What can we expect as far as recovery for my Mom's spinal surgery?

To expand a bit (and I am finding context is everything): I am 76 and formerly very active with walking up hills, 3-4 times per week Pilates classes, foam rolling/stretching every night. I had 3 bouts of radiculopathy of one or both legs over the past 2 years; each worse and more persistent. MRI showed scoliosis, degeneration of L4 and L5, hypertrophied ligament um flavin at that level, and essentially no normal disc. Spinal cord and nerve roots are citing that level showed no space at all. Severe arthritis of facet joints. All explained why I could only walk while flexing my lumbar spine (the shopping cart gait). For the first six months of this year I went from walking pretty well and doing a half hour daily of rehab exercises (after a steroid injection) to my shopping cart gait to a point in June where I had no “safety” position to get some pain relief. The right leg pain was extensive and breath taking in severity. I went back to my physiatrist to check on a possible second shot. He suggested exploring options with a surgeon which I promptly did. My husband and I spent 90 minutes with the Spine Center’s surgical team and, later, almost 5 hours pre-op with nurses, pAs and surgical fellow who would be doing the fusion with bone graft. Surgery was July 18. July 19 I was out of bed and walking with only a lower backache. No leg pain!! July 20 I had CT, Xrays, and passed the stair climbing test. Went home at noon and went slowly and carefully up 2 flights of stairs to our guest room. I had my 3 week follow-up Aug 11. Pain score zero, only Tylenol at night since day 10 (I used oxycodone freely at night before that to assure sleep). My docs do not prescribe rehab except for walking ( they want 30 minutes a day by week 3). Why have I been so fortunate in having such a fast recovery? 1) I was a highly selected patient for the procedure having only radiculopathy and little or no back pain. 2) 6 years of Pilates and an active lifestyle before that have given me very good hip flexibility and body awareness so that I could /can lift my feet to my waist to dress and bend from the hip (to get out of bed or chair). 3). I was on a large dose of Gabapentin (tapering off now) and pain meds work for me (I guess they don’t for everyone). 4) I had a total shoulder replacement on Nov 2021. My surgeon and his PA both said “if you made it through that, this surgery has a far less painful recovery and you will find it easier.” So my expectations were maybe in a good place. Here are some things I sort of expected but was not fully prepared for: 1) the fatigue level. I complained Friday at my follow up and they explained this is major surgery and it is normal. Don’t fight it but expect it will end. 2) the prolonged anorexia and flu-like feeling. I didn’t enjoy any meal until the 3 week mark. 3) How thirsty I would be; 4) the anxiety especially the first week due, in part, to the following 5) nerve impulses down both legs for several days, 6) how stiff and sore the front of my body was for over a week. This was due to going from weeks of bent over posture to being flattened prone for more than 5 hours of surgery and surgical prep (placing electrodes all over me and positioning CT scanner). I felt like I had been running hurdles! Heat helped. The surgical team executed a ballet of finely tuned maneuvers. I attribute my low pain to their skill and attention to detail. Sometime between 3 months and six months I will be cleared for any reasonable activity I wish. I enjoyed the 30-minute core strengthening regimen I followed after my injection and will slowly return to parts of that, then all of it as my graft fills in. Of interest, my surgeons do not recommend physical therapy for me. I guess they concur with my plan. This forum was very helpful to me and I hope some of my hacks for post-op life will be helpful to others. My final recommendation is to do everything to avoid falling. Knowing and respecting limitations are key. I am pretty mobile again but still take hold of handrails and pay attention to where I place my feet. I will never again take for granted the blessing and freedom of pain-free walking.

