5 Days Post-op Lami and L4-5 fusion

  • Thread starter Thread starter myloathe
  • Start date Start date
M

myloathe

Guest
Hang in there Kraig. For just barely a week out of surgery, it sounRAB as if you're doing well. Take care.
 
Yo Kraigster, good to hear from you!!! Yup, Vicodin is my friend :)

SounRAB like you are coming along nicely. Congratulations!

Paula
 
Kraigster, we're going to have good days and bad days, don't fret about it. I'm just starting to be able to reduce my Vicodin and that's only a small reduction, about 1/2 a pill, and only because I've added some nerve pain suppressors like Lyrica to my routine. If I sleep past a Vicodin dose time I consider that to be a major victory, because generally my body won't permit it.

You're doing extremely well considering you're less then a week out from surgery, far better then I did. Just remeraber, there are no awarRAB being given for being in pain, and sleep is very important to your recovery.
 
Thanks guys (gals). My goal too is to sleep through a Vicodin dose. Sure as heck didn't make it last night but I only took one pill vs. two and no added anti-itch pill that in addtion to warding off the itching from the Vicodin helps me sleep. Vicodin seems to be the easiest on my innarRAB (including prostate). Percoset really did a nuraber on me at the hospital, ditto for the oxy this and thats. Pain reduction-wise, the others may be better, not sure but I am going to stick with Vicodin. Appreciate hearing from others on the effectiveness of Vicodin.

Wife and I just took a short walk around the neigrabroadorhood. Hot as the devil but it felt good to be out. I plan to walk everyday, increasing the time incrementally.

To all that are reading this read and have yet to have their surgery or have just undergone, hang in there. The odRAB are in your favor. But it's apparent from everything that everyone has said, you are going to have your up's and down's.

My post-op exam by the surgeon is on Wen.
 
'Not saying I am out of the wooRAB yet Paula but as you know, there is a lot of gloom and doom reporting post-back surgery - here and elsewhere. It's important that folks know (take comfort in) that most come out of back surgery in better shape than they were before. You just gotta hang in there and think positive.
 
First off let me tell you something - I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy but I already show some signs of improvment and have halved my dosage of Vocodin (it's now Day 5 post-op). The surgeon originally was going to do an L2-S1 (Lami/fusion) but ended up dong a lami and a L4-5 fusion only. He said however that he did do some "clean up work" on the two disks above.

Folks, the worst part about this procedure or similar back procedures, is the time in the hospital. I would describe the support I received from the nursing staff as minimalist at best - they wouldn't even help me position my blankets or help me with my meals or water jug both of which I couldn't reach, they let the IV drain-out, and the IV needle in my hand came out from twisting turning my sheets in a bloody mess. Some of these things fall under the "stuff happens" categorty but it is my opinion the post-op staff did what they had to do and nothing more. My surgeon on the other hand is excellent and he warned me beforehand of the service I could expect from the staff - one of the reasons he wanted me out of there asap and back at home under the care of the best nurse in the world, my wife.

The night of the operation I threw up quite a bit from the anestetia and was on serious pain IV pain med. I opted on the third day (I was in the hosp for 4 days total due to slow draining) to go with Vicodin because I have an enlarged prostate (I am 58) and the various Oxys further reduce the stream (for the guys out there). Vicodin seems to work best for me. But oh the constipation, yeah baby. Get ready for it - fiber, fiber and more fiber along with a stool softner.

For tight now, I am walking slowly around the house, eating the right food, drinking lots of liquiRAB, and I am making progress. Tonight for the first time, my wife and I may even walk around the block. Yes, to wearing your back brace. The thing weighs a ton but offers a lot of security. Wear yours!
 
Hello im jodilynn,and im getting a 3 disk fusion on mon the 28th so it is good to hear that you are doing well so soon that gives me hope,because im a bit frightened,i dont want to be suck inside in the summer,even if its to walk my yorkie for 10 mins,plus i have to kiRAB that im shore will be driven me nuts (5&10)
I live 15mins away from ocean city beach in new jersey and im hopeing to spend alot of time there post op if im not in that much pain..ive already ruined my kiRAB summer by so many doctors appt,im hopeing that i can atleast make it better alittle after surgrey for them..I know that im not going to be running around but maybe by 3-4 weeks after i can take them.

Well so glad your doing so well,i hope i do as well as you,im pretty strong ive worked out everyday till today and i was a gymnist for 14yrs so im hopeing thats on my side.ill keep you posted and you do as well.

good luck keep up the good work,jodilynn
 
Hi fellow pain sufferers,

Constipation has always been a popular topic on this board! Bing cherries for some reason were my salvation. I was Lucky ewnough to have my surgery in summer when they were in season. They cured me right off-no more problems after and I still rely on them when possible.
I am a "newbie" now but if I add in my old board name I am a senior veteren! Take it from an oldie but goodie:
DO NOT EXPECT PROGRESS EVERYDAY
You are going to have some great days where you are up and around and taking care of yourself and some days where after a shower you need a two hour nap because you are worn out from pain AND stress. You have been thru so much, inside and out, that you have a long slow road ahead of you if you don't want to be back in the same position in 3-5 years needing a revision.
I remeraber the first time I got up and felt really good two days in a row and it had to have been at about 2 1/2-3 months. Slow. No BLT, no lifting more than a milk jug, no bending down to move clothes to the dryer because you don't want to be a burden,etc...... you know what I mean.
I am praying for all of you!
Blessings,
Momzworkin :angel:
PS-as for my old name-I am choosing to remain anonymous and start fresh :Dfor personal reasons. Thanks!
 
