[Spinal Fusion / Lumbar] Lumbar Laminectomy & Fusion, 12/27/10

[Justin]

Any advice to get ready for the operation and recovery would be appreciated. This is a silly question, but do I bring my own things to wear in the hospital for 4 days? Like a nightgown or robe? I figure I need big elastic waist pants. Can you pull t-shirts over your head, or do I need button down shirts? At home, a raised toilet seat w arms? A grabber. The only hospital stay I have had was a c-section at age 40 to have our son--and I have no memory of what I wore or did, but I remember I got a purple sleeper for him.

jeanie

Jeanie, this thread should help: Spine Surgery Recovery: "Must Have" Items & Postoperative Tips.

[Cindylou]

Jeanie, The hospital will provide you with gowns, be it as they may. You could bring your own, but why? Only more to wash when you get home, and you will not be up for those tasks for awhile. Keep it simple for now. I did bring my own bathrobe and slippers, just because it felt nice to wear something that was mine, but they have those as well, if you choose not to. (the slippers are really just those little sockie things with padding on the bottom) You'll definitely need a raised toilet seat to put on existing one.....those help immensely. A grabber is a "must have" too. My husband purchased a shower chair for me and that was a huge help, as I would tire easily and could just sit periodically to scrub. What else? I know there's a thread on surgery/post surgery suggestions, and definitely read that thread. Very helpful. I also had a small grabber version for wiping my bottom because you'll have the no bending, no twisting, rule after fusion too. I just would like to caution you on the whole "I hope I heal quickly" thing. Don't count on it. You will be hugely disappointed if you do. This is a very major surgery you are having, and it will take a significant amount of time for you to recover. I don't mean for this to sound as a "downer," by any means. Just a reality check. If you can go into the surgery with a little more realistic outlook, you can be pleasantly surprised and grateful if your recovery is faster. It doesn't work so well the other way around. By all means, keep up the positivity it already sounds like you possess. I wish you only the best and I hope this surgery proves to deliver you, in the longterm, from your pain. Cindylou

[Justin]

Hi Jeanie,

How is your recovery coming along? I do hope you are doing well.

[jeanie]

Thank you for asking Justin: I think my recovery is going well but it's a bit of a confusing recovery. I'm used to being in pain so the pain doesn't really stop me the way I think it probably should. And I'm used to working through my tiredness or whatever, so the main problem I'm having with the recovery is just taking it easy enough, going slow enough, saying no and not helping out. Cindy Lou has been very supportive in this regard and helpful with her comments. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this site, it is so helpful to connect with others who have been down this road and can give me advice.

[KBear]

Thank you for asking Justin: I think my recovery is going well but it's a bit of a confusing recovery. I'm used to being in pain so the pain doesn't really stop me the way I think it probably should. And I'm used to working through my tiredness or whatever, so the main problem I'm having with the recovery is just taking it easy enough, going slow enough, saying no and not helping out. Cindy Lou has been very supportive in this regard and helpful with her comments. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this site, it is so helpful to connect with others who have been down this road and can give me advice.

That is one of the hardest parts, because those around us generally don't say stop, don't do that when we are doing to much. Instead they take it as a good sign that we are healing and back to ourselves. This was the hardest part for me, especially since my surgeon made it sound like I would be doing cartwheels at 6 weeks out, my husband expected that. I often read him comments off here, so he could see that I wasn't being lazy, milking it, or what have you. Helped him see that I really did need that time for healing.

[Justin]

Thank you for asking Justin: I think my recovery is going well but it's a bit of a confusing recovery. I'm used to being in pain so the pain doesn't really stop me the way I think it probably should. And I'm used to working through my tiredness or whatever, so the main problem I'm having with the recovery is just taking it easy enough, going slow enough, saying no and not helping out. Cindy Lou has been very supportive in this regard and helpful with her comments. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this site, it is so helpful to connect with others who have been down this road and can give me advice.

As Kathy mentioned above, the hardest part is just taking it easy and taking things slow after surgery. This was especially hard for me, as I have to keep myself busy at all times.

Cindy Lou has been very supportive in this regard and helpful with her comments. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this site, it is so helpful to connect with others who have been down this road and can give me advice.

Thank you for you nice comments about the Spine Patient Society.