I am still trying to get prepared for this surgery on Dec. 17........will they put a cath in for this surgery, prior to the procedure? I am thinking they will, but anyone know for sure? The surgery will be at least four hours and a two level fusion.

I don't imagene they'll want you to trying to get to the toilet anyways, but wondering if it goes in before or AFTER the surgery?

Thanks guys,
Mkangas

mKangas~

Welcome to the board! You can pretty much bet they will put a cath. in. I would guess not before (that is not while you are still awake). I would say most likly right after you are out. I had my fusion last June and I did wake with one in.

What levels are they doing? Lumbar? What are they all going to use? Rods, screws, etc. etc.? I only have cages and my own bone for the graft. Will you be using your own bone? Is the surgery posterior, anterior, or both? What kind of brace will you be using?

If I don't hear from you before........ I wish you the very best while in surgery and pain free after all said and done. If you have any more questions please feel free to ask. Please post when you can to fill us in.

EmtShirl http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif

I am so pathetic, I am laying here waiting for someone to post..lol....

yes, it is lumbar: L3-4 and L4-5. He is not using graft, but bone dowels. Yes, screws and rods. They won't have to be removed, he said, though.

How long were you in the hospital? Does the morphine work? He told me I would be a world of pain for three days, but would keep me on the IV meds. I am worried about how severe the pain will be when I wake up.

I don't have to use the heavy plastic "shell" type brace because of the hardware. Just the velcro strapped "warm and form" brace that I already have, I guess.

Let me know more... thank YOU!
Mkanga

Dear MKanga..
Welcome to the Boards Kanga, what shirl siad is right i never had mine in While i was awake but woke up with it..

I had mine in for 5 days but it should come out way before that i belive, on about day three or when you are able to get up the Toilet. I had Numb Trouble down there, and it took me a bit longer to get rid of it..

Morhine works very well, Your Doc is right you will be in some discomfort for the first few days, But the Nurses can give you some other Meds to help you..

I was in for 12 day's but that was here in 'England' in the 'USA' i hear a lot are out within 5 day's..

Like you Kanga, I too did not need the 'Brace' as i had srews rods and Cages my consultant siad it was such a good fixing he could have picked me up by it, (I do not like thinking about that picture http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif )

If we can help you any more let us know.. And you keep us updated Bean..

Love Pebbles xxxxx http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

Hi again!

Oh no you are not pathetic! By no means! You are just very nervous. I know I have been there and still there since I now an awaiting cervical surgery. I already had two lumbar surgeries this year! My last was the fusion of L4-5 and L5-S1.

With my fusion I used my bone and only cages. No, rods or screws. I was in the hospital for 5 days. I could not use Morphine because I am allergic to it. Bummer hey? Yes, I am glad he did not lie to you. You will be in a lot of pain. Be thankful though that you are not using the bone for the graft. Some people had more pain with the harvest site then anything else. I was one of the lucky ones......mine didn't hurt much at all. I also stayed on IV meds for 3 days.

Try not to worry about the pain after. You can tell them the pain you are in and they should give you more meds. to keep you somewhat comfortable. Don't wait too long to say you hurt and don't candy coat it. Tell them how you feel. No sense in suffering.

My brace wasn't the "turtle shell" type that I have seen but mine was a vertalign. It had an opening for air to get in in the back and an opening right where the breast could come through. Yea it looked pretty stupid! lol

What more would you like to know? Ask away. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/biggrin.gif That is what we all do best here. That is to help others get through this before and after.

Shirl http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif

HI. I too woke with one. You shouldn't worry about having one, you should worry about getting it out! I didn't want to have mine removed as then it means you must get up to use the toilet. I had the hard horrible brace even though I have all the hardware. That thing was the pits! Honestly though, when I got mine removed, I wished that I had it still in. It was very difficult using the toilet!

Hey Stilljustagirl...

I know what you mean about the toilet! lol...I have one of those toilet risers from prior surgeries... should I get that out and dust it off?

Thanks girl friend and to all who have responded.
Mkangas

MK,

I've never had this surgery, so I don't know what the procedures are, BUT, you can always tell your surgeon that if the nurses have an option of when to put it in, YOU want it in after you've been put under (or been given meds). Is this surgery done under general anesthesia? If so, in order to place the endotracheal tube, you have to be first on your back (preferred position for placing a cathedar - male or female).

Don't worry about the worries. We're all there with ya (well, maybe not for the cath). http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/redface.gif

Good luck!

KM

Hi and welcome mkangas http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif
I have never had this surgery but wanted to wish you the best on Dec. 17!!! I had a catheter in once (for another procedure) and the main thing was that afterwards, to prevent urinary tract infections, I was supposed to drink a lot of juice and go to the bathroom often.

Best wishes,
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif Telzey

Hi mkanga,

I had a fusion about a yr and a half ago. A catheter was put in while i was asleep. When i woke up, it was still there. They wanted to remove it the next day but since i couldn't get up. They kept it an extra day then had PT come work with me. After a fusion, you will not care about the cath. It saves you the hassle of getting out of bed and using the bathroom. Good luck and best wishes with your surgery. Just remember to take it slow. The first couple wks are rough but it does get better. Jennifer