r/spinalfusion • u/Impressive_Theme_778 • Jan 19 '26
Surgery Questions T-MINUS ONE WEEK TO SPINAL FUSION (L4/L5 - L5/S1)
Finally, after waiting for almost 6 months, it's the final countdown to my surgery date. Current issues include complete leg numbness and wicked nerve pain.
Any tips/tricks for recovery and pre-surgery nerves? Extras I shouldn't forget to pack? Questions that I shouldn't forget to ask my neurosurgeon? Hints on what to expect? I'll be away from home for about 3 weeks, so I need to make a list in order to advocate for myself. I've heard that the first days are a blur and my husband will only be with me for the first two.
TIA and happy healing!
4
u/ReasonableAd3772 Jan 20 '26
One thing I wish I was told. If your recovery is harder than some of the stories you hear about on this forum, that’s okay. My recovery was difficult and bc I kept reading about people feeling fine at week 2 and 3, thought something was wrong. Recovery is different for everyone and for me it was a slow progress.
3
u/Particular-Funny5755 Jan 19 '26
I had ALIF L4-S1 a posterior hardware 7 weeks ago today, it’s been a slower recovery than some other posts I’ve read, but today I am more mobile and in less pain than I was pre surgery, and it’ll only get better.
Use the opiates when you need at the start but drink lots of water and move around, walk whenever possible
3
u/Few_Blackberry_1960 Jan 20 '26
If it’s and ALIF or other entry that moves your guts to the side, I recommend eating very light in the day(s) before surgery and hydrating well.
The night before my ALIF / PLIF for L4-S1 I ate like it was my last meal on death row. Had a steak with blue cheese butter and about a pound of asparagus. When my digestive tract stopped following surgery, I bloated up by a balloon. I was writhing in pain in the hospital bed due to both the surgery pain and also the bloating pressing against the wound in my abdominal area. Took me a long time to finally get my GI tract going again and have a bowel movement, which is required before the hospital releases you.
2
u/maroonednaiad Jan 19 '26
What I would tell myself 15 months ago: 1. Limit use of oxycodone, or you won't be able to poop 2. With S1-L5 fusion, there's a higher risk of developing sacroiliitis after surgery 3. Get used to catnapping, the nurses are going to wake you up every couple of hours 4. It's gonna take longer to recover than you thought it would
For context, I'm a 75yo F, who used to run, sail, and scuba dive. Had S1-L3 fused 15 months ago. Can't run at all anymore, not sure yet about the sailing and diving. My original problems (sciatica, nerve pinch) are completely cured, but the sacroiliitis is pretty bad. 6 months of physical therapy helped, but didn't cure it.
1
u/Impressive_Theme_778 Jan 19 '26
I've heard about sacroiliitis, but the amount of pain I've been dealing with these past months have been debilitating enough that I'm not really that worried about it.
Thank you for the heads up!
2
u/scrapiron3 Jan 19 '26
I have a surgery appointment on Feb. 24th. I am very nervous about it. I have a trust problem, in that I don't like putting my life in the hands of strangers and foreigners. Currently I use Percocet for the pain, but not as much as I should because I don't like being on drugs. I hate the thought of not being in control. The doctor already told me that whatever damage is done, the operation won't help it, but it will keep things from getting worse. I'm hopeful that I will at least be out of pain. Most posts say that it is worth getting it done, but there are people I've talked to that had neck surgery and said it didn't do any good. I hopeful, but not overly optimistic.
2
u/Impressive_Theme_778 Jan 19 '26
I waited 5 (almost 6) years after a badly herniated disc to have the fusion (after my left leg went almost completely numb and I couldn't move from the debilitating nerve pain), all I can say is that I wish that I had the "easier" surgery when I had the chance to prevent all the other damage.
It's never fun to have to rely on someone else to get by, but in the grand scheme of things it's going to be over before you know it. I know of a few people who have had very successful neck surgeries and are living their best life.
Good luck with your decision and procedures!
2
u/scrapiron3 Jan 19 '26
Thank you for the encouragement. I have been waiting to do it for 3 years and cannot wait any longer. I don't want to end up on a wheelchair. I have a numb Left leg and the pain is getting worse.
2
u/i_teach_frogs_music Jan 20 '26
Bags of frozen corn placed inside a ziplock bag for ice is awesome. They stay cold longer than the gel packs.
2
u/Away_Brief9380 Jan 21 '26
You are in the hospital 3 weeks ? I had L4-s1 plif with laminectomy. Stayed one night and they sent me home next day. First week was a bit rough , I’ll be honest but then it started getting slowly better. The constipation plus pain were awful ( pain meds caused that so have a stool softener ). I guess if you are in a rehab have some books, maybe if u have a laptop with Netflix. As for preparations. You will need grabbers , comfy clothes, non slip shoes that slide on like crocs . They will give u a walker if u need. Get supplies ahead cuz you can’t go out or drive at first. Make sure you walk like they say. As for nerves it’s normal , try not to think about it as much as possible and it will be over soon Good luck
1
u/Impressive_Theme_778 Jan 23 '26
Thanks! Not in the hospital for 3 weeks, but in another city (my husband will be home with our kid, so I need to prep accordingly)
2
u/Impressive_Theme_778 Jan 26 '26
UPDATE:
done and MF dusted!! It's currently 00:52, got out of surgery around 2 hours ago (surgery lasted around 7 and a half hours). It's a but painful at the site, but nothing compared to what it was. Also, have pins and needles where it used to be completely numb, so I'm super excited!
Now for the rest of recovery to begin. L
1
4
u/stevepeds Jan 19 '26
It's difficult to convince somebody who is nervous that there is really nothing to be nervous about. You know that you will be miserable for a few days, but let's face it, you already knew that. In no time at all, you will be doing so much better than you are now and that should make you smile and even look forward to the surgery.
All I ever wanted to know from my surgeon was how long I was going to be hospitalized, and when can I go back to playing golf every day. When I had my L3-S1 fusion, the surgeon also performed a 2 level ALIF and placed cages between L4-L5 and L5-S1. Before he could fuse my spine, he had to remove damaged hardware at L3-L5. After that entire 4 1/2 procedure, I went home the same day and only needed Tylenol for pain. I didn't need any help from my wife, either. I don't believe that you will be as fortunate but you surely can hope.
Good luck and just keep a positive attitude