Thank you all for your well wishes and prayers. It must of help a lot. The nurses said they seen some speedy recoveries but never seen anything like me LO. I was walking the hallways with my walk man CD player listening to some U2, half hour after I come to my room after surgery. They send me home yesterday because their was no reason to keep me.

Don’t be fooled for those having surgery, I still have pain and soreness around the hips and this is normal. But this is my third one and I know what to expect. The doctor told me if I don’t start being more careful, the next surgery will be with rods and bolts. It’s hard when you feel better that you still can’t do everything you want but I better start learning.

I’ll be home for 3 weeks because the doctor won’t release me back to work for 3 weeks so I’ll be here writing and wishing other well because It does Help!!!!!!!!

Thanks again to all and talk soon because I’m already getting bored watching TV. No plays station until Monday due to I jump of the cheer. 

Hi Dutch. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

I'm so happy that the surgery went well, please take it easy, and I will be praying for you http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/angel.gif

Be Well,
Baxter http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/love2.gif

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Two level laminectomy fusion L5-S1 & L2-3 done on 12/6/02.
Fifteen inch scar from the very top of butt crack (sorry), to the bra line.
BAK cages, rods & screws.(Titanium)
My pelvic bone was used for grafting.
Praying that the other two discs in between, won't have to be fused later, as I was told it was a possibility, due to the other two discs in between, not being in that great of shape.
Doc didn't want to fuse four levels, unless it is really necessary.
I would hate to repeat the surgery, as the recovery period, is so very painful.
I also have a free fragment in my T11-12 area, that I'm still refusing surgery for, at this point in time.
That surgery is way too dangerous for me to consider, until if affects my being able to walk.

[This message has been edited by BAXTER (edited 02-08-2003).]

Dutch400
What kind of surgery did you have that you can go back to work in 3 weeks? That's good...

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Sher

Hi Dutch http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif
Congratulations on your quick recovery. Hope it continues to go as well for you...

Stay in touch with us all here; that'll keep you from getting too bored during those weeks of rest!

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

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4 years of back pain
Annular tear L5-S1 diagnosed 3/02 via MRI
IDET 12/2/02
Still worse pain than pre-op, am told to wait 3-6 months for improvement

Hi Cher

I had a disc fragement removed from the L4 L5 Level. Its the third time they had to do it because I cant behave myself. The doc said he cleaned around the nerve. Its not as Invasive as a fusion so the recovery is shorter. Plus I don't do well sitting around the house for to long.

I toke my fist shower today and I feel much better http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif
Nico

Whoooooa! Dutch. You are doing great!!!
I have been looking through the posts to find the same problem as me.
L 4-5 disc fragment.
I have been so scared hearing about so many people with horrible pain for months and years after back surgery.

You are the first one I read with removal of a disc fragment.

were you having leg pain and numbness and muscle weakness in the leg?
What were your symptoms that led you to the neurosurgeon?

I'm so glad to hear you are doing so well.
You have no idea how much better I feel now.

Truthfully though, please tell me what I can expect when I wake up from surgery. How much pain? Where is the pain? What is effective for pain relief?

thanks.

HI JACKI

Sorry for the delay. I had pain down the leg with tingling in the foot. Also my leg just did not feel right. Pushing on a certain part of my back would shoot a lightning of pain down to my toe.
If you have lots of pain in your leg below the knee the pain after surgery should feel like a releive pain.

This is day seven for me and the back pain were they operated is getting better every day.

SO if you just don't wan't to live with the pain any more and all test and systoms are from a ruptured disc I say go for it. But remeber you are not getting a new back, just a fix. I did a lot of thing I should have not done. Thats way this was # 3 For me.

Hops this helps
Nico

Hey there Nico,
thanks for the update. As you must know, its comforting to hear good things from people who are doing well after the same procedure I will have.

You say you are feeling better and better each day and today is day 7, but could you be more specific?
About the surgical pain, that is.
I'm sure the incision itself hurts but what about inside. Is there a lot of deep pain?
Does darvocet make you comfortable?
Are you able to sit in a chair with no pain?
Are you able to stand for 30 minutes without pain?
Are you able to walk for 30 minutes without pain?
Or at 7 days are you still on bed rest with only a few walks around the house?
I've got to keep tabs on you Nico, because 5 weeks after my surgery I've got an 11 hour flight and of course all the waiting around in the airport they make you do. I need to make sure I'll be able to do it.

I'm sending my 'healing vibes' your way.
Be cool.
Jackie

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Jackie K1
L4-5 herniated w/ free fragment pressing on sciatic nerve.

Hi Jacki

Here is a history regarding my back

At age 19 had a massive disc fragment removed L4-L5 Took only a week to heal and I was back to work, with no pain.

At age 24 same thing took longer to heal due to an infection that but me back in the hospital for 2 weeks.

2 years ago ruptured the same disc again. The surgery that I had last week was larger, then your will have. The reason is that it was the 3 time, in the same place so they had to open me up more.

It still have pain underneath the scar and walking and standing still hurt. This week I start walking a mile a day and swimming. Sitting Is not bad, but will always have problems with that. Remember once that disc ruptures, DDD sets in. Its like having a flat tire in your back. When I fly, I always take seat were I can get up every 30 min and walk to the bath room.

Lots of people do very well with this surgery and back on their feet with a month so I think you’ll do fine.
Nico