Post surgery recovery - L5-S1 microdiskectomy, S1 Laminectomy

[armygirl46r]

Hi all--I got so much good info from this forum PRIOR to my surgery, I want to chronicle my recovery for others to learn from, too.  Thanks to all who have posted before me--your experience and your advice helped me prepare for my procedure and recovery.  Thank you.

--Hours 1-12 post-op---->  Pain Rx, intravenously--Dilaudid.  I was on PCA pump, a dose every ten minutes if needed.  Needed to pee a lot because the IV fluids and also I drank a lot of water--the anesthesia and pain Rx left me with cotton-mouth.  It was difficult to pee, which is to say, I didn't have the muscle control at first.  (The muscles were still "asleep", I guess.)  I did quite a bit of walking from bed to potty, which made my wound bleed.  My bandages had to be changed twice.  I had a hard time learning how to log roll the first few times.  ADVICE--The BEST way to get up and down from a sitting pos'n is to place all your weight on your HEELS--it forces your back to be straight and makes all your leg muscles work, taking the strain off your back.  Place your feet shoulder apart and point your toes out like a duck.  It helps--A LOT.  Or at least it did for me.

--Hours 12-24 post-op----> Pain Rx was changed to Toridol, by injection.  IV Rx changed to Morphine, PCA every 10 mins as needed.  The Dilaudid and anesthesia coming out of my body made me ITCHY!!!!  So I got benadryl in my IV to stop the itching.  Slept for a few hours, then woke up at 4am and couldnt get back to sleep.  Did a lil more walking, but not as much as the previous 12 hours.  Appetite was back with a venegence!  ;-D  Only hit the Morphine twice in the 12-24hour period--and once was just because it was there and I couldnt fall asleep!  LOL  But right before leaving the hospital 24 hrs post-op, I hit it three times in 30 mins because I had about a 30 min car ride ahead of me and just wanted the little extra pharmaceutical help for the ride.   Oh yeah--they gave me Colace to help loosen my stool and also IV antibiotics before I left.  (I started passing gas in the 12-24 hrs post op.)

--Day 2, post-op-----> Consitpation.  Not a lot of surgical or incision pain at this point.  Insomnia again at about 4 am.  (That has GOT to stop LOL!)  Got out and about at the grocery store.  Went to have lunch at pizza joint.  Was a lil scary at the grocery--wearing the brace under my clothes where people can't see it makes me nervous--afraid to get bumped or jostled, esp with lil kids running around.  Hypersenstivity to "touch", which is to say, I don't want people touching me, even my loved ones.  I just want to be "left alone" in that way.  I dont want hugs and I dont want hand or arm rubbing--my body is already hypersensitive at this point, I don't want more nerves "on alert."  (Ordinarily, tho, I am a touchy-feely person...but the last couple of days I just want to be left ALONE!)  Oh yeah, I am on Darvocet as needed for pain.  I took one before bed last nite, one this afternoon at lunch.  Took one just now (approx 2.5 days post-op) because muscle spasms are kicking in.  Dont know if its because I was sitting in chair awkwardly or because I couldnt get comfy sleeping on my back so i slept on side w/pillow tucked between knees for a couple hours.  in any casse, standing is best right now.

This is my experience so far.  Oh yeah, the smallest movements are the hardest (like, scooching into a car seat sideways, or up or down on the pillows to get comfy.)  If you have any advice or questions, feel free to post.  I'd be happy to offer any help and/or welcome advice.  

All in all, thus far, the recovery is fine.  I feel ok (considering) and the pain is really just localized.  And now it's time to get up because I've been sitting in this chair for waaay too long!  :-)

[Copco]

I had a lamminotomy ten days ago. They removed a spur at L4 and found a herniated disc L5 S1 which was reinserted. Prior to the operation I had excruciating pain on my Left hip and going down to my knee. I also experienced numbness and tingling from the hip to the bottom  of my foot.Prior to the surgery I could not sit at all without developing excruciating pain when I sat and stood up. Now it's more than a week after surgery and I've started to experience the same symptoms as before. I haven't talked directly to the surgeon since surgery but I was told by his assistant it may be due to pressure from the surgical site. Has anybody had recurring symptoms like this after having the surgery?  What should I discuss with the surgeon? Ice packs are my life now. any suggestions?

