I am new to this site and very glad that I found it....I have my Prodisc-L ADR scheduled for Sept. 10th and would like to know from anyone who has had an ADR surgery if there are any specific tips that can help make things easier while I am in the hospital and when I get home...
p.s.---my wife really would like to know! Any tips appreciated!

Thanks,

David

2004- Work related accident to lumbar area causing herniated L4-L5 and DDD
2004-present -have lived with extreme pain and making it through each day with multiple epidurals, Percocet, Lyrica, Celebrex, Skelaxin, Neurontin...
6/07- Discogram (only after getting a WC attorney involved)
9/10/07- ADR with Prodisc-L scheduled

Hi David, glad you found us. Check out some of the links and the paper I write (wow, three years ago?!) on the other side of the site:

http://www.adrsupport.org/post_op.html

Hope this is a start for you. As well, check out the FAQ on physical therapy...

The first few days in the hosptial are probably going to be a bit rough, as ADR is major surgery.

Presuming you have a recovery similar to mine, repeat these words: "Slow and steady wins the race"...

Take it easy, relax, and don't push yourself. Listen to your body carefully, and you will know if you have overdone something.

David

" A patient must <STRIKE>be</STRIKE> patient..."

David of Ohio is spot on.......truthfully, you need a good year to recover...this tells you why "slow and steady wins the race" is the perfect adage.....Odds are you did not get in the condition you are in overnight.........typically, the longer the pre-op problems, the slower the recovery, if you know this going in...it helps....also have your wife keep notes or a journal......if you keep a timeline or graph, you are far more likely to see steady improvements in small increments that are hard to notice when you are living it day to day.

As David says, "Listen to your body...Can't say that enough.........!!!!!

Best healing wishes,

Anita

Didn't mean to cross out the "be"

Y'all, you can edit your own posts...see the little pencil eraser icon in the lower right? Click on it...

Thanks for the advice...I am very anxious to have my surgery and start the healing process towards my "new" life!!!

David

2004-Work related accident to lumbar area causing herniated L4-L5 and DDD
2004-present -have lived with extreme pain and making through each day with multiple epidurals, Percocet, Lyrica, Celebrex, Skelaxin, Neurontin...
6/07- Discogram (only after getting a WC attorney involved)
9/10/07- ADR wit Prodisc-L scheduled

Hi, I responded to your other post but I wanted to add that not everyone requires a long time to recover. Mine is also l4-5, pro disc. My doctor says I'll be back light duty at four months. Mine is also work related and I don't have a year of time to be off. Don't think I personally need it. I imagine I'll be light duty for 2-3 months and then back full time as a cop in patrol. My only real pain at this point (3 weeks post op) is incision pain. Everyone is different though and I was still full duty prior to surgery in pretty good shape. Hopefully you'll be able to take as long as you need to feel great.

This is such an important thread of information for those who are preparing for post operative instructions.

Thank you!!!!!