What was your recovery like after carotid endarterectomy: is stroke something that may happen ?

Safe operation : Endarterectomy is the gold standard for symptomatic carotid disease. It is safe and effective. Many surgeons have a 2% peri operative rate of stroke, less than 1% risk of peri operative death. There is some risk to nerves that control the voice box but should an injury occur it is usually temporary. The key is to ask your surgeon about his or her personal complication rates.

Depends : Recovery from surgery is quick usually within two weeks unless patient has a stroke then recovery is variable . Stroke could occur from surgery , this ranges from 3% if surgery done for asymptomatic blockage to 5-7% if done for TIA or stroke or even 10% in redo carotid surgery, although most vascular surgeons with good experience has this risk down to less than 1%.