Allanbruce's surgery over

  • Thread starter Thread starter allanbruce
  • Start date Start date
Parman,
How are you feeling? How did the surgery go? I am thinking of you!!!!
Heather
 
Well I have started my walking redeem and walked twice today about 20 minutes each time. I am going to try and make this a permanent part of my life to not only repair my back but to loose weight and give me a healthier life style. So I am documenting this so as to ensure I don't get lazy and miss a exercise session. This is the start of a huge change after being almost bed ridden and with terrible chronic pain.
I really believe this operation has given me hope and a chance of life and will allow me to make frienRAB and ultimately find a partner as I have been so alone these last 10 years and I don't wish to be alone the rest of my life.
The pain is still in my lower back but I am on the lowest amount of pain killers in about 7-8 years and have a program of reducing that after every 10 days or so with my very pleased specialist.
I am so pleased I found the right doctor for me and he chose to not do the second level disc replacement as he realised the lower level L5-S1 was the culprit causing me intense pain and sciatica. The recovery seems to be easier and that suites me fine. The recovery will still take the same time and effort on my behalf.
Thank you for your support and advise as it has been incremental in my choice of doctor and the options I have taken. The people here have been great and I don't know what I would have done without you all. I mean that. You know who you are and I hope to stay in touch and help anyone who asks for help. That is the most important thing to do ask questions.
Allan
 
Hey there,
I just read your message and thanks for all of the valuable information. You asked these questions and I would like to respond:
Is your surgery going to be open or minimally invasive? Is he going in from the back, front or side? Do you know if you're having a cage or what type of hardware? Will you were a brace afterward? And finally, are you being weaned off the pain meRAB prior to surgery?
I am having a PLIF two level lurabar interbody fusion. L5-s1, and L4-5. So, he is going in from the back and will use a spacer and screws I guess. He referred to it as a lego peice ( a very expensive one!). And, no no one has told me to wean off pain meRAB, what would be the purpose for this. I take two 20mg oxycontins a day, and two 10/325 percs a day. I also take soma at night to help with muscle tightness and sleep. They gave me cyrabalta but, I have not taken it, there is some reluctance in me to take it that I can't explain. Weird, I know. And I must be back at work in 6 to 8 weeks, I just have to .... no choice. I am a counselor and should be okay, I would think. I HOPE! Heather
 
Hi Allan,
I know that you have suffered for so long, so I so happy things are going well!
How much longer is your hospital stay??
I am sure you will have lots of rehabilitation with walking etc. Hope it goes well too!
Best wishes to musiccitygirl and parman on your upcomining surgeries too!
Daisy
 
Oh, allan, so happy that you're at the other side of this now:) Take it easy and DO LISTEN very carefully to all your doctors/nurses/physical therapists directions and advice. Before you know it, you'll be home!! Best Wishes For A Speedy Recovery..janiee08:angel:
 
Panadol is an Australian and British brandname for paracetamol/acetaminophen - its to us what Tylenol is to Americans
 
Allan, I know your glad your surgery is over. Now it's recovery time. Don't forget the muscle relaxers to fight off them muscle spasms. Very important.
My double fusion is mon. the 6th of dec. I'm hoping it takes care of my leg pain.Will post back as soon as I can, after the surgery.
Good Luck with your recovery.
Keith:angel::wave:
 
It's been 3 day's now and I am on light meals. It's so good to eat. I am up and around without the walker. My tummy is still distended and have't really gone toilet yet but tummy very rurabley.
Thank you all for your support it is so helpful. I am actually walking on my left leg and have no problems. No nurabness. All good so far. They have disconected all the tubes. Tablets now. Oxicontin. Panadol.
 
I know it is great to be able to walk without my stick but when I go on my walks I take it and find I am still using it but on the other side as the physio asked. It also lets others know I am not 100% and I am still slow of course. But yes the leg stuff was gone strait after the operation as others have mentioned. I have no regrets and would do it again though it is good to forget waking up and being in shock and a lot of pain and cramping. That fades though and I look forward to being a little better each week now. Off to see the surgeon in the morning so I have to prepare a couple questions so I remeraber to write it down now. My memory is improving though since coming off the patch's. It is a shit taking pills but I don't have to peel those things off me again. I was on them for too long, I don't know but a few years anyway.
Hope things continue to go well for you.
Allan
 
I am very pleased to tell you I ended up not needing the replacement disc. The problems were all coming from L5-S1. It was very badly collapsed and causing most of the problems. So they separated the vertebrae cleaned it up and put in an implant or a shim of sorts and locked that in with a plate and 2 big screws. I also got 20 staples in my tummy.
Thanks for all the support. I will log back when I am well enough again.
Allan.
 
Allan,
I have been following your posts. I am having the same surgery Jan 12th. I am having two level fusion. I work full time as a counselor for disabled veterans for the veteran's administration. It is a sedentary job. My hope is to be back at work in 6 weeks, no more than 8. Then I run out of paid time off. YIKES. Are you walking outside or on a treadmill? I am looking into buying a treadmill, or eliptical. I would much rather have the eliptical but, not sure if this is the same as walking. Must discuss with the doctor. So, you just had the one level fused? How long is your incision. Did you have stitches or staples, I have soooo many questions. I take 60 to 70 mgs of oxycodone a day. What are you down too now if I may ask. Thanks for posting. :wave:
 
Hello Allan,
Best wishes for a speedy recovery!! May all the pain soon be a distant memory!!
Take good care of yourself!
Daisy
 
Thanks Allen for keeping us posted! My surgery is going to be a Posterior Lurabar Interbody Fusion/two level fusion. My L5-S1 disc space is completely collapsed. And my L4-5, is detiorating as well. We decided to be aggressive and go ahead and fuse both levels. If I do this, I never want to do it again if you know what I mean! Take care of yourself :wave:
 
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