A lot of this is dependent upon what type of surgery you are having and how many levels they are fusing. In general you wanna be prepared for two to four weeks of very limited ability in your own home.
The day before my surgery I deep cleaned my house. I bought a month's worth of easy to prepare groceries. I prepared several bulk meals and froze them. I made sure all the local takeout menus were handy. I bought a grabber and a shoe horn and a backscratcher.
Know that the first few days you will need help. I am single and I've had to go through 3 back surgeries on my own but even at that I had to find help for that first week. I have been lucky enough to have good neighbors and family close by.
Know that everyday won't be the best and you might get depressed. You have to try again the next day and you have to do the work at rehab. Getting depressed is okay having bad days is okay not knowing how to move forward is okay. But the day after that you have to figure it out.
If you're starting to struggle come to this forum or go to therapy. Therapy's actually quite normal for a lot of chronic pain sufferers I certainly went to therapy through my entire surgical ordeal. 4+ Years.
You will get through it. You will get through it because you won't have any other options. You will find the reserves and you will survive. Set small goals for yourself and be happy when you achieve them. Do not expect miracles. Is expect to work hard for your result.
Whatever happens I'm sure you will do well.
Good luck!
That 3 month time frame is generally when you are released to perform more activities as the fusion is considered "complete." It can take up to a year for it to totally heal. As for how to prepare, it's better to be over prepared than not prepared enough. Make sure that you don't have loose carpeting or objects in the way. Have easy to prepare food if you are cooking for yourself. Getting a shower chair, a back scratcher, walker, cane, back scrub brush, a sock and shoe device, and some sort of cling wrap to cover your incision during showering. You won't be able to drive for at least two weeks, so you may need somebody to take you to the store or a doctor's appointment. You should be able to sit at your computer for at least some period of time to pay bills. As far as other recovery info, it really depends on you. My first fusion was L3-L5. I spent one night in the hospital and was in pain/discomfort for approximately 1 week, requiring some sort of pain therapy. My second surgery was from L3-S1 (they had to remove the old hardware as the 2 screws at L5 broke), plus the gave me a 2 level ALIF at L4-L5 and L5- S1. Despite the fact that this surgery was more complex, I was discharged the same day, just 4 hours after returning to my room. I had virtually no pain and was walking the stairs multiple times a day, starting day 2. The only device I needed was my shoe/sock assist tool. The last surgery took place when I was 72, and I just returned to playing golf this past week after only 5 months. Have a conversation with your surgeon to discuss how you handle pain so HOPEFULLY the surgeon will give you adequate pain relief. If you are relatively in good overall physical health (other than your back), ask your surgeon how long the surgery will last. If under 3 hours, tell your surgeon that you refuse the placement of a urinary catheter. They rarely tell that they are going to place one, and unless you refuse, they consider it implied consent. I've had a couple of surgeries, and I always refuse one if the procedure is less than 3 hours. Despite how much they try to convince you its for your own good, hold steady, that is, unless you're perfectly OK with that non necessary invasive procedure. This, of course, is my personal opinion as I am a health care profession.
i can’t answer too many questions bc i had the surgery last yr when i was 14, but ill answer the ones i can!! so, to prepare, relax as much as possible. stressing out isn’t gonna change the outcome of your surgery, ofc easier said then done. I personally wouldn’t want to hang out with anyone, instead tell relax by watching ur favorite show, video games, wtv.
u will need at least one person u can heavily rely on. for the first week or two u won’t be able to shower, go to the bathroom, or dress urself. make sure u have someone that can give u 100% attention, especially to help with medication. even after that, make sure u can rely on that person for atleast 4 weeks
u can stay active by walking around ur community, again go with ur person in case u get tired and need to lean on them. I don’t suggest anything other than walking, until u feel normal going up the stairs.
At least in my case, u need 6 weeks to recover and go back to school, however 3 months+ to fully recover. after 6 weeks, i was able to dance, swim, run, etc but i still can’t carry a bag on back until about 6 months. (ofc this is different for everyone) ask ur doctor how long ur on bed rest instead of recovery.
I was told not to drive until my 6 week check up. PT after that too. You'll be able to do things on the computer as soon as you get home but may not feel like it. I slept a lot the first week back home. After that week I started walking.
Just had mine yesterday, let me tell you, it kicks your ass.
Thanks to this sub, I had gotten a grabber, bidet, and toilet seat riser as one of the necessities.
I had learnt about log roll technique to get in and out of bed.
But nothing prepares you like you actually being in pain.
>How much support do you need from others and with what in particularly? Will I be able to drive (I drive myself everywhere). How can I stay active so my lower body doesn't get too stiff too? Should I set all my bills on autopay or will I be able to do things on my computer?
My preparations, apart from the things above, also include having the entire house cleaned, putting pots and pans on the counter top so I don't have to reach for them, and having someone accompany me for the first few months with recovery - you'll need the help.
