Pre & Post Surgical Assessment

Neuropsychological assessments are a highly effective tool for evaluating cognitive and psychiatric functioning both before and after surgical procedures. These assessments provide a comprehensive understanding of a patient’s cognitive abilities, emotional well-being, and overall psychological state. They are particularly valuable when patients are preparing for or recovering from surgeries that may impact brain function, mood, or cognition. At Neurocognitive Specialty Group (NSG), our experienced providers specialize in conducting thorough neuropsychological evaluations for a range of surgical procedures, helping medical teams and patients make informed decisions about treatment and recovery.

Pre-Surgical Neuropsychological Assessments

Pre-surgical neuropsychological assessments are essential for determining a patient’s baseline cognitive and psychiatric functioning prior to certain surgeries. This allows the surgical team to anticipate any potential cognitive changes or psychiatric concerns that may arise during or after the procedure. At NSG, our providers have extensive experience conducting pre-surgical evaluations for a variety of procedures, including:

• Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS): DBS is a surgical procedure commonly used to treat neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, and dystonia. Given its impact on brain circuits, a pre-surgical neuropsychological evaluation is crucial to assess cognitive functioning and emotional stability before the surgery. This helps the medical team understand how DBS might influence the patient’s cognition, mood, and behavior.
• Spinal Cord Stimulator Placement: Spinal cord stimulators are implanted to manage chronic pain. Although this surgery primarily affects the spinal cord, neuropsychological assessments are important for identifying any underlying cognitive or psychological issues, such as anxiety or depression, that could impact the patient’s pain management outcomes. Pre-surgical evaluations can also help predict how the patient will cope with chronic pain following surgery.
• Bariatric Surgery: Patients undergoing bariatric surgery to treat obesity often face significant emotional and psychological challenges. Pre-surgical neuropsychological evaluations can assess cognitive and psychiatric factors that may influence a patient’s ability to follow post-surgery protocols, manage changes in body image, and adapt to lifestyle adjustments. Identifying issues such as depression, anxiety, or disordered eating before surgery can help guide interventions that will support long-term success.

Post-Surgical Neuropsychological Assessments

In addition to pre-surgical evaluations, post-surgical neuropsychological assessments play a critical role in monitoring cognitive and psychiatric recovery following surgery. Certain surgeries, especially those involving the brain, can lead to changes in cognition, mood, and overall mental health. Our providers at NSG have extensive experience in conducting post-surgical assessments to help determine the impact of surgery on a patient’s cognitive and emotional functioning.

• Epilepsy Surgery: Surgery to treat epilepsy, such as temporal lobectomy or vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), can sometimes result in changes in memory, attention, and executive functioning. Post-surgical neuropsychological assessments are crucial for identifying any cognitive changes that may occur after the procedure. Our providers have expertise in assessing how these surgeries affect patients’ cognitive and psychiatric functioning, allowing for the development of personalized rehabilitation plans to address any areas of concern.
• DBS and Other Neurological Surgeries: Following surgeries like DBS, it’s important to assess how the procedure has impacted the patient’s cognitive abilities and emotional state. Post-surgical evaluations provide valuable insight into improvements or declines in functioning and can help guide further treatment or adjustments in care.
• Spinal Cord Stimulator and Bariatric Surgery: While these surgeries are not directly related to the brain, they can still have significant psychological and emotional effects on patients. Post-surgical assessments can monitor how patients are adapting emotionally and cognitively to their new circumstances, including pain management, body image changes, and lifestyle modifications.

The Importance of Pre- and Post-Surgical Neuropsychological Assessments

By conducting both pre- and post-surgical neuropsychological assessments, our team at NSG can offer a comprehensive picture of how a patient’s cognitive and psychiatric functioning may change over the course of surgery. This approach helps medical teams identify potential risks, set realistic expectations for recovery, and develop tailored rehabilitation plans to optimize the patient’s cognitive and emotional well-being. These assessments also help patients and their families understand the possible psychological effects of surgery, allowing them to make informed decisions about treatment and recovery.

At NSG, we are committed to providing high-quality neuropsychological assessments that support patients through every stage of their surgical journey. Whether you’re preparing for surgery or recovering from one, our team of experienced neuropsychologists is here to help you navigate the complexities of cognitive and emotional health. Contact us today to learn more about our pre- and post-surgical neuropsychological evaluation services and how we can assist you in achieving the best possible outcomes.