Hi juliedyan!
So wonderful that you are going to help navigate your mother's upcoming back surgery. It will be a journey for her and with all of your help, and other family members, she will do fine. Being prepared is HUGE and God bless you for thinking ahead. I am almost 3 months from my 2 back surgeries fusions (L3 to S1 and a stabilzation rod). Plus, my husband just had a double laminectomy last Monday (8/14) and I am just amazed at how well he is doing. Some of my ideas may of already been shared but hope I can provide some tips to help you & your momma...
#1!!! You must have a grabber stick and maybe 3 or 4 placed throughout her home. We use this tool more than anything else. With the no BEND, no TWIST, no LIFT restrictions the grabber stick can really help to avoid any compromising activities!!
#2 Shoes - Yes, as mentioned before, have easy shoes to get on & off. I have liked my Skechers slip ons. They are so easy to get on and your mom will need good shoes for walking as that will be the most important therapy for the first 3 months.
#3 Mental Health - As you mentioned, you are concerned about depression post-surgery and this is a very valid concern. I have fluctuated with depression these months and have found that I can only watch Comedy movies, read light-hearted books and then I was blessed with finding Leanne Morgan on Netflix and YouTube. She is hilarious and her humor is just plain clean & fun! Leanne is especially appealing to more mature women.
#4 Organization - You have already received some great organizational tips from others but I really encourage you to get anything she will need in easy accessible places...no bottom drawers or cupboards. (for example, I knew I'd not be needing any of my holiday cooking/baking items so I put those items in storage so I could have room for items I need to use now).
I will be praying for you & your mom.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil. 4:13

Thank you so much for taking the time to give us all of this information. I really do appreciate it. We have really been facing reality this weekend on what is to come!

Mom is now interested (after talking with some friends) in going to a rehabilitation hospital directly after surgery. Just until we know she is well enough to come home and we can handle it all. She lives in a maintenance free condo and does not have to use stairs. She has a recliner. Her bath tub/shower combo is absolutely terrible (especially considering the fact that they built these units for retirees)! It is very very high to step into and this is going to be a problem. I have never seen a bath tub that is this high! I don't know what the solution is going to be for that - she has a walk in shower in the basement portion but it sounds like the stairs will be impossible for her to go down!

At 78 I would say she looks young but this all stems from her getting hit by a man on a mountain bike when she was walking on a sidewalk. It also shattered her shoulder which she had to have replaced about 16 months ago and she still has pain from that.

I am getting worried. Also, I wonder what the process is for her going into a rehabilitation hospital. Who decides? If she wants to go, does she have to "fight" to get it? There is a really nice one where she lives and she is very interested in going now. Of course we would still be there for support. Do they decide at discharge or do you happen to know the process?

We also have a lot of things to buy this week. Nightgowns, slip on shoes, toilet necessities, etc.

I am also concerned about her mental health. We lost Dad unexpectedly 11 years ago (widow maker heart attack). He was only 68. She does deal with depression and since her accident it has gotten worse.

So many worries! I live 3 states away, one sister is a teacher and the other one is a marketing manager and has a very demanding job. A lot of it will fall on me (I am a homemaker) but it will be difficult living so far away (It is a 12-13 hour drive). Of course my husband is very understanding and I will do what I need to do. I have a granddaughter that I babysit quite a bit also.

We also found out that tomorrow (Monday) is her phone call with her surgeons office to get more info. I wonder how the rehabilitation hospital conversation will go!

One step at a time. I am writing down all of your ideas. Thank you again for your time.

Thank you all for the advice. This pic is of Mom Wednesday (2 days ago) on the day of the surgery. They sent her home! That day!! She felt great! We were all so excited and relieved! It's been 48 hours now and she is MISERABLE!!! A LOT of pain. My sister called the Dr. and he said this weekend, start trying to go 6 hrs with hydrocodone and alternate with acetaminophen. I leave tomorrow for my turn to take care of her. It is a two day drive and my sisters are there now. I will be there for about 10 days. Another thing - she takes Ambien (I know - not great but she doesn't sleep). Of course now she can't take it being on all of these meds so she is not sleeping at ALL. Just little 15 minute naps here and there. He said maybe she can start that again on Monday. Praying for a good weekend for her! Oh, and he said she should not sleep in the recliner. I have no idea why!

@juliedyan I'm glad your mom came through surgery well. Bless you for taking the first long shift to take care of her during the most difficult part of the recovery. I know you'll do your best. You may want to keep a journal so you'll be able to look back and measure her progress. Those 15 minute naps will be beneficial too. I'm sure your mom will appreciate your help even though she may not be able to tell you that until she feels better.