Lumbar Fusion & Laminectomy, Need Positives, Comments, Tips

@ladyaceintx1
I am early retired due to disability and lost my job in 2023. I have been on very expensive cobra coverage for my teen son and me (a single parent and his sole provider). It has become so expensive (almost $2,800 per month for medical/dental/vision!) so I needed to change to the healthcare marketplace in my state which is less expensive but still a lot of money ($1,750/month for medical and dental).

A week from today I will undergo 1 level lumbar fusion/decompression for severe spinal stenosis and L3 spondylothesis.
I am 67 years old and in very good health.
Wondering what others who have undergone this same type of surgery experienced the 1st week out of surgery. It sounds miserable and I am hoping I am mentally prepared for this.
Thank you!

A week from today I will undergo 1 level lumbar fusion/decompression for severe spinal stenosis and L3 spondylothesis.
I am 67 years old and in very good health.
Wondering what others who have undergone this same type of surgery experienced the 1st week out of surgery. It sounds miserable and I am hoping I am mentally prepared for this.
Thank you!

@wywomanjk Hello!
Last December I had a six level fusion, T11 to L4. I discussed my journey here and several others have too. If you use the search bar, you should be able to find them!

One thing I can say regarding the time immediately following surgery is that you need to be an advocate for yourself. If you are in pain or you need something, you need to tell the staff. Don’t suffer any more than you have to. Stay up on your pain meds because you need the consistent levels in your body until you can taper off. Again, there are many experiences that people have documented here and some people do not need to take many pain meds at all. Unfortunately, I was not one of those people and my body did not respond well to pain meds during my 9 day hospital stay.
Also, make sure that you have those big, soft gel freezer packs. They will conform to your back and help with the pain. Just make sure to put a towel or something between the pack and your back because you will have numbness and maybe not feel how cold the ice packs are. And a heating pad!
There are so many wonderful people on this site, so please reach out if you have more questions that any of us can help you with. I’m sure you will get plenty of responses on this post.
Wishing the best for you! Sherry

Best wishes & good karma sent your way on upcoming surgery. Living with severe stenosis & vertebrae slippage has well prepared you to handle the “miserable” aspect of spine surgery. Yes, the first couple weeks post-op are hard because you MUST follow orders to get up and walk. They’ll most likely have you standing up within 6-8 hours of coming out of surgery, from there it’s baby steps on a walker and then keep going as the days go by. What will go away are the miserable symptoms of living with spine pain and IMHO, the pain of recouping is well worth it. You also mention being in good health & this is huge in terms of recovery. At 3+ years past a T11-L5 segmented fusion, I walk outside every day, 25-30 miles a week, keeps my weight where it needs to be & my mind where it wants to be. All the best to you!

A week from today I will undergo 1 level lumbar fusion/decompression for severe spinal stenosis and L3 spondylothesis.
I am 67 years old and in very good health.
Wondering what others who have undergone this same type of surgery experienced the 1st week out of surgery. It sounds miserable and I am hoping I am mentally prepared for this.
Thank you!

Hopefully your surgery will be like mine on Aug 5th this year. I had Lamin foraminotomy on L3-S1. My severe stenosis cause numbness to my feet and legs to the extent of falling. I am 19 days removed from surgery and no numbness. I had minimal invasive surgery and went home the same day. First few days were a tad painful but well worth it if I continue my progress. I am 75 and put up with the numbness for 5 plus years. I am thankful for this surgery. Good Luck and God Bless!