laminectomy next week

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Mel52

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Well after being jerked around for 2 1/2 years by my incompetent w/c case carrier I am finally going to have surgery March 11th for L4-L5 herniation to relieve the nerve pain and nurabness of stenosis. I am not having anything done for the arthritis as I dont want to get into hardware and fusions.
How large of an incision is it? I was surprised I will be in the hospital only 1-2 days and the surgery is about 2 hours. Any info to share? thanks
 
Hi, my incision scar is about 5 inches or so. I had multi-level laminectomies done from L3 thru L5 and he also snipped off any proturuding disc material ( I did not have any fusion, my surgeon is more conservative in that area) I think my parents said my surgery was about 2 1/2 hours. I was told the hospital stay is usually about 2 to 3 days, I stayed 2 1/2. That is as long as you are okay, your vitals are ok, and you go can go to the bathroom. You'd be surprised by how short a hospital stay it is for many surgical procedures. I think part of that is due to insurance companies...but I know with back surgeries, they want you up and around as soon as possible. They got me up and walking with a walker the day after surgery. Boy it was painful, but I didnt care b/c it was a different pain and I was able to stand up straight again.

Your scar might be a little smaller if you're only having one level done, I dont know..but they still need room to get in there. I personally wouldnt have cared if my scar when up my whole back! LOL My condition was at the point I was soo bad and the pain was unbearable, i didnt care what kind of scar I had. Mine healed perfectly and I had desolvable staples inside with tape to close the wound on the outside. I think having the tape and no stitches on the outside also helped in how good my healed scar looked.

Good luck on your upcoming surgery and let us know if you have any other questions!
 
Thank you Baybreeze. I am looking forward to finding some relief. I can't stand the tingling, nurabness etc in the legs. I read that nurabness is one of the major causes of the elderly falling and since I am approaching being a senior or maybe I already am and have osteroporosis, I want to get it done. I opted not to have fusion done etc. I think I can live with the arthritis pain. I wont take drugs anymore. My sister had broken her back years ago and lived on meRAB, becoming addicted to them getting different meRAB from different drs and buying on the internet. She drowned.
I am off to my pre-op. I can't believe finally this is going to take place. (gulp) This board has been great though for information and experiences.
 
I had my surgery and was out the next day bright and early. I felt it was to soon and could have definitely used more time in the hospital.

Good luck and I will be lifting you and your surgeon up in prayer on the 11th.
 
Hey Mel,
I had a laminectomy of L5-S1 in the early AM and went home late that evening. I asked them what I needed to do to go home and they said, eat, drink, walk and use the bathroom! So I did them all!
Mel if you have had nerve pain all this time, this surgery will be a piece of cake. Even on day 1 post op my surgery site never hurt as bad as the nerve pain in my leg. Good luck and keep us posted!

Deb
 
Hi, I had mine done at noon and was sent home at 6:00 PM the same day.
I had sciatic pain that started decreasing weekly and by 8 weeks I was as good as new and felt great. Take very good care of your back once you feel better. I over did it with exercise (lifting weights) running and heavy physical activity at home. As a result I had to have a fusion 7 weeks ago. (my opinion) My advice is to go for it and r emeraber once a spiney always a spiney! Good luck and baby your back......................Debbie
 
Wow thanks so much all of you. I won't be so frightened. I received the paperwork today and I am also going to have a discectomy. Isn't that part of the laminectomy anyway? The said I will be up and walking either that day or the next even if it hurts but it is necessary. If the care is bad, I will do what my husband did after he had his spleen removed, he headed for the door saying he was going home. I rather like the hospital food though, especially the custard.
The paperwork stated no lifting anything heavier than a milk carton and I may be wearing a backbrace.
I have all kinRAB of little helper tools from when my husband had his hips replaced. When we remodeled our house, we raised up our bathroom sinks, put in handicap bars in one shower, and in mine I have a big bench seat. We are ready for our golden years and so far we aren't too impressed.
 
Hey Mel, good luck on your procedure. I had one on L-3-4, L-4-5 1 1/2 years ago and still trying to recover. I hope yours takes. As for the stay, I was in for 4 days. They are going to try to get you to move around as soon as possible. You'll know when your ready to move, don't rush it. Take care

P.S. Be sure to pick up one of those grabber gadgets, your going to need it.
 
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