[Artificial Disc Replacement / Lumbar] CD- Freedom L4/L5 at Texas Back Institute

[KBear]

That's awesome! Who did your surgery? I was going to be in the same clinical trial; but was dis-qualified due to spinal litigation. I was in the Active-L trial, and I had surgery in Miami; but am doing my follow up at TBI with Dr Blumenthal.

[dalhousie]

Hi CD - When I had my ADR done in April last year I had a bad attack of the weepies . It was around the 2nd day post op when all the strong pain relief had well & truly worn off & my pain peaked to the max. I think it's the norm after having had such a big surgery. I also found it so frustrating being so dependent. Hang on in there & things will gradually get better.

[linda]

Hey CD,
Just checking in with you tonight and hoping you are doing okay. I also hope your pain levels are manageable and that you are resting well.
Take it easy,
Linda

[scduggan]

I was just discharged from the hospital and have arrived at the Holiday Inn across the street. I will miss the staff because they were so great. I have not had any more crying attacks but that does not mean it will not happen again. I feel quite a lot better than I expected to at this point. My pain levels are being managed with the meds I was given. I was also told to continue to wear the compression hose to prevent blood clots. I am propped up in bed right now with a bunch of pillows. For now, my old disc pain is gone. My incision pain is bearable but not wonderful because my abdomen is distended. I will continue to work on this before it gets out of hand. I know this is common. Pretty soon I will be able to give a good report on the Freedom disc. X-rays were taken yesterday and they look Beautiful. I am so excited! If anyone has any specific questions please do not hesitate to ask. I am only somewhat lucid and possibly leaving out some pertinent details. Thanks Everyone!
CD
BTW, Kathy- Dr. Jack Zigler is my surgeon! He is very impressive and I really liked him.

[jamie5136]

Dr. Blumenthal was/is going to do a fusion on top of my subsided ADR, but I have heard that TBI is making the decision to not see any patients who have had surgery out of the country. This is a new decision I hear they have made. I know several Dr. B patients who need follow-up, but have been turned away by TBI. I wish I could have them remove my subsided disc and do a fusion, but it seems they all want to fuse on top, but I understand this is not ideal. I know a few doctors who say to remove it and then fuse, but I understand this can be dangerous... I wish I had my surgery in the states. Once people hear you have been out of the country, they become fearful. I can understand this to a point. I wish you well with your new disc! What is spinal litigation by the way?

That's awesome! Who did your surgery? I was going to be in the same clinical trial; but was dis-qualified due to spinal litigation. I was in the Active-L trial, and I had surgery in Miami; but am doing my follow up at TBI with Dr Blumenthal.

[Cindylou]

I had not heard that about TBI not treating spine patients who had surgery out of the country.....but, Kathy might know more, since she lives in Texas. TBI does have a stellar reputation.

CD, back to you anyway......this is your thread.....a big congrats to you on your surgery! Sounds like you are coming along rather well. Good for you. Remember the ups and downs of this surgery, to expect it. Godspeed with your healing. Any questions, just ask away....we are here for you.

[jamie5136]

Yes, this is what I have heard. In fact many doctors won't touch a patient who has been overseas, which is frustrating ,but some will, which is good. If this is the same Kathy with the Fibrin Sealant, I do know her personally and she is the one who was in a clinical trial and Dr. Raushbaum from TBI and installed her 2 pro-discs backwards, but I could be thinking of another woman living near me in Dallas. Yes, I hear they are good and I work with Dr. Blumenthal and he is willing to help me, because I was an established patient. I wish I had stayed here and gone to TBI vs. out of the country. Makes follow-up or post issues far more challenging.

I had not heard that about TBI not treating spine patients who had surgery out of the country.....but, Kathy might know more, since she lives in Texas. TBI does have a stellar reputation.

CD, back to you anyway......this is your thread.....a big congrats to you on your surgery! Sounds like you are coming along rather well. Good for you. Remember the ups and downs of this surgery, to expect it. Godspeed with your healing. Any questions, just ask away....we are here for you.

[Justin]

I was just discharged from the hospital and have arrived at the Holiday Inn across the street. I will miss the staff because they were so great. I have not had any more crying attacks but that does not mean it will not happen again. I feel quite a lot better than I expected to at this point. My pain levels are being managed with the meds I was given. I was also told to continue to wear the compression hose to prevent blood clots. I am propped up in bed right now with a bunch of pillows. For now, my old disc pain is gone. My incision pain is bearable but not wonderful because my abdomen is distended. I will continue to work on this before it gets out of hand. I know this is common. Pretty soon I will be able to give a good report on the Freedom disc. X-rays were taken yesterday and they look Beautiful. I am so excited! If anyone has any specific questions please do not hesitate to ask. I am only somewhat lucid and possibly leaving out some pertinent details. Thanks Everyone!
CD
BTW, Kathy- Dr. Jack Zigler is my surgeon! He is very impressive and I really liked him.

CD, I'm glad you are doing so well! The Texas Back Institute is such an awesome clinic--tons of great surgeons and the place is a very well oiled machine.

Your old disc pain is gone--yeah!!!!!

[scduggan]

Hello Everyone,
Well, I am now realizing my stay in the hospital after my surgery was Disney World....or a trip to a nice spa! I am HANGING in there but Geez Louize! This is tough. I am tough. That pca pump sure was nice! You guys have no idea how much your posts mean to me. This experience has rocked my world. I will ALWAYS deal with difficult things much better when I know I am not alone--or that other people know EXACTLY what I am talking about. Much thanks to the members of the female persuasion who have told me of their tears. I cry at least once a day and I am normally not a big crier. I am totally not complaining. I am doing well. It seems I am going to be a little high maintenance for a little while longer. My biggest thing I have learned after coming home is to TAKE A PAIN PILL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT! Wow, this is a little bit common sense but sometimes I am not playing with a full deck. Now I know! My first morning here at home I woke up feeling like I had been run through with a broadsword, hit by a bus and then fallen down a steep ravine. Last night, I took a norco when I got up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night....my morning was MUCH BETTER!

One more thing from you guys who have been there and done that----I have had not much use of my left leg. I can bear weight and walk on it....just can't use my hip flexor to lift it in and out of bed or the car. Dr. Zigler knew exactly what I was talking about when I saw him on Monday. He said "It is your psoas muscle--the gateway to the spine----it will get better over the next few days". I can say it is getting better. Did any of you have this trouble? My incision is just left of my belly button. Am I correct in assuming that muscle got a little traumatized during surgery? Weird.

Thanks again everyone! I will try to post a picture of my x-rays soon. I feel REALLY lucky to be here and doing well.....tears and all. I live in a house full of men with a husband and three sons.....when I cry they all get that deer in the headlights look. Bless! They are taking such great care of me. Better than I deserve.
CD

[KBear]

I love Dr. Zigler, he's a great guy, isn't he? I have went in there with 2 rowdy kids in tow and he was unfazed, even interacting with them! Very down to earth guy.
I had horrible left leg pain too. I would say I was VERY naive going into the surgery, not realizing how much trauma my body was about to endure. It is a very major surgery and affects all of your body and mind. My arms hurt for several weeks; but the leg and incision pain hung around for awhile. I never had leg pain pre-surgery, so that was shocking for me. It took awhile; but it got better. I also thought, I'm young, I'll be healed in 3-4 months..... wrong! I'm almost a year out and now feel like I am almost there, it really takes a long time to heal from. I also cried like crazy, watching a commercial, something someone would say, anything (it was almost like being pregnant again!).