Upcoming Surgery- one Prodisc-L and a fusion same time NEED ADVICE

[hayzer912]

Hello everyone, I am in need of some advice. I am going to be having a single level ADR at L4-L5 (Prodisc-L) and then a fusion at L5-S1. I am EXTREMELY nervous about the surgery. I have taken it upon myself to study and resarch as much as possible regarding the surgery.
One of my main concerns is post-op comfort. I understand im going to be sore but my concern is they are going thru my abdomen for the Prodisc-L and then thru the back for the fusion. I will have two incisions, one front and one back. How the heck can I get into any comfortable position? I understand with any surgery you will be in pain but, Im looking for ideas on what level of pains are experienced with these types of surgery. Are you allowed to lay on your back after a fusion? Adr? I am having a pre-surgical discogram and CT first week of February and then an appt 2/24/10 to schedule the date. I want to prepare my house, etc for post-op living. Can you walk stairs? ( I have a 2 story home) Any advice or recommendations? Can someone give me ideas on what the pain levels are at the incision sites, etc etc?

All these questions will be asked by myself to my surgeon but I value the input on this site just as much. Has anyone out there had the same surgery? if so PLEASE share your story with me Thanks so much!!

Kelly
New York State

[scduggan]

Dear Kelly,
Good luck with your upcoming surgery. I am posting because I know a little about the fusion portion and a little about the ADR. I have not had the surgery but have done tons of research. One of my closest friends had a single-level fusion at L5/S1 last February. She was able to walk stairs (very slowly) and did almost all of her resting on her back. You will probably have a brace which will give you support. From what I have heard the incision from the ADR is not usually horrible. Most people feel immediate relief from having the bad disc out. Be really really careful about your diet. All this trauma to your body will shock your digestive system. If you are diligent from the start you will be fine. A friend who had ADR three months ago recommends Miralax. Good Luck! I will have ADR in February, and I can only imagine you are nervous and anxious about the double whammy. Someone will weigh in soon hopefully with personal experience.
CD

[hayzer912]

CD, thank you for the reply. I too have heard of digestive tract "issues" post-op after ADR surgery. I will be very careful with that for sure. I sure do not need any additional troubles! LOL

Kelly

[JJames]

Kelly -
Best of luck on your surgery, your recovery, and most importantly the outcome. I truly wish that I was responding to your post to give you the insight or advice which you are seeking but I unfortunately am not.

The surgery which you are scheduled to have soon is the same one which I am currently attempting to get my medical insurance to cover. They refuse to cover the bi-level ADR. I am attempting to get them to cover a fusion at L5/S1 and a ProDisc ADR at L4/L5. The only difference is that my surgeon plans to take the anterior/front approach on both.

Please post when you are able after your surgery. I have many of the questions running through my head that you do now. It doesn't appear that I will even get to the point where you are currently, but maybe, just maybe ...

More importantly, good luck again to you! I am certain that someone else will post soon with the information which you are REALLY seeking,

Jeff

[Cirobi]

Hi Kelly,

Hopefully someone who has been through the same surgery will be able to comment as well, but I figured I could at least chime in from the ADR perspective. I had a 1-level Prodisc put in at L5/S1 almost 2 years ago and my incision was in the front. I'd have to say that the incision site was only really uncomfortable/sensitive for the first 2-3 weeks in terms of moving around. Clothing was definitely interesting and I fell in love with certain types of shorts (surgery was in the summer) because they had wide cloth waistbands. It took longer for jeans.

As for other positions, well, I slept on my back and side, though I would imagine back will be tricky for you for obvious reasons. Even with the incision on the front, sitting reclined on the couch wasn't an issue. I think the only tricky thing I ran into was when I started using my laptop again while hanging out at home recovering. I had to perch it on my lap just right so it wouldn't slide into my incision site.

I know from reading others' recoveries that the 2 level will be more painful and longer in the recovery process. I was one of the lucky few who had a smooth, relatively quick and successful surgery and recovery.

I'd say that soft spongey surfaces (i.e. pillows and blankets were quite useful for me) and soft clothing, particularly waistbands on pants and being able to recline were primarily how I got through my recovery. The laxative thing was only an issue for the first day I was home but afterward the worst part was being careful of how I bent down to use the toilet. Luckily my bathroom is pretty small so there was plenty to use for balance while I did my business.

Take a look through the Surgical Outcomes section as there are likely several people who are already in the recovery progress and their stories may be able to give you a good broad range of possibilities for your own outcome.

My biggest piece of advice to you would be to be mentally and emotionally prepared for the best outcome and the absolute worst outcome. I say this because you will almost definitely land somewhere on the spectrum between best and worst but you cannot predict beforehand how things will go. Your body will heal at its own pace and present you different symptoms throughout your recovery. The best thing you can do is give your body every opportunity possible to recover smoothly - i.e. don't force yourself off pain medication if your body is screaming that it's not ready (you'll know as it'll scream loudly), know your limits as far as rehab is concerned and above all else, rest. Whether your recovery takes 3 months or 3 years, do whatever you can to help it recover.

