Hello Everyone:wave:
I am scheduled for an L4/L5 posterior on October 25. I was wondering about the trip home. We live 45 miles away so it will be along ride. The car has leather seats. What can I expect. Should I try to lay down or sit up? Will there be stitches or staples? As time draws near, I am getting more scared. I know that it is normal - but it is still hard to have this much time to think about it.:confused:
It is so comforting to read all the threads. I have learned so much - I hope that I am ready.

just had the same upgrade as you plus the S1 along with the 4 and 5. For The ride home you will need to recline, not lay down, just recline. You will have a 30 minute time limit for setting so they recommend stopping and getting out for a stretch, and then finish the trip. Take your pain meds one hour before you ride home, this will help. Place a plastic garbage bag on the seat so you can slide in and out easy. Try to find a van that is easy to get in and out of.
you will have tape strips holding the seam together. You should get all the tips of does and don'ts when they discharge you for care at home.
Please do not let fear of the unkown make you crazy. I am 8 weeks post op and the pain for me is 95% all gone. The first three weeks will be very hard on you at home, but as time goes by, you will be glad that you had it done. Each day as I walk to the mail box I am so glad that I had the fusion done. I can stand up straight like I use to years ago. No more slumping or sloutching to avoid pain. Slow and steady, relax and rest, and let it happen. This to shall pass.

HI,
My best lil tidbit of advise is find a one step step stool if you have a higher vehicle. It made all the difference in the world for me. It made getting in so much better, I was then at the same level as the floor of the car, just had to step across instead of up & in. I also used it for getting in & out of bed (we have a high bed) and definatly for reaching things in the kitchen cabinets to.

I had a 3 hour ride home from hospital, I agree with CGD 100%, take your meds and stop & get out, no matter how much it may hurt to, I didn't get out for the first 2 hrs of the trip, I regretted it big time when I did get up. I reclined all the way back and had a pillow behind my head. I was able to sleep so I wasn't in too much pain if I could sleep. I will be praying for you.

God Bless & Good Luck

Carol

Hi I had l4l5 and l5/s1 fused and had staples, 25 minute ride home in my mom's car. They dosed me up before I left and I don't remember the ride home! I had a walker to use when I got out of the car to get inside.

Best Wishes, Gclane. Our trip home from the hospital was only ten minutes, but my daughter was very nauseous much of the time in the hospital. So for her I wish I would have had some large zip loc bags with us that we could have used when she got sick. We could have just zipped the bag shut then. cas

Lots of luck, best wishes, and a speedy recovery after your upcoming surgery! I just had laminectomy surgery on the 21st and went home 2 days later. I had about a 2 hour drive to look forward to but the docs and nurses all said to stop every 20 to 30 minutes and stretch as much as I could or try to stand up outside the car if possible. I sat in the front passenger seat with a pillow behind my upper back so that I could kind of lean back without leaning my lumbar area into the seat as it was tender and painful. I also had long pillows tucked under my armpits for kind of side support. I have to say it won't be an easy ride so you'll have to just bear with it....but make sure the hospital gives you meds before your trip home. They gave me some painkillers and muscle relaxants which did help me ALOT for the trip home. The hospital was great, they set me up with a nurse and physical therapist to call on...nurse in case i notice any wound problems, pt to come here and make sure im moving around in the proper ways so not to damage myself or hiner my healing. I live in another state as where I had my surgery, but the hospital set everything up for me.

Also, since I cant bend, twist or really use my back muscles yet...I am having to use my arms alot. I imagine you may have to end up using your arms alot more as well. After 2 days of me using my arms and legs to get me up my arm muscles are aching! But i'll get over it. I am just so happy that the post surgery pain is so much different that my pre-surgery pain...and it seems my problem, for now, has been successfully treated!! I hope the same success for you!

Hi-
I was very dizzy and nausous for my entire hospital stay. The hospital staff insisted I had to ride home in my hard brace - bolt upright. That was my first fusion trip home (40 minutes, a very bitter memory despite pain killers). So for my 2nd fusion ride home from Boston, almost 3 hours, I insisted on being able to lie down. All the way down! I did and I was sooooo much better off. Nothing like the first time. My husband and friend had to gently pull me till I could position myself to get out but it wasn't a problem.
Best of luck - Suzy-Q

Hello, your nervousness is understandable. I hope this will ease your mind a little. My drive home was only 25 mins. but I think these few tricks could help you. 1. Have the nurse give you your morning meds. later in the morning, 30 mins. prior to leaving. By the time you get to your car, it will have started to work. 2. Have someone pick up your meds. prior to taking you home from the hospital. (take the 'long acting' med. 30 mins. before you leave and have your driver bring your "break through" meds. and a bottle of water with him. You can take them on the way home, if your initial med. stars to wear off. 3. Have your driver put a plastic trash bag on the seat of the car. It makes getting in and out much easier. Finally, if your car happens to be low to the ground, consider renting or borrowing an SUV or a car that is higher off the ground. The closer to the road you are, the more you tend to feel every bump and turn.

I really did not have a problem. I just reclined back enough to where I wasn't siting straight up and I braced myself by holding the door handle and my foot firmly to the ground:) I really did not have a problem. I hope yours goes just as well. Looking back at my situation...I would not worry at all about the ride home, but would put my energy into making sure my house is ready and my meds were all here before I got home. Once the meds start to wear off...you'll be glad that you are prepared.

Lorie

Thanks everyone for the wonderful advice. I am trying to make sure that the house is ready when I get home. I loved the idea about the meds before I leave the hospital. This should really help. Did anyone have to go to a rehabilitation hospital after their surgery? My workmen's comp case worker said this might be a possibility. I don't really want to do this since I have wonderful family members that will take care of me.
Rest peacefully everyone - and hopefully pain free.:angel: