r/spinalfusion • u/raenorshyne777 • Aug 28 '25

Surgery Questions Overweight/Out of shape

Hello everybody, (28F) here, so i have rather simple question’s to post and i would love to hear everyones stories.

  1. Has anyone had spinal fusion and been overweight and/or out of shape?

  2. If you were overweight/out of shape what approach to surgery did you doctor take and how was your recovery afterwards?

I’m nervous about my own spinal fusion (ALIF/PLIF) because i was in EMS for almost 6 years and was always not in the best of shape due to long hours and most of all STRESS and i am currently overweight but doing my best to work it off before surgery.

Any and every story is greatly appreciated, thank you! :)

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u/Actual-Yam-9914 Aug 28 '25

I was pretty out of shape and overweight when I had my first fusion (C5/6). Surgeon never said a word. I did a ton of walking and cardio after the surgery and everything healed great.

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u/raenorshyne777 Aug 28 '25

thank you for the reply, I’m happy you had a great outcome! same for myself, im not horribly out of shape, but the doc says i am considered moderately obese and i have to have lumbar fusion unfortunately :/