January 2026 spine surgeries - Let's hear the positive outcomes!

@rwdixon4 Hi Bob, while I haven't had the extensive back surgery that you will be having, but from your first back surgery, you probably recall that you were not allowed to bend and twist and that makes daily living a little difficult when it comes taking care of your needs. Some patients have risers on the toilet to make it easier to disengage, grabber things for picking up objects from the floor, elastic laces in your shoes so they just slip on, have your comfy clothes clean and easily reachable (mine was in plastic bins next to the bed). Get all your bills paid early because that is easy to forget when you don't feel well.

You won't be allowed to drive for awhile and your surgeon needs to clear you for that. If you try things now without being able to bend and twist, that may give you some insight. You are going to be exhausted as your body diverts it's energy to healing and that can go on a long time. You will just want to sleep and you should, so that means don't exert yourself with household chores. Someone else can help with that.

If there is any ice or snow where you live, you'll need to keep away from it and not risk a fall while you are healing. You may qualify for some visiting nurses if you need help showering, etc. That is something to ask about. If you were recovering in the hospital you would have assistance with any of this. You may want a shower bench or chair to sit on because you'll be really tired and just bathing is enough to require a nap afterward.

A lot of patients talk about getting prepared with these suggestions. I also had to be cleared to drive and I didn't for about 4 months. My husband did everything and I just slept, watched TV, and he brought my meals to me.

Your surgeon's nurse will probably be able to give you some good tips, so go ahead and ask about any concerns.

@jenniferhunter WOW Thank you for all of this ! I will digest this and take it all in and make adjustments as I am able ? Thank you again for the advice !

Bob

@rwdixon4 Bob - Best wishes on your surgery. Will be praying for you. Sorry to bother just as you depart (so perhaps Sherry can answer), but when you applied to be a patient of Mayo (Dr. McClendon), did you need a doctor's referral?

@rwdixon4 This is your week! Praying for you as you move into this week and that you feel cared for and heard at every step of the process. Blessings! k

@ccchang You can self refer to Mayo. Sometimes a doctor's referral helps demonstrate need for appointments. I self referred to a spine surgeon in Mayo Rochester and was accepted.

@jenniferhunter
I give him hugs every day through the fence!! He’s on my property and I’ve raised him since I helped his momma give birth to him. I was able to get him lightly halter broke before my surgery so for this picture, I put the halter on him while I was on the other side of the fence. I’ve been working on the round pen this week and hopefully can start working with him next week after all the rain slows down.
He’s getting white flecks of hair throughout his body and he might wind up being a roan. We shall see.😊

@ccchang
Hey Cori, for my treatment, I called the Phoenix, Mayo Clinic to make sure they took my insurance and then told them to be looking for all my files. Then I had my doctor send my x-rays and MRIs and CAT scans to them. Then I called the Mayo Clinic a few days later to ensure that they had received everything. It’s really important to stay in contact with them because they had not received the CAT scans, so I was able to follow up on that. As soon as they received everything, they let me know that Dr. McClendon had accepted me as his patient. This was the advice that I gave to Bob and he is in a good place right now to have have two amazing surgeons work together on his back. I believe Bob specifically asked about Dr. McClendon while he was at his evaluation. These doctors all work very closely with each other and I think Bob said that his assigned surgeon said that he would reach out to Dr. McClendon. You can also ask for an evaluation with Dr. McClendon.
Wish you knew best! Sherry

@rwdixon4
How are you doing, Bob? I’m so glad you were able to get all your blood tests and EKG the day before surgery to combine it in one trip.
Remember to check your emails, because I’ll be checking on you.

@sherrym25 I am in Phoenix at Mayo now I have my blood test EKG and other test tomorrow morning. If everything goes well,
Thanks for checking in. I’ll watch my email as I’m able to. I appreciate your . Thoughts 🙏🏻 prayers.

Hello to all who are having upcoming spine surgery at Mayo and looking for positive stories. I suffered with severe spinal stenosis at multiple levels and I also so had extremely painful neurogenic claudication. I requested a specific surgeon at Mayo Clinic in Rochester and was fortunate to be accepted by Dr. Paul Huddlesto With so many levels effected he did not recommend rods but rather just a lumbar laminectomy. My surgery was successful! As soon as I got to my room my leg pain was totally gone and my back pain so much better! We are all different in how our bodies recover, but I was able to go home the next morning. I did have a friend I hired to stay with me for 3 weeks to care for me. Couldn't have done it alone. Because you do need help. For me the pain wasn't ever that bad during recovery, but the restrictions on movements are many. I was able to shower by myself sitting on a seat and my friend outside the shower just in case I needed her. My surgeon had me up and walking every hours through my home using a 2 wheeled walker and standing straight. My family and friend were there to make sure I did it like clock work. The friend left after 3 weeks but I still needed to use 2 wheeled walker and different size grabbers for some time. You get used to it, and start to think of all you are accomplishing that you couldn't before. As for pain, my knee replacement was much more painful. Spine surgery was scarier and movement limiting for some time after but well worth it! I did use youtube to practice getting in and out of bed before surgery, and did light weights to build my strength up before surgery also. Good luck. And don't compare yourself to anyone else. It's your journey.