Need Help Before Surgery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !

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Debi01

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I Am Suppose To Have A Laminectomy And Decompression With Posterior Spinal Fusion And Instrumentation With Interbody Allograft And Local Abone Graft Supplemented With Bone Graft Alternatice At The L3-4 And L4-5 Levels.

I Am Scarried To Death .......can Anyone Give Me Some Advise.

Thanks So Much
 
Debi01,

It's natural to be scared of having back surgery - many of us have been there. Keep in mind that chances are you will be better off after you recover from the surgery than you are now.

I had L4-L5 decompression/laminectomy/discectomy surgery a week ago without fusion, and I am now able to enjoy some time without being in pain. Here are some points of advice I can give you from recently having surgery:

I found that I wasn't as nervous before the surgery because I felt that mentally being on the road to recovery after the surgery would be far better than being in pain that was getting worse.

If you find you are not sleeping prior to surgery, your doctor may be able to prescribe sleep aiRAB for you.

Talk to people about how you feel and ask their advice - this often helps calm nerves down and makes the time go by faster.

Walk several times a day before your surgery to build up your leg muscles and keep your body in shape - it will make for a much easier recovery.

Make sure you have a grabber tool, cane, and sock aid at home. In fact, I came home from the hospital with a walker after requesting it since I could not yet walk on my own - my insurance paid for it after the doctor ordered it.

If people offer to bring meals or help you out in any way, accept their help.

After the surgery while in the hospital, if your pain is above a level 5 (0-10 scale), be sure to tell the nurse so they can give you something to lower your pain. After I found this out I was given Toradol which really helped lower my pain.

Walk, walk, and walk some more after surgery.

Plan to not clirab any stairs for the first several days or so after you come home.

Invest in lots of pillows of various sizes.

Set small goals for yourself every day after surgery. This way you can feel a sense of accomplishment that you are getting better which really helps with your mental health.

Drink lots of water after surgery and get prune juice or other fooRAB that will help you stay regular.

Be sure to tell any loved ones you have how much you appreciate their assistance after surgery.

Check out the message boarRAB for how to prepare for having surgery - some great tips there!

We'll be thinking and praying for you! How long before your surgery?
 
Thank You For Helping. The Date Of The Surgery Has Not Been Set Yet. I Go On The 29th Of This Month For A Second Opinion. Then We Will Decided If I Go Ahead And Have The Surgery Or Not.

I Can An Use All The Help I Can Get With This Decision.

Debi
 
:wave:Well, what more can I say;)! Thanks Brendaks1 for you time and effort. I got a lot of suggestions, from the 1st thread of the "back" board. It is long, but very helpful. If you have any specific quesitons or concerns, please feel free to ask and you will get a bunch of people who want to help you.

Some things that others told me ahead of time, that really stuck in my mind, are these: 1. Prior to surgery, wrap saran wrap tightly around you waist and walk around the house and do some house hold chores etc. This will give you a wonderful bit of insight, as to what you wil and will not be able to do for several months. You can not bend, twist, lean, lift +10lbs. or squat. You will be amazed how often you do these movements everyday...all day long, w/o realizing it. Try driving, going to the grocery store, doing some laundering etc. The plastic wrap will remind you when you are making any of these movements. 2. Place as many "everyday" items, on your countertops and your table. Do the same in the bathroom, with anything you use daily. Clear off everything else, to make room for things that usually go under the counter or up in a cupboard. 3. Ordrer/buy more than 1 grabber...1 for every other room. If you find a toy, etc. on the liv. room floor, and have to go to the other room, to get a grabber just to come back to pick up the toy...you'll likely just bend down and pick it up. (And bending real quickly, does not mean you did not do it, it's just a nice thought!) Finally, if you have kiRAB, you may want to talk to them about your recovery time. Allow them to suggest ways that they can help you. Throw in some rewarRAB for going over and above their norm. Possibly making an "Extra Credit" chore chart, where they will get stars for helping you. After so many stars, they will earn a nice treat, etc.

Have you considered your ride home from the hospital, yet? Are you close or far away? If it is more then 20 mins. I have a few suggestions. 1. Have your Dr./Nurse hold off on giving you your AM Painkillers, and have then give it to you, as soon as they call for a wheel chair to come and get you. 2. Have your driver either buy a swivel seat, that goes on the seat of the car, or to place a trash bag on the seat. These will be very helpful to getting in and out of the car. 3. Have several pillows, of different sizes and shapes to hold your body in place and before taking off, please remind your driver to drive slowly, esspecially with the slightest turn, merge or bump that they may have to go over.

You are in my prayers,
Lorie:angel:
 
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