L4-L5 L5-S1 surgery

[gulshanmunshi]

It looks like I will soon be offered the above surgery as soon my BMI drops below 30. I cannot tell you how worried I am not only about undergoing 6 hours surgery. But post surgery implications e.g. not allowed to bend down or not do housework for months coming out of my high mattress bed and after the surgery. Can anyone who has undergone similar surgery please shed some light. I wake up in the middle of the night worrying restlessly about how my family will manage looking after me as my husband is nearly 80 years old and my children in full time work.

[Rusticgarden]

Before op if you can see doctors and explain may need help for recovery, hopefully between hospital and social services a care plan will be put in place .I wish you well for op and recovery

[gulshanmunshi in reply to Rusticgarden]

Thank you. Much appreciated.

[Barrister]

I had this surgery done in 1998, a long time ago now. Try not to worry unnecessarily. I’m sure that the hospital along with physiotherapists and occupational therapists will make sure that everything will be in place before you are allowed home.

[gulshanmunshi in reply to Barrister]

Thank you very much.

[Fruitandnutcase]

Haven’t ant experience of that surgery but when my husband had his hip replacement someone came out to the house to check all sorts of things from the height of the bed to the height of the toilet seat and they fixed him up with various aids for things like putting socks on and picking things up off the floor. So as Barrister says the hospital should sort all that sort of thing out - in my husband’s case it was before surgery. It’s easy for us to say but try not to worry.

Also you might find if you go onto the HU Bone Health site you will find people who have had similar spinal surgery.

[gulshanmunshi in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

This is most helpful.

[lilyak]

I think someone has given you a very wrong idea about this surgery. The first two weeks are very painful, no bending, no housework. Then, depending on how your recovery goes, the next four weeks you take things lightly. But you CAN bend, you can do light work, and you will be encouraged to walk daily.

By six weeks you will be doing things normally, if you decide to. Obviously there will be some pain, and you will be guided by that. if it hurts (a lot, not a little) don't do it.

I am fused from L3 to S1, four levels, very big surgery, but I recovered well. At six weeks I was walking my 2km daily walk, albeit slowly. You CAN bend, and you should. Twisting is to be avoided, and lifting very heavy things. But you will be fine. Talk to your doctors, let them reassure you. Someone has frightened you and given you a very wrong idea. YES, its a big surgery, but you will not be recovering and unable to bend or move for months and months! THat's crayz. Its weeks And yes, its very painful at the beginning, but after the first two weeks, you'll be sailing! Go talk to your doctor and go into it with a positive attitude.

[gulshanmunshi in reply to lilyak]

Thank you for your advice. It really is very helpful. Appreciated.