Had my back surgery yesterday morning

[MrWolf]

Thanks to boerancher and others that had posted about their experiences with their surgeries. I had l4/l5 done. Got the fusion, plates, and screws. Lot of drama before operation due to high blood pressure. I remember the nurse telling me she was gonna give me something to sleep at 7:20 am. Woke up in recovery there hours later. My doc was supposed to check on me as I had requested that I not have to stay overnight which had never been done there. My son is an EMT who is staying with me till Sunday, then girlfriend's turn. My daughter is a PA so lots of medical support. He said he would see how I was doing. I have about a dozen or so messed up discs and the only one they could operate on was the L4/L5 to help with leg problems.

They kept pushing pain pills in recovery which I declined. They still didn't have a bed for me so recovery took me to Xray. Gave me a walker and did good. Saw a bathroom across the hall and said I have to go. She said no not without supervision, etc. I said just wait outside I will be fine. Opened the door as I was throwing out paper towel from washing hands. I then climbed back into bed and said let's go. She said in her three and a half years there she never let anyone do that.

Around 3:00 I got a room so off we went upstairs. In new room they again pushed pain pills and I declined. My neck and head actually hurt more. Then they brought in this lil drill instructor who was going to take me for my walk to see if I could go home. She kicked my butt. I kept her pace and even joked with her. When I got back to bed I just climbed in and said now what. I heard her saying to other nurses that I really could walk, etc and she couldn't believe it.

Doc finally showed up around 5:00 and said I was being released. Told me it was worse than he thought when he opened me up. Bone on bone and lots of movement and severe narrowing. Said I should have lots of room now and said everything went well and looks good.

I was the first patient there that was ever released on same day as surgery. I was a bit sore from the forced march but dressed myself and waited for the wheelchair. My son met me and loaded me into my truck. Word of advice. Be driven home after low back surgery in something with a bench seat. That 40 minute ride killed me. Also use a ski pole with rubber bottom for asistance . So far only two pain pills and two muscle relaxants last night to sleep. Not much pain laying down but getting up and walking was tough. This morning I felt the muscles loosen a bit so I walked to kitchen from bedroom and such without overdoing it. Guess having a bad back for 25 years toughened me up some. Plus being a thick headed Polack didn't hurt . I was so much more comfortable being home recovering than in the hospital. I got more sleep and honestly couldn't imagine coming home today. It never hurts to ask but do your homework first so they know you covered all the angles. I am glad others posted about their experiences as it made mine easier. I also ordered a 32" extendable picker upper thing. Your gonna need it.

[Winger Ed.]

Glad it went well.

Sounds like you'll be 'healed & haired' in no time.

[Lakehouse2012]

Welcome back! I wish you a speedy recovery!

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[poppy42]

Good luck to you! I’ve had to and it kept me, with lots of rehab and medication, At a level of pain that I have been able to tolerat for many years.

[Silvercreek Farmer]

Wishing you a speedy recovery! You be shooting that new GP in no time!

[Hickok]

MrWolf, from one mountaineer to another, glad to hear the surgery went well.

Did you go to Morgantown?

I had a knee replaced there, and the doctors and nurses treated me like a king.

"Mountana Semper Liberi"

[MrWolf]

Hickok - Winchester at Valley Health. I had Dr Selznik from Virginia Brain and Spine do the surgery. I was impressed with him 2 1/2 years ago when he said he couldn't do anything for me as everything was to far gone. That single disc went to garbage in that period of time. I hope it let's me sit long enough to drive and see my kids more regularly

Silvercreek Farmer - The replacement Super GP100 is still not in. Was there on Thursday and a dang HiPoint 1095 in 10mm followed me home along with two AR10 lowers.

Thanks folks for the well wishes. I am a bit sore now but really think the operation will make a difference.

[Wayne Smith]

Glad to hear you are doing so well. I'm putting that surgery off as long as I can.

[JBinMN]

Congrats! on what sounds (reads) like a successful operation.

Hope your recovery is great & you are able to do more than before!
:)

& a Merry Christmas as well!
;)

[georgerkahn]

It was/is soooo wonderful to read about your surgery -- mostly its success. My younger son (38) is having his back operated on (Strong Memorial, Rochester, NY) on 18 December -- and, we are praying he also has success. His X-rays show the bottom section of his spine looking like a sea-horse! I got a chuckle re your writing, "being a thick headed Polack didn't hurt " -- Justin's wife is 100% Polish, and my side of parenting is 100% Czech -- so I'm praying, too, for the ancestry/geographic edge :)!
Again, so happy you are doing well!
geo

[country gent]

Mr. Wolf. Glad to hear you did so well with the surgery. Wishes for a speedy recovery and a lot of improvements. WIll Pm my phone number to you f you get bored give me a call.

