I'm having my surgery next week and after reading lots on the subject I wonder if I'm correct in assuming that since I'm not having fusion my recovery will be easier?

I want to prepare myself for what to expect once I get home - I'm a single parent. I'm having hemilaminectomy and facetectomy and something else - I think foramenotomy (not sure - don't have my paperwork here with me). I have compressed nerve root at L5 and herniation and osteophytes.

Can you guys give me a heads up on what I need to do to prepare for going home the day after surgery? Is it really possible I could go home the next day? I know I need to ask my surgeon some of this but wanted to ask some of you who've been through it too. Thanks in advance for your response! Becky :)

Hi,

I had this done in 2001 (L4,L5) - It was no where near as incapacitating (for me) as the fusion was. I was only in hopital 2 days. Will you have Micro or an open surgery? As for what you can do to prepare at home, I cleaned, cleaned, cleaned guess I'm one of the crazy ones that would clean the house for the maid to come, I more straightened & organized things to better enable my family & friends to find things easier i.e. linens, food, clothing etc.. I only needed help the 1st couple weeks, then I was good - actually too good ~ that's when you have to be VERY VERY careful and NOT overdo. Being a single parent, are your children still young? If they are a little older they will be a huge help - if they're young you may need some extra help around the house for the 1st week or so. I know after the 1st week my husband had to return to work and I had nobody to help me and was on my own til he came home. Some things I remember are Thermos (coffee) mini ice bucket for cold drinks and snacks he'd prepare for me each morning the 1st week - after that I could care for myself fairly well during the day. Seems I needed help with other stuff like hair washing, showering and the dreaded shaving of the legs. The 1st week I didn't much care - by the 2nd I did and it helps if someone can help with that. I'm sorry if these aren't the things your seeking answers to....if I can answer anything else just yell;)

Best of Luck to you ~
you'll do FINE!

Hugs,
Bionic Witch

:wave: Hi, I too am preparing things at home to be ready when I come home from the hospital, I am having a PLIF on the 28th. Boy, when you don't feel like cleaning, it is a huge chore to get things ready. We took the shower doors off and hung a shower curtain to make it easier to get in the shower, I have a grabber to pick things up, I'm putting my laptop beside the bed so that I can have that to help occupy the time. I think I have about everything except a walker and raised potty seat. Good luck on your surgery. :angel:

Wow - thank you for your responses. I hadn't thought about not being able to pick stuff up. My surgery is Thursday, come home Friday and my two will be home - ages 15 and 10. So, they can do lots for me. I'm hoping my MOMMY will come to see me on Saturday and pamper me a bit. Isn't it funny, it doesn't matter how old I get - when the going gets tough, I want my MOM! lol

So, do you think I'll be ok at home by myself by Monday when the kids go back to school? I'm going to get a tv tray or something to put beside my bed for extra stuff and I've got my laptop so I'll stay connected plus I just bought a new couch with a great chaise on it - I never had one and I love it. I think my biggest worry is getting in and out of bed, but I hadn't thought about bending, stooping and reaching - that will all be difficult, huh?

I went home from work last night and I've had the urge to get things in order before my surgery so I replaced a few light bulbs, mopped a floor - and that did it for me. I had such a horrible burning in my leg I had to take pain med and go to bed. It didn't get rid of the pain and I had a hard time getting comfortable - but it did eventually knock me out. I hate living like this. I'll be so glad to have the surgery over and be on the road to recovery.

Any more advice or suggestions - I would sure welcome and appreciate! Thanks - you guys are great. Becky

Becky, first of all, good luck on your surgery. You will definitely want to get a grabber. You wont be able to bend, lift or twist after your surgery for a few weeks at least. I also moved as many things as possible up above the waist to make them easy to reach. I also really liked having a raised toilet seat. You may want to get a long handled fork or something you can use to flush the toilet. I could not reach the handle the first week home. I used a hammer and it worked well.

I expect you will be fine at home alone. Just make sure you are set before they leave for the day. The people at the hospital will teach you how to get out of bed so you should be okay there as well. Good luck!

Alan

It will be open rather than micro surgery, involving (i found out today) L4 to S1. Today they say an 'extended hemilaminectomy with facetectomy at L5.

Where do you buy a grabber? I'm thinking I want to pick one up!

:wave: I found my grabber at Walgreens.

Good Luck to you with your surgery! You will do great! The grabber is a must, it will make life so much easier. I have one in my truck too, I have a brace on so when I have dropped my keys or phone when getting out of the car I can now pick it up. I had to kick my keys to the front of a store once for an employee to pick them up for me, and I dropped my phone in a parking lot and I had to lift my shirt to show the car waiting for me to move that I had a brace on and couldn't pick up my phone, she put it in park and got out to get it for me. Nice Lady! One was bought at Home Depot, the other folds in half and my husband bought it for me at Walgreens. God Bless :angel: Lots of prayers for your surgery and recovery!
Jean

Lots of luck with your surgery! You should be fine to be home alone on Monday if your surgery is on Thursday. Just make sure that someone helps you get everything you need set up before they leave so you don't have to lift anything. You'll want to get up and walk around, but NO LIFTING, TWISTING, OR BENDING! The grabber is a huge help- I wish I had had that for after my first surgery. I was so grateful to have it after my fusion (they gave it to me in the hospital). I didn't have a raised toilet seat with the first surgery either- and again I've found it to be so helpful after my second one. I am 6 weeks post-op and I'm still using it. If you have a recliner, I would recommend using that after surgery. I used one after both of my surgeries, and found it's the best thing for me to sit/lay in. Hope this helped!