Lumbar Spinal Fusion, Post-Op. Should I have these symptoms?

wandegoode! Good Morning 🙂 I enjoyed reading your informative post, I even copied it for future reference ! I have my first appointment at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, although I live just 2 hours away from Mayo Clinic n Jacksonville,FL & I know my way around quite well, as I have lived close by for many years. However, Jax Mayo only has 5 Neurosurgeons; & Rochester has 25- so my odds were certainly much better to get in at Rochester. Ironically, My husband just retired from the USN, and we lived outside of WA, DC- close to some of the best hospitals- Walter Reed, Johns Hopkins, NIH,(Nation Institute of health- basically a Research Hospital) I was also referred to a well Neurosurgeon at U of Virgina, in Charlottesville, VA- but to no avail all that Doctor did was do ALOT of tests, MRI, Mylogram, Cat Scans, X-rays, a tilt stand-up X-ray, plus blood work- all this just used up most of my Insurance... 🙁
Please tell me more about your surgery, where you had it etc.I have an approximate 60 + degree deviation to the left, and it is very painful, & very obvious. I walk w/ a cane- but not very far..and walk my sweet dog using a 4 wheel cart- purchased on line from Vive.
I wish you well. Have a nice day Darlene
I

Sorry you are alone and suffering!
For constipation get on Amazon or vitamin store George’s fractionated Aloe Vera water . It will work miracles and tastes just like water , healthy and amazing. If your really backed up try 4 oz. Half a glass and give an hour and have more.
For pain Ice!
Good luck your in the worst part. It will get better.
Tony

Thanks Tony. For now, my constipation is well under control as I stopped taking the Opioid pain killers shortly after getting home from the hospital. As a nurse, I knew they would definitely be a problem. And just today I began to think that it's definitely time to start a daily regime of Ice packs for my pain (which is well below the incision site). Thanks Tony, I appreciate your reply.

Good luck sounds like you are on your way.
Whenever I’m down bad with migraine I tell myself this too shall change and if I was a true believer I would remember that.
Tony
It’s a test of faith of whatever you believe in.

Thank you Tony, I was just reminding myself of that about an hour ago - trying to envision my life a year from now, all back to normal, or some semblance thereof, but definitely feeling better, able to get around as usual, and enjoying another Spring!

Now that is positive visualization!
Well done
Tony

If I can reduce my physical pain/discomfort, positive visualizations will come a lot faster and a lot easier. Don't be afraid to send me a private message Tony I would really enjoy talking more with you ---- Patrick

I will keep an eye out for your progress!
You are on your way. We can cheer but at the end of the day we all fight our own private wars; that’s what builds self confidence that you can do anything. The tougher it is the more you grow , see it as an opportunity to become much more than you think you are.
It’s very personal.
I’ll be watching.
Tony

I have always been told that after 2 weeks post op the pain should get better. For me it always did. I have had 7 replacement joint surgeries. Are you taking the meds as directed? Don't skimp on meds for first 2 weeks, don't let the pain get ahead of you. After that you can take pain meds as you need them. I had a foot drop after hip surgery and did a lot of PT and got it back in 18-24 months. Because of my arthritis, I did water therapy. Talk to your doctor about your foot he'll advise you what path he wants you to take. Good luck.

I had all three of my spine surgeries at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. The spinal fusion, my last surgery was in May of 2020. You didn't give the date of your appointment in Rochester. I am assuming it will be soon. The first thing I would recommend is to have all of your records either sent to your doctor at Mayo or bring them with you to your first appointment. They will ask at the desk if you have brought any records and you can give them to the person registering you for your appointment. Have a CD of your images included in the files that will go to your doctor at Mayo. If you have had any recent physical therapy, spinal injections, or chiropractic care, massage therapy, dry needling or acupuncture, bring records from those providers also. All of these records will be added to your records before you see the doctors. They will then have time to review them before your appointment. They provide wheelchairs and I would suggest using one. The clinic is huge and you will have appointments on the 18th floor and on down to the subway level. They may want you to wear a mask and they do provide them but you might want to bring your own just in case.

One of the first doctors you will see will probably be a physiatrist. This doctor will assess your level of pain, and lead a treatment/prevention plan. He may also order more studies and then assess your disability or impairment. He may want you to have an injection to relieve pain if you haven't done that yet. If you don't get relief from a spinal injection, you need to let him know. Also, if you can't tolerate the steroids in injections, speak up and let him know. I have glaucoma and steroids raise the pressure in my eyes - not good! I don't do injections. He works with the neurosurgeon and orthopedic surgeon to help determine the level of help you may need. The physiatrist is a gate-keeper so try to do some PT, injections, water exercise, etc. before you go to Mayo if you haven't done that yet. You have to get past him to schedule a surgery. I had x-rays of my spine taken while there, a bone density imaging exam, a CT of my spine and a Fluoroscopic Injection which helps the doctor determine the source of your pain. My injection wore off within maybe 10 minutes. If it gives pain relief for a long period of time they will probably recommend you try a spinal injection before going forward with surgery.
My next doctor appointment was with my neurosurgeon. We discussed my tests and then had a consultation with the orthopedic surgeon. My surgery was scheduled and I returned to Mayo about a month later to prepare for surgery.

I had blood tests, a preoperative consultation, and a consultation with the orthopedic surgeon. Surgery was the next day. My ortho was head of the team, my neurosurgeon released the nerves and prepared the site for the orthopedic doctor and then he did the instrumentation. My surgery was at St. Mary's Hospital. I was in surgery about 6 hours all together. I had surgery on Wednesday and was released on Saturday. You may want to think about spending a few extra days in Rochester. We had an 8 + hour drive home. It was an extremely painful day for me. I was able to get out of the car and walk for several minutes every hour or less. If you are flying the walking could be difficult and the airport could be difficult too. You might want a pillow along with you to help relieve pressure on your spine and lower body.

Most of the hotels in Rochester provide free shuttle service to and from the clinic and hospitals. We always stayed at a hotel in the northern part of Rochester and close to the expressway. There were restaurants, gas stations, Walmart, Target and other stores close by. Our hotel had a private shuttle, which I liked. The Kahler Inn & Suites across the street, has subway access to Mayo Clinic which is very convenient. There are lots of wheelchairs available for free use in the clinic. Also there is shopping and a good cafeteria available in the subway level of the clinic. Extended Stay America - Rochester - North if you need to find a home away from home for several nights, a week, a month or even longer.
You will find everyone very helpful and very friendly in Rochester. Everything happens very efficiently at the clinic and it spoils you. I love going there for care. After surgery, you will have physical therapy, occupational therapy and lots of information for caring for yourself at home. You will be given a kit to prep your skin before surgery. You can go home with a front-wheeled walker when you leave the hospital if you need one. Don't take much to the hospital with you. I would think about wearing something loose and comfortable for several days after you leave the hospital. You don't want waistbands that will bind on your incision. For my incision, I had dissolving stitches. The steri-strips came off over the next several days. Also I had an appointment as follow-up with my family doctor that week after i left the hospital. No bending, no twisting, no lifting greater than 10 lbs. restrictions had to be followed for 12 weeks before I could gradually increase my activities.
I hope your visit goes well in Rochester. If you have more questions, please ask. ~ Wanda