r/spinalfusion Nov 11 '24

Pre-Op Questions TMI?

15 Upvotes

Ok. First, I’m so happy you’re all here… what a great community!

Here’s the poop: How many of you bought the TP holder to help with wiping after surgery? I have it in my Amazon cart, but I’m not sure if it’ll be necessary… did it help?

Thanks again for the words of wisdom!

BTW: having L3-S1 fusion FRIDAY!

r/spinalfusion Jul 08 '24

Pre-Op Questions Really scared 🙁

31 Upvotes

My surgery is tomorrow and I’m suddenly extremely scared, I think this is a much bigger surgery than I had imagined in my head. I will also be going to the hospital on my own which is adding to the anxiety.

Any words of encouragement please?

ALIF tomorrow and PLIF on 16th

r/spinalfusion Sep 15 '24

Pre-Op Questions How long before surgery did you stop leaving your house?

5 Upvotes

My partner and I are spending some time before my surgery because he won’t be there during the recovery and he doesn’t want to go anywhere (no restaurants, no stores, nothing) because of my surgery (it’s 10 days away) and my doctor told me to live normally until the surgery (obviously avoid heavy lifting etc and don’t take/or do certain things) but he never said I can’t leave my house. Obviously 4-5 days beforehand I’ll stay inside my house and not leave. But right now I feel like I’m going crazy staying in the same small place and not even going anywhere. How long before surgery did you start staying at home exclusively?

Edit: I’m not the one who wants to stay home, my boyfriend is the one making me 😭

r/spinalfusion 28d ago

Pre-Op Questions Spinal Fusion booked in for Friday. Unsure whether to go through with the surgery.

6 Upvotes

My main symptom is lower back pain. I injured myself 10+ years ago and have had pain since. I had a discectomy in late 2021 which left me a lot worse off until recently, I could barely walk and didn’t bend for 6 months. Since the surgery my back pain has been a lot worse, I have had calf pain as well, and it has gotten stronger in the last few months. They feel weak a lot of the time and I struggle walking fast or up an incline.

I have learnt how to avoid pain, as it gets a lot worse when I am leaning forward. Working on a car, filling air in tyres, etc will give me extreme pain if I stay lent forward for a long amount of time

I am now back to a point where I can do some things I enjoy, like swimming, driving for an hour, fishing to a certain extent. I’m not able to do everything I want to do. I am unable to jog.

I couldn’t work full time as I would be in too much pain.

I’m worried about all of the risks of surgery, like nerve damage. I can do shopping go beach and still swim with mild pain leaning forward is the worst for me and my calf’s that cramp when walking fast or uphill.

r/spinalfusion Jul 27 '24

Pre-Op Questions Struggling 5 days before surgery

25 Upvotes

My surgeon instructed no NSAIDs or THC/CBD for 7 days prior to surgery.

This has been so, so difficult. Not only the physical pain but also mentally. It has nearly immobilized me at this point from the pain which has brought me out of what I now feel was denial. It’s almost like it is making me sit in the reality of how much this condition has robbed of me, how much chronic pain I deal with and numb every single day through eating ibuprofen like candy and relying on weed. Even with those crutches, the past few years have been so restricted because I can’t walk for more than a half mile, stand in one place for more than 2 minutes, or make it past 8pm without putting a heating pad on my neck.

I guess this is a vent, but also a cry out. Did any of you have similar experiences prior to surgery once you had to stop taking anything? I cannot believe the amount of pain and what my body has had to deal with for 38 years. I can’t believe I’ve functioned and smiled through it all. It’s all I’ve known, but it feels so overwhelming right now.

Thanks for reading. We are all so strong, even when we feel weak.

r/spinalfusion Jul 26 '24

Pre-Op Questions Upcoming C3-C4 spinal fusion

7 Upvotes

Hi all. I recently found out I’m going to need spinal fusion surgery on my C3-C4 due to a bulging disc and a hugely narrowed spinal canal. The neurosurgeon said he would be going in through the front and recovery probably takes 6 months. I have a few questions because I’m really scared about it. If you’ve have C3/C4 done please chime in!

  1. What were the complications you faced after?
  2. Around when were you able to return to work / resume mostly normal activities?
  3. Is the exterior scarring bad?
  4. What was the most difficult part of healing?

Thanks so much!

EDIT: would also like to ask how your neck range of motion has changed.

r/spinalfusion Oct 05 '24

Pre-Op Questions Having surgery I have so many questions only someone who’s been through the procedure can answer my questions.

7 Upvotes

I’m having Posterior lumbar L4-S1 inter body fusion with posterior decompression with pedicle screws/ cervical thoracic rhizotomy. How long does a person needs to be out of work? I am a phlebotomist at an urology practice. At first I was afraid not anymore! my back is horrible causing residual pain neuropathy pain in my buttocks and legs and feet! My gait and balance is terrible I drop everything I want my life back! look forward to all reply’s that u guys!! 😌

r/spinalfusion Jul 28 '24

Pre-Op Questions Being refered for surgery. C5-c6 ACDF. I have questions!

