Expectations for post major back surgery recovery?

Grayhairs, Thanks for your experience. I'll also be in a back brace for 3 months prior to starting P.T. I believe I will be using a bone stimulator as well. I hope my recovery goes as well as yours seems to be going.

I am Ken I'm 59 years old my l5 s1 is pretty much gone I'm scheduled to have a fusion on October 1st and I'm concerned at the recovery being as old as I am, please to continue to reply to tell me how your situation goes I can use all the positive feedback I can get

I've got you by a few years (73 years old), but I'm definitely with you Brother. It has been very educational to hear from others who have undergone spine surgery. I plan on reporting on the good, and not so good, during my recovery, which I feel will the continued interaction is part of my recovery journey. FYI, my spine is pretty much "hosed up" from my neck down with my Mayo Dr. saying he expects it to be an eight to nine hour surgery, with my hospital stay being between 5 and 7 days.

I am scheduled for a C2-T10 fusion in October. (It will be replacing a C3-T3 3.5 years ago.) Has anyone had a fusion this big & how was the recovery? One good thing is I will not have a big brace at all, unlike the first fusion….

Wishing you all the best in your recovery. Has anyone had a screw loosening and protruding back into the esophagus area? It hasn’t entered that yet, hoping it won’t. I’m six weeks out from a three level cervical fusion and had my Xray fu a couple days ago. Just wondering what the doctor is going to say when I see him.

The Dr. will probably say that somebody "screwed" up. Just trying to add a little light-hardiness. I will also be curious to hear what he/she has to say and how they're going to deal with it.

OpsO

@opso
Praying that you have a successful surgery tomorrow (I’m in CA so it’s already the big day for you today).
Please let everyone know how you are doing when you feel up to it.
Best wishes, Sherry

All, today is my one week 9 hour post back surgery at Florida's Mayo Clinic. I really can't complain too much about my back pain, like a continuous dull ache. The biggest issue I'm dealing with is pain down my right lower back, across my butt and on down to my right hamstring (may be sciatica). The pain caused by this really hampers my walking recovery, and because I can't bend forward, it's hard to stretch my legs, though I have been able to raise them onto a small footstool. I trust everyone else is doing well. I will try to keep you updated relative to my recovery journey.

OpsO

@opso
I glad to hear you are doing well! Sorry to hear about the leg pain. 🙁 I remember having some intense pain similar to yours when I first started walking. The doctor told me that my body had to make adjustments now that my back was straight. Also, there’s a lot of inflammation putting pressure on nerves, etc., until everything calms down and starts healing.
Are you still in the hospital?
Please keep us updated on how you are doing!
Wishing you the best, Sherry

I have posted have before. I had a lumbar fusion 30 years ago - terrific success. I was a carpenter and I continued my work. (Type A personality - worked all the time).
Recent surgery - fusion above - the discs that have started to disintigrate .
I am doing well - problem I am already doing toooo much.
After the surgery - take it slow and walk a lot. I am hopeful that I have not made damage.
I will continue to post - take it slow.
PeterPaul