awaiting surgery

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gijuie

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Hey everybody, well the surgery is set for june 30th, having L4-L5+S1 fused, & removing a part to get it off the nerves, & having the cadaver bones put in the front of my spine, & removing a cyst that I have. there will be 2 surgeons. Not sure how long it will all take, or even how long I'll be at the hospital. June 30th seems like a long time from now, trying to work as much as I can now, since I will be off work for at least 3 months. anybody with a little insight on this? I hope everyone is doing well this fine sunday, take care,
gijuie
 
Hi Gijuie, and welcome to the board!

There are lots of us fusion folks here, and we're happy to try to help you from our own experiences. It's a big surgery, and it sounRAB like you realize that. Doctors aren't always quite up front about how long the recovery period is. You're right, you'll need about 3 months off work. Some go back sooner, some later than that, but 3 months is about average.

There's a sticky at the top of the page called, "Post Surgery Tips." It has tons of great suggestions that will make your recovery easier. My best tips: get a satiny type bottom sheet for your bed. I got slippery pj's, too, and together they made turning a breeze, so much less painful than the friction of cotton on cotton. You can slide to turn instead of having to shift your weight. For the same reason, put a plastic garbage bag on the passenger seat of your car for the ride home from the hospital. You can slide to get in and out. Put a big ziplock bag in there, too, in case you get nauseous. You can zip in the mess and no one will have to clean anything up. Also, get a ood quality grabber tool. It will be worth its weight in gold your first day home. You won't be able to pick up anything that you drop without it, and it will also enable you to reach things that are just a little out of reach without having to move. That makes a big difference when you're in pain. Get a little notebook to keep track of your meRAB. You'll be groggy, and it's easy to lose track of how much you took and when. Every time you take anything, jot down the time, which med, and how much. I also kept a running list of questions for my doctor in the same little notebook.

There are a ton of other great tips on that thread. If you have other questions, we'll do our best to help. I've had two fusions and don't regret either one for a second. I'm not pain-free, but I'm much better off!

I'm sure others will chime in as well. You're officially a meraber of the back buddies club now! :D

Blessings,
Emily
 
Welcome and Emily gave you good advice i dont think i could think of those things until she gave me the advice and trust me it works.

I had the same levels fused as you are having. well my surgery lasted 12 and a half hours but i had anterior/posterior and they had to basically clean up the old fusion that never healed that another doctor did. It is a lot to heal from and i have to say my biggest thing is i have 3 kiRAB.

You may need a cane later cuz like now i have no balance at all and have fallen a few times.So it can be real helpful.
 
Hi and welcome, yes indeed Emily gave you wonderful advice as I used the majority of those things that she suggested especially the garbage bag! My grabber I can't live without. I also bought a Food Saver and made my meals and prepackaged them for me and my hubby who can't cook. I made enough for a month and all he had to do was nuke them and I had BBQ'd shish kabobs, Mole (mexican dish), chops, different kinRAB of veggies. It all worked out fine while it lasted. Make sure you take your calcium with D, and eat soy products if you can. I love tofu and use it in most of my meals just for the added protein. Geez my husband had me drinking soy milk and vitamin D milk! It must have worked because my back healed up just fine but my fault for waiting so long now I have problems with the sciatic nerve but in PT to work that out.:)
 
Hi Judy,

I'm having almost the same surgery on June 24th, am also a smoker who knows I have to quit, and I'm battling a cough with a cold. I'm also trying to make it through 3 more weeks of work, dealing with the company disability insurer, etc. So, if misery loves company, here I am ;)

There are great people here with great advice. The post op sticky is incredible.

If you need support, or an ear, I'm here. Take care and try to stay calm (advice I should give myself)

Paula
 
Hi, I haven't had a fusion, but I just wanted to wish you luck on your surgery. Yes, it seems a long time away, but it will arrive before you know it. Just think, already a 1/2 a year has passed and you only have 29 days left.

As others have said make to sure to read all the tips and get whatever you can beforehand. You might also want to get a removable toilet seat riser, the grabbers are a must have, they even sell these things to help you put socks on! (though you probably don't have to worry about socks b/c it's summer). I had multi-level laminectomies and bought a Mattress Genie, which is made of thick plastic, that you put between your mattress at the top part, comes with an air pump; and you lay down on your bed and start the pump, it actually raises the top half of your bed so that you are in more of a reclining position. I am not sure if that would be good for after a fusion, though. But that corabined with satin sheets really helped me get out of bed. Plus the PT's should show you how to get around after surgery. I know you will get lots of great advice from others who've had the surgery as well.

Nervousness is definitely completely normal before surgery as it's a scary thing. But..once you are put "out", you wont know or feel anything and it when you wake up, it'll seem like only a few minutes passed. There will be lots of pain after surgery, which is normal b/c you were operated on but you will get painkillers to help that.

With the bronchitis, have you seen a doctor for that? It is important that it's gone before surgery, otherwise it might be postponed. Having that can cause problems when you are under. Also, I know how extremely hard it is to quit smoking, it seems almost impossible...but, it is extremely important to try to quit and the sooner before surgery, the better. There is medical evidence that smoking impedes healing and can also impede the fusion. I would suggest you pull out whatever willpower you can find, and whatever means necessary to quit.
 
;) Hello everybody,
What an amazing group of people here, thank you all. This is the second group I was put in the other group,was a group that surgery didn't go well for them. So this positive group is much better for me at this time. So again Thank you. & so many great ideas. My husband & I went & bought twin bed for the downstairs addition yesterday. that will keep me off the stairs & keep hubby from banging into me. I'm sure that was a must.
It is nice to have a friend who is awaiting for the same thing right along with me Paula, let's keep in touch. I thank you also Baybreeze, you have alot of good advice. Well wishing everyone a [A Good Back Day]:angel:
 
Hello again,
So much good advice, thanks soo much. the closer this get the more worried I am. Trying like the dickens to get everything ready to be down for awhile. I've been doing the cooking & freezing stuff, also trying to get together with family & frienRAB. But the thing that I am most worried about is this bronchitis I have had the past 2 weeks. I'm affraid I won't get rid of it enough to get the surgery. Plus I am a smoker trying to stop that also, I know I have to but just trying to do it isn't all that easy.
I hope you are all doing well today & everyday, & Thanks for the warm welcome. Will keep checking in.
judy
 
Get at least a satin/silk bottom sheet to go on your new bed. When you have difficulty with mobility to begin with, it feels like you are stuck to the bed with velcro when you have a regular sheet. I read this tip before surgery and thought it a little silly, but, believe me, it was just about the most important thing I did for my recovery!! :cool:

I had my fusion in January and I still find it a bit difficult to turn over in bed, due to muscle weakness.

As others have said, it is a BIG surgery and recovery is a long haul.
 
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