Hi, I would like to hear from anyone who could explain to me about how long fusion is supposed to take and the problems of smoking that I hear interfere with fusion happening at all or taking longer. Thanks in advance.
Lin
HI,
I have been told that a fusion can take up to a year for a solid fuse, but if my Dr. had a smoking patient you would have to stop for a year before he would touch you. Some feel a year is too long, he wants to make sure you have the best chance for a solid fuse. The only problem I know of is a decreased chance of fusion, or a weak fuse resulting.
I have had 4 attempts at a two level fusion since 10/03 so I have yet to know personally how long it takes for a successful one. I have not smoked for 19 years so I don't think that is the problem. There are many other factors that need to be considered also, weight is a big one too, the heavier you are the less chance of success. My Dr. has a cutoff weight, he won't operate over a certain weight.
I wish you good luck.
Carol
__________________
"Thru every dark corner is a door to a new light"
(Dana Reeve)
I thankyou both for your responses to my questions.....now when you mention decreased chance of fusion or a weak fusion resulting,...if that would happen would that mean that sometime in the future you might have to go through this nightmare again? ....I also was wondering how do they for lack of a better word "test" to see if the fusion is complete or good?.....I'm guessing a xray might show that?....thanks!
My daughter's dr has shown me on the x-ray where new bone growth is evident. It has shown up as a brighter white. She is ten months post op and at 8 months he told us the process was progressing nicely, but wouldn't say she was complete. He also told us the only true way to be sure that a fusion is solid is to go in and check. We all laughed becuase he certainly won't go in and do that. cas
Everything I have read states that smoking will delay healing. You should stop smoking a minimum of 2 weeks prior to surgery. I too am a smoker awaiting to see when and if they will finally help to give me back my life. I had stopped only to have a quack for a neuro visit that had me smoking again before I went home. If you continue to smoke up to the day of surgery and they actually agree do the surgery, statistics show that healing could be delayed up to 1 year. Newer techniques show that complete fusion can be attained in 3 months with minimally invasive surgery. Isn't that exciting? What once was 1 to two years can be that soon! Quitting smoking is very difficult. There is so much stress and when you are on pain meds, you want to smoke too so you have a double whammy. I truly believe that a carrot dangling over your head by a surgeon stating he/she will do their best to help you get your life back is one of the best motivators of all. Good luck to you my friend and wish me luck as well because I still battle with it every day. I have been waiting for 2 1/2 months for another neuro visit since my last bad visit and I am on pins and needles as mine is tomorrow. Take care and keep us posted!
Thankyou for the info, I will keep that in mind and ask my own GP about that cause after I had my followup with the neurosurgeon he said nothing about coming back and seeing him in 3 or 6 months or ever to check how things ended up..............
Lin
Thankyou for the info, I will keep that in mind and ask my own GP about that cause after I had my followup with the neurosurgeon he said nothing about coming back and seeing him in 3 or 6 months or ever to check how things ended up..............
Lin
Seahorse 8,
Have been away from the boards for a bit, but I will share info from my spine surgeon.
First, smoking decreases the oxygen, therefore reduces the cells for new bone growth. Hope you can give up the smoking to increase your chances for a great recovery.
Thankyou all for your input, I am still smoking and for many reasons would love to say that I am a "ex-smoker", yes it is hard and what a stupid habit to start in the first place isn't it?.....and LLincoln I do wish you luck also. I think what is sad for me is I had my surgery fast cause of the nerve problems I was having in my right arm and almost non-use of that arm (its a long story)
and wasn't told anything except the basics which now I'm finding out that is definitely not how I wanted things but thats another story. I found this board after I had my surgery and wish I would of found it before. Again thanks all for your input.
Lin
smoking & fusion questions/help 
....I also was wondering how do they for lack of a better word "test" to see if the fusion is complete or good?.....I'm guessing a xray might show that?....thanks! 
Re: smoking & fusion questions/help 
