Spinal Fusion Surgery...

[Motorhead]

Dave, I went through a L4 L5 lamanectomy about 18 years ago. The best advice is to be PATIENT on your recovery. I felt pretty good after some time but I stayed at UPS and it bothers me now. I hope the best for you. Chris

 

[Spooled-up]

Motorhead,



I did exactly as the doctors said after my myelogram. I completely avoided the spinal headache because of it. I'm going to do exactly as they say and hopefully get back on my feet as soon as possible. I've waited 7 months for this surgery, so I can take the proper amount of time to recover and get back to a normal life if I'm lucky.

Thanks.

 

[fox]

Just a little more info about my surgery.

The doc said they found a Completely collapsed disc--worse than the tests showed, and they did MRI's and disco grams-and bone spurs. One pushing on the esophagus and more pushing on nerves. He was VERY confident that this was my cause of pain.

I am in less pain than prior to surgery. I went out to some garage sales with the mrs this am!!



Good luck to you guys with yours.

 

[The patriot]

I had the disco-gram or discography. It wasnt as painful as I was told it would be.

I'm sure this new Dr will want another.

Good luck in your recovery.

Eric

 

[Spooled-up]

Just an update guys. My surgery was rescheduled for the 27th of April, and then re-scheduled for May 1st. The reason for the re-schedule was that a girl had a couple of tumors on her spine that had to come off right away. My surgery could wait since I'm not a critical case.



So, Monday is the day if they don't re-schedule a 3rd time!

 

[fox]

Good luck!

Keep us informed.

 

[mopars1]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but I am glad you finally got something done John. I have three vertabrae in my neck fused and I have not had a moments discomfort from the operation with the exception of after surgery healing. I have full range of turning my head and looking up and down so I am good. I know I talked to you and Steve before you both had surgery and urged both of you to get it done. There is nothing like the relief of the pain and/or numbness that goes on for a long time before the surgery is felt to be the best choice.

 

[fox]

Thanks Dave.

We went out to supper friday night with my brother-in-law, and he starts laughing at me!

I asked what was funny, he said you are smiling and laughing again. Welcome back!!!!



I haven't felt this good for a decade. It is strange but welcome. I'm just past ten days post-op too.

 

[Spooled-up]

Just wanted to update you guys on how the surgery went.



Surgery room was booked from 7am until 1145am. I ended up getting out close to 430pm. The surgeon said that the situation looked worse than he had anticipated and that he ended up fusing another level. I'm fused L5 to S1 and L4 to L5. I stayed in the hospital from Monday to Saturday. The worst part of the whole ordeal was getting my bladder and bowels under control. I learned that, for many people, you can't empty your bladder properly after surgery. I'm one of the lucky ones that had to be catheterized over 20 times. I HATE catheters



The reason for fusing the additional level was that he found it to be unstable. He did a bone grafts on each side with rods and screws on the back for L4 to L5 and just left the disc alone. The L5 to S1 also had the side bone grafts, rods and screws, and also the disc removed and bone placed in between the vertebrae.



I'm in a brace for 10-12 weeks which immobilizes the lower part of my back and keeps me from sleeping in my own bed. I sleep in the recliner now. The wife surprised me with one of those recliners that lifts you up with a motor and puts you in the standing position. I laughed at first, but I sleep in it now, and I'd fight you for it if you tried to take it from me.



I can't sit at the computer very long, so if you don't hear from me for a while, I haven't found a good way to set my laptop on my gut in the recliner on top of my brace. Still working on finding a solution for that.



Overall, I'm doing well, but have a long road to recovery. My left leg pain is gone, but now my right foot has a numb spot! I can walk around the house for now, but the walking will increase when the doc clears me.



BTW,

I was pretty beat up when I woke up from surgery. I had blisters on my face and my legs looked like they drew on me with a hot screwdriver. They said it was from moving me around and flipping me on the table and because I was such a big guy. Hmmm.



Thanks for all the well wishes and kind words.



-Dave

 

[nps]

I'm one of the lucky ones that had to be catheterized over 20 times. I HATE catheters

What does Mr. Winkey think of them? :{



Glad to hear you are OK.

 

[The patriot]

Well... . glad to hear that youre finally home.

Last stay in the hospital I didnt have any cathiters, but I kept after the nurses for a sponge bath. :-laf

Guess I wasnt that sick.

Hope you'll be up and around ASAP.

I'm still trying to contact my Dr to ask more questions. I hope he doesnt want me in for another office visit to answer them.

Going to Philly burns the whole day... ..... not that I'm doing anything else. I just hate going into the city.

Eric



PS How big are you? I'm about 6' and 210. How beat up should I expect to be?

 

[mopars1]

Spooled, I hope the recovery continues in a good way. I know it takes time and you can't get very comfortable with the brace and the cutting they did on you. Time will heal that part, I just hope it heals the back problems for good. So far my surgeries (in neck and lower back) have turned out well. I didn't have any fusion in my lower back though, just my neck.



David

 

[Spooled-up]

What does Mr. Winkey think of them?

It STILL pains him.

 

[Spooled-up]

PS How big are you? I'm about 6' and 210. How beat up should I expect to be?

I wasn't expecting to be beat up at all. I'm 6' 270 right now due to the levels of NO activity for 7 months. I'm usually around 230 lbs.





Thanks Mopars1. I seem to be getting a little better every day. Let's hope it continues.

 

[nps]

It STILL pains him.

If it is any consolation, my Mr. Winkey feels the pain just thinking about it too. :{

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

It could be worse - I got to go home from one of my surgeries with a catheter kit and had to do it to myself for 5 days! It was either that or stay in the hospital.

 

[Spooled-up]

It could be worse - I got to go home from one of my surgeries with a catheter kit and had to do it to myself for 5 days! It was either that or stay in the hospital.

I was told that could be my next option if the medications they gave me to correct it hadn't worked. I have to take the prescription for at least a month, and I still don't feel like everything is working the way it should!

 

[The patriot]

I wasn't expecting to be beat up at all. I'm 6' 270 right now due to the levels of NO activity for 7 months. I'm usually around 230 lbs.





Thanks Mopars1. I seem to be getting a little better every day. Let's hope it continues.

That's why I'm as fat as I am.

It would do me good to drop an extra 20-30 lbs, but I almost dont even eat anything now as it is.

This month is 2 full years I havent done much of any activity.

Sux.

Eric

 

[The patriot]

It could be worse - I got to go home from one of my surgeries with a catheter kit and had to do it to myself for 5 days! It was either that or stay in the hospital.

Oh man... this is getting REALLY painful now!

They better send a nurse home with me. :-laf

 

[bighammer]

Ask about a couple muscle relaxers as a part of your take-home goodies. Muscle spasm can be a nasty (and somewhat common) after surgery side effect of back surgeries.