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November 20, 2009 - 6:20pm
Home from ALIF
Well everyone, I am home from my L4-S1 ALIF. Was in the hospital for only about 48 hours. Surgeon said the procedure couldn't have gone any better.
Was in recovery for longer than the surgery because my pain took a while to get under control. Got in my room at 8:30 pm and by lunchtime the next day they had me up and walking around.
Surgeon got to hospial on day 2 and saw me walking around and he had a huge smile on his face. Today he caught me walking without any assistance and called me his "champion". He was so happy to see how I was doing, he remembers my PLIF and what a rough time I had.
Now I just have to get used to the cruddy back brace. Incision pain is bad, especially when getting out of bed, but it is under control with meds.
Thank you all for your thoughts and kind wishes, I truly appreciate them, Lisa
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Congrats...I'm sure you are happy to be home and have surgery behind you. The next few days are the tough part, as I'm sure you remember.
Remember to rest and walk, rest and walk. I timed my walks to my trips to the bathroom. It was January and I couldn't go outside, so I would walk the length of the house after using the bathroom. That's all I could manage for the first week or so....
I look forward to your reports that things are improving as the days pass....
Take good care--
Gwennie
I have no medical training. Comments are based on personal experience and lots of research and reading.
PLIF @ L4-5 with Peek cage, rods and screws Jan 2008
Lami-foraminotomy L5-S1 Jan 2009
Fusion L3-S1 coming up -- 1 June
I've been wondering how you were doing. I'm so glad you're home and that it went well. Do as Gwennie says -- rest, walk, rest, walk -- and you'll come through with flying colors.
Linda
3 level 360 degree lumbar fusion (L3-S1) November 2008
I am THRILLED to hear you are doing well
Ms. Humpty Dumpty Took a great fall. L1-L2-L3-L4 - S1 & S2 full herniations. Spinal stenosis, spinal arthritis, degenerative disk, scoliosis. Knees, hips & spine have degenerative bone disease, arthritis and bone spurs. Age 49 - Here to find & offer support. Had bilateral knee replacement surgery done March 15th, 2011
I've been thinking and praying about you a lot during the last couple of days. I'm so glad to hear you're home and that the surgery was such a success! I know you were in such tremendous pain pre-op, and now it will only get better. I'm already two weeks post-op from my plif, and I am starting to feel human again. Keep us posted on your progress, and let your family take good care of you.
Lisa
I'm so glad you are recovering so well! You deserve it. I'm also really glad to hear how wonderful your surgeon was. Keep up the good work!
Minimally invasive TLIF & laminectomy for L4/L5 done on 11-03-09. (With PEEK cage, rod, screws, BMP)
Medication: Lyrica, Metanx, Lidoderm patches
Hey Lisa,
I am happy to hear your procedure went so well. Keep up the good work
Bless you!!
Due to recent cutbacks and until further notice, the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off.
I'm so gald to hear your TLIF went well and that you're already up and about. Take it easy friend!
Faith M
L4/5 discectomy 11/98,disc decompression surgery 10/01 (failed),C5/6 fusion 2/02,L4/5&L5/S1 discectomy 4/02,C6/7 fusion 4/04, L4/5 discectomy 4/05(failed)diagnosed with permanent nerve damage,2 level lumbar fusion 1/08,C4/5 fusion 1/09 and too many epidurhal/ nerve blocks to count. Surgeon said I have 2 more fusions in my future.
Hi Lisa,
Good to hear how good the surgery was done and how well well you are doing!! I hope that you have a excellent recovery and rehab.
Please keep us posted.
Take care and all the best.
Renos.
Renos
2005: ADR, Actice L at L4L5. 2006: Fusion, L5S1 anterior. 2007: Fusion L4L5S1 with ADR in place, posterior. 2007: Removal ADR L4L5 replaced by cage, anterior. 2008: Pain pump implanted. 2009: Revision hardware L4L5S1, posterior. 2010: 2nd Revision hardware L4L5, posterior.
All in all: just bad luck, but still full of hope.
So happy to hear everything went well for you. Sounds like you are doing great, and I hope to hear that it is continuing. Good Job, and I will be thinking of you! Love, Robin
2 level PLIF Dec 2008
Hardware Removed Sept 2009
Bone tumor in Eye Socket removed 10-26-09, They confirmed I do have a brain LOL
Fentanyl Patch 100 Mico, Oxycodone 30 MG every 4 hours breakthrough
Surgery Dec 13, 2 level fusion L2-3, L-3-4, ALIF min invasive. Nuvasive procedure..quite the deal!
Sounds like you sailed through the post-op phase without a hitch...bravo!
Lisa
Hi Lisa
So happy that your surgery went so well and I bet it was good to be walking around the next day.
I'm glad I don't have to wear one of those horrible braces. I was able to get off the pain meds after a couple of weeks except for the odd occasion when I've felt I needed some. Hope it'll be the same for you, but if it isn't, make sure you keep taking the meds.
Hoping the rest of your recovery goes well and that your tummy starts going down as the weeks go by - I'm 5 weeks post op and my tummy is nearly back to normal. Do let us know how you're going.
Trish
ALIF L4/5 19th October 2009 - successful
Discectomy/laminectomy L4/5 April 2008 - didn't help
Disc degeneration at L3/4 and L5/S1 with right sided foraminal stenosis at L5/S1 with slight flattening and elevation of the right L5 nerve root.
It's over and you're home!
Sending you good wishes for a speedy recovery. Take extra care and let your family pamper you.
Judy
2010 Update: Sciatica resolved itself but still dealing with fibromyalgia symptoms that come and go. Walking 3 miles a day, fibro permitting.
2011 Update: Back to work since June.
Herniated disk (L5) no surgeries to date, super nasty nerve pain, left leg. 3 epidurals (Jan, Feb 09) (Short term relief) June 09, Second opinion from Ortho doc with new MRI -- not a surgery candidate -- referred to pain management doctor.
Congratulations on making it past the surgery and on to recovery at home. I'm so happy you're doing well.
Please remember to take the meds as scheduled and to follow the doc's post-op orders. Take it easy and rest.
I'm sending you healing thoughts today.
Cath
~ October 21, 2008 - ACDF, 3-level (C4/5, 5/6 6/7), with hardware and eight screws. All fused and hardware is stable.
~ January 6, 2010 - TLIF at L4/5, two rods and four pedicle screws.
~ July 2010 - New CT and MRI on cervical shows further problems above fusion at C2/3 and worst at C3/4.
I am in no way affiliated with the medical profession. Any recommendations I make are based on my personal experiences only, so do not take my comments as medical rules.