Disney 6 weeks after Microdiscectomy

[scrappinam]

My husband just had a microdiscectomy on L5/S1. From the time the MRI was taken until the surgery was 2 weeks. So we didn't have a lot of time to think things out. We go to Disney for fall break every two years and this October is the year for our trip. We knew from a friend that he wouldn't be able to fly for six weeks. But thought that if all went well all restrictions but excessive heavy lifting would be lifted at six weeks post surgery. Now that we have had time to think, we are wondering if he will have limits when we go to Disney six weeks from now. He loves rides so he will be very disappointed if he can't ride all his favs.

Anyone know if it is possible that he will be able take this trip in six weeks without restrictions? We will be following whatever guidelines the doctor sets but are just trying to get an idea so that we can prepare our family.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Several years ago I had a kidney removed. My surgeon told me that for six months if I went to any Park if an attraction had a warning for heart conditions, bad backs, or pregnancy, the warning applied to me. So I followed the rules.

I also rented an ECV for my trip.

 

[Jennasis]

I had a discectomy on L5/S1 in 2010 (in April) and went to WDW with no restrictions in October that same year. Six MONTHS before I was that operational. At six weeks there is no way I would have gone to Disney. I was forbidden by the surgeon from even riding our lawn mower for nearly 6 months. It's not just the bending, lifting or twisting (or which your DH should do NONE of for 8 weeks after surgery...and I mean not even a little bit), but being jostled in a crowd, all that walking, up steps etc.

The good news is that the surgery was the best thing I ever did for myself! Your DH will be glad too. If you still insist on going, I would keep him off of all the rides (heck even getting bumped from a boat behind you on Small World could be his undoing).

 

[sbell111]

I didn't have a discectomy, I had a laminectomy (et al), so what I went through during recover may not be the same as your husband.

That being said, six weeks after surgery, I was pretty ambulatory, but I definitely wasn't up for a hard-core day at WDW. Stepping off a curb 'wrong' would give me shooting pains as would any attempts to hurry faster than an 'amble'.

It seems that our first trip after my surgery was about four or five months after. I rode most rides, but passed on a number of them. I made decisions about what I would ride on a case by case basis. I think that I rode EE, but not SM or BTM.

 

[scrappinam]

My husband is in great shape. We are not really worried about the walking. He is already walking a 25 minute mile at 5 days post surgery. He is also off all of his pain meds. He has returned to work full-time and doesn't need assistance with anything except changing his bandage. He even started attending my older sons football practices although he knows not to participate in anyway.

We were just wondering if anyone having his surgery had been cleared of all restrictions at the six-week point. He is supposed to see his doctor next week for his post-op check (he will begin physical therapy after this appointment) and we will find out the doctor's restrictions at that point. I am just a huge planner and was hoping to see if a six-week recovery was even possible.

 

[dakcp2001]

The correct person to ask this question would be his surgeon. He must have a follow up? I would say he probably will not be able to ride the rides that soon after surgery. Not worth the risk of shaking things up and out of whack.

 

[luvmy2sams]

I had a laminectomy/discectomy in July 2005 and was fully cleared at 6 weeks post-op. I had a wonderful recovery and was actually painting my living room less than a week later. Big no no, I realize, but I'd been down for close to a year, and I'd had enough. We didn't go to Disney until January 2006, but when I did I rode all the rides with the exception of Dinosaur! I can't stand that one!

 

[kungaloosh]

On May 19th, 2011 I had my second discectomy of the L5 disc. My original surgery was 3/28/11 but I reherniated one week after the surgery which meant the second surgery which they called a revision to go in and clean it up again. We went to FL just 7 weeks later on July 9th and I did have full clearance from my doctor. The only ride I skipped was Rip Ride Rocket at Universal because I was just too scared so I used my back as an excuse LOL. I rode everything at WDW. Ultimately thought you need to talk to your husband's surgeon since he's the one who's knows your DH's situation.