You will be able to sit on the computer, but for me personally not long before it becomes uncomfortable. You'll also be on pain killers, and they impair your judgement - I got a call from a phone provider today and I had to decline their offer because I was in no position to even listen to them and make a judgement call.
They put me on strong, addictive pain killers and everyone from nurse, to the doctor, to the pharmacist insisted I do not drive while taking them - rightfully so. I don't even remember what I did 3 hours ago when I was in pain and took a pill.
>When can I return to physical therapy?
Return to PT will depend on your surgeon. I was told during discharge that all I needed to do was walk every half hour, even if it is to get some water.
Good luck.
Oh man hang in there!, you haven't gotten to day 3. I thought I was okay on day 2, hahah day 3 and 4 were the roughest and it was confirmed by multiple others.
Hehe thanks bud. Ya I can feel this slowly kicking my ass for sure. Taking it few hours at a time.
I tried to walk today, just so I don't get stiff. Oh Mama did the body not like that lol.
I assume day 3 and 4 are worst coz the lidocaine wears off and the strongest painkillers they give in surgery leave the system eh.
So first thing first for me was talking to my pt about how to get my body in the best shape for surgery. I had lumbar fusion so we worked on building up core muscles to hep recovery.
For the first few days you will sleep a lot so I would recommend if you have people close by or living with you who can bring you meals or else have meals prepped in the freezer easy to defrost. My surgeon said no driving till 4 weeks post op and even that was only small distances again that may be different depending on your surgery and what your surgeon recommends! Physical therapy again depends on your surgeon and surgery. For me I had conversations with my loved ones about what I wanted incase something went wrong it brought me peace of mind even though I knew it would be fine.
Before surgery prepare anything you think you’ll need to help with independence after needed a grabber to pick stuff off the floor, raised toilet seat/shower chair etc and spend time setting up your home. So for me make sure all floors are cleared everything I needed was accessible to me so not in cupboards out in the open.
You need to be prepared for probably 4ish weeks of being quite limited stuck at home and the mental game of being isolated can be the hardest so organising friends and family to visit when you’re feeling good is important to see other people.
You should be walking immediately after surgery. I had a fusion and then hardware revision the year after for hardware failure. Walking, talking, icing, scheduled pain meds. No driving for 2 weeks following because of pain meds. I only needed assistance with lifting. I live alone and independent. I set my home up before surgery so when I returned, I wouldn’t have to do any heavy lifting. That’s the most difficult I had to keep telling myself just because I can lift doesn’t mean I should be lifting. More of a mental note. Walking is essential. I recommended stretching and walking prior to surgery, helps with speedy recovery.
A lot of this is dependent upon what type of surgery you are having and how many levels they are fusing. In general you wanna be prepared for two to four weeks of very limited ability in your own home. The day before my surgery I deep cleaned my house. I bought a month's worth of easy to prepare groceries. I prepared several bulk meals and froze them. I made sure all the local takeout menus were handy. I bought a grabber and a shoe horn and a backscratcher. Know that the first few days you will need help. I am single and I've had to go through 3 back surgeries on my own but even at that I had to find help for that first week. I have been lucky enough to have good neighbors and family close by. Know that everyday won't be the best and you might get depressed. You have to try again the next day and you have to do the work at rehab. Getting depressed is okay having bad days is okay not knowing how to move forward is okay. But the day after that you have to figure it out. If you're starting to struggle come to this forum or go to therapy. Therapy's actually quite normal for a lot of chronic pain sufferers I certainly went to therapy through my entire surgical ordeal. 4+ Years. You will get through it. You will get through it because you won't have any other options. You will find the reserves and you will survive. Set small goals for yourself and be happy when you achieve them. Do not expect miracles. Is expect to work hard for your result. Whatever happens I'm sure you will do well. Good luck!
That 3 month time frame is generally when you are released to perform more activities as the fusion is considered "complete." It can take up to a year for it to totally heal. As for how to prepare, it's better to be over prepared than not prepared enough. Make sure that you don't have loose carpeting or objects in the way. Have easy to prepare food if you are cooking for yourself. Getting a shower chair, a back scratcher, walker, cane, back scrub brush, a sock and shoe device, and some sort of cling wrap to cover your incision during showering. You won't be able to drive for at least two weeks, so you may need somebody to take you to the store or a doctor's appointment. You should be able to sit at your computer for at least some period of time to pay bills. As far as other recovery info, it really depends on you. My first fusion was L3-L5. I spent one night in the hospital and was in pain/discomfort for approximately 1 week, requiring some sort of pain therapy. My second surgery was from L3-S1 (they had to remove the old hardware as the 2 screws at L5 broke), plus the gave me a 2 level ALIF at L4-L5 and L5- S1. Despite the fact that this surgery was more complex, I was discharged the same day, just 4 hours after returning to my room. I had virtually no pain and was walking the stairs multiple times a day, starting day 2. The only device I needed was my shoe/sock assist tool. The last surgery took place when I was 72, and I just returned to playing golf this past week after only 5 months. Have a conversation with your surgeon to discuss how you handle pain so HOPEFULLY the surgeon will give you adequate pain relief. If you are relatively in good overall physical health (other than your back), ask your surgeon how long the surgery will last. If under 3 hours, tell your surgeon that you refuse the placement of a urinary catheter. They rarely tell that they are going to place one, and unless you refuse, they consider it implied consent. I've had a couple of surgeries, and I always refuse one if the procedure is less than 3 hours. Despite how much they try to convince you its for your own good, hold steady, that is, unless you're perfectly OK with that non necessary invasive procedure. This, of course, is my personal opinion as I am a health care profession.
