Post surgery recovery from L 345 laminectomy and discectomy

@denman55 time is the best thing on your side for healing. Regarding your pain, UTI and constipation. You’ll need the pain meds as you begin PT soon. Take the meds before you begin PT each day so you’re ahead of the pain. Fluids should work wonders for you constipation and your UTI. With the antibiotics onboard and increased fluid you should beat the UTI. You’ll need to develop an anti-constipation diet. I increased my fluids and fiber via fruit to deal with this issue early on.

Thank you all, just about to committ to a lamanectomy and coflex spacers. Anyone heard of this? At 78 I still walk 2-3 miles most days and can sit and lie down no issues. Must stop and stretch when walking or sit as right leg gets numb , sciatica , after rest walk again a little further.
Maybe I should wait till this is a real problem.
We can still go anywhere just can’t hike distances, golf or ski anymore; maybe that’s ok too.
Thoughts ?

Praying for you, denman55, and effective resolution to the surgery condition.
I just finished 3 laminectomies and fusion. If you can, focus in on Psalm 23 as it was God speaking to you. Keep reading it. The diversion from your pain softens the discomfort. Also, if you haven't as yet, walk. Walk every two hours. The walking felt good and diverted my attention from the pain. Stop and talk with nurses and staff. This makes the day palatable.
Nonetheless, I will pray for wisdom in correcting laminectomies, improved and accelerated healing. Looking forward to a virtual smile from you.

Good question Tony. A personal decision hard to make. But I can share about my circumstances.
During gym exercises I could not lie flat without sharp pain. I could no stand comfortably in line at pharmacy. I could walk but not for long distance. The deterioration from activity with monor pain to the condition just described occurred within six months. Decided to get the laminectomies and fusion procedures and it couldn't happen fast enough.
The procedures were completed six days ago. I can sleep comfortably in all positions and can walk with vigor.
If the deterioration is inevitably, I would have it done.
Praying that God gives you wisdom for right choices.
By the way, I'm 80 and very active.

Denman55, I mentioned in another reply to you that I would pray for you. In this reply, I will answer your question according to my experience.
Laminectomies and fusion completed on May 9th. Given Toradol and Tylenol for pain every six hours. No opiods. No pain. Stayed in hospital until May 13th. Toradol was removed and only Tylenol given. I finally felt the pain but it was tolerable. Bowels moved very slowly on May 11th and May 12th. More on May 13th and a lot on May 14th. Patience is the key. Walked a mile in the hospital each day using walker; walked every two hours. It felt good.
Today seems to be more whole with little stress. Going home after seeing doctor for release. I'm glad he kept me in hospital, two days in hotel, and now home.
Persevere. It WILL get better and FEEL better. You will recover your vigor and diminish your pain. Walk!

I am in Pain. I am taking Oxycodone for pain every 4-hours along with Ibuprofen and Lyrica every 8-hours. Saw the surgeon yesterday - I have to complete the MRI that was started on Monday but the Radiologist needs to complete with better resolution before he can document his results and findings. I see the surgeon again in 1-week. He told me he may have to go back in and operate to find out what is causing this severe Sciatica down my (R) butt and leg - it appears the Laminectomy did not fix the problem. Walking is to painful at this time - can't put weight bearing on the (R) leg - to much butt and leg pain, definite signs of Sciatica. Don't know how this will ever get fixed.

Denman55, it will get favorably resolved but will need to persevere through this "hell" you are going through. I will pray continuously for especially for peace and comfort.

I disagree. I can walk 2 mi now. Couldn't walk 5 ft before. No pain.

I wish I could walk but right now I have severe Sciatic pain in my (R) leg which prevents me from doing any type of real walking - this pain is just horrible and I don't know what the surgeon is going to do to fix this.

@denman55 - Good morning and I hope you're beginning to see some recovery progress. You had a major surgery and you should set recovery expectations accordingly. It can be frustrating - but the doctors generally do a below-average job in preparing their spine surgery patients as to what to expect post-surgery. I had a four-level surgery like yours one year ago and I'm still in recovery mode...a longer period than I expected for sure.

As you appreciate, recovery is hard to predict. Every surgery is different. Every patient is different (age, weight, pre-surgical physical condition, etc), and every surgeon is different. I love that your surgeon is taking your discomfort seriously and is forging ahead to develop a new plan of action.

Be patient (easy to say and hard to do), stay optimistic (a positive attitude is an important part of your recovery), and know you have lots of support on Mayo Connect!