ACDF C5/6 Same Day Surgery? - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

BABS42 · 09-04-2003, 03:36 PM

Has anyone had ACDF C5/6 with plate and hardware using your OWN bone and been sent home the same day, WITHOUT a collar. He says I will be able to get right up a few hours after surgery, go to the bathroom on my own, eat a little something and go home. I will also be able to shower the next day no problem, and should be able to drive 10 or so days after surgery. Is this normal or have I not been reading the right posts? Babs

more · 09-04-2003, 04:13 PM

I know I would not have been able to go home the same day!!! I had two levels done but from what I have read even one level is just as bad. I was admitted for surgery on Thursday at 7:00 AM - had surgery at 8:00 and did not even get to my room until 3:00 PM. I was not allowed to eat for 24 hours and was kept on the pain pump until 10:00 the Friday morning. The catheter was not taken out until Friday afternoon. I was then allowed to go home on Saturday, but was advised if I felt I needed another day it would not be a problem.

I was sent home with a Miami J (hard brace) to be worn 24/7 for six weeks (and I had hardware put in).

If they are talking 23 hours (which is considered same day surgery) maybe. But definitely not anything less than that.

Check some other posts here where people were sent home in less than 24 hours and were rushed back to ER.

My advice is question your surgeon again; or get a second opinion.

Icaaa · 09-04-2003, 07:49 PM

I had 24 hour surgery. I went in at 6am surgery at 8am discharged the next day at 9am. I came home with a soft collar for protection in a car or crowded situations. I took a shower the 2nd day I was home. Have someone sit in there with you. I was soooooooo tired. Make sure you have someone with you the first 3-5 days because it will take a while for the drugs to wear off.

Ask NS about antibiotics given through IV. Most of us had 2-3 bags.

I am curious if you will have a room assigned to you or from recovery to out the door.

Also, You might want to consider asking the NS if this is his practice or if your insurance is dictating this short stay.

Is the hospital in the same town that you live?

Ask about soreness in your throat.

I am sure many will have other ideas. Impower yourself with information.

Carla

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Ruptured retrieved 14 pieces ACDF with plating and donor bone C6-7. (7/18/03)

emb · 09-04-2003, 08:51 PM

Babs,

I just had this done, but I was in overnight. I might have been able to go home that evening, but I think it would have been hard. I was pretty loopy and couldn't pull myself out of bed because my neck hurt so much. At any rate my white blood count was low, so I was receiving IV antibiotics for 24 hours. My surgery was at 7 a.m. and I was released around 1 p.m. the next day. I was really ready to leave by then and even went into the video store and pharmacy with my husband on the way home.

I have a soft collar from previous PT, but I wasn't instructed to use it (though I've been using it when my neck gets tired at work). I was able to drive a limited amount within a week and I returned to work in two weeks. I will admit that the return to work has been a little rough, but I have almost made it through my first week back and it has gotten better each day.

Hope this helps. I think you might want to push your surgeon a bit about the same day release. Take copies of these posts if needed. Are you in an HMO, by chance?

Em

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Em
DDD, 8/15/03ACF c5-6 w/plating

emb · 09-04-2003, 08:57 PM

Babs,

Oh no. I misread your original post and just now realized that you are using your own bone (very tired-sorry). I understand that this is VERY painful. I take back everything I said. I had donor bone. I don't understand how your surgeon thinks you can go home the same night.

Em

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Em
DDD, 8/15/03ACF c5-6 w/plating