OP
Back surgery post-op questions
- Thread starter beaverislander
- Start date
Aubie
Member
I had a disectomy on L5 on February 3 2011, it was completely blown out and the disk was broken and piece of bone was pressing on the sciatica nerve. L4, L3 are bulging also. I was burning down my left leg and the pain was terrible. I had waited to the point that meds were not helping and I barely could walk or sit. I had my surgery first thing that morning and the only pain I felt afterwords was where I was cut. Only a 4" long cut and all stitches were inside. I was super glued together at the skin. 
I was kept in the hospital overnight and went home mid morning the next day. My first real pain was when they got me up to walk the first time before going home. Don't know how to explain it but it was bad.
When I got up to get in the wheel chair to go home it was a lot better, guess everything had to lay back in place first time up.
Do not sit in any king of water until your skin heals complete, there is a chance of infection if you do. Shower is ok but for the first few times have your wife stand outside it to help steady you or get a shower seat. You will be weak and your meds will make you dizzy. I only had to take pain meds for 2 days then Tylenol was fine.
As I said, almost all my nerve pain was gone, it will take a while for the nerves to heal. As of today, I would say I'm healed up to 85-90%. I would be better but I'm stubborn and try sometimes to do things I shouldn't There are still days that if you move wrong, step wrong or stumble, there is some minor pain. Walk, walk a lot, it helps greatly. For the first couple of months, do not lift anything over 5 pounds, if you do you will feel it as the disk will compress. be careful how you twist as this will cause minor discomfort. And most of all, as my doctor told me, if you sit for more than 1 hour, get up and walk for 10 minutes or so. Do not sit for long periods of time. It will make your back hurt.
Also, no one has mentioned it but stay away from sex for a few weeks. It can set you back if your not very careful.
There is a good life after back surgery if you follow YOUR DOCTORS instructions.
May God bless you with a speedy and complete recovery.
Forgot to mention, I'm 55 so the younger you are the faster you heal I'm told.
I was kept in the hospital overnight and went home mid morning the next day. My first real pain was when they got me up to walk the first time before going home. Don't know how to explain it but it was bad.
When I got up to get in the wheel chair to go home it was a lot better, guess everything had to lay back in place first time up. Do not sit in any king of water until your skin heals complete, there is a chance of infection if you do. Shower is ok but for the first few times have your wife stand outside it to help steady you or get a shower seat. You will be weak and your meds will make you dizzy. I only had to take pain meds for 2 days then Tylenol was fine.
As I said, almost all my nerve pain was gone, it will take a while for the nerves to heal. As of today, I would say I'm healed up to 85-90%. I would be better but I'm stubborn and try sometimes to do things I shouldn't There are still days that if you move wrong, step wrong or stumble, there is some minor pain. Walk, walk a lot, it helps greatly. For the first couple of months, do not lift anything over 5 pounds, if you do you will feel it as the disk will compress. be careful how you twist as this will cause minor discomfort. And most of all, as my doctor told me, if you sit for more than 1 hour, get up and walk for 10 minutes or so. Do not sit for long periods of time. It will make your back hurt.
Also, no one has mentioned it but stay away from sex for a few weeks.
It can set you back if your not very careful.There is a good life after back surgery if you follow YOUR DOCTORS instructions.
May God bless you with a speedy and complete recovery.
Forgot to mention, I'm 55 so the younger you are the faster you heal I'm told.
Last edited:
Murphy2000
Member
L4 & L5,
First go around was the early 90's, thankfully I had a great old surgeon who had done a ton of them. I was good as new and out of the hospital in 4 days. I was in my mid 30's at the time.
The second go around was almost 10 years to the exact same week of the month. I hadn't done anything specific to cause it blow out again, it just happens sometimes.
My old doctor had passed away, I found a new one in Dallas, Texas. I went in for surgery at Baylor hospital in Dallas on a Monday morning at 8:00AM sharp. I woke that evening and knew it was fixed. I even went down 7 stories to go out for a smoke. The next morning just a little before 11:00AM, I got into my car and drove myself 165 miles home. Been doing fine since. But even the slightest pain down my leg or across a hip can create a panic for me. Just take it easy, do what the Doc tells you and learn to re-think everything you used to do. I was a young man, well built and stout as an Ox. The biggest adjustment I had to make was between the ears...that is the hard part.
Someone mentioned the pain prior to surgery. I can recall before my first one getting triple (yes triple) blind drunk, and still...all I could feel was that damnable pain down both legs. Jimmy Swaggart & a Witch Doctor where starting to look like a good option if it would only end the pain.
Take care,
Murphy2000
P.S. Yes, they have came miles in regards to back surgeries. Thank God.
First go around was the early 90's, thankfully I had a great old surgeon who had done a ton of them. I was good as new and out of the hospital in 4 days. I was in my mid 30's at the time.
The second go around was almost 10 years to the exact same week of the month. I hadn't done anything specific to cause it blow out again, it just happens sometimes.
My old doctor had passed away, I found a new one in Dallas, Texas. I went in for surgery at Baylor hospital in Dallas on a Monday morning at 8:00AM sharp. I woke that evening and knew it was fixed. I even went down 7 stories to go out for a smoke. The next morning just a little before 11:00AM, I got into my car and drove myself 165 miles home. Been doing fine since. But even the slightest pain down my leg or across a hip can create a panic for me. Just take it easy, do what the Doc tells you and learn to re-think everything you used to do. I was a young man, well built and stout as an Ox. The biggest adjustment I had to make was between the ears...that is the hard part.
Someone mentioned the pain prior to surgery. I can recall before my first one getting triple (yes triple) blind drunk, and still...all I could feel was that damnable pain down both legs. Jimmy Swaggart & a Witch Doctor where starting to look like a good option if it would only end the pain.
Take care,
Murphy2000
P.S. Yes, they have came miles in regards to back surgeries. Thank God.
Last edited:
HERMAN.40
Member
Yes it is. Deputy Mike is now Paramedic Mike.
GB
Member
Had mine done at 56. in 05. Went well. Walked my first mile on day 8 (spent the first 5 in the hosp. because I didn't have anyone to watch me at home) Never looked back. My worst day now is better than my best day for about 5 years before the operation. Have a little pain now and than when I do something stupid. Do EXACTLY what your Doc. says and in about 4 to 6 weeks you should be good to go. The toughest thing you will have to do is figure out how to do the "paper work" in the reading room for the first week or 10 days.
