Message for Esmo77 - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

wimpette · 03-20-2005, 08:50 AM

Just wanted to know if you had your redo surgery and how it went. I remember it was scheduled for late February. Hope all's well - if you have time please let us know how things went and how you're feeling.
W

Esmo77 · 03-22-2005, 11:09 AM

Sorry I did not see this sooner. I am doing very well as far as I know. I am off the major pain meds and on the lighter ones (vicodin). This surgery was by far worse than the first (ACDF) even though I had MAJOR complications after the ACDF I still consider the pain and recovery period for posterior quite a bit worse. My scar is SOOO long and the doc would have failed beauty school. You should see my hair, it is a real mess. I had approx. 40 staples and 6 stitches between the neck and hip incision. 2 days in hospital this time (glad that is over, the ortho floor is the worst for care, pain injections was the ONLY positive aspect of that place). Thanks so very much for asking about me. I cannot wait until I can get out of the Aspen and into the soft collar. Glad to hear you are doing so well at 4 months post op. That is very encouraging. Take Care.

wimpette · 03-22-2005, 11:46 AM

Glad you're doing so well. I found that after about a month I was able to get off all pain meds, just suddenly seemed to feel better from one day to the next. I had my hair cut very short before my procedure and although he took a bit more off he did a very neat job. I've been lucky with my scar, very straight although long and fading rapidly - told my surgeon that if he gave up neuro he could be a plastic surgeon! I had a pain pump post op so I could give my own pain meds when needed - I found that very useful as like you, this was definitely a much more painful procedure than the anterior approach when I took nothing post op.

Keep up the progress, take it slow, and if you get sore or tired BACK OFF! Ironically, although I really looked forward to getting out of my hard collar I found I needed to sleep with it on for a while, it seemed more comfortable. Amazing how the body adapts.

Take care,
W

Ander · 03-23-2005, 04:48 PM

Wow, I am scheduled for a posterior next Thursday. I had ACDF on levels C4-C6 (with C3-4 fused naturally) 4 years ago. The lower level did not heal and now I need the posterior for level C5-6. Esmo77, how many levels did you have done? I am really scared about this whole thing. How much hair do they cut off? I have below shoulder length. Would it help to have it braided pre surgery? The surgeon did great on my anterior scar, I am also worried about the size and shape of the new scar. I know it will be more painful I have been warned about that. My pre-surgery appointment is not until the day before surgery and I have so many questions. Any information you can give me would help so much! Thanks.

wimpette · 03-24-2005, 04:26 PM

Hi Ander,
I underwent a posterior fusion following a failed anterior fusion C5-7. Unlike you, both levels had failed to fuse and I had additional symptoms from another level so my repeat surgery was a three level fusion (C4-7). If you have long hair all the surgeon is likely to do is to cut an area aound where he'll make the incision - it'll be well covered by the rest of your hair. My scar on the back, although longer than the front looks terrific and will probably not be noticeable by the end of a year.

Yes, it's a rougher post op course than an ACDF but from my point of view, almost five months out, more than worth it. I was off work a lot longer and even now am very careful what and how I lift things. I get sore at the end of a busy day but this does not compare to the pain and weakness pre op. You're only having one level done so it should be much easier. As I mentioned to Esmo I cannot overemphasise the need to take things very slowly, I am lucky that I found a physical therapist who is curbing me and preventing me from overdoing it.

Try to relax, I also was petrified before this operation, more so than I have ever been in my life, and found the anticipation was the worst part. Before your pre op visit just remember to list your questions for the surgeon on a piece of paper as you're bound to forget things and have someone with you to remember the answers that you were too nervous to take in.

Good luck,
W