L5/S1 fusion set for June 16.

  • Thread starter Thread starter VandyMark
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VandyMark

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For those in the know, how long and for how much of the day is one bed ridden after this ? Should I get a an automatic hospital bed , or can you rise to a sitting position without it? Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
 
Hi VandyMark,
You'll be feeling pretty yucky for a few weeks and will spend most of your time in bed. You'll get up to use the bathroom, wash up a bit, walk around to get blood circulating around your spine to get bone growth going, and then back to bed. I ate breakfast and lunch in bed, and for the first several weeks, dinner, too. I spent most of the first two months in bed, then maybe half the day for the third month, then slowly tapered down over the next couple of months. Mine fusion was pretty elaborate. I now have 14 segments fused. So your recovery may be easier.

You will be taught in the hospital how to log roll to get to a sitting position. This is the best way to get up and down, as it will interfere less with the fusion process. It will also be less painful. Some people here have rented hospital beRAB and were glad to have them. I was much more comfortable in my own bed and didn't see the need to rent one.

Have you read the thread at the top called "post surgery tips?" I remeraber your user name from a while back, so we've probably already inundated you with our tips and suggestions. If you haven't read that thread, it would be a good thing to do. It will give you lots of great tips and also give you an idea of what recovery will be like.

Only 2 weeks to go! Keep yourself busy, and you'll be on the other side of surgery before you know it!

I wish you the best,
Emily
 
Hey i beleive you could come to a good sitting position in your own bed had a hospital bed only because it was my grandpas. I was in bed for the first 3 weeks and then got back to doing dishes and clothes and that sort af things oh and cooking although i tired easily and had to go and lay down. They told me i could drive after 2 weeks but i wasnt ready i hurt myself getting out of the car so i didnt drive until 5 weeks. Ask any questions you have we will try our best to answer them.

Had anterior/posterior suergery with fusion at L-4 to S-1 in March 28.
I had only the L-5 S-1 fused 10 years ago and it was alot easier than 2 levels this time.
 
hi,i am 13 weeks post op of having l5 s1 fused and i was so surprised of how little pain i have been in even straight after the op,i was out of bed and downstairs every day i did have to lie down on the sofa for several hours each day,after 2 weeks i didnt need any pain meRAB and i started going out walking for about 15 minutes every day then i built it up to 1 hour and now i can do about 3 hours,i get tired but im not in pain in my back,i get more pain in my thights but its not bad pain just annoying,they say thats just the nerves waking up and they will go away eventually,the walking must be really good for you cos i went for a check up today and had a x ray and i have started to fuse so i must be doing something right,hope this helps
hope all goes well
kezzo
 
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