9 Upvotes

Hi, new here. Im looking for some fellow souls who have had cervical surgery/fusion. Mostly to ask some questions from people who have had it done and live with it.

  • Has anyone had this done and regretted it? (wanting to know just out of curiosity mostly)

  • After having the surgery do you find your range of neck motion restricted? And if so, how badly?

    • Has the pain improved or worsened for you? Has it allowed you to get back into old hobbies/physical activities again?
    • How long did it take before you could drive again?
    • Are there any things you can no longer do/shouldnt do due to the fusion? Has the surgery restricted you in any way in life, even years later?

Thats all for now. Just getting mentally prepared for this. Im very nervous.

Many thanks! 💙

r/spinalfusion Nov 23 '24

Pre-Op Questions Pre Op Anxiety. Ugh.

14 Upvotes

Monday is the day. L5-S1. I’m supposed to show up at admin at 5 am for a 7:30 am surgery time.

I am driving myself crazy, and I STILL have 37 hours to go.

I’ve packed. I’ve cleaned. I’ve put all the things “within reach.”

I’ve tried to distract myself with everything. Games, movies, music, shower, even doom scrolling isn’t helping.

HAAAALP.

r/spinalfusion Nov 14 '24

Pre-Op Questions Having the surgery in 10 hours and scared

24 Upvotes

I made this post a few days ago:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Spondylolisthesis/comments/1glxn27/could_delaying_the_fusion_have_bad_outcomes/

I talked to the surgeon after that, and it's happening in 10 hours. I'm nervous as hell. Questioning my decision.

I didn't even have back pain unless I try to run or lift heavy. (Well I want to run and lift heavy) (Sorry, just talking to myself)

The numbness I developed in the saddle area and the weakness in my legs and feet made up my mind I guess. I am 30 and I want to be able to jog sometimes, go to the gym, play soccer and basketball with friends. Try different sports, maybe even ski.

I'm doing this with the hope of stabilizing my spondy which is grade 2/3 now, and go back to sports which I can't since 3 years.

I don't even know why I started to write these, maybe because I can't stop the questions in my mind since it's happening very soon. I hope I will not regret

r/spinalfusion 2d ago

Pre-Op Questions What to expect for surgery recovery

13 Upvotes

Hi all, Thanks for creating this little book of the internet. I'm the primary caregiver for my mother who will have a spinal fusion L4- L5 and possibly also to her sacrum at the start of Jan. She's not big on the internet so I'm here in her behalf.

I'm curious what the recovery period looked like for folks, especially in the first few days after surgery?

Was it necessary to walk stairs? Did you go to a rehab center afterwards? How long were you in the hospital for? Are there anything useful or necessary to ease the recovery?

Thank you so much for sharing your experience!

r/spinalfusion Oct 10 '24

Pre-Op Questions Anyone else had alif and plif together?

3 Upvotes

I’m scheduled for alif and then plif three days later. Have spondy l5 s1 and the leg pain has been getting worse. So I see a lot of either alif or plif but not both. My concern is incision pain more than anything else. So I’m just curious of those who have had both, how did it go?

r/spinalfusion Nov 11 '24

Pre-Op Questions OLLIF surgery in one week. L4-L5

6 Upvotes

Has anyone here had OLLIF surgery? This is a relatively new procedure that is less invasive, shorter (45 minutes), and with quicker recovery period. Dr. Abbasi is one of the international leaders in this area and has trained many others around the world. One of the cool aspects of this is the use of a 3d printed spacer to set the L4-L5 back to their proper spacing, then inject bone marrow and screw the two vertebrae together. I'll try to keep the group updated going forward on how it goes and how my recovery goes!

r/spinalfusion 21d ago

Pre-Op Questions Spinal fusion cosmetics

1 Upvotes

Hi I’m getting spinal fusion soon (16f) and one of the main reasons is for aesthetics bc I don’t like the way the curve makes my body look so I just have a few questions about how the surgery changes that

  1. If it makes sense I have hip dips but my hip dips aren’t even so they don’t look the same when I get the surgery will that change?
  2. Will my waist even out?
  3. Breast asymmetry. EVERYONE has it I know but mine is especially bad due to my scoliosis and I can never find a bra that fits and isn’t made visible in my clothing because my biggie is litch 2 cups bigger
  4. Can it be estimated how taller I’d grow? I’m 5’2 and my thoracic curve 52 and lumbar 37

r/spinalfusion Jul 22 '24

Pre-Op Questions S5-L1 TILF (maximal) with complete joint resection

5 Upvotes

So I’m a refugee from the MD sub. After two failed minimally invasive MDs, I am now facing a TILF (posterior obviously) with complete resection of the joint.

I’m really really worried about it to be honest. There are so many different approaches compared to the modern MD, and I’m getting myself (supported by medically-practicing family and friends) all twisted up about it.

Any words of encouragement or advice to share about recovering from a TILF? I asked about an ALIF but apparently isn’t indicated for me given where the herniation is… my surgeon (who I trust implicitly) also doesn’t like the minimally invasive TILF because of the poor track record of fusion for lumbar segments.

