For many people living with a vestibular disorder, treatment focuses on medications, vestibular rehabilitation, and lifestyle changes. But in some cases, surgery may be considered when symptoms are severe, persistent, or caused by a structural problem that cannot be addressed in other ways. The decision to undergo surgery is rarely simple. Patients and healthcare providers must carefully weigh the potential benefits against the risks, consider alternative treatments, and prepare for what can sometimes be a challenging recovery process. While surgery can be life-changing for the right candidate, it often comes with its own physical and emotional hurdles. In today's episode, we'll explore how doctors determine when an operation is appropriate, what patients can realistically expect before and after surgery, and how recovery unfolds over time. Guests Stefanie Adams suffered multiple traumatic brain injuries and had her third concussion in 2017. As soon as she hit her head, she felt off-balance and started to sway. Over the next year, she developed terrible migraines and dizziness. Eventually the migraines left, but the dizziness stayed. A year later she discovered that she had a perilymph fistula (a hole in the membrane separating the middle and inner ears) when she got the flu, blew her nose, and the room started to spin. She’s had surgery to repair the fistula and is now a VeDA Ambassador, Board Member, and vestibular advocate. Habib G. Rizk, M.D. grew up in Beirut, Lebanon. He attended the Faculty of Medicine-Saint Joseph University in Beirut, Lebanon, and pursued an Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery residency at Hôtel-Dieu de France Hospital in Beirut, followed by an Otologic Medicine and Surgery Fellowship under the mentorship of Dr. Michael Teixido at Christiana Care in Wilmington, Delaware, and a two-year Neurotology fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Rizk’s interests span all areas of otology and neurotology, with a specific focus on the medical and surgical management of vestibular disorders. He is a professor in the MUSC Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery , and the Director of the Multidisciplinary Vestibular Program. Dr. Rizk is currently on the board of directors and past president of the Vestibular Disorders Association. He is a member of the Bárány Society and a fellow of the American Neurotology Society and the American Otological Society. He is also a member of the American Balance Society and of the Otology and Neurotology Education Committee of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

The Role of Surgery in Vestibular Care

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