I just heard from Dr. Steinberg's office yesterday.  I sent my films to him to get a second opinion on whether I need surgery for my MMD.  The doctors at Kaiser say I have enough blood flow to my brain and that since I've haven't had a stroke although I've been showing symptoms and have had TIA's since my 20's (I'm 43), they seem to think I'm low risk for stroke.

Dr. Steinberg is recommending surgery, both an indirect and direct bypass.  After reading all these boards, does that mean 2 surgeries?

It is hard to hear that I need brain surgery after I had accepted the plan from Kaiser to just live with the MMD and try to deal with the symptoms.  But the more I think about it, I know I need to follow Dr. Steinberg's recommendations.

So will I be having 2 surgeries?  Has anyone else needed 2?  What was it like?  Do I have to go in two separate days?

I'm working on getting my insurance changed this week so I can see Dr. Steinberg.  I hope it goes smoothly.

Susan, a surgeon can do direct and indirect bypass at the same time, whether you need 2 surgeries depends on whether the MM is on both sides of the brain (usually is). They will most likely do one side, let you recover, and then do the other.  Hope all goes well for you. :)