Back Surgery
- Thread starter heidiho
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isthesis in his lower lumber, the L-5. The doc is trying some pain management procedures before he recommends surgery. The surgery will be disk fusion. Does anyone have experience with this? I'm kinda apprehensive about all this.
Dawn Jeffers
Super Boxer
I dont have any experience with this but i think this link may be useful to you.
http://www.spine.org/articles/spondylolisthesis.cfm
Sending healing vibes and my thought and Prayers are with you both. God bless xx
http://www.spine.org/articles/spondylolisthesis.cfm
Sending healing vibes and my thought and Prayers are with you both. God bless xx
RoxiesEcho
Boxer Insane
I don't have any true first hand knowledge but my mother (66 yrs old) had 2 vertebrae fused in early December and she came through with flying colors. They had her walking the very next day and actually sent her home a day sooner than they expected. She was originally told to be off work for 1 month but they she did so well she was told she could go back early (but didn't). The best advice she has to anyone considering the surgery is to follow the doctors instructions after the operation to a tee! It will make your recovery so much smoother and your dh will be in much less pain. She hadn't slept through the night in years and her problem with sleeping stopped from the day she got home. The only thing she still isn't comfortable doing yet is running the vacuum cleaner. Everyone she sees cannot believe that she had back surgery, she gets around wonderfully! I'm sure everyone is different and I can certainly understand being concerned because it is major surgery. Trust your doctor and follow the instructions!
Dunkin
Boxer Insane
My DH had his back surgery 12 yrs. ago. He came thru with flying colors. Just make sure and do exactly what the DR. tells him to do.Everything should be fine. DH was in so much pain before the surgery no one could stand to be around him. I knew he was going to be alright when coming out of surgery the first thing he said was "Does anyone have a steak in their pocket?"
TossBranAbi
Boxer Insane
My words of wisdom: Definately get a second opinion, if not a few more, no matter how much you trust the doctor. I learned that the hard way.
I have had 2 back surgeries, the first one when I was 16 and the second 2 years later. I had scoliosis and was told that if I didn't get surgery I would be in a wheelchair at a young age. The first surgery was an anterior spinal fusion from T11 - L5, that didn't help the pain so he decided to do the second suregry to reinforce the fusion so he did a posterior fusion. I am still in pain (I am 22 now) and will be like this for the rest of my life unless something that can help comes along. The solution now is to keep me doped up on pain meds but that is no life, I can't even take the pills and go to school and concentrate. I am sensitive to what seems like everything so everything knocks me out, Tylenol is my only salvation and that only takes a tiny edge off of the pain. Anyhow, moral of the story, go with your gut and don't do whatever the doc says without other's opinions.
As far as the recovery, it is painful. I know it isn't the same surgery I had but it is close. I was in the hospital for 10 days, on a morphine drip for most of those days and flat on my back in a body cast. The second surgery wasn't as bad because it was only reinforcing what had already been done but I was in the hosp. for 4-5 days (can't remember) and out of school for 2 months.
Like mentioned before, everyone is different but please don't let you DH do anything without other opinions. If I had a second opinion I wouldn't be in the situation I am in now. The only comfort I have is that the doctor who did this to me died (I am mean, I know)
I should have not had the surgeries but now have to suffer because someone wanted to make a quick buck.
This is the end result:
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e207/TossBranAbi/back3.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e207/TossBranAbi/back.jpg
I have had 2 back surgeries, the first one when I was 16 and the second 2 years later. I had scoliosis and was told that if I didn't get surgery I would be in a wheelchair at a young age. The first surgery was an anterior spinal fusion from T11 - L5, that didn't help the pain so he decided to do the second suregry to reinforce the fusion so he did a posterior fusion. I am still in pain (I am 22 now) and will be like this for the rest of my life unless something that can help comes along. The solution now is to keep me doped up on pain meds but that is no life, I can't even take the pills and go to school and concentrate. I am sensitive to what seems like everything so everything knocks me out, Tylenol is my only salvation and that only takes a tiny edge off of the pain. Anyhow, moral of the story, go with your gut and don't do whatever the doc says without other's opinions.
As far as the recovery, it is painful. I know it isn't the same surgery I had but it is close. I was in the hospital for 10 days, on a morphine drip for most of those days and flat on my back in a body cast. The second surgery wasn't as bad because it was only reinforcing what had already been done but I was in the hosp. for 4-5 days (can't remember) and out of school for 2 months.
Like mentioned before, everyone is different but please don't let you DH do anything without other opinions. If I had a second opinion I wouldn't be in the situation I am in now. The only comfort I have is that the doctor who did this to me died (I am mean, I know)
I should have not had the surgeries but now have to suffer because someone wanted to make a quick buck.
This is the end result:
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e207/TossBranAbi/back3.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e207/TossBranAbi/back.jpg
Last edited:
dizzydogmom
Boxer Booster
My dad had a fusion after he slipped a disk a work. He says his back is better now than before he slipped the disk 
.
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BXRBESTFRIND
Super Boxer
Definetly get second opinions, I havent had back surgery but IF I had listened to my 1st opinion about my shoulder they would of cut me open with almost no need.
My uncle had 2 vertebre fused and the best advice I can give is to watch his pain pill intake. My uncle led a very straight edge life and when he had his surgery and his back pain was finally over. After many many years of constant pain, he found he was addicted to pain pills. It took him a long time and lots of counseling for him to get back to his normal self.
Not saying this is a normal result from this surgery but it CAN be a very real issue.
I hope all the best with your DH's back
My uncle had 2 vertebre fused and the best advice I can give is to watch his pain pill intake. My uncle led a very straight edge life and when he had his surgery and his back pain was finally over. After many many years of constant pain, he found he was addicted to pain pills. It took him a long time and lots of counseling for him to get back to his normal self.
Not saying this is a normal result from this surgery but it CAN be a very real issue.
I hope all the best with your DH's back
heidiho
Super Boxer
Thanks for the replies. It is good to hear some positive words. TossBranAbi, so sorry to hear about all you've been thru. I looked at the pics you posted and am just amazed as what the end result is. As with any surgery there are many, many risks. Since we live in a smaller area I am questioning the doctor about things. I'm from Seattle and have no problem driving back to Seattle to get a second opinion. I'm just not sold that the doctor here is up on the latest methods. Although, we've heard from many people that "he's the best around".
We'll see how it all works out. He is scheduled for his first pain shot on 2/22.
We'll see how it all works out. He is scheduled for his first pain shot on 2/22.
TossBranAbi
Boxer Insane
Just remember "the best around" doesn't really say anything. Not sure how many docs are there but even if they were a bunch of monkeys, there is still going to be one that is better than eveyone else, doesn't mean he is any good. Just go with your gut feeling and get a second opinion.
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