Not sure what to expect?!!?

  • Thread starter Thread starter mlcallender
  • Start date Start date
M

mlcallender

Guest
If there is anyone out there that can help me with some information reagarding a 360 fusion of L-4 to L-5 and L-5 to S-1, they are also doing a spinal decompression and boring out the holes my nerves go into because they are closing up. I'm 34 years old and I've had 2 major back surgeries already, in 2000 I had a tumor removed at T-10 level (during that surgery they removed 1/2 of T-10; 1/3 of T-11; 1/4 of L-1). A year after that surgery I had a fusion of T-10 to L-1 and a partial removal of L-4, after that surgery I had several injections (ESI) and a spinal cord stimulator, none of those things helped. I got a little better for a couple of years, for the past 2 years it has been bad, I can't go from a sitting to standing postion with out having extreme pain.
My only concern is the part going through the abdomen, I'm getting really stressed out because my surgery is scheduled for Noveraber 30th.
If there is anyone that can help I would greatly appreciate it
 
Hi, and welcome to the back board! :wave: You've come to the right place to get answers to your fusion questions. There are quite a few of us here who have been through it, though it sounRAB like you've already been through a whole lot yourself.

I had a fusion 30+ years ago and a second one 3 years ago. I'm now fused T4-sacrum. The one 3 years ago was a 360. It really depenRAB on you which incision will be harder. For me, having had back problems for most of my life, the front incision was much harder. I think it was because I had learned over the years to keep my stomach muscles tight and I relied on them to do almost everything that others would use their back muscles for. But others here have said that the back incision was worse. Either way, of course, it's no walk in the park. But if it's a procedure you need, it will be worth it. If I had to go back and make the decision all over again, I'd still have the surgery. I still have pain, but pain-free was never the goal. I was quickly heading for a wheelchair. That's no longer in the picture, and the pain I have now is much more manageable. I'm SO much better off! I'm so grateful to my wonderful surgeon!

Now that you
 
Hi, I had a 360 fusion 7 months ago. The front incision didn't bother me so much. One thing to consider though is that it will take time to heal. There are muscles in that part of your abdomen that support the back as well. It will be very important for you to re-strengthen those muscles a few months after surgery. It will be key to healing properly. My PT therapist had me do exercises that were similar to keegles, only you tense up all those muscles, hold it for 10 seconRAB, and then release. Repeat 20-30 times. That is what probably bothered me the most about my stomach incision. I just felt excruciating pain in my back so I didn't really notice the stomach incision.
I am also young, 28, so I can relate to you. I am about to have a second fusion surgery, but this time the surgeon will only go through my back.

Good luck!
 
Aw, don't fret too much sweetie! You don't have to stay in bed, you know. You need to get up and walk to get bone growth going, so you'll get a change of scenery then. I have a friend who recently had the exact surgery I had, a 360 T4-sacrum. I couldn't sit for more than a few minutes for a couple of months, but she was sitting for a couple of hours at a time only two weeks post op. Everyone's different. I had it easier in some things than she does, and she's had it easier in other ways. If you have a sofa or recliner where you're comfortable, you can move to there. I discovered one day in my frustration at not being able to do stuff that I could wad up a long strip of masking tape and grasp it in my grabbers and walk around the house picking up little bits of dust and lint with it. I loved that! I felt productive! After a few weeks, I could carefully unload the dishwasher, one or two plates at a time. You won't be totally bedridden. You just have to be cautious and not do anything foolish! ;)

You'll get through it! Yes, you certainly need to get this over with if you're already experiencing nerve damage. Time is of the essence!

Hugs,
Emily
 
OI had the 360 done also. Well, is sure ruined my bikini line...as if I wear one at my age! ;) I only wish they had made the line perfectly straight. It has a little jag in it...and that bothers me.... oh well...IT isn't as bad as you think it's going to be. You spend less time on your back with your tummy open than you do the other way. I did try to encourage my docs to do a tuck while they were at it, but they said they didn't have time for that also...just a ploy I think. You spend far more time with your back open than the other way around. In fact I was so bloated from having my face in the cradle my hubby barely recognized me. It's not bad as far as healing goes. My surgeon used dissolving sitches so there was nothing to worry about. The use staples in the back because the incision is longer and he was afraid it would pull out. The nurses pull those out after a certain nuraber of days....All in all that's not that bad either. There's a bit more to heal, but it also goes well in such a lovely time of the year. You may just be starting to get your feet under you by the time jolly old st. nick rolls around., Good timeing on your part...
 
