Advice for spouse of Spinal Fusion surgery pre-op and post-op

@garytpickens
I had L3-L5 surgery on Friday, 8/2. Extreme pain (11-12 out of 10/off the charts at first and then brought under control throughout the day). I was kept overnight since it was an invasive surgery. I am a 55 year old female with a 15 year old son, cats and dogs. I have no family but my ex-husband is helping me.

I prepared before surgery to have multiple grabbers, back scratchers, cane, bed assist bar that slips under mattress to help maneuver in and get out of bed. I also bought from Amazon a wiping tool since you can’t twist (you wrap tissue around one end and when done you press the other end to release the tissue into the toilet.

Have a tray table to eat meals when sitting in bed. The hospital sent me home with a walker to help with balance while walking. It is good to have throw rugs picked up off floors and have pill sorters since you get a lot of medication to take throughout the day (am/pm/bedtime). I also bought a bed wedge to prop me up when sitting/lying down and lots of pillows for head/back/under knees.

Set up room and walkways to move through the house easily. Make sure to have everything needed on one level to avoid stairs. Be prepared to do sponge baths because you can’t shower for a couple weeks. I am also planning to use dry shampoo for my hair. Have clothing and step in shoes that are easy to put on/take off.

If you have pets, be careful when maneuvering around the house so you don’t trip/fall. Have someone care for cats/dogs (feeding/water bowls/walking).

Good luck with everything.

I’ve had two lumbar fusions and was allowed to shower after 3-4 days.

@misssuezq
It is good your doctor let you shower after 3-4 days. When I heard I could not shower for 2 weeks after lumbar spine surgery, I was not too happy. That is way too long. They said I could do sponge baths but my hair will be so greasy after 2 weeks. I’m sure dry shampoo can help some but there will be a product buildup. Did you shower in a way that didn’t saturate your bandages (did you cover your bandage with something))? I was thinking I may try to sneak a shower after a week and use my shower chair and handheld shower head to lean forward to wash my hair so water doesn’t run down my back.

@misssuezq
It is good your doctor let you shower after 3-4 days. When I heard I could not shower for 2 weeks after lumbar spine surgery, I was not too happy. That is way too long. They said I could do sponge baths but my hair will be so greasy after 2 weeks. I’m sure dry shampoo can help some but there will be a product buildup. Did you shower in a way that didn’t saturate your bandages (did you cover your bandage with something))? I was thinking I may try to sneak a shower after a week and use my shower chair and handheld shower head to lean forward to wash my hair so water doesn’t run down my back.

@misssuezq
It is good your doctor let you shower after 3-4 days. When I heard I could not shower for 2 weeks after lumbar spine surgery, I was not too happy. That is way too long. They said I could do sponge baths but my hair will be so greasy after 2 weeks. I’m sure dry shampoo can help some but there will be a product buildup. Did you shower in a way that didn’t saturate your bandages (did you cover your bandage with something))? I was thinking I may try to sneak a shower after a week and use my shower chair and handheld shower head to lean forward to wash my hair so water doesn’t run down my back.

@dlydailyhope Do you think a rain poncho would work well enough to keep most of the water off your back while you wash your hair? You'd need to snug it up somehow temporarily or hold it closed around your neck with one hand.

@jenniferhunter
That is a great idea! Thank you! I never thought of a rain poncho. I was thinking about wrapping my waist with Saran Wrap. I could then put a poncho over top so water falls off my back.

@misssuezq
It is good your doctor let you shower after 3-4 days. When I heard I could not shower for 2 weeks after lumbar spine surgery, I was not too happy. That is way too long. They said I could do sponge baths but my hair will be so greasy after 2 weeks. I’m sure dry shampoo can help some but there will be a product buildup. Did you shower in a way that didn’t saturate your bandages (did you cover your bandage with something))? I was thinking I may try to sneak a shower after a week and use my shower chair and handheld shower head to lean forward to wash my hair so water doesn’t run down my back.

@misssuezq
It is good your doctor let you shower after 3-4 days. When I heard I could not shower for 2 weeks after lumbar spine surgery, I was not too happy. That is way too long. They said I could do sponge baths but my hair will be so greasy after 2 weeks. I’m sure dry shampoo can help some but there will be a product buildup. Did you shower in a way that didn’t saturate your bandages (did you cover your bandage with something))? I was thinking I may try to sneak a shower after a week and use my shower chair and handheld shower head to lean forward to wash my hair so water doesn’t run down my back.

@dlydailyhope - I just love Jennifer's idea of a rain poncho! I have a great mental image of that...

Not sure why there's such a range of doctor's orders regarding when a shower is acceptable. Honestly, I don't recall how long I had to wait...Whatever that period was, I managed.

I definitely made use of a shower seat and a hand held shower wand (already a part fo my shower set up).