surgery and I have been fine ever since.

I really don't think that your wife will have to be on seizure watch forever though.  As she heals from the surgery I'm sure the risk of seizures will decrease.  It is important for her to get lots of rest as lack of sleep can trigger seizures  and to not skip her Keppra doses.

Good luck and I wish your wife a speedy recovery.