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March 5, 2011 - 3:20pm
7 weeks post surgical l4,l5 ALIF
just a note to those who have put off surgery after hearing so many horror stories. I had degenerative spondilothesisis and lived with horrible sciatica for years because of all the stories I had heard. Now I wish I had the surgery done a long time ago because I am pain free for the first time in years. I had ALIF surgery done on L4,L5 disc along with pedicle screws and rods put in. They are so much better about pain management in the hospital these days. It's been years since I had surgery Back then I remember after 3 hours begging for another pain shot. Now with the morphine pump there was little discomfort and after the pump was removed I had dilaudid shots and pain pills. Was walking 1 day after surgery with a cane and was home after 3 days. I am mostly pain free from the surgical area - some discomfort in the incision area in front but MUCH better than sciatica pain!! I am walking for about an hour a day now - something I couldn't have dreamed of prior to surgery. If you find a surgeon you feel comfortable with and have faith in then don't put it off. My life was on hold for way too long and now I'm looking forward to being able to enjoy it again!!
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I'm happy for you,hope you continue to feel better.
10/09 ALIF L4/5
12/11 PLIF L4/5 with instrumentation.
Really good to hear a good positive story about ALIF. Im due in next week for ALIF L5/S1, and quite apprehensive.
Hope you continue to progress well.
ALIF L5/S1 31/03/11 - Successful
:)
Discectomy & Decompression L5/S1 22/12/09 - failed
Tried caudal epidurals, lumbar epidurals, facet injections, physio, acupunture, oral and trans-dermal opiods prior to fusion.- all failed to help
am 2 weeks and 2 days post op on l5/S1 ALIF - was terrified pre-op but the results are already starting to show - much reduced pain already, except when I overdo it and feel like crap.
The first couple of days post-op were awful but I spiked a fever of 103 and got sent back to hospital so hopefully your transition back home will be easier!
I waited 25 years to do this and find the right doc so - good luck!
Hey adrianl, great to hear you are starting to get good results so early into your recovery. I hope i follow you :)i go in in 3 days, im sooo worried about the abdominal incision and pain.
wow that is some temperature! did you get an infection?
i too tried to search the right surgeon, not 25 yrs mind
My op has been cancelled 3 times, im hoping this one doesnt end up the same, as im nearly there in the mental preparation.
thank you, and good luck in your recovery
ALIF L5/S1 31/03/11 - Successful
:)
Discectomy & Decompression L5/S1 22/12/09 - failed
Tried caudal epidurals, lumbar epidurals, facet injections, physio, acupunture, oral and trans-dermal opiods prior to fusion.- all failed to help
Glad to hear you both are recovery nicely from your ALIF.
wish you both continued Wellness!
V
I too was scared of having this surgery because of all the horrible stories I read on group pages like this. I am 56 years old and had my surgery 3 months ago on L4 L5 with disk graph and rods and screws. I will admit the pain I had after the surgery far exceeded any pain I had before. There were days when I wondered if I had made the correct decision. The worst thing was the pain in the opposite leg from the original problem. Muscle spasms were horrible and I still have small ones from time to time. The pain in the soles of the feet were awful with a lighting bolt of pain shooting out of my big toe. The Dr. said it would get better, probably a nerve was touched or bruised during surgery. And it has. Around the 2 and a half month mark, I felt the best I had felt in about a year. I will return to work in about 2 weeks. I would have never believed it would take 3 months to recover from a surgery. So if you are considering this surgery, know the recovery time is long and if you cannot take 3 months out of work it would be hard to go back earlier. I took my Dr's advice--he told me to decide if I wanted to do the surgery at this point in my life while I was in relatively good shape, or be an 80 year old woman trying to recover from such a serious surgery. I am happy I had the surgery and would do it again. I am looking forward to getting back to work and getting back to my routine...something I could not do with the sciatic pain before. Good luck to all