Fusion of L4, L5 and S1

[dlocsista]

Going for 3rd consult re:  Fusion of L4, L5 and S1.  Would like for those who have had this surgery please tell me what to expect after procedure immediatedly after and months beyond surgery.  TY

[Judy1961]

Well, plan to be in pain.  My last fusion surgery was from T-11 down to L-3 and I was in the hospital for eleven days and had to have a blood transfusion during my stay.  I was highly medicated also.   I was under anesthesia for 9 hours and 45 minutes.  Make sure you have someone to take care of you once you get home.   They will try to have you walk while you are still in the hospital possibly with a walker.  You will probably be in the hospital from 3 to 5 days as long as you don't have complications.  It seems mine is always the extreme  for some reason.  

Did they tell you if you would be in some kind of orthosis (bracing) when out of the bed?    How long did they tell you that you would be out of work?  What kind of work do you do?   I had to be out of work for three months my last surgery 10/2007, but have yet to find a new job.

[dlocsista]

Judy, when I saw the doctor on yesterday, I was very impressed.  He has been practicing non-invasive fusion surgery for 10 years, and he comes highly reccommended.  He told me that most surgiries of my type take about 1 1/2 hours.  He blocked off 4 hours for me.  My daughter and I will be together from the moment I go into the hospital until the doctor tells me that I am able to drive again.  I was told that my hospital stay will probably be 3 days barring any complications.  The doctor has already prescribed a back brace for me.  He said that it takes about 3 months for the spine to fuse, and that I will wear the brace for no less than 6 months.  I have used massage theray in conjunction with the chiropractor, exercises and pain meds.  My therapist is always telling me about people who come to him after they have started healing from the surgery.  His theory is to start massage therapy immediatedly after the surgery, because the drainage from the fusion has no place to go except for the legs.  My doctor has given me permission to have him start on me either the day of or the day after.  He is encouraging the massage therapy.  I am confident that this is going to help me, because the massage therapy is the only thing that will ease the sciatica pain for a couple of weeks.  I was also told that I will be walking either the day of or the next day.  Initially, I was afraid of back surgery.  The pain has forced me to have the surgery.  I am confident that everything will be alright, because GOD did not present the circumstances to me to have the surgery before now.  I have been on my job 2 months shy of 27 years, and will retire and apply for permanent disability the day before the surgery.  Good luck to you, and I hope you begin to feel much better soon.

[Judy1961]

Your doctor sounds like a gem.  Wish I was offered that kind of surgery when I had mine last October.  I just started sleeping in my bed again about six weeks ago, was sleeping on a recliner.   Wow, a back brace is so much better than the orthosis I had to wear.  Check out my pictures on my profile and you will see what I wore.

When is your surgery scheduled for?

Best Wishes always.

Judy