Expectations for post major back surgery recovery?

@kenrheal
Hey Ken, your surgery is right around the corner! I want you to know that I am praying for you and please let us know how you’re doing. Anything that you share will help others whether it’s prior to surgery or after. And please let us know if you have any questions because Nothing helps others like experience, right?❤️🙏
Sherry

@sherrym25

Tomorrow is a my post-spinal surgery two week anniversary. I was surprised how hard it has been getting into and out of bed so I slept most nights in a recliner. A good friend let me borrow a twin bed whose head and legs lift up which should make things easier. Tonight will be my first trying it and I can pass along how it went as compared to my regular bed and recliner. As I mentioned in some earlier messages, dealing with sciatic pain radiating down across my right butt, hamstring and on down to my calf as been one of my biggest challenges. It has really hampered me with walking to help my recovery. I'm hoping it will lighten up in the next few days so I can "hit the road". Even though I thought I was prepared for it, it has also been a challenge being forced to have my wife do just about everything for me. Hope all are having a great weekend.

OpsO

@opso
Hi there, this video
demonstrates the seated hamstring exercise similar to what I do. I thought it might be helpful to have to share with your physical therapist to gain his or her opinion as to whether it something you can do, and at at what point in time.

@opso

Sorry, I got a little ahead of myself, "Tuesday" (30 Sept) will mark my 2-week post spinal surgery. I tried using my Tens machine (electrical massage) to see if that would help me with my sciatica pain. Whether a coincidence or whatever my sciatica pain hasn't been as bad which allowed to do a couple of walking laps around my cul-de-sac. The future may help indicate which is right answer, i.e., Tens machine or coincidence. Hope all of you are enjoying a beautiful Sunday.

@nlback22

Thanks. I'll give it s shot this afternoon. I'm on a restricted B,L,T, (bending, lifting, twisting) for my first 3 months of recovery, but the video showed it didn't taken much forward bending to get the stretch...wait a second...just tried it...and I hardly had to lean forward at all before I started feeling a solid sciatica/hamstring stretch on my affected side. Another exercise to include on my list. Thanks again....

OpsO

@nlback22

If you think it's going to be good, or if you think it will be bad, you're right. Trying to have the right attitude is probably 50% of having a successful recovery.

@opso I know that I spent at least 6 weeks sleeping in the recliner. It was just the most comfortable position. I still sleep on my back in the bed with a flat pillow under my knees. it’s just the best position to let my back relax and I don’t have to worry about rolling and twisting my back.
How did the new bed work?
That’s awesome you had a friend that you could borrow it from. Not many people have that opportunity for sure!
Best Sherry

@grayhairs

Good morning to all. I've seen a few post-surgery questions so I thought I would put down a few "Lessons Learned" in case it may help others.

Prior to surgery: It was important that I had complete confidence in my Mayo Clinic Neurosurgeon. This helped me have a positive attitude that my extensive spinal surgery would go as expected.

Post Surgery:
Pride/Ego: This will probably apply more toward the guys. Being a 35 year Marine Corps veteran followed by almost 11 years with Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) helped me to have a tough guy "I don't need any help" attitude. During my 5 day post surgery stay I quickly learned I needed help in doing a lot of things. Almost all who helped me during the day and night were mainly young female Nurses and Tech Support. I eventually started shedding my attitude to the point of not caring who saw my butt hanging out of my gown. They all were personable and acted like nothing about their help was anything special. Some of which involved some up close and personal attention, i.e., cleanup, sponge baths, etc. After the first day or so, I wasn't embarrassed and joked with them a lot...establishing a pretty close rapport with all of them.

Grabbers: These are the poles with a squeezable handle on one end and a clamp on the other. Being in a no BLT (bending, lifting, twisting) category, these proved critical in picking up dropped items such as pillows, blankets, shorts, etc. I have one in my home office, living room and bathroom. I used them many times a day and night.

Shoes: I didn't expect my legs and feet to swell so much that I could not get any of my regular shoes on. Fortunately, I have a pair of bedroom shoes where just the front half of your foot goes in. Even these were tight, but at least I could wear them when I went outside.

Attitude: Like my pre-surgery attitude it was important to maintain the "glass is half full" mentality. I believe a positive attitude accounts for 50% of your recovery. There's pain, restrictions to deal with, for me sciatica problems, frustrations, etc. However, everything has a timeline and I just need to realize that whatever I'm dealing with will eventually go away.

Spouse: I am "Blessed" to have a wife of almost 55 years who, without complaint, helps me in whatever way she can, some of which involves holding me accountable to my BLT restrictions.

The above items are pretty simple, but maybe they will help in some way.

OpsO

@opso
Hi Opso,
I am glad the stretch may help. Make sure you only bend at your hips while keeping your back straight. Definitely get your therapist approval before doing more.

The Sciatic nerve glide may be helpful, too. There are different ways of doing it and I didn't see any on the internet that looked like mine. Hopefully, your therapist can show you one that will not impact your back.

As you suggested, attitude and good expectations are a big part of one's progress. As my minister once said, "Think it, feel it, and take the steps to make it happen".😊🙏

@opso You said exactly what my experience has taught me. After a number of surgeries, I stopped worrying about those hospital gowns or all the examinations. A good recliner is the best for recovery. I lived in on for about a year after a series of major surgeries. Accept the help, that's was family and friends are there for in your time of need. I use a couple of grabbers and keep them stashed where I use them. Yes, I can bend down and pick stuff up but it's painful to do it too much. And most important of all, keep a good attitude. Don't ever feel sorry for yourself. I've seen people go down hill pretty fast when they went down that rabbit hole.
I forgot, a good pair of slippers and a bathrobe help.