L4/L5 L5/S1 Fusion Surgery Help

[maddysmom1106]

I'm scheduled for this on 06/04 and I'm scared to death. I'm 29 and I have an 18 mo. daughter which only adRAB to my stress about the surgery. I have no idea what to expect post-op or during the recovery. Please share your experiences with me. I'm just scared that the surgery won't help and I'll just be stuck with another set of problems. I've gotten 2nd and 3rd opinions and they are all telling me the same thing so I know it has to be done. I have nearly a grade 3 spondylolistesis with a 50% slip. Please help me get through this.

 

[carol632]

Since you have gotten 3 opinions, it's apparent that you are making the right decision in having this surgery. Unfortunately, no one can predict or promise that everything will work out fine; however, not having the surgery can and most likely will lead to more problems.

First of all, you will have to have help for the first couple of weeks, so I hope that there is someone who can be there 24/7 for a while. You will not be able to lift your baby for several weeks; you can, however, let the child clirab into your lap while you are seated. This will probably be the hardest part for you, but it's necessary.

Before surgery, try to place everything that you will need at easy-reach level. You will not be able to bend or stretch. Buy yourself a "grabber" at a discount store which will allow you to pick up small items without bending. Mine really came in handy more than once, and I still use it to reach items that I have to stretch for.

It would also be helpful to buy a toilet seat extender which will raise the seat level....much easier for getting up and down.

There are many other helpful hints that escape me at the moment, but I hope these will help some. Your doctor should be able to offer some suggestions and he will fill you in on your limitations, such as lifting, etc.

I know that surgery is scary, but sometimes there is no escaping it. Following the rules to a "T" is the most important thing you can do. Take short walks and slowly extend them as that will help your recuperation and will strengthen your back muscles as well as keep scar tissue stretched.

Best of luck to you.

Carol

 

[marshrose]

HI! I am 8 weeks post op L4-5 fusion, not for spondy but due to ruptured disc(s).

The first week you will need someone around as much as possible, my first 4 days home, I had my mom sleeping here to help me, then she went back to work, and I went solo till she got out of work, and she'd cook dinner, clean and everything, my kiRAB are older so they also helped with housework and making me meals/microwaving them etc.

Since you have a young one, you will need someone to help you for about 2-3 weeks at least with her/him. You will need a toilet riser, (about 25 bucks from CVS) I needed a cane for about a month- it was like 30 at CVS, and I lived on microwavable meals. I also had a shower chair, I could not shower on my own for the first 2-3 weeks, and after that I had the shower chair, was 35$ plus shipping at online walmart, I got the one with the handles on it so I could be able to get up, i also have a removable shower head, so that helped tremendously, as the first 2 weeks it hurt alot to try and lift my hanRAB over my head to shampoo my hair and stuff.

I had a basket wire tied to my headboard to hold my remotes and stuff, and I had a box of straws to help with drinks while you're laying down.

Read the post surgery tips at the top of this messageboard it helped tremendously.

With the manipulation of the nerve with this (or any) surgery, you may get an exasperbation of nerve pains, that DO subside in a few weeks, but, be prepared that it may and probably will happen. The cane was the best for that time. I had prior to surgery a severely impinged nerve, so just the manipulation of it i could hardly put my foot down from week 2-3, then it started to subside, and by week 4 i ditched my cane.

If you are leery now of purchasing the toilet riser and cane, at least find out WHERE near you you can get one in a pinch, so once you realize you will need them someone can go out and just pick them up for you. Theres an automatic no driving for 2 weeks, then its upto you and your dr, but i know the first 2 weeks no way.

Hope that helps. Its a long and slow recovery, so just realize you won't be rushing thru anything at all, child or no child! its a big decision to help you get your life back with reduced or pain free future. No quick fix at all.