Fusion recovery

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First of all: good luck to you and I hope everything will go smooth for you.

My first surgeon told me I will be back at work (2 levels fused and more) at 6-8 weeks. 4 month post op he told me I am not going back to work yet because it's a very big surgery and my body did not have time to recover yet.

Everybody heals on it's own pace, but 4 weeks are too optimistic even for one level, but 4???

Many Drs do this, they don't want to scary you away, but I think it's very unfair. People have to prepare things at work, at home before such a long recovery, don't they?

Best of luck to you...:angel:
 
Hi,
I am confused and was wondering if anyone could help clarify some things for me. I am going in May 9th for a four level fusion with cages due to degenerative disk disease. (L2-3, L3-4, L4-5, and L5-S1) My Dr. said he thinks I will be able to return to work (pretty much a desk job) in 4 weeks. However everything I read talks about 8-12 weeks of bedrest. I know everyone is different but what is realistic to expect. he also said I will be in the back brace for 12 weeks or so. I apreciate anyones insight on this.
 
It has been 4 months since my 2 level fusion (L4 - S1). I have been back to my normal routine for at least the last month or two. I spent most of the first month in bed. Sitting was really uncomfortable for the first couple of months. I started going to the gym to walk after about 3 weeks, and gradually increased my distance from 1 mile to 3 or 4. After 3 weeks I drove for short distances. I had my kiRAB and husband do the laundry and help me at the grocery store for the first couple of months. Every week makes a difference, but you don't want to overdo it. Hope this helps.
 
First of all Emily...I love the suggestion of the ziplock bag for the ride home, you are too much and do think of everything...

I agree the graber and bottom silk sheets are the best...Also use the time pre-surgery to rearrange medicine cabinets and closets so everything is eye level or waist level so no bending...

Preparing mentally is helpful too..listening to soothing music, thinking positively and expecting to really no being able to do too much...When you do your body really does tell you..you will feel exhausted and should expect to...this is a big surgery..

I'm heading back to work soon after 12 weeks and still feel anxious about it. Plan to do shortened hours...There really isn't anyway I could have gone back sooner.....I only had one level ( L3-L4) and I'm 54 and still pooped.

Take your time....:)
 
I was out of work 8 weeks with my lurabar fusion. There was no way I could have worked at 4 weeks and I had a relatively sedentary job (rehabilitation counselor with people with disabilities). I will tell you that 8-12 weeks of bedrest is not the best option. Once you are able to must get up and moving - get active so you heal. Listen to your body for when it wants to rest but don't lounge too much. With my cervical fusion in 2006 I did nothing for 6 weeks. When I went back to work at 6 weeks I was miserable. Not from the fusion surgery but I had becomed so deconditioned that the walk from my parking spot to the building was exhausting.
 
4 weeks on a 4 level fusion?? seems very optimistic to be, even for a desk job.

even if physically you can handle it youll still be on major pain killers.

I had a double and as I recall even at 4 weeks it still sucked big time even getting out of bed. they didnt even clear me to drive till 4 weeks, never mind sit in a chair for 8 hrs. and even sitting for more than 20 mins at a time wasnt fun to be honest.
 
I am 7 1/2 weeks post op from a 2 level (L4 - S1) fusion. I am probably an exception to most of the things you read on this board, but I wanted to share my experience. I was back to work in 2 1/2 weeks after the surgery and was taking Extra Strength Tylenol for pain management. I have a desk job, but do a lot of walking throughout the day. I continue to improve and had no problem going back to work. I have been working everyday ever since and put in between 9-12 hr days. I am now excercising on an eliptical trainer and doing light exercises with weights for my arms and shoulders. My doctor has encouraged me to be as active as possible, as long as I am not bending or twisting. I continue to wear my back brace all the time until I reach 12 weeks. Then I will start PT. I had the same questions prior to my surgery. Everyone heals differently, so listen to your body. The most important thing for me is to keep positive about recovery and continue to set goals. I wish you the best of luck.

Tgald
 
Hello Shanleone,

Welcome to the board. I was reading through your thread and just wondered if you have consulted with more than one specialist. A 4-level fusion is not an operation to be entered into casually. Some doctors no longer recommend fusing that many levels. Sometimes it is necessary and there are no better options, but I would hate for you to have more work done than is absolutely necessary.

