Expectations for post major back surgery recovery?

Hello, I’m 3.5 years past a 6 level, T11-L5 segmented fusion & I assume your symptoms reached a point where surgery wasn’t an option. It’s a difficult recoup but manageable & more positive when compared to the real pain & frustration of pre-surgery symptoms. They’ll likely have you up within hours of being out of the operating room. Baby steps on a walker, increasing daily, motion is life’s lotion & walking is CRITICAL to successful recovery. Use the pain meds for the first week or so and WEAR the back brace per Dr instruction, no exception. As far as driving, I believe I was restricted for 4-6 weeks, but frankly, even riding in a car was uncomfortable for longer than that. My only PT was & still is daily walking, increasing pace & distance over time. Best wishes!

Thanks for the info...much appreciated! I served 35 years in the Marine Corps and have always been active, even after retirement. I know one of my big hurdles to overcome will be being patient with my recovery. My Dr. said I would be in a back brace for 3 months to restrict bending and twisting and would be very limited picking up anything more than 8lbs or reaching overhead. After 3 months he said I would then start P.T. Your recovery experience was educational. Perhaps I'll keep my status updated after my surgery. Hopefully, my recovery experience may also prove useful to someone.

OpsO

Thank you for your military service OpsO, it is appreciated. Good for you in recognizing your (lack of 😊) patience is not conducive to spine surgery recovery. Post-op, my spine doc (sternly) advised “being prudent will positively impact my initial recovery & beyond”…please keep updated here as I am positive someone, somewhere will find it very helpful.

Ten years ago I had my first lower back surgery, I was 63. It was L3-5 spinal instrumentation. Was great relief for a couple years. By 2019 I had more pain and had MRI's of hips and spine. The spine surgeon recommended a huge surgery and I trusted him. That was Jan 2020, Covid was just starting making it worse. I had long rods and a bunch of other fusions etc. It took over 12 hours at Christiana Hospital in Delaware. Was on fentanyl for 3 nights. My back was squeaking from the hardware and my leg went numb for almost a year. I was 68 and have been on oxycodone ever since then. A few months after the surgery, the pains I had came back and I saw the orthopedic to review my hip MRI. He said it needed to be replaced and I had that done after it had gotten so painful I couldn't walk. It took longer because they shut the hospital to electives because it had become inundated with covid. I guess I learned a couple things, surgeons are in the cutting business and when you go to them, they'll cut something. And... constipation is a bitch after eleven days. I've seen a lot of stories here and it seems pretty common that if you have one spine surgery, you'll probably have more. I couldn't find a lawyer to listen to my story. Good luck.

Thanks for sharing your story. Sounds like you've been through the ringer. Over the past 10 years I've seen 4 neurosurgeons who all said to hold off as long as possible, because there's no guarantees you'll get the level of relief you're hoping for, and once done it's done, you can't undo back surgery. At 73 years old, my back has gotten to the point where something has to be done. My local Brunswick, Ga. Neurosurgeon did all the tests and finally told me they just don't have what I need, so I was referred to the Florida Mayo Clinic. My wife and I really liked my Mayo Neurosurgeon and all of his medical staff. I go in on 16 September for my surgery, but this coming week he is having me take another thoracic spine MRI, Electrocardiogram, CT angio spine exam, and other tests. He wanted the most recent info before doing the surgery...which we appreciate. I may be in the hospital for 5 days or so before coming home. When able, I'll check back in with my status...hopefully it will be positive.

I don't know if it matters or what you believe but I'll ask for prayers for you Sunday. Can't hurt huh? As I read your doctor's process it reminded me of how my wife and I spent an hour going over the imaging trying to decide whether my pain was from my spine or my hips. Surgeon was close to 60 with impeccable history and close to a thousand positive reviews. I was so confident in getting the surgery. I do have an open mind that possibly, I'm as good as I can be, given the situation. I've had a lot of surgeries and they all went well except this one.
I'm pretty bad with all my arthritic joints. I really need a shoulder but I'm afraid of what might go wrong after the PT. Doc says not to lift over 25lbs. I'm also 73 yo and I can picture falling and breaking the shoulder and having to start over. Good luck, God bless

Thanks woojr. I'm 73 as well, and got beat up pretty good during my 35 years in the Marine Corps. I have always tried to have a mindset of "left right left", meaning to just keep moving forward. Prayers are always welcome. As a matter of fact, if I'm still awake when they wheel me in the operating room I'm going to ask if it's ok if I say a short prayer....

OpsO

@opso
You will be in my prayers for a successful surgery! Please let us know how you are doing, when you feel up to it.
Wishing you the best.😊🙏
Sherry

Thanks for all your prayers and "well wishes". Having y'all to connect with may be helpful in my recovery.

First, I prayed that your surgery is successful and that your recovery goes smoothly. I am 75 and on August 5th I had minimal invasive surgery. It was a Laminoforamiotomy. I am wearing a back brace for 3 months (not bad) and I used a Bone Stimulator for 2 hours a day. I am a very active tennis player and I am looking forward to playing again. So far, I am doing very well on my recovery. I start PT on Wednesday. Hope this encourages someone.

God Bless on your journey.