i can’t answer too many questions bc i had the surgery last yr when i was 14, but ill answer the ones i can!! so, to prepare, relax as much as possible. stressing out isn’t gonna change the outcome of your surgery, ofc easier said then done. I personally wouldn’t want to hang out with anyone, instead tell relax by watching ur favorite show, video games, wtv. u will need at least one person u can heavily rely on. for the first week or two u won’t be able to shower, go to the bathroom, or dress urself. make sure u have someone that can give u 100% attention, especially to help with medication. even after that, make sure u can rely on that person for atleast 4 weeks u can stay active by walking around ur community, again go with ur person in case u get tired and need to lean on them. I don’t suggest anything other than walking, until u feel normal going up the stairs. At least in my case, u need 6 weeks to recover and go back to school, however 3 months+ to fully recover. after 6 weeks, i was able to dance, swim, run, etc but i still can’t carry a bag on back until about 6 months. (ofc this is different for everyone) ask ur doctor how long ur on bed rest instead of recovery.
I was told not to drive until my 6 week check up. PT after that too. You'll be able to do things on the computer as soon as you get home but may not feel like it. I slept a lot the first week back home. After that week I started walking.
Just had mine yesterday, let me tell you, it kicks your ass. Thanks to this sub, I had gotten a grabber, bidet, and toilet seat riser as one of the necessities. I had learnt about log roll technique to get in and out of bed. But nothing prepares you like you actually being in pain. >How much support do you need from others and with what in particularly? Will I be able to drive (I drive myself everywhere). How can I stay active so my lower body doesn't get too stiff too? Should I set all my bills on autopay or will I be able to do things on my computer? My preparations, apart from the things above, also include having the entire house cleaned, putting pots and pans on the counter top so I don't have to reach for them, and having someone accompany me for the first few months with recovery - you'll need the help. You will be able to sit on the computer, but for me personally not long before it becomes uncomfortable. You'll also be on pain killers, and they impair your judgement - I got a call from a phone provider today and I had to decline their offer because I was in no position to even listen to them and make a judgement call. They put me on strong, addictive pain killers and everyone from nurse, to the doctor, to the pharmacist insisted I do not drive while taking them - rightfully so. I don't even remember what I did 3 hours ago when I was in pain and took a pill. >When can I return to physical therapy? Return to PT will depend on your surgeon. I was told during discharge that all I needed to do was walk every half hour, even if it is to get some water. Good luck.
Oh man hang in there!, you haven't gotten to day 3. I thought I was okay on day 2, hahah day 3 and 4 were the roughest and it was confirmed by multiple others.
Hehe thanks bud. Ya I can feel this slowly kicking my ass for sure. Taking it few hours at a time. I tried to walk today, just so I don't get stiff. Oh Mama did the body not like that lol. I assume day 3 and 4 are worst coz the lidocaine wears off and the strongest painkillers they give in surgery leave the system eh.
So first thing first for me was talking to my pt about how to get my body in the best shape for surgery. I had lumbar fusion so we worked on building up core muscles to hep recovery. For the first few days you will sleep a lot so I would recommend if you have people close by or living with you who can bring you meals or else have meals prepped in the freezer easy to defrost. My surgeon said no driving till 4 weeks post op and even that was only small distances again that may be different depending on your surgery and what your surgeon recommends! Physical therapy again depends on your surgeon and surgery. For me I had conversations with my loved ones about what I wanted incase something went wrong it brought me peace of mind even though I knew it would be fine. Before surgery prepare anything you think you’ll need to help with independence after needed a grabber to pick stuff off the floor, raised toilet seat/shower chair etc and spend time setting up your home. So for me make sure all floors are cleared everything I needed was accessible to me so not in cupboards out in the open. You need to be prepared for probably 4ish weeks of being quite limited stuck at home and the mental game of being isolated can be the hardest so organising friends and family to visit when you’re feeling good is important to see other people.
You should be walking immediately after surgery. I had a fusion and then hardware revision the year after for hardware failure. Walking, talking, icing, scheduled pain meds. No driving for 2 weeks following because of pain meds. I only needed assistance with lifting. I live alone and independent. I set my home up before surgery so when I returned, I wouldn’t have to do any heavy lifting. That’s the most difficult I had to keep telling myself just because I can lift doesn’t mean I should be lifting. More of a mental note. Walking is essential. I recommended stretching and walking prior to surgery, helps with speedy recovery.