Back Surgery

[kf4uda]

Well folks, tomorrow I go under the knife for back surgery. I started out with a Chiropractor then a MD, then on to the Neurosurgeon. I have had various test and several steroid injections without success. Surgery was the last resort and now I am there.

I think I am more concerned about my mental stability than my back during recovery. I am not accustom to doing nothing for weeks but I am going to do what the doc says so maybe this will go as good as possible.

I would appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers.

 

[Depmandog]

I too have been down this path. I don't think you will have "mental" issues, as your new "job" will be your recovery. They will get you up to "walk" as soon as the sleeping gas wears off. After that it will be walk, walk and more walking. Every day you walk - you will have less discomfort, and the more you walk the better you will feel the next day.

Good luck and enjoy the deep sleep. My prayers are with you.

 

[Thomas]

Strong thoughts w/speedy recovery wishes.

You shall have your up/down days,but before you know it you will be puttering again before you know it.

Remember to listen to head nurse..your better half.

 

[20 20]

What type of sugery are you having, some involve a tube looking thing{laparoscopy back surgery} shoved into the back and your home within hrs, pretty easy recovery. Others involve being cut wide open and take a week or so before you go home, long recovery. Then others involve a simple cut and your still home within hrs medium recovery. I have had more then one surgery, not the nice ones {laparoscopy}. I also had MANY injections, once they even used a hammer on the needle to bust through arthritis in my back, sounded like eggs breaking. I also know that a chiropractor can cause more harm then good in many back problems{you may want to check into this}, not saying they are bad, but you wouldn't put a cast on your arm if your leg was broke. Listen to your doc and most of all once you start the exercises{mckenzie} DO NOT quit them. Try to build up your core muscles once the docs says it's okay. good luck, think positive.

 

[Egon]

Best wishes for a successful operation and a speedy recovery.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[BruceWard]

I have a friend who had two back surgeries and perhaps 6 injections in his 20s. In the second surgery they fused 3 of his disks together. I brought him home from the surgery and saw some of the recovery. It was tough but it significantly improved his quality of life. He changed his job from construction to sales and limits how much he lifts but you would never know he once had a back problem.

good luck!

 

[kf4uda]

I have made it through the surgery and made home. Only had to spend one night in the hospital. They did a fusion and clean out stenosis where the nerves passes through in the L4-L5.

They fit me with a back brace and I have a walker. So far I guess I am doing pretty good. I make a few laps around the halls in the hospital. The tough part so far is getting in and out of bed or a chair. Loritab and Flexorill are my friends right now. I go back to see Doc in 3 weeks for a follow up.

Thanks so much for all of your thoughts and prayers.

 

[jinman]

Good luck and hang in there, Chris. Sometimes the patience and waiting are worth it. As we get older it takes longer to recover, but we appreciate it a lot more when we do.:thumbsup:

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Getting up was near impossible for me but then I had a different surgery then you. Once I was up I loved being able to walk on my own again even if it was only a few steps. I had been in bed for a week before I could get up with assistance from when I first got hurt. All in all I was in the hospital for 15 days and had a turtle shell brace to prevent me from bending and twisting. It wasn't any fun but I was walking 3 miles a day within a month and kept that up till I was out of the brace and able to walk around more freely again. Good luck and take it easy. There is no hurry, just help your body heal itself.

 

[kf4uda]

It has been almost 2 months since my back surgery. I am getting a little better every day. I went for a follow up visit this week and got to see my xrays. I guess you could call me Ironman now. I was a little stunned at the amount of hardware. I don't have to wear a back brace now unless I feel that I need it. I did hit a big milestone today. I was able to climb on my tractor today and drive it around a little. I was one happy camper.