Can I pull in my Abs while sitting post laminotomy ?

@annie1 You know who you should ask, right? And you can probably guess how I would answer. You are still healing, and need to fuse that little piece of bone(s) that was removed and reattached during the laminotomy. After that bone is solid, I'm sure you'd be able to do your normal routine.

Jennifer

Ok thanks again. So I should stay away from that AB exercise ? And I am having a hard time knowing what is considered bending that is Ok. They said no bending at the waist to pick things up of course, but little things, like plugging in my phone charger have to be negotiated. It is a little low on the wall. I have had to just stay upright but sort of do a little knee pointing down with sliding that leg out a little, like a tiny yoga lunge. I have to have the phone charged of course all my friends are calling and texting to come over to help me.

Actually I am going to see if I can plug it into my power strip on my desk. Will see

Also pulling the blanket over me at night I have to sort of pull it with my feet then slightly lean to pull it with my hands. I don't know if that is considered bending.

My surgeon's office didn't say anything about riding in a car, although I have read elsewhere that I shouldn't do that until two weeks after surgery. What is the consensus ? I will message the PA in the morning, Monday.

@annie1 I think a grabber would work well for you for pulling up blankets and picking things up. You could use it to put clothes in a washing machine & drier, etc. The success of your surgery depends on following your surgeon’s recommendations and it’s better to err on the cautious side. It’s not forever; just until the bones heal together and you need that for strength for your spine. You have one chance to heal correctly.
Jennifer

I'm 8 years post-fusions on L3-L5 and total fused area (previous fusion) is L2-L5. I still use a grabber to pick up anything off the floor, transfer clothes from washer to dryer, and to put clothes into front loading washer. I have a grabber in almost every room including the master closet to pick up things that get dropped. And I'm amazed at how a grabber can pick up a tiny or thin item.

Yes I0 have about three or four grabbers and they are great. One other thing, I was reading that one shouldn't sit in one position for more than 20 to 40 minutes or so. Do you know about that ?

No, I hadn't heard that, but I haven't talked to my back surgeon in several years, plus she has retired. I don't doubt that that is very good advice. And I've been here at my computer for several hours, which is not good.

I'm doing my best to avoid all the things they said. It's challenging, but I keep on. It's just sometimes mistakes happen, my foot got caught in the rumpled up sheet etc. I had horrible cramps last night, maybe walked a little too much. They told me to take short walks, maybe two a day. I am feeling anxious after the cramps, I couldn't sleep all night basically, got up and sat drinking chamomile tea til I felt sleepy then maybe slept an hour.