Hi all! I saw my surgeon today to chat before my fusion on the 19th. He said that I will not be in a brace after surgery(L5S1 fusion). I was kinda surprised since I hear many of you here have had one. He explained all the reasons why I would not need one, but I am curious how many of you have not had a brace. He made me feel really at ease about the surgery and my recovery, don't get me wrong he did not say it would be easy...he had a very calming way about him, which is nice since I am such a spas! I also saw my shrink today since I am having horrible Post Pardum Depression and anxiety like you would not believe, I am totally freaked out about the surgery. I am even more afraid that I will not make it through the operation, I know that sounds silly to some people but I am tortured by big time OCD and anxiety.Hopefully these new meds can help me put those thoughts in the right place. Just thought I would share that, I am looking for a little support! Hope you are all doing well. Melinda

Melinda,
So sorry you have to go thru this :rolleyes: I can totally understand being nervous. I don't know, but I think you can pull up my old pre-op posts, I had SO many questions and everyone on here was great! In all honesty, It was not as bad as I was afraid it would be. Not saying it ws a breeze, but I kept telling myself "just keep swimming" (Little Nemo motto) to get thru one day at a time, and you WILL be OKAY :)

Go ahead and ask away, there are plenty of us here who have "been there, done that", that can try to help... just sleep well, and stock your house up on the things you'll want after surgery. Read the post op tips, and BREATHE, you will make it through, and you will be okay.

Best wishes.

Thank you StMishl, I appreciate your kind words. Melinda

Melinda...you mentioned post-partum depression, so if you have a new baby it's quite natural to have anxiety of whether you'll actually make it through the operation or not. Once we have children, our natual instinct is to protect them and for me, whether it's surgery or flying on an airplane, my first thought is what happens to my kids if I don't make it.

Regarding the brace... I didn't have one. I'd be interested to hear what your doctor thoughts were on not having it would be. Mine basically said he wants the body to do what the body naturally wants to do... heal itself. And, by using a brace, it softens the muscles that actually need to build up in order to strengthen to make the back stronger.

I'm sooo grateful for not having one. And my recovery is going GREAT. :bouncing:

TxHunni, My doc basically said the same thing in regards to the brace. He also said that in order to brace that area "correctly" you would need a brace over your hips and down your legs. He will use a few screws and donor bone from my hip, he also said that I could shower after 3 days which I am thrilled about! I have long hair that will end up in a big greasy knot. The knot part will come from my husband trying to brush it out!Melinda