I am having back surgery - Lumbar Fusion

[Jenvenza]

Some of you might remember I have had some injections in my back over the past 6 months for a ruptured and torn L5 in my back. They havent done much, so I went back to the doctor today. They have decided to do back surgery, so in 2 or 3 weeks I will be having an anterior lumbar fusion. They are going to go through a small incision in my stomach and this is supposed to make healing faster and it isnt supposed to be as hard as if would if they went through my back and the muscles back there. They also said I would only be in the hospital 1-2 days after surgery and I would probably only miss 2 to 3 weeks of work. I am nervous, but happy at the same time. I am ready for relief. I am only 30 years old, so hopefully I can heal quickly. I do have a young DD, but he told me I could pick her up as long as I bend with my knees after I am home.

Prayers, thoughts, good karma - whatever you do - would be appreciated! I think my husband is more nervous than I am at the moment.

Also, has anyone ever had this done? Can anyone tell me about it first hand?

Thanks in advance Dis'sers!!

 

[mickeyboat]

Oh dear. I don't have any experience, but hope it all goes well and you are on the road to recovery, soon.

 

[sbell111]

I had a fusion a few years ago, but it was much more complicated than yours. I had a 'decompressive lumbar laminectomy with fusion and posterior lumbar interbody fusion with pedicle screw fixation'. Basically, it's a eight inch incision in my back, the removal of broken bits of my spine, packing the area with donor bone goop, and then screws and rods to hold everything together. I was out of the hospital the next day, but I was out of work for a couple of months.

Here's my advice: Your doctor will prescribe some painkillers/muscle relaxers. He does this for a reason. Have someone fill the prescriptions BFEORE you leave the hospital. Take this medicaine before the pain gets bad. This is very important. When the pain gets bad it will be very bad. You want to stop the pain from getting bad. You really, really want to.

 

[momoftriplets]

I'm sorry to hear that. I remember reading about your back pain on another thread. (Perhaps your TR?)

Anyway - I don't have any firsthand experience with it, either.

Just wanted to send good wishes & a speedy recovery.

I agree with the pp. take the pain meds BEFORE you *really* need them.

 

[Evil Genius]

My sister just had this done in her neck back in March. She is so happy that she had it done and has recovered remarkably quickly. Prayers to you.

 

[Jenvenza]

Oh dear. I don't have any experience, but hope it all goes well and you are on the road to recovery, soon.

Thank you!

I had a fusion a few years ago, but it was much more complicated than yours. I had a 'decompressive lumbar laminectomy with fusion and posterior lumbar interbody fusion with pedicle screw fixation'. Basically, it's a eight inch incision in my back, the removal of broken bits of my spine, packing the area with donor bone goop, and then screws and rods to hold everything together. I was out of the hospital the next day, but I was out of work for a couple of months.

Here's my advice: Your doctor will prescribe some painkillers/muscle relaxers. He does this for a reason. Have someone fill the prescriptions BFEORE you leave the hospital. Take this medicaine before the pain gets bad. This is very important. When the pain gets bad it will be very bad. You want to stop the pain from getting bad. You really, really want to.

Oh my. Reading what you had done gave me a headache! That sounds awful! No, mine is nothing as bad as that, they are just removing one disc and putting in a bone graft and then putting a plate to hold in in place. And I normally don't like pain pills, but I have a feeling I will take your advice here!

I'm sorry to hear that. I remember reading about your back pain on another thread. (Perhaps your TR?)

Anyway - I don't have any firsthand experience with it, either.

Just wanted to send good wishes & a speedy recovery.

I agree with the pp. take the pain meds BEFORE you *really* need them.

Yep, I had another thread months ago when I had injections done, so that is probably what you read! Thank you for your well wishes!

 

[Jenvenza]

My sister just had this done in her neck back in March. She is so happy that she had it done and has recovered remarkably quickly. Prayers to you.

That is fantastic to hear! I hope I am feeling the same way in a few months!

 

[LuvOrlando]

Well wishes being sent

 

[JessicaR]

I hope you get the same relief that I did from my fusion. I promise if you do the surgery and recovery will all be worth it! I have a new lease on life. Living in that pain is extremely debilitating.

Due to spondylolisthesis I had an anterior/posterior two level fusion L4, L5 to S1 and decompression laminectomy. Lots of hardware. I was in the hospital for 9 days and I don't recall many moments of it! I remember my surgeon telling me they used amnesic drugs in my IV during surgery.

Do everything your surgeon tells you. I have a friend that had similar surgery to yours and he healed so quickly! I have lots of tips that may be helpful especially since I had the abdominal incision also.

Take you pain meds before your pain returns in the beginning. A muscle relaxer works wonders at bedtime especially since spasms are common when healing.

How is the procedure being done? I remember recently reading an article on a new anterior approach technique.
http://www.espine.com/anterior-lumbar-fusion.htm

In the few short years since I had my fusion things are changing quickly.

If you react the way I did to the pain meds you will want to have stool softeners and laxatives in the house. Drink PLENTY of water. Eat healthy, chicken soup really does help heal.

They said you can lift your daughter? That is amazing! I wasn't allowed to lift anything for quite a while. I had one of those grabbers to reach for things and pick up from the floor. I couldnt bend either.

I am sure you have but I cant help myself cause it is so important. Make sure you have the BEST possible surgeon for your needs. It makes all the difference in the world.

Slip on shoes, ice packs are great for pain relief and swelling. Get a sports bottle so you can stay laying down and squirt the water into your mouth.

I had to learn the log roll for getting in and out of bed, it is much harder than you would think after this surgery.

When my husband drove me home from the hospital my surgeon had him line the seat with large a trash bag so I would slide in and out easier.

Extra pillows and a heating pad (once you are allowed). A recliner comes in handy too. Satin sheets to slide on are great.

Before I went in I prepared my bedroom and arranged things so they would be easily accessible to me.

OK thats about all I can think. When are you doing this? Try not to dwell on the surgery date too much. I know it can be very nerve wracking but think positive and past the surgery when you will be pain free!

Let us know how you are doing. I wish you the most successful surgery and a speedy recovery.

PS - your daughter is beautiful.

 

[dismom2]

Good luck with the surgery. I hope it gives you a lot of relief.

 

[LindaR]

I hope you are using donor bone and not grafting your own?

I had a fusion 7 years ago. As another poster said, it was quite a bit more complicated than what you describe. Because of grafting my own bone (from my hip) there were two incisions/two scars.

I have not had the wonderful outcome that was described by my doctor, so I truly hope you have done plenty of research on other treatments, complications from surgery, etc. and not JUST taken the advice of one doctor!

 

[Stitchfans]

Never experienced anything like that, and I have no advice. Just best wishes that all goes well and you have a very speedy recovery.

 

[MoniqueU]

I hope this is going to work for you and that you have a speedy recovery.