After CEA
Complete recovery times vary. However, you may only stay in the hospital for 24 hours. Your doctor will want to ensure there is no bleeding, poor blood flow, or other stroke risk factors. You may experience some soreness, swelling, numbness, and bruising in your neck. You may also experience difficulty swallowing. For this, your doctor will prescribe some pain medication for you, and you will be instructed to avoid heavy lifting and driving a car for two weeks.
CEA is an effective treatment to reduce the risk of a stroke if you have carotid artery disease. There are some risks associated with the procedure, such as nerve damage, stroke, or even death. Underlying health issues like heart diseases and diabetes can cause complications.
An alternative procedure to CEA is a carotid stent. There are also some risks associated with the procedure. You must discuss with your doctor about your procedure.
Conclusion
Carotid artery surgery is recommended for someone who has a narrowed carotid artery as a result of the blockage, which can lead to stroke. The surgery is done to remove the blockage from the artery. The procedure will last for a few hours, but you will need to remain in the hospital overnight for your doctor to observe and ensure everything went well. Discuss with your doctor the symptoms you are experiencing and your alternatives.
References
[1] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stroke/
[2] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/transient-ischemic-attack/symptoms-causes/syc-20355679
[3] https://www.ninds.nih.gov/
[4] https://www.healthline.com/health/x-ray
[5] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/local-anaesthesia/