[BrokebackGarry]

Hi guys,

I had a discectomy at L5-S1 four weeks ago. I must say the recovery has been quiet good. I had pain throughout the entire period with slight improvements everyday. For the last twentyfour hours I must say I have experienced a slight increase in pain while lying down. I d put this down to a slight increase in activity during the day of the onset.
I can report the pain directly after the operation being much less and the only pain I can report was that associated with site of the operation. Very bloody bad too I must say. After the op the referred pain was still present but reduced. Anyway I guess Im back on reading these sites due to the recent onset of pain. I hope this is the norm. Other than this my life has improve since the op. Please comment if you had a mild agravation during your operation recovery? Also If anybody has any question feel free to hit me.

Thanks,
Brokeback Garry from Australia

[MMCKAY186]

The following is a list of surgeries I had: I still have leg pain and I am goig in for a Fusion for my L5 - S1 on the 30th hoping it will help with the pain. I am tired of taking all these drugs and will try anythiing for the pain just to stop and lighten up. Most all back surgeries take about a full year to heal, don't let anyone tell you different. I find wallking right away helps you, take little steps at a time, but don't just sit around thinking the pain will go away by itself and keep taking these damm drugs...

The drugs only take the edge off and remember, you will get hooked on them. Make sure you have a Great Doctor and Make sure you have a Pain Dactor as well. He will be the one giving you your Heavy drugs and helping you with your pain.....Good luck to all with you back problems, I know what you are all dealing with, and I know everyone is different and dealing with there own pain....But get out there and walk more than anything.

My e-mail is ***@**** if I can help you with any other information, I am NOT a Doctor, I am an Author of a new novel called A Big house for Little Men - but I have been through my share of surgeries and Back Pain - Also if anyone wishes to read my new novel out there visit my website at www.abighouseforlittlemen.com or visit www.Barnesandnoble.com and see the reviews.

Here are the following surgeries I have had..

Good luck to all and God Bless,
Michael W. McKay

April 1999 Lumbar Diskectomy L -5  S-1- By Dr. Ronald Warren - Boston

September 2006 C 5-6 Neck Surgery Cut Bone out of right hip – By Dr Rydel - (Failed Fusion) Florida

June 2008 Surgery on C 4 5 6 7 with plate installed – By Dr. Small, F.O.I. Florida

April 2009 T 9 – 10 Laminotomy Diskectomy – By Dr. Small - , F.O.I. Florida

April 2009 Lower Back L -1, S 5 Laminotomy Diskectomy – By Dr. Small - , F.O.I. Florida

Aprial 30th -  Let's hope for the best with this Fusion - By Dr. Small - , F.O.I. Florida

[jon78]

I just had surgery on my back L5-S1, im still feeling pain and numbness on my left leg, my question is, is it normal to have pain after surgery? how long is the recovery process for the inside of my body to heal?

[mightymy]

had l5 surgey done on 08-04-08 .pain is minimal but i,m still feeling weak.i get the jimmy legs at night and cant keep my left leg from flinching. but my main concern is my left but cheek is still numb right by my ffistuala and i have a hard time getting an erection.is this common because of the operation and i,m just tying to fast or is this something i should look into. i would also like any advice on any post-op rehab anyone could offer. going back to work after my first dr. visit next week 09-02-08 thanks anyone

[msfergy]

ERROR- I GUESS IT IS CALLED DISCOGRAPH, IF YOU GO TO COLUMBIA ORTHOPAEDIC GROUP THEY HAVE VIDEOS OG ALL PROCEDURES AND PROBLEMS IT IS A NIC WEBSITE TO SEE WHAT YOU WILL BE GOING THROUGH. IT IS COLUMBIA ORTHOPAEDIC GROUP IN COLUMBIA MISSOURI, REALLY HANDY MATEREAL.