Thank you SO much for the information. I'm really starting to stress so much, I can't sleep and I'm getting tension knots in my neck. I used to not worry so much but I think because I've been in so much pain it's caused me to be a little short tempered (my daughter and boyfriend would probably think short is an under statement). I've tried several ways to find excuses not to have this surgery, the only reason I know I have to have it is because of the nerves that are going into my legs are closing up and I already have nerve damage in my left leg.... I know I don't want it to get any worse!!
I've been in so much pain I know this has to be done, but ya know I'm a hard headed woman that can't stand to be in one place for a long time. Staying in the bed will be the hardest part:(
 
Thank you so much Emily!!! :angel: You have helped me A LOT!! I'm not sure why I'm stressing so much, I've already had 2 surgeries but this one for some reason is scaring me. I think it's because when I had those other surgeries I was married at the time, I'm now single and will have to get family and frienRAB to help me.
I really appreciate all the advice you have given me, it has been a hard 9 years. I'm trying to remain positive about everything, but it is extremely hard. I went from being a paramedic to disabled, so the mental side of physically not being able to do things is HARD. But because my first surgery wasn't a choice, just like this one it's just something I have to accept everything.
All of the tips you have given me have been FANTASTIC!!!! I went and got a portable toilet and bench for the shower to help out if needed. I hope things with your back are better, sounRAB like you've been through alot also.

:)
Michelle
 
Knowing what to expect will help you a lot! But it's perfectly reasonable to be scared. This is a big surgery with a long recovery.

I'm married, but my husband wasn't around much during my recovery. He has a demanding job and only took off my actual day of surgery. After that, he often didn't get home until after 8 pm. That's typical, unfortunately. My kiRAB were around some, and they made sure I had food and drink within reach when they left the house, but I was often alone. I gave a house key to two different neigrabroador ladies and put them on my speed dial in case I needed help. I never needed to call them, but it was nice to know they were there just in case.

Keep yourself as busy as you can during the time up till your surgery. It'll help you to not be so stressed about it. I had one day about a week before my surgery when I had a melt down. I got overwhelmed thinking about the surgery and recovery and worrying about whether I was doing the right thing. I had to remind myself of those days when my pain was at the worst and the reasons I had made the decision in the first place. I emailed my husband at work and my pastor and asked them to pray for me. It wasn't long before I calmed down and had peace about it and from then on I was fine, just anxious to get it over with. Do you have someone you can call during your more anxious times? It helps a lot to just talk to someone, not only about the surgery, but about other things, too. Getting your mind off it goes a long way to relieving the stress.

Keep the goal in mind!

:wave: Emily
 
I had the 360 at two levels and I worried a bit more than I should have...its scary and normal to feel that way...just make sure your happy with your choice of surgeons...The healing is the hard part....after a few weeks you may want to start motivating around (more/less) and once you do you will get better quicker....but you do reach a point where your just waiting on bone growth and I noticed as the bone started to grow more and more the comfort level on my back was better and better....your surgery sites are not a concern after surgery like you may think...your focus will be at the actual surgery site (spine)....just try and relax....I had no prior surgery experience before my surgery to speak of...you have a little idea of what to expect....I may have an upcomming Thoracic surgery and they say its worse than the lurabar.... your thoracic is done already!

You will need some assistance for a couple of weeks...plan on that...everyone here has great advice! follow it and your good! I wish you the best and remeber this.....sometimes you will feel like your taking one step forward and two back on your healing...if this is the case...."your good"

When the doc says its okay to walk...do it! walk, walk, walk.

Happy Thanksgiving

Devon
 
Back
Top