how long does 3 level spinal fusion take

  • Thread starter Thread starter jackpate
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I had the surgery last March and am still recovering. When is your surgery scheduled? Even though it has been slow going, I would still have the surgery again. Let us know if you have any questions. Your sex life will be fine - you may have to be a little more creative in the first couple of months.
 
For the surgery? The actual procedure takes a few hours - but total procedure time depenRAB on the type of fusion, instrumentation used and if the surgeon does the procedure solo or uses assistant surgeons.
 
Hello
First off all I'M sorry that you.re going threw the pain , and the nervousness of having such a big surgery.. You will be fine though , keep a positive spin on it and you will do just fine !!

I had a 2 level fusion on Feb.20th of 2008 {almost one year to the date now} My fusion involved my l4/l5 - l5/s1 , most common.. This was my 2nd back surgery , but my particular surgery took about 11 hours. I have 2 roRAB and 8 screws in my back now , I was in the hospital for 8 days..

Every surgery and every person is different , I'm young only 32 male - so you must take P.T very imp. when your doctor gives you the green light for therapy , usually around 3 months after your surgery.. I still have my bad days , and I new going into this that my back will never be 100 % - but the surgery was a complete success , gave me my life back..

I wish you luck and if you have any questions . feel free to ask me okay..


god bless billy
 
AGain every body is different , I'm a union carpenter and my back can not deal with the every day push and grind.. I'm still a carpenter , it's my trade - the only difference is that now I'm only doing trim and furniture work..

weather or not you should be bouncing around liften and pulling stuff over a 100 lbs. - that's your doctors call man.. I'll tell you personally there's no way that my back after the two surgeries I had could manage that.. And beleave me , I have been swinging a hammer in the union now for 14 years - and half of those years I was in screaming pain

Now i work at my own pace , and i no my own limits.. hOPE any of this has helped brutta.
 
Not sure what your seeing as a problem....the actual surgery proceedure can take anywhere from 3 to 8 hrs or depending on surgeon and/or team....the whole fusion recovery for fusing and getting back to a normal lifestyle can take as long as 18 months or so, and as quick as 6 months...all depending on your individual problem and surgery type.....some may even take longer or even quicker....its all unique!....fusing isn't a guarantee....there is the possibility of a failed fusion...I hope this answers your question.

Good luck,

Devon
 
thanks this answers my question. they are removing l3 l4 l5 disc i was wondering if it affect my sex life after my recovery.
 
;);););) thanks for the into. do you think i will be able to go back to work doing my normal job. I am a LINEMAN I PULL HEAVY WIRE , CLIrab IN DITCHES CLIrab LADDERS , POLES RUN HEAVY EQUIPMENT WHICH IS A LOT BOUNCING AND HAVE TO LIFT OVER A100 LBS.
 
happen to be very familiar with what a lineman has to do being my father in-law owns a Powerline Company....You will be able to resume only after fusion and a great outcome....you may have just a little bit less abilities, but over all you should be okay....if your results are less than 90% you will have problems doing as you once did....and progressivly worse as your % lowers....If you get to say the 80% range I dont see you doing the same job as its pretty demanding (as you know)...Good luck!

Devon
 
;);) THANKS THIS DOES HELP. I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS TYPE OF WORK FOR 17 YEARS IT IS THE ONLY THING I KNOW. MY GOAL IS TO BE ABLE TO GO BACK FULL DUTY BUT I DO NOT WANT TO INJURY MY SELF AGAIN BECAUSE OF PUTTING STRESS ON THE OTHER DISC. I AM ONLY 37 YEARS OLD I JUST LOVE DOING TO JOB I WAS DOING I SO GLAD I CAME ACROSS THIS MESSAGE BOARD IT HAS HELP MY MIND SOME.:angel::angel:
 
JackPate - Hey man we're all here to help one another , whether it's advise your seeking or just to talk with some one who knows what you're going threw.. Man I have been on this website for well over a year now , and you gain the trust from complete strangers.. I'm only 32 and being a carpenter is all I no as well , It's hard when your doctor tells you that you have to find another trade : Like I said I'm still a carpenter but I no my limitations , when as before I would work 7/12's , or get as much O.T as possible.. There's more than just going out there and busting your hump every day , eventually it will catch up with you..

I had my first surgery in 2004 , It was a 3 level lamenectomy (they basically shaved down my bone) Did the whole P.T and was out of work for 6 months.. I then went back to work , feeling pretty good than "POP" one day I new some thing was'nt right.. Saw my doctor and he told me that I needed a 2 level fusion asap , and my 2 lower discs were pretty much mush..

It's been a year now , well almost any way and I do feel a lot better.. I have my good and bad days , and that's the way it will be for the rest of my life - I can deal with that though.. My surgery was a success , some people don't get so lucky and every case is different..Just stay positive , make sure you got some loved ones (wife - kiRAB - family -and frienRAB) because you will need help for the first month > I wish you luck my friend and I'm always on here at least once a day , if you need any advice just say the word man. later brutta billy
 
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