Not knowing any of the details of your condition, I hate to raise any doubts in your mind...but I just wanted to be sure you have absolute confidence in your surgeon.
 
Some people here have gone back to work as early as 1 week, but it was out of necessity and they were very unhappy, to say the least. What you're reading, 8-12 weeks, is much more realistic. Some people are out even longer than that, up to 6 months or even more. The doctors tend to sugarcoat this, probably because they'd scare a lot of people away from needed surgery if they knew everything ahead of time.

I do better, personally, when I know what to expect and can prepare, physically and mentally. Read the thread at the top called, "Post Surgery Tips." It has a ton of great suggestions to make your recovery easier. The best tips for me were to get a grabber tool, worth it's weight in gold the first day you're home, and to get a satiny type bottom sheet so you can slide to turn. It will be much less painful, as you won't be fighting friction or trying to lift yourself to turn with that new incision. For the same reason, put a plastic garbage bag on the passenger seat of your car for the ride home, so you can slide in and out, and put a large ziplock bag in there, too, in case you get nauseous on the ride home. You can zip in the mess and no one will have to clean anything up.

I hope it goes well for you. If you have questions as your date approaches or after your surgery, we'll do our best to help.

Take care,
Emily
 
Hi,
Yes, thanks for asking though, as I do realize how serious this is. Here is some of my background. I am 38 years old and have had pain for the past 8 years. More significantly the last 3 years. I never injured my back to the best of my knowledege. Up until 3 years ago when the pain got really bad I was slightly over weight weight. 5'6 150 lbs. As the pain got worse my activity also slowed to where I went up to as high as 208 lbs. (I have since lost 15 of that and still desperately trying to watch everthing I eat. My job entails a ton of computer work averaging sitting 8-11 hours a day 6 days a week. It really impacted almost All of my daily living. I started seeing Dr.'s about 3 years ago. I have seen about 7 DR.'s. Ortheapedics as well as nuerosurgeons. It was then I had my first MRI which showed degenerative disc disease at L2-3 L3-4 L-5 and L5-S1. The first 4 Dr.'s had me seeing pain management clinics where I had many facet joint injections, a Risotomy, electrical stimulator etc. I had physical therapy. Nothing providing any relief. Finally I had the discogram which also revield the same info. (as well as a second MRI) I Looked up these dr.'s who were part of the CINN network and found out that my Supervisors sister had one of these sugeons as well. The orthopaedic physician also sits on a board and is a medical advisor in litigations. I did my research and found no medical disciplinary actions or malpractice and are both in good standing. I live in the south suburbs of Chicago and both physicians seem pretty well regarded. After they both suggested this I did seek out one other physician that also confirmed the same surgery.
He did say that one of the disks did not look that bad but because it was in the middle and it was questionable it would probably be better to do it now with the others as opposed to take the chance that we may need to go back in at a later date to fix it.
I can't begin to thank you all enough for the great advice and genuine caring that you show. This has helped me tremendously!!! I hope I can replay the favor when this is all over.

Shannon
 
Thank you so much everyone for the responses. You have all really helped ease my mind a little. The post surgery tips were great! Thanks for the suggestions. I am still scheduled May 9th. I will keep you updated!!
 
I am happy to read that you have explored your options and talked to a couple different doctors. SounRAB like you are having the appropriate procedure!

You have a couple weeks to get your home organized and to mentally prepare for the surgery. Mental attitude is so important, in addition to a well-trained surgical team!

Have you bought that satin sheet yet?? It really is THE BEST single thing you can do to make your recovery easier. You are so weak after surgery and have various things strapped to your body. Turning over in the hospital bed is such hard work; you feel like you are stuck with velcro to the sheets!!

Best of luck to you. Please let us know how the surgery went when you are up to posting!!
 
i am recovering from my second fusion surgery unfortunatly the first one never took. I agree i am at the 4 week mark and i cant sit for more than 15 minutes at the computer. Getting in and out of bed in ok and they cleared me to drive at 2 weeks but i havent till a few days ago. I had anterior/posterior surgery with screws and roRAB at L-4 to S-1. Its just this pain in the left leg.

The garbage bad is really good even now cause when i did not have it i hurt myself big time. And the grabber its my best friend.

Good luck!
 
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