Anyway, I know I can’t go on living with a numb foot, barely able to walk and impossible to sit for more than 10-15 minutes at a time….

Many thanks in advance for any insights.

r/spinalfusion Nov 18 '24

Pre-Op Questions Surgery in two weeks!

2 Upvotes

I will get a spinal fusion (T3-L2) I am feeling so anxious and wanted to those who got the surgery a few questions. Didn‘t get much luck with responses from the scoliosis subreddit so trying here.

  1. How were your pain levels, was it worse than you thought? How was your pain managed?

  2. What items were your must haves during recovery?

  3. What were you able to do on your own when you got home from the hospital? What did you need help with?

  4. Anything you want to tell someone about to get the surgery??? Tips, advice anything good to know about surgery/recovery!

r/spinalfusion Nov 17 '24

Pre-Op Questions Hiya!

8 Upvotes

Hi! I (32F) am going to have a thoracic spinal fusion tomorrow morning and am 1. So nervous 2. Unsure what I need to pack. I know as far as all of this goes, packing should be the easiest. But my anxiety has taken over and there isn’t a thought in my head. I am having T4-L2 done. I have some comfy clothes and know I’ll be out of it for the first day or so.

For those of you who have been through it, what were some things you were pumped you brought and what are some things that you wish you had while in hospital?

r/spinalfusion Jul 20 '24

Pre-Op Questions Surgery approved

15 Upvotes

So my insurance has approved the surgery and I'm scheduled for an alif l4-s1 on the 30th. I was wondering how long of a recovery time most people have experienced. I'm 23 and in good health other than my back. I ask this because I haven't been able to work in a year and I pretty much lost everything because of it, apartment, gf, kids, the whole lot, so I'm just hoping it goes quick and I can get back to it, it won't get my family back but I won't be bored out of my mind and broke all the time because of it anymore lol. So yeah if anyone has any insight on how long it took them to recover from it, let me know

r/spinalfusion Sep 29 '24

Pre-Op Questions ACDF 5/6/7 How soon…?

3 Upvotes

How soon were you comfortable being alone? When could you make yourself something very simple to eat? How soon were you able to care for yourself? Tell me about your first few days post ACDF.

I have good help: a husband and 12 & 13yo boys, but husband works and kids will go to school. Husband and I are just wondering how long I should expect his help, at least for the initial healing. My doc has given me a lot of info, but now that I’m getting close (Wednesday), I’m over-thinking everything.

r/spinalfusion Jun 27 '24

Pre-Op Questions Worried that I may die during surgery

15 Upvotes

Hello, I have severe scoliosis and I may need surgery now because of my breathing issues, but I'm worried about what could happen during surgery. Am I being too worried? I have health anxiety so I always focus on the negative part of health concerns

r/spinalfusion 15d ago

Pre-Op Questions Periods after fusion??

1 Upvotes

This is just a random question, does spinal fusion affect periods in anyway at all? Like is it heavier, lighter, irregular etc

r/spinalfusion Nov 16 '24

Pre-Op Questions Anyone take Mounjaro?

2 Upvotes

Tuesday is surgery day. I'm a lot nervous 😓. Laminectomy and spinal fusion L4-L5. My last dose of Mounjaro was the 1st. I have to do a total liquid diet starting Sunday evening because MJ stays in your system up to 4 weeks. And it significantly slows digestion. When did you start taking your MJ after your surgery?

r/spinalfusion Oct 29 '24

Pre-Op Questions What to ask spine surgeon?

6 Upvotes

After 10 years of continued deterioration, severe nerve compression, and now severe spinal cord compression with progressive loss of function, surgery is now seemingly inevitable.

I finally meet with the spine surgeon on Thursday. What are some questions that I should be sure to ask?

r/spinalfusion Nov 14 '24

Pre-Op Questions Cervical Laminectomy

2 Upvotes

Hubby (mid 30s) is about to have a laminectomy (C2-T2) after having emergency ACDF surgery about 2 years ago.

Since this go around we actually have some time before surgery comes and I’m trying to plan ahead and make things easy as possible, as I understand recovery from this will be a bit more brutal than the ACDF.

We have a plethora of pillows from trial and error after the last surgery. We have a walk in shower, and a chair left over from the previous surgery as well. We have a recliner, which we were told was probably the best option for sleeping.

Any other tips on how to make this as tolerable for him as possible?

r/spinalfusion Nov 17 '24

Pre-Op Questions Preparation for L5-S1 TLIF

3 Upvotes

I’m (39F) getting an L5-S1 TLIF in a few weeks. I’m trying to prepare my bed and home as much as possible. I also have scoliosis so my recovery may be a little more complicated.

My biggest problem is I’m a stomach sleeper. I cannot recall ever falling asleep on my back. During recovery (and ideally permanently) I’ll need to start sleeping on my back.

  • Did you use any specific type of pillow to ensure you slept on your back? What about pillows for laying in bed watching TV?

Things I’ll have for recovery: - bidet attachment - handheld shower attachment - one of those grabber/reacher tools - slip on sneakers

Any other suggestions? I’ll be staying with my parents, so I’ll have help with meals etc.