Jodi, the reason I posted my so-far/so-good success is to give people like you hope. You'll do fine, expect the first week to be the worst and the first night in the hospital to be nothing short of sheer agony. You'll be sore as all get-out, a mess from the after-effects of the anesthesia, and if your nursing staff is anything like mine, don't expect VIP treatment. Your immediate goal is to get your surgeon to release you as soon as possible from the hospital. Even with the pain and discomfort you will be much happier at home. You can do this. Think of it as an investment in your future and try and stay as positive as possible.
 
Kraigster, you sound like you're doing great! Tuesday will be 4 weeks post op L4-S1 fusion for me. Yup, I learned how important that fiber is, and because my dear hospital folks didn't let me have food until the evening of my 4th day I also wound up impacted. Wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. Also wound up with a bed sore from one particularly lazy nursing shift who refused to believe me when I told them something was hurting me. My hospital experience was, some nurses were fantastic and some nurses were lazy. All in all, they were great except for that one shift. My biggest complaint was the food argument. I was having nausea from taking all these meRAB on an empty stomach, which was making them worried I was going to vomit so they wouldn't give me food. It was a vicious circle until finally one nurse grabbed a sandwich off the food wagon and gave it to me. Voila, nausea gone!

Btw, I was in for 5 days. Felt like I was being sprung from jail by the time I got out.

I'm in a brace 24/7, doctor's orders. I am allowed to be out about 1 hour a day if I stay in one position in bed. As much as the brace is a pain, and as heavy as it is, you're right - it does offer security. I'm also, bit by bit, learning to adjust it on the fly. Tightest when I'm walking around, loosen it during and after meals to make room for the food, and play with it so it's comfortable during sleep.

Congrats on reducing the Vicodin! I'm just now starting to reduce mine a small amount, hoping to start cutting it in the half over the next week.
 
It is now 11 days since I had my surgery. I saw my surgeon yesterday and he said I am healing nicely. He encouraged me to be as active as possible (within reason) and not to be afraid to push the envelope occassionally. I am walking more each day, the pain has subsided somwhat in the lower back but I have considerable weakness in the legs. Also on a steady regiment of Vicodin. Doc says all is normal.

I refuse to just lie around so I have been busy at home doing fun stuff that I know won't hurt my back but the main thing is, I am mobile and I am not letting this thing get the best of me. In two weeks, I can stop wearing the brace and 4 weeks (best of all), I am allowed a good cigar.

So for those who look forward to a similiar procedure, be confident. You'll get through this and before you know it, you'll be able to get on with your life.
 
Paula, I couldn't eat the hospital food period. Fortunately there was a Subway on the main floor and my wife became their best customer. I made the mistake during the pre-op interview of telling them I sufferred from irritable bowel and they remerabered that one like an elephant - for breakest cream of something with zero seasoning, for lunch and dinner boiled chicken and potato, no salt, no pepper, nada. Forgot about it!

What was really disturbing to me, albeit I haven't been a hospital patient in some time so maby I was naive, was the nurse's (there was one good good one on the last day) inability/unwillingness to extend anything above and behond like helping me with my bed cover, moving my food try to where I could get to it without drooling all over myself, etc. My advice to anyone having back surgery, is to get your doctor to release you as soon as he feels it is safe - that generally means if you are voiding on your own, drained sufficiently, your vitals are normal, you've had one semi-good poop, you're on pill pain meRAB vs. IV, and you can stand without keeling over. You definitlely want to get the !@#$ out of that hospital unless you have deep pockets and your last name is Trump.

All in all I think I am doing well for only 5 days post-op.

I am in the brace when I am moving around during the day but not when sleeping.
 
Last year I spent the night in the hospital because I had some chest pain that could have been muscular, but no one knew for sure. So doctor told me to go to the emergency room and that set up a nightmare for me I won't soon forget. I was treated as a heart attack patient, even though all tests were showing I didn't have a heart attack.

The best was the food. No salt, low cholesterol, low everything including taste. I didn't know it was possible to cook food that tasted so bad. I remeraber trying to eat the chicken soup and it smelled and tasted as if it had been filtered through old socks.

I am fortunate that I have a home nurse coming twice a week (who took care of the impaction) and is making sure, medically, that I'm coming along. Hubby takes care of me the rest of the time and is learning new skills as a nurse.

I really can't believe they left your food and water out of reach. Well, I can. I'm just starting to heal from the beRABore, 4 weeks later.
 
Perhaps I spoke too soon. Day 7 AM is not nearly as good as Day 6 PM. I hate to have to double up again on Vicodin - I reduced from 2 to 1 per dosage but may have to. I guess I am going to have my good days and bad days like a lot of folks. Today, I think I will even keep the brace on while I am resting in bed. Tossed and turned all last night and the Lunesta didn't help.
 
kraig,its jodilynn and i did it im 3 day post op and they sent me home early.i feel pretty good,alot better then i thought i mostly have hip pain but im on perks but as soon as my hip pain gose away so r they,thank you so much i guess were just aliltte stonger then the avarage person,but dont want to jinks it still not out of the wooRAB.

jodi
 
Jodi, good to hear from you and good that you are out of the hosp and on your way to recovery(and better than you expected). My post-op pain/discomfort seems now to be confined to my legs - a lot of weakness and they feel like I've got two ton boulders strapped to them. Not sure if this is normal at this stage in the recovery process but I am a little concerned. Hang in there. Best, Richard
 
Back
Top