Having ALIF in August

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sspayd05

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Hello all. I am a 27 year old female, who has had low back pain since 2005. I have done PT twice, chiro once, and have treated with pain management for 3 years, having a total of 10 (2 at 1 time) SI-joint injections, 6 LESI, and 1 nerve block. All in my L5-S1 and SI joints. My disc was only herniated when I began treatment. I recently had a new MRI, then stated I had stenosis at L5, measuring only 8mm, and that I had annular tears, and a much larger protrusion, compared to a 2006 MRI. When I went to the dr, he informed me that my disc had ruptured (hence the onset of major back pain the last few months) and has scheduled me for an ALIF on Aug 9th. I have never had surgery (other than my wisdom teeth removed). I have an 8 year old, and I am also in college. School starts back Aug 23rd, and I have 2 classes in class and 3 online. Will 2 weeks be enough time to recover to at least attend those 2 classes? I am mixed with emotions, for I want to be pain free, and they say my chances are high b/c I am in great shape, but at the same time, I am scared to death that the fusion won't take and I will be worse off than before. Please, any suggestions, comments, answers would be great. I would love to hear from anyone that has been in my situation. Thanks to all.

Sarah
 
Sarah
I hope the fusion will go well. It is true that you can heal well when you are in shape. I just had an L5S1 Fusion April 27, except mine was posterior (I have had 3 laminecotmies posterior before) I am 46 with 3 teens and was in good shape before jan.

Each case is different, but here is my scenerio: Operated on Tuesday left hospital Thursday night. Really sore and in need of help for basic neeRAB for about a week. Second week was ok around the house and taking care of my basis neeRAB myself. By the third week I felt I could get on the computer, be home all day ok by myself. I did not drive till 4th week but I had help to drive my kiRAB around. 5th week stronger but not up to a full schedule and drove short distances.

Why are they choosing Anterior? The healing (i have been told by frienRAB) is a little more difficult because you have to deal with both back pain and front pain where they opened you up. My friend who had an anterior was in the hospital longer and took her longer to get back on her feet. She is glad she had the operation because it brought her quality of life back. I am glad to be more stable and able to get back to being fit again.
Personally I would think 2 weeks is too short to go back to school and have to care for your family, but that is just my opinion, I would give it at least 4-5 weeks, but that is speaking from posterior experience.
good luck

L5S1 lamin. 3x
Fusion L5S1 april 2010
 
I hate to be negative, but 2 weeks is not nearly enough time to be able to drive, sit for any length of time, etc. An ALIF means your spine will be operated on from your abdomen.

Can you schedule it sooner?Or can you take a semester off? You want to be sure to give yourself enough time to recover so that you don't waste tuition (by having to re-take a class, etc) and so that you optimize your healing. When I was in college (U of Iowa) they had some courses that were done via correspondence courses. Now that would be like on-line classes. Sometimes you can work at your own pace on those.
 
Thank you all for your input to my post. I tried to schedule it sooner, but neither doctors had matching days available. I have to have a vascular and my ortho dr there for surgery since it is an ALIF. The ortho chose that surgery b/c of my age, shape, and the fact that it was easier on my back going in from the front. THey say 4-6 weeks recovery for the back part, and the other dr said 8-10 weeks recovery for the fact that I am having an anterior. I don't plan on going back to work until October. As far as school, I would only have classes Mon and Wed from 11-2 (with a break from 12-12:30) My other 3 classes are online. I know that 1 of my teachers will be ok if I have to leave or if I am not there. I am going to talk to the head of the dept for my degree this coming up week to see what they suggest or if I can possibly do the other 2 classes online, but maybe also be able to sit in on some classes. There is so much to get settled before surgery, and at the same time, so much to think about. I am a planner, and a thinker..lol. I plan on taking the whole week off before surgery to get things in order. Luckily, I do have family and frienRAB that want to help, and my fiance is wonderful with my daughter and around the house. My biggest worry is being stuck in the bed for so long, or even in the house for that matter. I am that Mom that goes and goes all the time. Thank you all again for your input. It really is nice to talk to others that are going through what I am.
 
sspayed
You may want to be careful about doing too much. I felt great for several weeks and when I was 5 weeks out I overdid it by walking too much and sent myself to bed for 3 days and back up on all pain meRAB. I could not do anything for those days, so be prepared if you really have something scheduled you may have to let it drop to heal. You never know what your body will do. You may want to get an opinion for a posterior approach.
good luck
 
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