Good luck with your surgery and I hope to see you recover well on the post-op side.

~Sara

[hayzer912]

Thanks for the helpful insight from everyone so far. I gotta say I honestly am very torn at this stage for some reason and I wasnt two weeks ago. I thought, " heck yeah, its time to do the surgery" but I have a strange feeling regarding whether timing is right now. My primary issue is I am not always in horrific pain. I am seeing muscle weakness in my right leg and very strange numbness and skin sensitivity on that side as well. ( I have a compresed spinal nerve causing this)

Dr.'s think its time but, I gotta say what once was whole hearted feeling that I was doing the absolute right thing is now feeling like a question mark. Is it pre-surgery jitters?????? Im not sure but, I hate this feeling now. I will say this....I went from being an active guy who worked as a police officer in a City in NY to a sedentary, disability retired guy who is limited in his abilities to be active, etc.

I am tired of the "Acute" pain episodes of complete pain and zero mobility when ive over done it. Im a daddy to 4 children and cant stand the thought of cheating them from an active family lifestyle cuz daddys back is messed up. Sorry to vent guys just kinda felt the need. Im sure things are going to be fine and its pre-surgery jitters. I am also fully aware that I could end up worse than I am now too as nothing is ever guaranteed in this world. Just wish I had that SOLID feeling I had several weeks ago.

Thanks again for your input. Its sooooo much appreciated.

[Cirobi]

You may have just answered your own question about whether or not it's pre-op jitters simply by saying the following line "Im a daddy to 4 children and cant stand the thought of cheating them from an active family lifestyle cuz daddys back is messed up."

Let quality of life be your guide through the "what ifs". While you may not have constant pain, think about how it's impeding your ability to function in normal daily activities and where you'd prefer to be. If the way life is now isn't satisfactory and surgery is the only chance to regain what's been lost from the pain? Then I say fight through those "what ifs". If you're content as is and the issues caused by the compressed nerve aren't holding you back, then maybe it's ok to wait.

For example, when my back pain flared up so badly it was taxing me emotionally, physically, professionally... I fought to get a real diagnosis. The diagnosis was that I was a surgical candidate. My options were fusion, ADR or wait while it got worse. I was already struggling with certain day to day tasks. Waiting for the elevator at work was excruciating, the thought of doing housework scared the snot out of me because I was afraid of how much pain I'd be in afterward, and the emotional toll was severely affecting my relationship. So, when my surgeon gave me those three options, it seemed like a no-brainer to me. I chose surgery and the surgery that would give me the best opportunity to be active again. Then again, I probably had the full decade of back pain flare ups to wonder and become ok with the fact that I'd have to have surgery some day.

If you're feeling muscle weakness and tingling from the compressed nerve, that's pretty serious. Nerves don't heal as fast as most wounds so the longer you wait to do something and the worse nerve damage becomes, the harder it will be to regain the lifestyle you want for you and your kids. My manager is dealing with this now. He had a double fusion several years ago in his neck due to a car accident. He waited quite some time getting opinions and thinking he would be ok just being careful before one doc informed him that his neck was so bad that even a slight fender bender could render him paralyzed due to the compression on the nerves. He's had muscle weakness in one leg because of it ever since. It's probably been about 8 years since he estimated it was about 6 when I was about to have my surgery.

Of course, don't let any of us tell you what to do because you have to decide what is your best for your body. Listen to it.

I think you know some of the answers to the concerns in your last post, but the fear may be clouding your thoughts. It's ok to vent here too. So many of us understand.

*offers an e-hug*

~Sara

[Harrison]

CD, thanks for posting and good luck with your surgery this month. Sara, as always, you offer some sound advice. We all benefit from these words of eloquence.

Kelly, I’ll chime back in soon but I am swamped. In the meantime, please add a signature when you can (see CP panel in upper left) describing your spinal situation. It will help us help you.

[scduggan]

Dear Kelly,
I agree wholeheartedly with Sara. What you are experiencing is so normal. I just have one thing to add that might help with your decision making.....a back pain journal. I started this as well because I was having self-doubt also. This will help you to see a clear path. Some spine issues can heal or get better over time, and some cannot. Good Luck!
CD

[hayzer912]

Thanks everyone for your kind words of encouragement and reassurance. I am going to do a video diary of my experiences with the "hybrid" surgery to help anyone who may have to endure this type of surgery. If its not against the rules on here I will see to it that I try and post each clip....Of course I will talk to Richard first to be sure its ok. Thanks again for everything.....final discogram scheduled for February 12th then surgical consult with the surgeon one more time on 24th. ZThe time is fast approaching.......

Kelly