This generator is battery-powered and is turned on and off by the patient with a magnetic device. Batteries usually have to be replaced after 10 years, but can last longer if they are not operated continuously. The entire procedure usually takes about three to four hours. After surgery, the patient typically spends one night in the Cedars-Sinai Intensive Care Unit for observation, has a CT scan the next morning, and then goes home in a day or two. While many physicians turn on the generator at the time of surgery, Dr. Levesque prefers to wait about two weeks to give the patient time to recover from the surgery and for any swelling to diminish.
Different people require varying levels of stimulation.
Also, because Parkinson's Disease is a progressive disorder, additional programming will likely be needed to adjust the stimulation levels. If you wish to quote from any part of this story, please credit Cedars-Sinai Medical Center as the original source.