[Kraschenbirn]

Been there...done that (double laminectomy of L4/L5 w/o fusion)...and was back on my feet, walking a mile a day without my cane, within 90 days after the surgery. 2 1/2 years later, still won't be running any track meets, but 100% mobile without any meds. Only advice I'll offer: (1) DON'T try to 'push' your recovery...got a good buddy (Type A personality/former marathon runner) who thought he 'knew better' and was back in an operating room within six months. (2) Your physical therapist is now your personal guru; work with him/her and don't ever think of fudging on your daily exercise routines...yeah, they're probably gonna hurt at first but you've got some rebuilding to do. That said, wish you best and, if you feel a need, PM me and we can chat some.

Bill

[lightman]

Glad things went well. Hope you continue to heal.

[Hickok]

Mr. Wolf, From where I live in WV, it is 100miles from Winchester, and I see you are in NE West Virginia, so you are probably fairly close to Winchester.

Hoping you heal quickly, and Merry Christmas to you and your family![smilie=s:

[MaryB]

Walking is going to be your friend to recover faster! Soon as the doc h=gives you the go ahead start with a short distance then slowly build up. First few days I walked a block, then 2 then 3 then a half mile...

[rondog]

Congrats to ya! I've had three lumbar surgeries, and I'm ready to beg for a 4th. This time I want a fusion, L4 to S1, I'm tired of tiptoeing around the real problem. I'm sitting here suffering right now, and I'm sick of it. Either fix me or put me down.....

[Tripplebeards]

Ouch! I remember you commenting on my slipped disc which screwed up my bow hunting this year. I missed the rut! I’m happy to say after about 20 days after sitting on frozen water bottles and in my Ijoy massage chair it’s back to normal. The disc finally went back into place in on the eighth so I was able limp out to my tree stand but we had a cold snap and I think it shortened our rut up imo. From limping around for eight days and using other muscles all sides of my back around the base of my ribs were extremely sore until I sat in my I joy chair and massaged them out. I always say everything happens for a reason. I believe the man upstairs put me down on purpose because he’s tired of how I’ve been cleaning out Noah’s ark. I slim down a little bit in the last few weeks as well which I’m sure also helped because I couldn’t get up off the couch it hurt so bad. I didn’t want to get up to go the bathroom or to the fridge. I literally screamed every time I took a step for a week till that disc popped back in.

[MrWolf]

Walking is going to be your friend to recover faster! Soon as the doc h=gives you the go ahead start with a short distance then slowly build up. First few days I walked a block, then 2 then 3 then a half mile...

Yeah still doing more of a shuffle with the ski pole/walking stick than a true walk. My extended grabber arrived today. The thick headed part of me thought I would be moving more already but have to say after just four days I am doing pretty good. My daughter told me to take it easy but not to easy. I just keep moving more and more within the house and rest/sleep alot. When I start thinking not moving along quick enough my girlfriend points out how much I have improved already. I really appreciate all the support and advice I have received from everyone. It really helps. Thanks folks.

[bbogue1]

Healing is done while you sleep. It sure does take time, keep it up You are oh the right path, A little challenge will help you get better, but, do NOT overdo. Follow your Drs. instructions. You are already doing great.

[trails4u]

Slow and easy my friend...… You can live pretty happy without a lot of parts, but no so much without a strong back behind you. Give yourself time to heal... There's no point of pride in crippling yourself!

[Moleman-]

Sounds like you're doing fantastic. Had 4 surgeries so far and each had a different recovery. Don't over do it because it may hurt less and ease back into walking. Wouldn't of believed just walking really helps but it did for me at least. Had a hard time just walking to the mail box and back before I got my L4/5-S1 fused. 8 days out and I was doing the 90 year old man shuffle 1/4 mile every day and eventually worked it up to 4. I still regularly walk and will kick it up a bit when my back acts up. There's PT which you should do, but also found occupational therapy to help a great deal. I was regularly aggravating my back which would act up later and didn't even know why and other times I knew exactly what I had done.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Mr. Wolf. :D

[MrWolf]

I will say I am impressed as all get out with folks that posted they are outside walking around within a few days of surgery. My situation is a bit different in that my mailbox is over 3/4 mile down mountain and all and it's cold out there. I do what I can. Did a load of laundry yesterday with my extended grabber and looked for a lost TV remote with no locator from son's visit. That looking hurt more than laundry. I have not taken any of the surgery pills for a few days now but am feeling where they worked on. Actually getting some sleep and all. Figure by this time next week I will drive for a doc appointment.

