Surgery.....soon!

**Travelernsg** · 11-07-2011, 06:02 AM

A sleepless night before surgery. After all my months of internet research I've only now come across this forum. I pre-op at 0700 for a minimal invasive partial discectomy. My constant pain of going on six months today hopefully will be relieved and replaced with the pain on surgery. At least the surgery pain will dissipate in a predictable fashion. I'll update during my down time how it's going and likely have questions to pose for conversation. Final shower and scrub time before loading the address into the gps..........

**ajj1001** · 11-07-2011, 06:19 AM

hope it goes well. look forward to hearing from you post op.

**Justin** · 11-07-2011, 08:39 PM

Here's to a successful surgery!

Please keep us posted, as you are able. Wishing you the very best.

**Travelernsg** · 11-08-2011, 02:13 AM

Well, I'm not quiet through POD 1 and what a difference!! Anesthesia, post operative speaking, didn't treat me well. Out side of that the procedure went smoothly. I busted out in tears from the flood of relief when I returned to my pacu stretcher after my first walk. I have surgical pain and nothing else!! No tingling left foot, left low back pain, and no sciatica ( that commonly had a vague cramping calves association)!
My surgeon told my family post-procedure that the nerve that was pend has a significant amount of inflammation. Three or four days I might have some residual numbness or sciatica, but so far so good!! My post-op instructions have me walking as much as possible, limited sitting, no driving, and no lifting above 15 lbs.

WooHoo

Stephanie

**Gilbert P** · 11-08-2011, 09:08 PM

Hello

Glad your surgery is over take it slow slow and easy

Keep us posted

I miss some of your post what was your surgery?

Thanks

Gil'

**Travelernsg** · 11-09-2011, 02:24 AM

Hey Gill,

The surgery that was completed was a laminotomy with discectomy on the left at level L5-S1. Minimally invasive, though I still required general anesthesia and respiratory support via intubation. I'm at POD 2 and feeling as I expect. Site is sore and the area is stiff with a dull pain. Movement and pressure ( from the bed or ice pack) increase the discomfort but it's tolerable and generally intermittent. At the 48 hour mark I'm cleared to shower!!

Very exciting resuming ADL's! I think when I'm cleared to drive the first place I'll head is to the beach to toes in the sand time. I missed a good part of the beach season due to this injury.

Stephanie

**raising4daughters** · 11-16-2011, 08:02 PM

Congrats on your surgery. Sounds promising. I seem to be in a VERY similar situation with spinal (foraminal) stenosis and herniation at L5/S1. No other problems above or below, though, so you may have it a bit worse.

I just saw my first surgeon yesterday and he's sending me for CT scan to see if he can get away with minimally invasive foraminotomy (drill away bone to open up the left and right canals for the nerve roots). He also indicated he'd remove the disk between L5/S1.

I see another surgeon tomorrow and one on 11/28. The last one is my preference based on reputation.

I'll be watching and praying for your recovery.

Scott