Getting Prodisc L Installed tomorrow 7-26-10

[trulifebrian]

Time flew by and here it is....at 1:30 tomorrow Dr Rasouli will be performing L5-S1 installation on me.....

I'm hoping all of you don't get the opinion that I'm taking this lightly. Compared to the pain of a "bout" that keeps me on the floor for a week or 2 at a time, I've had it!....NO pain can compare to that.

I'll be in recovery at Cedars Sinai for 3 days and was wondering what those 3 days might feel like, how upright or mobile I'll be...(or not)..

I've seen videos of post surgery patients after 6 days and know what to expect.

I'm 52, toned, trim athlete, 6' 175lbs. does physical condition have a great deal to do with those first few days?

Brian, by the way

[Harrison]

Brian,

You bet physical condition has a lot to do with your outcome! Your shape bodes well for your positive outcome. It also helps if you have a "clean" life; e.g., non-smoker, drinker, healthy eating, etc.

Tonight and tomorrow AM, clean your teeth carefully and thoroughly. Do some careful, thorough stretching and of course, get some good sleep if you can.

Just curious: did they have you fasting today or tonight?

[trulifebrian]

I'm gonna play things safe and no matter WHAT THEY SAY.....All I'm having is SOUP during my hospital stay......been through that.

[Harrison]

Brian, sorry for not being clear: were you instructed to fast the day or night before your spine surgery? I was instructed to do so back in 2004; I was curious if things have changed...

[trulifebrian]

I was instructe not to eat or drink anything after midnight (the midnight prior to my surgery

[Harrison]

Thanks for letting me know. Once again, I've confirmed the many differences in preparing/coaching patients for surgery.

My opinion is that having a very light or no evening meal makes sense (just my two cents):

- if having an anterior procedure, there is less mass in the bowel that the vascular surgeon has to move (or if Germany, the ADR surgeon does this as they often do their own opens);

- if the bowel is nicked, perhaps less food will contaminate the cavity;

- post-operatively, patients need time for their bowel to "wake up," as drugs interfere with the autonomic peristalsis action. It often takes several days for this to return to normal.

Any way, no need to worry. I just find the differences between practices within the US and countries overseas interesting.

[trulifebrian]

Like I said in other posts, best decision ADR was the best decision, no regrets.
Difficult to find threads on bowel function full recovery and you seemto have lots of experience with that.
It's now one week after surgery and while I was prepared for that bowel "waking up" sequence, I seem to have to help things moove along through the lower end of things...
Off the pain meds so tha's not a factor. At this stage (compared to kost of the post op comments I see hear), I'm probably being a bit impatient (hey, not complaining).
My healthy cycle before op was in the neighborhood of 18-20 hours. Now, after 2 days of bowel build-up (twice now), I just go nuclear with the phosphates (pressure on those stitches make it neccessary "ouch").

What's the norm that you've seen with a "no complications" case?

Thanks,
Brian

[annapurna]

It's not quite the same thing but after my prostate surgery I was on stool softeners for the whole time I was recovering, about 4 weeks. I didn't have too many problems but comments from the doc made it clear that many have problems that whole period.

[trulifebrian]

Senokot, Senokot, Senokot.
My staff suggested and all is woken up and normal routine. just took about 10 days.

Pretty understandable considering what went on in there.