Any tips for Failed Back Surgery Syndrome?

Where are you getting your statistics

I have googled it multiple times, and have gotten similar results each time. AI response has also agreed with this.

I am hoping those statistics are faulty, but after my surgeries, I seem to support them rather than not.

All 3 were done by Dr. Taro Kaibara, a neurosurgeon at Barrow Neurological Institute.

Hi there, I wasn't sure what you were speaking to - but I see what I wrote finds room for misunderstanding! So I'll clarify: I wrote "little" surgeries. What I was referring to is people who think they can get away with outpatient and "partial" surgeries because they are afraid of total joint replacement surgeries. I see many people who are talked into discectomies and the many other things when they NEED a fusion and laminectomy hardware to stabilize them. I always wanted the "little" surgeries because I am by myself. The docs wisely said NO. Because I was not afraid to follow through, I got my life back and was stabilized. When we have these BIG surgeries, they are leaps of faith that we will be better subsequently. I went through absolute hell to get to magician doctors, and it paid off in spades. Your last sentence, "Surgery is in addition to what we need to do to heal." PERFECTLY stated. (I hate PT too! totally useless). We have to be our own "mini doctor and healthcare system!"

I had an operation for spinal stenosis a couple of years ago. The doctor made no promises. I'm glad that I had the operation. I went from 16 pills a day to 4 or 5. You have to be your own doctor, I've found. I went to a chiropractor for years before the operation. I'm back. I've added an accupuncturist to the mix.

She suggested trying lazar treatments along with the accupuncture. I think it is WORKING! I've had less pain this last 3 weeks than I've had for a long time.

There are times I forget to take my pain killers, then some pain sneaks up. I've not had one day where all I wanted to do was lay on the couch curled up.
This would happen even when I was taking the painkillers if I slipped up a bit. I would be painfree finally in the evening. Then I could work all night.

You know your body better than anyone else. Listen to it and keep trying different things until you finally find something that works. Back pain is hell!!!!

I'd never heard of spinal stenosis until it hit me overnight! I hear that it is common. When I look back,I remember as a 4-year-old experiencing pain on my right side after walking a long distance. I was able to finish the walk after I rested. I was always afraid when I experienced pain on my right side that it might be appenticitis. I had it removed when I had an operation for something else just to make sure I was having an appendix attack.
Don't give up!

Thanks for the info and inspiration! What type of stenosis do you have? Central canal stenosis in the lumbar region, or foraminal stenosis? I am hoping my latest MRI shows what I have, and that maybe something can be done surgically. I agree with you... you have to be your own doctor!

North County orthopedic specialties did my hips, Dr. Helgager did awesome work everybody in the area knew him. I don’t know if he’s still there. I wouldn’t know anybody else that I trust at that location and I am at Ucsd now in the orthopedic surgery department. Anybody you get there would be AMAZING! But Dr. Zlomislic did my three spine surgeries!

Thanks for the info. I'm in the Phoenix area, but going to San Diego would be a small price to pay...not to mention getting out of 115 degree temps!

DON'T Give up. Get mad! I agree with the walking. There are times I start out in absolute pain. By the time I get back, I'm painfree.
I can't believe your neighbour!! Is he tired of you complaining? Complaining is good. I know I feel better after complaining.

This past week, after my third accupuncture/lazar treatment, I've done more gardening back to back in almost 4 years.

Fool the b...s and get well. BTW, I'm almost 87! I plan to live to at least 103 and beat the record of our Hon. Rotarian member. I've got too many things to do.