Pituitary Surgery: What It Is, When It’s Needed, and What to Expect

When a pituitary tumor, a noncancerous growth on the pituitary gland that disrupts hormone production starts causing headaches, vision problems, or unexplained weight gain, pituitary surgery, a targeted procedure to remove tumors from the base of the brain is often the best solution. This isn’t open-brain surgery—it’s minimally invasive, usually done through the nose, and designed to get straight to the source without cutting into the skull. The pituitary gland, often called the "master gland," controls thyroid function, stress response, growth, and reproduction. When it misfires, your whole body feels it.

Most pituitary surgeries today use transsphenoidal surgery, a technique that accesses the gland through the sphenoid sinus behind the nose, sometimes with the help of an endoscopic pituitary surgery, a modern approach using a thin camera and tiny tools for better visibility. This method reduces recovery time, lowers infection risk, and avoids visible scars. Not every tumor needs surgery—some are small and slow-growing, managed with medication. But if the tumor is pressing on your optic nerves, causing vision loss, or making your body produce too much or too little of a hormone like cortisol or growth hormone, surgery becomes urgent.

Recovery is usually quicker than people expect. Most patients go home in one or two days. You might have a stuffy nose, mild headache, or temporary changes in your sense of smell—but these fade. Blood tests after surgery check if your hormone levels are stabilizing. Some people need lifelong hormone replacement if the gland was damaged during removal. Others get back to normal without any extra meds. The key is early diagnosis. If you’ve had unexplained fatigue, irregular periods, erectile dysfunction, or sudden changes in weight or mood, don’t ignore it. These aren’t just "stress"—they could be signs your pituitary is out of balance.

The posts below cover everything from what happens during the procedure, to how it affects hormone levels, to real recovery stories and what to watch for afterward. You’ll find clear advice on preparing for surgery, understanding risks like diabetes insipidus or cerebrospinal fluid leaks, and how to tell if your symptoms are normal or a red flag. Whether you’re a patient, a caregiver, or just trying to understand why someone you know is having this done, this collection gives you the facts without the fluff.