How long before doing any household stuff? - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

SKZ · 12-04-2006, 04:19 PM

For those of you that had a 2 level ACDF: ( I am hoping mine is 2 and not 3!)
About how long is a smart and reasonable time after the surgery when I can start doing things like making bag lunches, a little cooking (not heavy cleaning or anything like that), feeding the dog....stuff like that? I am trying to kind of plan ahead if its possible, as far as me being out of commission. A women's work is never done. I went and spoiled my sweet husband for the last 5 yrs., and now he is used to me doing stuff. (he does alot of great things for me too..but I am the one who runs the house alot.) T Y P I C A L !

pleasestop · 12-05-2006, 02:37 PM

I asked my surgeon that after my ACDF Nov.14. I wanted to know how long I needed the church to provide meals, he said give it 2 weeks. By 3 days though I was up in the AM getting hubby's lunch ready. Let your body tell you, I still haven't vacumed, I got my 21 yr old son to visit his mummy and do it

CzechSamantha · 12-05-2006, 03:04 PM

I was up about about doing those things probably a few days after getting home.

Funny story after my surgery the next day while going home i knocked over my drink at the hospital and i was all alone so i got out of bed and picked it up myself. It was a horrible hospital though.

I was back to work 2 weeks after surgery

NYD · 12-05-2006, 08:36 PM

Ths is a serious surgery. Most people here that have had issues are a direct result of doing work to quickly. Hopefully this will be your only spinal fusion, take it easy and allow your bdy to heal itself. Sure lots of people do stuff right after and get away with it. Don't risk it. 4 weeks out of your life is a very short time to do nothing but heal. Get yo ur hubby or family member to step up and take on a little more.

I did nothing but heal. I'm just past 3 months post op and I am 95% of what I was. I have no pain. It is human nature to want to do what you used to do. This is your time to get better.

I would do as little as possible for 2 months.

Good Luck.

dennisgb · 12-06-2006, 07:11 AM

TAKE IT SLOW!!!!

Everyone thinks that they can do things normally after this surgery, and it is a big, big mistake.

If you search the archives on this site you will find many who tried to do too much too quickly, and paid for it. Some with failed fusions, some who needed surgery again.

It takes one full year for complete fusion.

You should be very careful in the first few weeks. You will be on weight lifting restrictions. Listen to the doctor and don't lift anything heavier than the restriction. That means, vacuum cleaners, bags of groceries, presents for Christmas...pretty much everything, including a gallon of milk.

Be very careful...and take it slow.

Dennis