Some tips for those considering this type of surgery without benefit of sevants help ;): Long ski pole type walking stick and extended reach grabber are worth their weight in gold (I am 6' and about 210). I had prepped the house prior but little things like making sure that items you use regularly are high up in fridge. That phones, pills, rx are all within reach of your bed. Funny you would think rolling over is easy. Nope. Over 200lbs of dead weight at that point. Keep a laxative around and thermometer to check for fever. Pain pills can constipated and trust me you do not want to push any harder than necessary.

I will discuss any other issues with folks here or in PM. Again thanks everyone.

[slim1836]

Happy the surgery was a success, hoping for a complete recovery. Keep your spirits up and keep on doing what the doctors order.

Slim

[Daveco]

It sure sounds like you're doing great so far! Like has been mentioned by so many already, for me it was be careful to not over do anything, and walking helps speed recovery. (But watch where you step!) With your continuing positive outlook you're on the right track.
Best of luck to you in your ongoing recovery!

[skeettx]

WELL DONE you tough nut :)
I am impressed and thank you for your
insights
Mike

[PHyrbird]

Mr Wolf, Congrats
Do everyone a favor & hang in with the PT therapy. It's tough to "stretch" your limits. I'm still going back (pun intended) for PT & massage after 2 yrs. You are more fortunate than some, that your walks are farther. Sometimes it's a long haul to get distance, endurance, & flexibility we want. I agree that stretching is good, overdoing it is bad, Keep on keeping on.
Carl

[MrWolf]

I wanted to update and thank everyone for their prayers and support. Been about three weeks now since surgery. I walked to the mailbox which is about 3/4 mile away downhill and has about 20-30% incline coming back. Actually did that the last two days. No numbness, dragging legs, stopping to get feeling back, etc.. What a difference. It was incredible to me the improvements made each week. First week was ok with just having the surgery. Week two was wow I am getting better every day. Week three was I can't believe I had surgery recently.

I have my follow-up exam on 1/6. Curious as to what they will have me do as I "think" I am doing really well and beyond what they expect. Not to say I didn't overdo it a few times but within reason. Actually felt even better the following day from pushing it. Hard part now is finding things to do within the parameters the doc outlined. Guess I will find out next week. Thanks again everyone and if anyone is on the fence or nervous about having that type of surgery just pm me. We can talk in private.
Ron

[6bg6ga]

I have a few things to say. First I went thru it in the mid 80's when their methods were more like a butcher than someone that was supposed to be skilled. For the most part attitude plays an important part in recovery that and common sense. Don't be a dumb *** and try to do more than your capable of. Baby steps you walk a distance for three or 4 days and increase it slightly. You don't for instance walk .5 mile one day and a mile the next. You ease into things and if something doesn't feel right you stop.

Anyway your on the road to recovery. You have a positive mental attitude and by your posts it sound like you have a handle on things. I will wish you the very best luck and hopes for a speedy recovery.

[lightman]

I had my first surgery in the mid 70's and my scar looks like something you would see on a football! I agree with what 6bg6ga says, baby steps and moderation. It sounds like what Mr Wolf is doing.

Glad to hear that you are doing so well.

[MrWolf]

Those procedures have come a long way since the 70's and 80's. My cousin has had around nine operations if I remember right and he is two years older than me. Only reason I had them do the one disc was it was making it possible for me to drive and see my kids. Your surgeries required a lot more down time and cutting with more scar tissue generated in think.

One thing about getting older (59) is your body screams a bit louder when you get close to over doing it. I may be dumb but not stupid - I think [smilie=l:

[MaryB]

Change in surgical procedure has been huge, they used to go in through your stomach... laid all your organs out on the table to get to the spine... now it is from the back and arthroscopic mostly. My neck surgery was a little 1.5" incision in the front right of the neck(in a skin crease so it barely shows)... instead of them slicing the back of the neck open for 5-6 inches! The less they disturb the muscles the faster you heal!

[MrWolf]

I am actually more sore from him moving muscles than the actual cutting and cleaning. It is very easy to forget I had the surgery which is why I have to constantly watch what I am doing. Would be real easy to do to much. I am grateful for folks like boerancher (from memory hope I got his name right), MaryB, etc. for sharing in their experiences. For someone who has never stayed overnight in hospital for my own issues, it really helps. Heh, my streak is still alive as I left the afternoon of my surgery [smilie=b: They told me I was determined. Told them they were being nice and not the term I would have used.

[tankgunner59]

Here's wishing you God speed with recovery.

[MaryB]

9 surgeries since 2007, 8 on joints... wee bit of experience LOL 4 overnight stays...

[Wis Tom]

Praying your progress keeps steady and moving upward. Thanks for the updates. Take care.