Pros and cons of epidurals re: recovery?

[laid up doc]

Joey Sue -

he probably meant extra risk - but any surgery carries risk, particularly ortho/general anesthesia/any reduction in activity post-op.

doesn't he have everyone wear those stockings post-op? those are to prevent DVT's...

[Vicki_in_Florida]

If you made it through two child labors "all natural" then you have a good pain tolerence! I had an epidural with my first child and nothing with the second.
I can sorta compare to ADR surgery.
Having an epidural with my first child, it seemed like it slowed everything down and I wondered if the whole process took longer because of it. The second child, I opted not to have anything and she was out in four hours vs 28 hours on the first.
I know second babies are easier than the first since as my mom used to say, everytime you blow up a balloon, it's easier to do the next time.
I'm assuming that some of affects of the epidural would be the same with ADR.
It's gonna slow the process down. The bowels will be slower to recover for sure.
Sounds like you are an up and at 'em kinda gal with a good pain tolerance, so maybe an epidural isn't necessary for you.

You are going to be very impressed with Dr. Boeree's anaesthetic doctor,Mike Herbertson. JoeySue will back me on this one.
Mike comes in daily sometimes several times a day to check on you and see how your pain is. I've never experienced that here in the US. Usually, you just see them before your procedure and then you don't see them again afterwards.
I'm sure you will see him before your procedure and he will discuss your options with you. He's been doing it for over twenty years and you can tell he knows what he's talking about and he is very nice.
Whatever Nick/Mike recommend, I would be very confident in their decision.
Nick is very aware of DVT and they take precautions to help guard against it.

Did you actually set a hard date yet?

[My3labs]

Yes i do have a very high pain tolerence and child birth for me was a pretty easy in comparison to some my first i was in labor (ok ladies dont kill me when i tell you ) 45 minutes and the second just like you said vicki quicker then the first it was 20 minute . Hey what can i say i know how to get things done ..lol

As far as a hard date no i am still trying to come up with enough monies to do the 2 adrs in lumbar and 2 adr cervical . And the plane fair from montana i am really hoping for june next year if i can tolerate that long . That way my son will be on simmer break and i wont have to worriy about getting him to school and he can help take care of me haha but i would be happy to just have enough money to get my lumbar done . But as they say life goes on if i am in pain or not ..

Did i read it right you had a lot of hip pain/burning like someone stabbing you with a hot iron?
Starting tomorrow i am going to the club to try to work out and try to get those abs stronger or at least find them.

Thank you all

Sandra

[Jstuckey]

Couple more thoughts on epidural.... my fear of the post surgery pain came from previous abdominal surgery experience - a radical hysterectomy. I was in terrible pain for the first few days from that 10 years ago. Mr Boeree said that is a much more aggressive procedure than the spinal surgery, and he is careful to cut as little as possible and just move structures. So again, it was probably overkill, but I didn't want to fight unnecessary pain.
If you end up leaning toward doing it, I was very well taken care of. Blood thinners, much attention from Mr Herbertson (like Vicki mentioned), repositioned frequently, and more I'm sure. Both the surgeon and anesthiologist thought it was a good idea for the more extensive surgery that I had. You don't have to decide until the pre-surgery meeting. Individuals differ, so it's a good conversation to have with them when you get there.
Best wishes on all the planning. I am EXTREMELY happy with my results!

[My3labs]

Again thank you all for your input i appreciate it.. i will probably not do the epidural, heck i cant lay for a couple days . not even with my partial hystorectomy did i stay put i got out of the hospital and moved myself and kids out of house . after 3 days rest.. but thank you all i am getting excited for my back and neck to be better but it will be a while

Sandra

but glad to take all and any advise you all have and so happy for everyone who has been there and done that congrads and happy further recoop.

[Maddie]

I am going to be the one who strongly advises an epidural, for several reasons. First, it is a gift to the body...even while under general anesthetic, the body feels pain without the block. If you prevent that from happening, the body doesn't have to go through that shock. Why put your system through that?

And I don't understand the idea that you have to be in bed for an extended period after having an epidural. I was up and walking the day after a seven hour three level/three incision surgery, and felt wonderful. They took out the epidural the day after surgery...I can't remember if it was before or after the walk, but I was in the shower on day two as well as walking the halls. And I felt almost no pain. I was apprehensive before it came out, that the pain would spike, but nothing happened.

Sure, there was some incision pain, but nothing like I have experienced before with other abdominal surgeries. On day three, I honestly felt like jogging in the halls, and the main thing that prevented me other than common sense, was the IV bag hitting me in the head when it started swinging on the pole

Several German surgeons stated that epidurals were normal procedure for this reason, that the body healed much more quickly when it didn't go through the trauma of that pain.

As to them slowing down things, my first birth was 22 hrs of misery before getting one...nothing but mother nature slowed her down, and the second popped out after three hours...didn't need one that time.

If it cuts down on the amount of drugs needed post-op, it just makes sense to me to have one during surgery and save all that pain.