My back was fine for the trip and all fall and winter and then this late spring I reherniated for the 3rd time and it wasn't due to any particular action. It just built up and happened again. I had another surgery 3 weeks ago and reherniated again 1 week later. So surgery number 4 will be to have a disc fusion of the L5/S1 and also possibly the L4. I am very scared that rides may be off limits after fusion and it's one of the top questions on my list for next week when I meet with the surgeon.

Best of luck on your DH's recovery and I hope you have a great trip.

Cathy

 

[Jennasis]

My husband is in great shape. We are not really worried about the walking. He is already walking a 25 minute mile at 5 days post surgery. He is also off all of his pain meds. He has returned to work full-time and doesn't need assistance with anything except changing his bandage. He even started attending my older sons football practices although he knows not to participate in anyway.

We were just wondering if anyone having his surgery had been cleared of all restrictions at the six-week point. He is supposed to see his doctor next week for his post-op check (he will begin physical therapy after this appointment) and we will find out the doctor's restrictions at that point. I am just a huge planner and was hoping to see if a six-week recovery was even possible.

Your husband is walking a mile 5 days after surgery???

I swear to you that I was restricted from riding a lawn mower for the entire summer after my April surgery. I cannot imagine a surgeon (worth his salt) clearing your husband to ride anything more than the monorail or parking lot tram 6 weeks after surgery.

I just don't understand why anyone would go through surgery only to potentially ruin all that was done by rushing things afterwards. SURE he feels great...he was in tremendous pain before surgery, right? I felt GREAT after surgery too...and because I wanted to keep it that way I gave myself time to heal. Rushing back into things is why people end up reherniating, reinjuring, or with other complications.

Bottom line...at the very least, ignore us and follow your surgeon's instructions. Good luck!

 

[scrappinam]

Your husband is walking a mile 5 days after surgery???

I swear to you that I was restricted from riding a lawn mower for the entire summer after my April surgery. I cannot imagine a surgeon (worth his salt) clearing your husband to ride anything more than the monorail or parking lot tram 6 weeks after surgery.

I just don't understand why anyone would go through surgery only to potentially ruin all that was done by rushing things afterwards. SURE he feels great...he was in tremendous pain before surgery, right? I felt GREAT after surgery too...and because I wanted to keep it that way I gave myself time to heal. Rushing back into things is why people end up reherniating, reinjuring, or with other complications.

Bottom line...at the very least, ignore us and follow your surgeon's instructions. Good luck!

Actually the surgeon instructions were to walk 1 mile or take 4 ten minute walks per day beginning the day after surgery. Believe me I was shocked at this too. But it seems to be working, except for a little bit of stiffness when he gets out of bed in the morning he feels great. The walking has been great for me too since I could stand to lose a few pounds.

 

[scrappinam]

On May 19th, 2011 I had my second discectomy of the L5 disc. My original surgery was 3/28/11 but I reherniated one week after the surgery which meant the second surgery which they called a revision to go in and clean it up again. We went to FL just 7 weeks later on July 9th and I did have full clearance from my doctor. The only ride I skipped was Rip Ride Rocket at Universal because I was just too scared so I used my back as an excuse LOL. I rode everything at WDW. Ultimately thought you need to talk to your husband's surgeon since he's the one who's knows your DH's situation.

My back was fine for the trip and all fall and winter and then this late spring I reherniated for the 3rd time and it wasn't due to any particular action. It just built up and happened again. I had another surgery 3 weeks ago and reherniated again 1 week later. So surgery number 4 will be to have a disc fusion of the L5/S1 and also possibly the L4. I am very scared that rides may be off limits after fusion and it's one of the top questions on my list for next week when I meet with the surgeon.

Best of luck on your DH's recovery and I hope you have a great trip.

Cathy

We will definitely be following the surgeon's instructions but thanks for letting me know that it is possible to be fully released.

 

[scrappinam]

Thanks to all who shared their stories. We go to the doctor tomorrow for two week post-op so hopefully we will know a little more then.