Scheduled for L1-L5 XLIF - Complete Fusion

  • Thread starter Thread starter rosemarybeale
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rosemarybeale

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My sister is scheduled for a XLIF multi disc fusion Aug. 28th, 2008. They will do this surgery in two stages: 1-day remove discs; second day, place plates and roRAB. Can find no help on what to expect post surgery. She has not had a second opinion. She has for the past 10 years received relief with epidural shots. Her last epidural was unsuccessful and she is now scheduled to do this surgery. Help! I would like her to try alternative treatments before doing this serious surgery. She also has severe lung problems from smoking, but has been trying to quit for the past two weeks.
 
Hello and welcome to the board ~

You are a good sister to be worried about your sibling. I would agree with your concerns. Generally the more levels that are fused, the chances of a successful outcome drop. Without having additional information about her specific situation, it is a little difficult to comment. But I am a big believer in getting second and third opinions. I trust your sister is seeing a fellowship-trained spinal specialist?? A multi-level fusion is a very complicated surgery and she would want to find the best doctor to perform it.

Also the fact that she smokes/has smoked until recently almost guarantees that she would have a more difficult time fusing. This sounRAB like a risky procedure to me. I hope you'll be able to convince her to get a second opinion from a different fellowship-trained spinal specialist.

Good luck to both of you.

xx M:wave:M
 
A huge ditto to everything MM said!

If you read through the "post surgery tips" thread at the top of the page, you'll get a good picture of what recovery will be like for her.

There are lots of us here who have had fusions. Mine was multi-level, too. If you have any other questions, we'll do our best to help you from our own experiences.

I wish your sister and you the best as you pursue relief for her.

Emily
 
She has to quit smoking to allow the fusion to heal and to decrease her risk of infection. I would tell her to avoid surgery at all cost. Get second and third opinion.
 
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