Anybody had spine surgery? What type and why?

@lchop
My TLIF (L2-L5 was done at HSS in 2021. Never been the same since. Had a major bleed post op, a week in the hospital then 3 weeks in a rehab. Sorry I did it because the pain is worse now postoperative and revision surgery is not really recommended. Good luck. I've never seen anyone post on this subject. Good luck to you!!

@albertlc13 Good morning, Albert. I wanted to follow up with you regarding your surgery. Back in April you said you were having surgery in about 2 months. Have you had the surgery? If yes, how is everything going so far?

@marcd2k I don’t know if this message was for me or not? I did have a spine surgery in April because the breast cancer had went to my spine. It was over six hour surgery I’m doing OK my surgeon was great he said it was one of the most radical surgeries ever done it was pretty extensive. Thanks for asking if this message was for me

@karentheo sorry to hear your spine surgery didn’t go well I hope you’re doing OK? My spine surgery I had in April turned out OK so far I had a great surgeon. where did you have yours done? I didn’t like the hospital I was in but I went there because the surgeon was supposed to be one of the best & so I went to Barnes in St. Louis that’s where he said he could do it.

@yaaqovk so sorry to hear that your surgery didn’t go well believe me I know what that pain is like and it is awful! Where did you have your surgery? My spine surgery April 13 went good I had a great surgeon from what I understand he fixes a lot of other surgeons mistakes. I had a very radical surgery from breast cancer gone to my spine. the surgeon said it was one of the most radical he’s done. I had a fusion from T3 -T9 also removed 3 parts of lamina in my spine, 50% of my T5 and T6 vertebrae, 3 V-shaped bones with cancer, had to fill-in with puddy, two rods, six screws, had to make flaps 10 cm x 5 cm for the muscle in my back. Other stuff was done, but just thought I’d give you an idea of what I went through.

@mawmaws Hello, I was actually writing to another member named Albert, but it can get confusing with the different screen names showing up for the sender, the comments, and replies.

I'm glad to hear you are doing well. There was a question asked last week on this discussion board regarding people that had successful spine surgery, instead of only talking about the problems after surgery. It is always good to hear both sides, and to know these surgeries can be successful is comforting to an extent.

Have a great weekend!

@albertlc13
The BLT problem and going to the bathroom can be fixed but lots of pre planning must be done. I found the best tools needed are as follows.
Install a toilet bidet or a poop washer. They are easy to purchase from Amazon and install by yourself or just hire a plumber. Please look into it as it is a game changer.
The second thing is a toilet paper wrapper on a metal kind of hook holder. I had never seen or hear of one prior to my T 10 to pelvis fusion. It was introduced to me by my OT at UCSF spine center. Very portable and useful during the first 6 to 8 weeks. I hope this helps.

I had anterior spine surgery in 2022 for a herniated disc that was pressing on the nerve. I also had a severe case of sciatica on the left side, which went down my spine and the back of the left leg. I asked the surgeon to PLEASE get rid of that awful sciatica during the surgery. He said he would try. After surgery, I still had the sciatica, which was most disappointing. I still suffer with this today, 4-1/2 years later. No other surgeon can ever go back in there to do ANY back surgery because this surgeon fused my back. This is the downside of allowing a surgeon to do a fusion. I did not agree to it as I was asleep. He did this on his own. Needless to say, I would not trust another back surgeon even though I cannot ever have any further back surgeries. It is disheartening to know that I have to live with this severe sciatica for the rest of my life. Why don't patients have rights?????

My surgery was 27 JAN 25, and I'm still walking with a walker, still having
pain and complications.. thanks for asking.

Take it easy, but TAKE it!

@mawmaws I had my surgery at Hadassah Ein Karem Hospital in Jerusalem where I live..I got an MRI this May and need to consult with the referring orthopedist to determinecwhat comes next. My main problem now is lumbar spine kyphosis.