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![Image of a man who has had a seizure Man who has had a seizure lying on the floor with his head on a pillow. He is being supported by another person.](/sites/default/files/image/Epilepsy_0.png)
VNS stands for Vagal Nerve Stimulator.
It helps treat your epilepsy.
It is a device in your body that send signals to a nerve. It helps calm down your brain activity when you have a seizure.
![Graphic of a low battery Graphic of a battery with a red outline and one red bar to show it is running out](/sites/default/files/image/Low%20battery.png)
The battery on your VNS is low.
![Brunel at Southmead Brunel at Southmead](/sites/default/files/image/Southmead_0.png)
You need to come to the hospital to have a new VNS battery.
![Image of a patient and nurse looking at leaflets Image of a patient sat at a desk being shown leaflets by a nurse in a purple uniform](/sites/default/files/image/Nurse.png)
Before your surgery, you will see the epilepsy nurses to make sure you are healthy and ready for surgery.
![Image of food and drink and a red cross An apple, red pepper, salmon, glass of water, and broccoli with a red cross over the top of the food and drink](/sites/default/files/image/No%20food%20or%20drink.png)
You can't have food or drink before your surgery.
![Image of a medicine cabinet and green tick A medicine cabinet full of medication with a green tick in the bottom right hand corner](/sites/default/files/image/Medicine%20cabinet.png)
You can have your normal medications.
![Brunel atrium Brunel atrium](/sites/default/files/image/Brunel%20reception_0.png)
You will arrive at the hospital for your appointment at the time you have been told.
![Image of a person and their family member or carer A person in a wheelchair with another person standing behind. Both are smiling at the camera.](/sites/default/files/image/Carer%20or%20family.png)
Your family or carer can support you.
![Medirooms Medirooms](/sites/default/files/image/Medirooms_0.png)
You will go to Medirooms. It is in the blue zone.
![Image of the medirooms check in desk Check in desk in the medirooms in an open waiting area with seats](/sites/default/files/image/Check%20in.png)
You will check in at the desk.
![Medirooms waiting area Medirooms waiting area](/sites/default/files/image/Medirooms%20waiting%20room_0.png)
You will wait in the waiting room.
Your name will be called.
![Image of a patient room Patient room with a bed in the middle of the room, two chairs, and medical equipment](/sites/default/files/image/Patient%20room_1.png)
A nurse or healthcare assistant will show you to your room.
![Image of patient in a hospital bed Patient in a hospital bed](/sites/default/files/image/Patient%20in%20bed.png)
You will wait in your room. This is your room for the rest of the day.
![Image of a nurse and patient completing a checklist Nurse in a purple uniform completing a paper checklist with a patient who is lying on a bed](/sites/default/files/image/Nurse%20check.png)
The nurse will check you in. They will ask you lots of questions to check you are healthy for the surgery.
![Image of anaesthetist Anaesthetist in light blue uniform wearing a theatre hat](/sites/default/files/image/Anaesthetist.png)
The doctors and anaesthetist will see you in your room.
![Image of a cannula Cannula in the back of a person's hand](/sites/default/files/image/Cannula.png)
You will have a cannula fitted to your hand or arm.
![Image of a patient and porter Patient in a hospital bed being pushed by a porter in navy clothing](/sites/default/files/image/Patient%20and%20porter.png)
You will be taken to the theatres.
Your family member or carer can get dressed into scrubs and come with you.
![Image of a patient and anaesthetist Patient wearing a hospital gown lying on a bed. An anaesthetist in blue uniform and a theatre hat is touching the patient's wrist.](/sites/default/files/image/Patient%20and%20anaesthetist.png)
The anaesthetist will give you medicines to help you sleep.
![Image of person sleeping in bed Person sleeping in a bed](/sites/default/files/image/Asleep.png)
You will have your VNS battery changed.
You will be asleep and won’t feel anything.
![Image of a person waking up Person who has woken up, sitting up in bed rubbing their eyes](/sites/default/files/image/Awake.png)
You will wake up in your hospital room.
Your family or carer can be there when you wake up.
![Image of a cannula Cannula in the back of a person's hand](/sites/default/files/image/Cannula.png)
You might have monitors on your arm when you wake up.
You might still have a cannula in your hand or arm.
![Image of bandage A white bandage being wrapped around a person's arm](/sites/default/files/image/Bandage.png)
You will have a bandage on your chest.
![Image of medicine bottle Brown medicine bottle angled to pour medicine into a small white cup](/sites/default/files/image/Medicine.png)
If you feel sore, the nurses can give you medicine to help you.
![Image of nurse A nurse standing up wearing a purple tunic smiling at the camera](/sites/default/files/image/Nurse%20%281%29.png)
Your nurse will look after you.
![Image of toast and mug A piece of brown toast and a white mug](/sites/default/files/image/Toast%20and%20mug.png)
When you have woken up you can have something to eat and drink.
![Image of a house Red brick house with a white front door](/sites/default/files/image/House.png)
When you are feeling well enough you can go home.
![Image of diary page Diary page with the days from Monday to Sunday listed](/sites/default/files/image/Diary.png)
Wear your bandage for one week.
![Image of shower head Image of a shower head with water coming out](/sites/default/files/image/Shower.png)
Keep your bandage dry when you shower.
![Image of bandage A white bandage being wrapped around a person's arm](/sites/default/files/image/Bandage.png)
A nurse will take the bandage off.
![Image of epilepsy nurse and patient Epilepsy nurse wearing a blue uniform checking the patient's VNS](/sites/default/files/image/Epilepsy%20nurse_1.png)
You will see your epilepsy nurse to check the VNS.
If you have a learning disability or autism and have any questions, you can call the hospital learning disability and autism liaison team on 0117 414 1239.
© North Bristol NHS Trust This edition published December 2022. Review due December 2025. NBT003502 EASY READ