I had the exact same surgery a year ago from last January and I'll tell you, in my case it almost seemed to make it worse! I'm taking 1200 mgs of gabapentin a day with not much relief. My knee joints always feel like they want to give out, my feet tingle and go numb. I still have lots of lower back pain. Not all cases are the same so maybe, hopefully, you'll have better luck!

I did. I had L2-L4 fusion two years ago with catastrophic results. I ended up a cripple with a permanent foot drop on my right foot and an unstable spine. It also didn't improve my back pain. At least two other surgeon told me, that revision surgery would be too dangerous and wouldn't help with neither the pain nor the foot drop. I wish I had never had spine surgery. I can no longer walk w/o a walker and I can no longer drive due to the lack of dorsiflexion of my right foot.

" hello "draw": Had L3-4 and L4-5 spinal fusion like your upcoming one. Pain before was really awful and this surgery was really needed and helpful! After surgery: I was in upper long body support (velcro closure in front) for 3 months with some good bed rest. Made a pillow-padded 45 degree diagonal upright board for resting in bed after good night's sleep. And slept pretty well (!) at night, on my back (supine) laying on a frozen-gel-pain-pack, wrapped in towel, out it under me, next to the back surgery spot - wow! , it really helped, cool off pain and I could sleep! The next 3 months I up got up more and moved about home, and signed up for PhysTherapy with the spine specialist. That helped and got me ready to recover faster and then even carefully drive my car. Be sure to use your protective body brace -- you don't want to chance any car bumps or falls or anything that might hurt you or slow you down while recovering. Then at 6 months "post" recovery, it was really good to realize you made it! Best of luck !

A positive success minded attitude goes a long way to aid recovery. Once you get your PT exercise program postop don’t ever stop doing it. Once you insult your back with surgery it never forgets. And you’ve had a few years with stenosis which didn’t help much either. I had the similar low back surgery in 1988 with SS bars and screws while yours will be titanium. The success rates for these procedures with a competent surgeon are great but the healing and long term effects are on you. I’m paying for not having titanium hardware but my surgery was a success.

My doctor is recommending Posterior Cervical Decompressive Laminectomy Instrumentation and Fusion, C3 - C6 with foraminotomy, with navigation and Neuromonitoring. In addition, to Posterior Lumbar Decompressive Laminectomy L2 - L5.
I've been in pain for quite some time. It's altered my way of life. I'm presently doing Pt, Acupuncture, massage therapy and chiropractic services. Not much relief. Anyone have any recommendations as I don't want to be too quick to have the recommended surgeries by the neurosurgeon?