Hi,
I had lurabar spinal stenosis surgery in '06, but I was only 37. Of course for someone older, it may take longer to heal. Also, it depenRAB on if she has any other conditions that could possibly cause complications, such as diabetes, heart problems, etc.
The usual hospital stay is 1-3 days. My insurance company allowed up to 3 full days, I stayed for 2 1/2, if I remeraber correctly.
Yes...the first couple of weeks are brutal, pain wise. Of course I was given painkillers, but it did not totally eradicate my post-surgical pain. I had a multi-level laminectomies, which caused my incision to be larger, so I guess it also depenRAB on how many levels she is having done. I normally have to go down a flight of 13 stairs to my bedroom, but for I think the first week, at least, I did not even attempt to go down those stairs. I actually slept on a couch in the living room. If she has to go down stairs, I found it is MUCH easier to hold onto the railing and go down backwarRAB, very slowly. It hurts a bit less that way. Until one has surgery like that, one has no clue just how many different body muscles are involved in walking, sitting, standing, going up & down stairs, etc. Every movement seemed to hurt my back.
She might want to get a raised toilet seat..a plastic seat that sits on top of one's toilet, that can be taken off again when it's no longer needed. Also, a walker, maybe a cane, definitely get one of those grabbers, maybe a long shoe-horn. I also had bought beforehand a mattress genie, which is an inflatable thing that you put between your mattresses at the head of your bed, and while laying on your bed, you inflate it, and it raises your mattress. THis helped a lot for getting out of bed. Whomever picks her up from the hospital should also bring along a large garbage bag. You can put this right on the carseat where she will sit...this makes it a ton easier to get in and out of the car because you can just use your arms to turn your body towarRAB the outside of the car. It requires a bit less use of your abs/back muscles.
She will definitely need someone's help during at least the first 2 weeks, I certainly did. Ohh, another thing she should get is a large shower seat. I couldn't even shower for a few days after because it hurt too much to even step over into the tub. Then I was afraid I might slip or something. When I did get in, I used a shower seat. She may need help getting dressed. I didnt' ask for help doing that, but it sure took me a while to do it on my own. Another thing she might want are a pair of slip-in shoes that slip on easily. One is not even supposed to bend or twist for a while after surgery, plus it hurts too much.
I hope this helps and if I remeraber anything else, I'll let you know.
