Good question, Ron!

Well, there are some fairly obvious ones...

Don't lift heavy weights
When you do lift, lift things correctly (don't bend, but squat)
Don't play particularly physical sports again (no rugby, wrestling, etc., etc.)
Don't have car accidents (yeah right....)
Eat healthily
Keep doing your stretching and core muscle strengthening exercises, FOREVER
Maintain correct posture, particularly when sitting for long periods
......

I put this in another thread but...
1. stay off sons dirt-bike

na

Well I would sure like not to ever have another surgery. My first thought is to NEVER forget that I have a 3 level fusion in my neck and I need to be careful. Think before I lift (how heavy is it, can someone else do it, will it hurt me, how should I pick it up). Think before I move it, same as above basically, you know how this one works, you go out for dinner, the table is not straight, without a thought you put your hands on the table and there you are moving furniture (NOT). Or amazing how heavy a laundry basket can be and in our house they get carried from the second floor to the basement and then back up two floors when done. Let someone else in the house do the carrying. If there is no one else in the house then I guess I am carrying a few items at a time and calling it exercise. UPS........just got a package delivered and I really want to know what is inside but no one else is home. Guess that package is going to sit on the porch till someone else gets home to lift it.
So anyway I hope I am going to be smart enough to take my own advice LOL
LJ

You have the right mindset for hopefully not having another surgery. Keep thinking and acting that way and you will know you have done your job.

My advice??? Walk walk walk....walk walk walk walk and walk... Did I mention walking? ;o)
I am hopeful that it will help
ouch

That is so valid....
Walking is about the one form of exercise that almost anyone with spinal problems can and should be doing.
There are a couple of 'warnings' however when you go walking

- Proper foot wear. Do not wear flip flops or other type of shoes that do not give you proper support. There are so many shoes that are comfortable for every day things, but when it comes to walking, look for support.

- Terrain. There is really no problem walking up/down hills.
At worst, it will just tire you more. But what can create problems is if you walk on a terrain that is totally uneven.
For example, you can do a 3 mile walk on paved roads that have some inclines, no problem.. But if you start to walk over a 'nature' trail with logs, streams, etc to circumvent, that could be a problem.

I love this time of year, because I can get out and do more walking. And since I am far removed from surgical procedures, I will head out on those walking trails, taking along by walking stick

..umm, I don't know..maybe the best way not to have another one is to not blow out the same disc post surgically?

That is a hard one for me...I have had really physical jobs my entire life,I was a seismographer for many years(a drillers helper,hole plugger,lineman,juggie,powderman,etc...)then I went into mining(blaster,drill helper,exploration geotech,lab tech,haultruck driver)In addition to that I have done my own yardwork,home maintenance,and played very hard as well.(have ridden motorcycles since I was 9,later 4 wheelers)And I would give anything to get on the end of a shovel and move drill cuttings all day,or clean my house do my yardwork and make a great dinner in one day! But...my body has been telling me no for a long time,and just recently my brain is finally getting a clue.I have to say NO.So if you can learn to say that,despite other peoples reaction to you,I believe that will help alot! That's my story and I'm stickin to it! Sagehen

After 15 surgeries I have come to believe there is NOTHING I can do to prevent them!

The predominant opinion for many here is that surgery may be the saviour to all the problems that we have, that may well be true or not, who knows. Even those who had had many surgeries still do not have the answer and why some work and others not will always be a mystery.

All surgery caries some risk and once equated to our current quality of life that minimal risk for positive change may well be an option, my condition itself determined what procedure I needed the fact that it did not work was more to do with me as an individual than the process itself. In that respect I would always support any process that may maintain or improve our symptoms, the finite improvements we are sometimes looking for are not possible with any procedures at times we are encouraged to think that anything is possible with surgery when it is not.

We need all our supporters to be positive and know the risk before we jump that leap of faith. We are all ever hopeful that any list would enable us to only use surgery as a last resort and wish those on this inevitable journey luck and success. I do not regret having my failed fusion done as life looking at the ground was not alternative, certainly all the suggestions will prove of benefit for the future and we would all like to think that in evading this last resort we had some influence.

Evidence here might suggest that multiple surgeries create separate issues at each attempt and nobody goes into any procedure lightly or without some trepidation.

Whatever works for you keep trying and looking for more?

Take care John

Well for me, I "PRAY"!! sweetpotatoe57

You always have a smile!

One of my ways, absolutely mindful fo what my back and legs are feeling, during every moment. I know what I can do and what I cannot just by being thoughtful.

I Walk - as much as I can stand and then I have down days where I take time to rest.

I stretch, even when I don't want to. I have stretching for bed and for the office chair and I only stay in the chair for 30 minutes max and then I am away walking.

I keep my self talk - pointing out that I am fine and that I have 3 billion blood cells, washing my spine with healing energy.

I know that I am blessed because I can still move.

A couple from myself.

maybe glucosamine may prevent ongoing DDD.

I had a 2 level lumbar fusion in 2003 when my first daughter was 15 months old.

When I finally recovered from that I became pregnant (the reason for going through fusion in the first place). Baby Phoebe was a Godsend, but also a torture for my back again. It took a while, but my 2 discs under my fusion are shot.

Oh, of course as I felt better I was gardening, lifting, etc..... my own worst enemy, but at the time I didn't realize what I was doing to my spine.

Now that I have another 2 level fusion scheduled (discs are almost totally gone), I will not be so foolish and will watch how I move, what I lift, etc.

I wish I was more careful the first time, but I just didn't get it, or really, I did but my kids needed me and there are just too many awkward movements all day long.

Sorry if I am rambling, this struck a cord with me.

Don't vacuum,rake leaves,or mop.ASK FOR HELP-something that is difficult for me.Slow down.It is easy to forget proper body mechanics when one is always rushing. Walk.SMILE at other's and treat people as you would like to be treated.Breathe deeply-it relaxes and oxygenates our body's.Decrease as much stress as you can.Realize what is really important.Eat properly.Don't smoke.Find back appropriate activities to keep from dwelling on pain. Don't twist to retrieve objects from back seat while in the car.Make a list of everything that increases back and read it daily.

I never want to forget the sacrifices that my family, friends and self made to get my health back. I cherish every day I live without pain, and use that as a motivator to take care of myself. I worry that even this is not enough, and still live in fear of another injury. But my resolve is stronger than my fear.

How to avoid another surgery? Positive attitude. Believing in myself.

-Melissa