It has been 2wks since surgery. Thanks

your post op instructions? As far as being able to resume normal activity? The normal rule of thumb is if it hurts don't do it. But your post op instructions should give you some clue. Do not be embarrased to call your Dr office and ask that question if you are unclear. I feel sure that this is a fairly common question that the Drs answer quite often.

Hi & welcome to the boards

I can't answer this for you ( sorry ) as I have not had surgery. Hopefully someone else can.

I would think that your Dr should have included this on the list of allowed or not allowed activities

My surgeon had that on his list. My husband and I have laughed about it. It said I could have sex as long as i was the "passive partner" after a couple of weeks. You can't lift or bend for 6 weeks but you can have sex?

Talking to your doctor is the best plan and then listen to your body. I couldn't handle sex after 2 weeks. It took me a lot longer than that.

Good luck

I was told 4 weeks as long as I was the "passive partner", but I was no way ready by then

by your screen name but forgive me if i am wrong..as a male thats had the same operation ..and more i was UNABLE to have sex again because of nerve damage .its been 2 years + since i have has sex .and now its not even on the menu ! as i am unable to obtain an erection and even if i was i could not enjoy sex due to pain .if you are male be very careful as one night of passion could leave you in the same boat as me .
STRAKER

Thanks for all of your responses. I am female, sorry I didn't post that earlier. I wasn't really given and post op instructions other than I can't lift anything over 5 lbs and I can't bend or twist or anything like that. I'm honestly a little frusrated at my surgeon's office. The whole thing for me happened so fast. I went from having symptoms 22 months ago to me not even being able to walk just 4 weeks ago. I was scheduled for a surgery as soon as the doctor could get me in which should have been Nov 17th. I was not even able to walk and I was in severe pain so I told the surgeons office to either get me in or I was going into the ER. Long story short I had my surgery Oct 28th and honestly wasnt given anything other than the hospitals post op instructions. I had my 2wk post op visit and I didnt even think of asking my doctor this question. Ugh... I will have to call his office. Thanks for your help

If you have general or vague post op instructions---call your surgeons nurse and ask a bunch of questions. My surgeons nurse tells me to call her if I have any type of questions regarding exercise. Also, since every one is different, my doc recommended "no strenuous activity" until my second checkup and then I must wear all my football gear (as my kids call it).

I did ask Rachel--(nurse) if they get a lot of these questions--She did say that depending on how active the exercise depends on the wait. So it would really benefit to check with your doc, would hate to read that you had to have this done all over again or had complications because of it.

This is when you should be told everything you need for the next few weeks. The 1st 2 weeks you are typically told no bend, lift, twist.

Sex and other activities become very dependent on the patient. Some recover quicker and have an easier time. Some don't get bad spasms from orgasm. Others get terrible spasms. It is not just about bending your back to perform the act. Usually they tell you spooning is the easiest approach whether male or female.

After my microdiscectomy 2 years. heh, I won't really tell you how long I waited. This time after AxiaLIF fusion. I'm 2 weeks out and have no real desire to try it right now.

If you haven't done your 2 week visit. Then write a set of questions, not just sex. If you look in the Back Surgery section I believe there is a "Sticky" or "FAQ" up there with a laundry list of questions. Cut and paste the ones that relate to you.