L4 S1 Fusion

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jasonleve56

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Hi,

Im new to the boarRAB. I'm having a 360 fusion done Jan 5 and im so nervous. I really don't know what to expect. I've been reading some of the post on here and it's scaring the hell out of me. Is there anyone that has had no problems with their surgery or does everyone have problems. thanks.


jay
 
:(:(Hello I understand I am having anterior/posterior 360 fusion surgery on 20 Jan 2010 and I am also scared and confused I hear so many people with different stories I stay in so much pain so to get some relief will be good I heard the leg pain will be gone and that is the worst part for me the leg pain I have been having pain in the center of my back lately also can anyone help me to understand this type of surgery.
 
welcome to the boarRAB, Jay!

My guess is that you are having a two level fusion done, correct? I had the 360 and a three level fusion done almost 5 years ago. What you need to remeraber is that most people who had successful fusions are out living their life and being "normal." The people who continue to have issues are those who continue to populate boarRAB looking for help and solutions to their pain and problems. Some of us-me being one-have had good and bad-and stay around to help those who have questions and issues to resolve. To help show folks that you can go on after surgery, even if you don't have full success!

What you need to do is to read the stickies at the top of the page. They are full of great ideas and helpful hints both for before and after surgery. What you also need to be aware of it that it is MAJOR surgery no matter what your doctor/surgeon tells you. YOu will have pain, you will hate your surgeon and you will wonder why you ever thought that this was a good idea. But eventually that thought fades and you just hate the world for awhile. ;) But there is life after fusion. You need to remeraber it takes a good 6 months for fusion and you will need to live with the no BLT during that time. It is important that you give your back a solid chance to heal. You may develop pains that you didn't know you had. Your nerves will be moved-and they don't appreciate that and as a thank you for moving them they will act up and cause you discomfort..why not? everything else hurt also....but it will settle down and you will learn to live with it.....
Go ahead and ask away and we will try to help prepare you for your big day.....
 
Ceecee, it is normal for your leg pain not to go away right after surgery. The surgeon will be messing around with your nerves, and that irritates them. Just give it some time and it should hopefully go away.
 
Thank you so much for replying. Im just worried about the suregery. I would like people that have gone though it and how bad the paine and how the surgery is going to be. How bad is recovery time? just looking for the basics
 
Jay:
First let me say that in my opinion most people on this board tend to write horror stories or negative outcomes from thier surgery. That is not meant as an insult. Think about it, if everything went perfect most people just move on with their lives and do not seek out further information from places such as this Message Board.
I can honestly say that you must absolutely feel that your surgeon is the right person for the job. If you have any doubts about the surgeon DO NOT use him or her.
Finally I want to tell you that I had neck surgery in Noveraber of 2005. I had an Anterior (front) C 5/6/7 fusion with a titanium plate, 4 screws, and a cadaver bone implant. The surgery was a complete success and I have very little pain in the back of my neck. I only get the pain when I perform certain back exercises in the gym. I am a gym rat. So basically what I am saying is that if I avoid those exercises that cause slight neck pain, I am PAIN FREE and dont even feel like I had neck surgery. I was back in the gym after 3-4 months. My surgeon was very well known in New York City and I trusted him with my life. I knew he was the right surgeon.
I hope everything goes perfect. Im sure it will.
Joe.
 
I too will be having a 360 fusion done in January and am also terrified. I am afraid of waking from anethesia and being in terrific pain. I've heard many good stories and many bad stories. But my legs are almost useless now and my doctor told me that I postively need the surgery if I want to go back to my somewhat lively lifestyle. I also dread the PT and walking after surgery. I will be thinking of us all in January. Good luck to us!

OMG I just read that someone's face was very swollen and another stated it took 9 hours. Holy crap!
 
I had a bad experience, but I wont go into detail about it. I just want to give you some advice. Think about this now and talk it over with your surgeon before surgery. Make sure you have a good pain management regimen in place for afterwarRAB, one that you are comfortable with. For a little while you are going to be in more pain than you are in now, and keeping it under control is key to your healing. Also, plan a good nutrition plan for afterwarRAB. It will help you heal.

Good luck! I am having L4-S1 coming up too!
 
My surgery was 5-6 hours. My face wasn't swollen but I had several bruises on my legs where they were positioning me on the table. If you are truely terrified of the pain from surgery ask your doctor about what he does for pain control after surgery. My doctor packed my back with morphine so I woke in absolutely no pain. I felt tired and sore but not pain. Also my doctor used a halo during surgery to keep my head level and not smooshed face down. That left 2 small holes in head that quickly healed without use of stitches and such. No horror stories here it's all good. One of the best things I've done.
 
I wanted to thank everyone for there experiences I am told this is a serious surgery so I want to be fully prepared because I do know that I won't be able to do the stuff I do now so thanks for everyone who replyed to my thread.
 
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