L5 S1 surgery recovery: what to expect re: what I can do for myself?

Hi @southernbelle13.
I went in for L5S1 ALIF plus Pedicle Screws (posterior) on 20 July, last week, so am still early in my recovery phase.
5 days in hospital (D1 to D5).
Same day of surgery, I drank fluids, did not eat.
D2 I "ate" broth (through a straw) and drank water.
First shower on D3, with a chair in the shower. Did not need the chair thereafter for each daily shower.
Catheter only removed on D3. Immediate physio on D3 saw me walking with rolling support over 50m (in the hospital). I dropped the walking support on D4 as it was not needed.
D3 also introduced more substantial foods (no hard solids yet). Soup, yoghurt, fruits, easily-digestible foods.
Voiding bladder after catheter removal was simple, just surgery pain (front and back). Was controlling my bladder by D3 - painful to push, so just lket gravity do its thing.
Voiding bowels is a bigger challenge. Was "threatened" with an enema if I had not passed solids on D4, so I asked for softeners (not laxatives) to make it easier. No enema required as I successfully voided bowels on D4.
After D4, I went onto a normal menu - steaks, eggs, veg, bread, dessert, etc.
I walked 4 times per day by D4, showered alone with no support, dressed myself (painful but do-able) and managed to do plenty for myself without too much assistance.
Sent home at the end of D5. I managed to get upstairs to my room, and have spent the last 30 hours lying flat, walking around upstairs, showering, completing ablution requirements, and weaning myself off Tapentadol (down to 3 tablets a day).
The surgery wounds are still painful (front and back), but the relief from referred pain into my left leg is palpable.
Will still spend a few more weeks mostly lying flat while the fusion is given time to hold.
I could not do this without my wife assisting tremendously. You can't do it alone.

thank you so much for the details. That sounds much more manageable than I have been reading about online.
was this all done at your home hospital? I still haven't gotten a response from my local surgeons triage team as to if or when it could be done at home. Since my pain comes and goes and I am managing it now, I am debating postponing it until next fall so we can take a couple of trips we have been planning for next May. It seems as if it could be questionable for a disney (with grandkids) or european trip by then if I can't get in until October or November this year locally. Mayo could do it in October or November if I want to go that route.

My husband had this exact surgery April 29th of last year @ Mayo in Rochester with neuro surgeon Dr Biden. He had been having leg pain for 10 years and had been seeing Dr Biden during this time. He had tried conservative therapy IE: PT, shots. He stayed at the hospital 5 days and had to walk starting day one. He was able to do this without any issues. He was given a belt to wear constantly excluding showers and sleep. He had to wear this for 15 weeks and could not lift anything heavier than 20lbs, twist or bend for 12 weeks. He was on pain meds and used a “grabber” to pick up things, I strongly recommended this. It was tough up till week 11 and something “clicked” and his pain went away. He would only go with a neuro surgeon for this surgery and at Mayo as he feels this is the best hospital. ( Neuro surgeons have more training than ortho surgeons)

FYI, Dr Biden has relocated to University of Chicago as the head of neurosurgery. He still
does surgery.

I'm so glad you are getting a second opinion. I have significant arthritis and am fused from L2-L5. Recently, I've had debilitating pain from a pinched nerve at L5-S1. The brain and spine surgeon commented that an additional fusion at L5-S1 would quickly be a "failed fusion." That may be because I'm already fused at the levels above it. Please check with your second opinion doctor to make certain there is nothing that would cause your circumstances to become a "failed fusion." Good luck.
(Am considering having a very limited surgery to release the pinched nerve at L5. SI see the brain and spine surgeon on 7/27.)

@profevl
THIS is very helpful for me - I have L5 - S1 fusion with hardware end of Sept at Mayo. I have a 12 inch harrington rod from 53 years ago and L 5 - S 1 not fused but compressed after a clincial trial with weight lifting and they smashed - cut off nerves and it;s been almost 2 years of trying to deal with pain. Surgery the only option now and 2 surgeons I talked to here in Pittsburgh did a FEW of these surgeries... I went to Mayo for another opinion and they were amazing. He said I was not complicated for him. He gets a lot like me. Im not over weight, do not smoke, and am doing core training to strengthen for the surgery recovery. I am not concerned about pain in recovery because my pain now is horrible and meds do not help. If there is relief after a few months I will walk through hell to get there. I worried most about flying home..., they will have a back brace and meds plus a friend will fly with me. Mayo said - WE DO THIS ALL THE TIME and you will be uncomfortable but it's fine... So after getting out of hospital 3 or 4 nights, I will stay at local hotel to make sure I am ok, and Mayo is close, Then fly home. I live alone with stairs so planning to stay with a friend a week or so. Please keep us posted on your recovery!

@bdiver1verizon
wow, so sorry to hear what happened to you, so thank you for this. I work once or twice week with a trainer for strength so it's nice to know that can help pre surgery. I was thinking I might stay at least a week as some have suggested even more. My flight home would be on one of the smaller jets so most uncomfortable seats there are. ugh. Just heard from my local office and can't get in for his opinion on doing it here until November, so guess I am in limbo till then. The pain in recovery doesn't worry me as much as how to do things myself so my husband isn't having to do things for me and maintain the house etc, for very long.
I don't know if its appropriate for this site... but if it is, can you say who your
Mayo surgeon will be?

@joanland
Thank you. I assumed this to be a "limited surgery" as well but with having both post and anterior entry it sounds big to me of course. They won't touch my larger issues of scoliosis with arthritis, degenerative issues etc due to my age (76) he said. Still waiting on his notes re our conversation to be posted so I can read them to remember what he said.

@southernbelle13 - it's not a problem to share surgeons who have/are helping you.

@southernbelle13 Dr Arjun Sebastian. I was so impressed it really was a no brained. My doctors back here in Pittsburgh are also telling me that mayo is the right choice.

@bdiver1verizon
Thanks. I also consulted with him but left feeling uncertain due to his manner. He was very quick and we left thinking he was working on L4-5, due to my evaluation with the PA, but she said L5S1 so we were more confused. as I said he hasn't posted his notes for us to read his intentions. I did contact the nurse with some questions and she did check with him for the answers but I still have some. He didn't mention the brace, just said 2-3 days then we could fly home. It does make me feel better to talk to someone who will be using him, I would love to know how it goes for you. I would not be scheduled until Oct or Nov. but since I can't get my local opinion until Nov that will make it much later if I choose to go to Mayo. I have confidence in the fact that it is MAYO but the traveling does concern me if there are any issues that arise later.