Surgery on the Left Temporal Lobe

Hi All,

I am hoping that some of you out there can share your stories with me regarding surgery on the left temporal lobe and the possible side effects.

I am a 30 year old man who was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was 23.  I had a couple of full seizures over a 2 month span.  Since then, I've been on multiple medications.  I've found ones (lamictal and clobazam) that control the full seizures, but I still have approximately 3 simple partial seizures every month.  My neurologist has indicated to me that since medication has not solved my seizures, that I should consider surgery.  I have been through all the testing (MRI, EEG, PET & SPEC scans....) and am considered a candidate for surgery on the left temporal lobe.  

My case of epilepsy is not as  severe as many others out there.  I am still able to function mostly normally and work as a civil engineer.  My memory is not great right now.  The doctors are not sure if it is a side effect of the medication I'm on, or if it is due to possible damage that the seizures may be causing.  I have been told that there is the possibility that the seizures (that currently originate in one place) may later spread to other areas of the brain as I grow older.  Thus, if I am to have surgery, it has been suggested that sooner is likely better than later.  However I am worried about the potential side effects of left temporal lobe surgery (possible memory loss, word finding ability, multi-tasking, and visual impairment...).  As my case of epilepsy is currently not debilitating, I worry that the side effects of a surgery will not improve my situation.  Some of these side effects (especially memory, word finding, and multi-tasking) would definitely affect my job.

Any input you can provide me regarding side effects you have experienced after surgery would be much appreciated.  I thank you in advance.