@annie1

Here is Mayo's information on laminotomy which I understand removes less bone and is less invasive than a laminectomy.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/spinal-stenosis/multimedia/img-20149227

I had both a laminotomy and a laminectomy during the same surgery. I really can't tell you about pain or recovery rate. But, the level with the laminotomy needed a fusion at the same time as the level with a laminectomy. You will have slightly more stability in your spine with just a laminotomy and I imagine the recovery time would be similar to a laminectomy. You will still need to take good care of your spine, do regular exercises and stretches and be careful about bending, twisting, lifting and reaching. It's still back surgery and your spine will need some pampering.

I just am not clear about when I can start stretching and exercising post op. I don't even have a post op visit with the surgeon for a month after because he will be going on vacation!

@annie1
Annie, Your surgeon has to clear you for everything. My guess is that your surgeon will allow you to walk, but not swim. While the incision is healing, they don't want it softening and loosening in water. I was told no pools or hot tubs or soaking bath for 6 weeks. The shower was OK as long as I didn't rub on the incision, and I was allowed to shower on day 2. You will have the incision closed with something. I had dissolving sutures and that was covered with steri strips to hold the skin together. I had to leave those and not pull them off which took 3 weeks for them to fall off on their own. This gives a nice clean and narrow scar which isn't visible (and it's in front in a crease on my neck). Some surgeons use a type of glue to close the incision. Your scar will be on your back, so I don't know if it will be wider because of that. Every time you move, it will probably pull a little bit on the incision which hurts, and you probably won't want to move much. I think taking a public bus ride would be too much with stepping up and down and leaning back in a seat on your incision, and then every bump in the road bumps on your back.

You won't want to lean over, so give yourself permission to not make the bed for as long as you need to feel better. I had all my comfy clothes folded in bins on a table next to the bed so I wouldn't have to bend over for anything. Pulling open a drawer will put a little pressure on your back when it hurts. I put elastic laces in my gym shoes so I could just slip them on. That kept me from needing to bend and I couldn't bend my neck to look at my feet.

You've talked about having difficulty walking, and that is why I think they will evaluate you after surgery for home health. After surgery, you are a fall risk because of anesthesia and your ability if that is compromised or not. Anesthesia and immobility also increase the risk for blood clots after surgery for about a month. When I had a respiratory infection after my spine surgery, the Immediate Care would not see me because they didn't have emergency equipment to handle me if there were blood clots that could get to my lungs. This is also why hospitals want patents to walk right after surgery. The anesthesia drugs suppress your normal breathing during surgery and you have to move your lungs so you don't trap phlegm and develop pneumonia. I had some physical issues with moving my ribs which caused trapped phlegm, and I got a chest infection a few days after surgery.

It may take a while to rehab back to strength if you have a deficit now. They may want you to use a walker which is good for stability and you can hold onto it getting in and out of bed. I used one when I broke my ankle and could not weight bear and I hopped along with it. It also helped later when my ankle was out of the cast and weak and I was walking on it. You have to take the risk of a fall seriously because of osteoporosis, and because they will have removed a bit of bone from your spine. I later had the hardware plates removed from my ankle and that put me at risk of fracture because of the holes left by the screws for awhile.

Your surgeon will clear you at your follow up appointments for increasing activity. You can ask to be sent to physical therapy. Once you are past the healing time on the incision, and physically able to be able to get to the pool, I'll bet your surgeon would embrace that activity.

Jennifer

I think I'm going to call the head of the department tomorrow and just tell him I'd like to speak to my surgeon before my surgery. Because They have a webinar called spine time and I listen to the one about preparing for your surgery and he was talking about how the team will be preparing you and talking to you about what to expect and that's not happening in my case so I'm just going to call the department tomorrow and tell them nicely that I feel like they're not really living up to the standards of their renowned hospital. It's supposed to be one of the best hospitals in New York and they had this whole webinar series called spine time. But thank you again I don't know if I want to wait to get the seen by Mayo they turned me down last year for some reason.

Maybe I could try Mayo again, they did say I could have a phone call, but I live in Brooklyn, NY and that would mean staying in Minnesota after the surgery wouldn't it ?

I also agree with everything Jennifer said. Make sure you check the Dr's track record and the hospital infection rate also. Each patient is different and until the surgery is completed they can't specifically comment and be held to it. For instance what if they told me 6 weeks and for me it turned out to be 9 weeks because it was more severe than the usual cases. A walker can also be arranged by the hospital social worker. Do you have family that can come assist you in the beginning? I had to make sure I had easy clothing and everything at my finger tips. No shoes, only slipons. I could not even think of taking a bus ride, changing my sheets or even grocery shopping. My bedroom and bathroom were all prepared ahead if time . I had a L4 microlaminotomy and microdisectomy. Don't want to scare you, just caution you to be prepared and have a friend or family member to help you. I would have had to go to assisted living if not for a family member helping. Everyone's case is different. Prayers for less pain and a speedy recovery

Good News!...I am seeing the surgeon In Person on Wednesday, I guess calling the head of the Dept of Neurosurgery and telling them what was happening helped ! What is that saying about a Greasy wheel or something......I'm still anxious but now atleast I can talk to him directly about my concerns.
The other thing, I went to a Physical therapist who said my case is not very severe compared to other people he has seen and he thinks he could cure my Stenosis just with exercises and myofascial release. So that is confusing, but the exercises are mainly pelvic tilts and stretching. He says if I do them 3x a day, every day I will get better. I've been to four or five different physical therapy places over the last 7 yrs since this started though. They didn't all focus on Pelvic Tilts however.......anyone, I am doubtful that just that could help, but in the past week or two my symptoms have changed. What do you think ?

@annie1 I suggest you ask your bone specialist for an opinion. I don't know how to gage the risks or what your bone scores are, and only a specialist can interpret the information and advise you on your choices. I also don't know how much bone is removed. Surgeons have to gage the risk and they may be concerned not only for you, but for their reputations if something goes wrong. Are you treating the osteoporosis with any bone building drugs? I suggest contact your bone specialist asap.

Jennifer

This is a message I got from the more conservative surgeon's NP. Much more professional and thoughtful the other one who was answering my questions with one liners !

Based on your dexa scan results it is not ideal for you to undergo surgery. Even if you were to have a laminotomy it increases the likelihood of you needing a fusion because removing a portion of your lamina can cause spinal instability. Increasing your chace of having a fusion is dangerous with osteopenia and osteoporosis. It puts you at risk for screws loosening, and spinal fractures. Ultimately if you were to undergo a fusion you are at increased risk for not fusing appropriately.