I had 3-4 and 4-5 done. I did need help for 2-3 days after I got home, mainly regular maintanence stuff, couldn't stand long enough to cook and what not, can't lift, bend or reach for 3 months, find someone willing to empty your garbage all the time now for you I hated that. I rearranged alot, had all my clothes (nightgowns) for incision on the top of my dresser, I bought big old granny undies too since I didn't care if they got ruined and fit big for the incision. I lived in nightgowns, and then later draw string sweat pants.
Can't shave lol hated that too. It's not too bad the first few days are a shocker to the system as you get past the surgical pain, but truly it's not that bad. I just had a fusion this week so I am comparing it to now. It's hard NOT to bend and do things, so put everything on your countertops even though you won't like how it looks, get someone to vaccuum for you etc. I got a swiffer wet jet, works great in the kitchen.
Get praciticing how to log roll to get up now when you get out of bed and so on. After surgery, you haveto use your LEGS for getting up, and so on, we're so usedto using out back muscles and that's a no no and painful when you try. Roll to one side, get your one arm under you and push yourself up to keep your middle area straight. After awhile you'll do great at it and it makes it for an easy way to get standing, but until you learn what muscles you are using to do it, you learn the hard way.
If you need a haircut get one, dye it, do it, get a good pedicure you won't be reaching your feet for awhile and man do they get dry and it drives you nuts. I froze alot of dinners in single serving dishes, I lived out of the microwave pretty much.
SO many people are at different levels of disability prior to their surgeries it's hard to say fully, I was bedridden for 2 months prior to that surgery so I was having a terrible time.
Hope this helps! ANY questions just ask. I lived in the sweat pants for 2 weeks+ until incision healed, was 3" long or so.
