NuVasive XL TDR Surgery (L2-L3, Dr. Dryer)

**Suprajoe** · 02-16-2010, 12:44 PM

Hello all! My name is Joe and I have DDD L2-L3 and C5-C6, C-6-C7. I injured myself while in the Marine Corps back in 1995. I have been in pain since then. That past two or so years my wife has been on me to go and get ADR surgery done in Germany. I have some major reservations about that so we never went. A few weeks ago she came across the NuVasive XL TDR study. We went to see Dr. Dryer yesterday and I am now in the study for my L2-L3. My surgery is March 9th and I am so excited!

I saw another post in this forum from Jennifer, and she had the NuVasive XL TDR done back on January 28th. This post has given me some great feedback and hope. So to Jennifer, thank you for posting

I will continue to update this post.
Thanks!

**Justin** · 02-16-2010, 10:11 PM

Originally Posted by Suprajoe

Hello all! My name is Joe and I have DDD L2-L3 and C5-C6, C-6-C7. I injured myself while in the Marine Corps back in 1995. I have been in pain since then. That past two or so years my wife has been on me to go and get ADR surgery done in Germany. I have some major reservations about that so we never went. A few weeks ago she came across the NuVasive XL TDR study. We went to see Dr. Dryer yesterday and I am now in the study for my L2-L3. My surgery is March 9th and I am so excited!

I saw another post in this forum from Jennifer, and she had the NuVasive XL TDR done back on January 28th. This post has given me some great feedback and hope. So to Jennifer, thank you for posting

I will continue to update this post.
Thanks!

Hi Joe,

Welcome to the Spine Patient Society!

Congratulations on setting up a date with Dr. Dryer on March 7th! Have a look around and feel free to ask us any questions you may have. We are here to support you and we look forward to reading about your successful surgery!

**Dave** · 02-17-2010, 05:59 AM

Welcome to SPS Joe.

**Cindylou** · 02-17-2010, 07:46 AM

Welcome Joe, and glad you found us!

**JenniferC** · 03-11-2010, 07:48 PM

Hi Joe,

Just checking in as I remember you were scheduled for the 9th with Dr. Dryer for the XL TDR.
I had just went in for my 6 week post-op and Dr. Wupperman said x-rays looked great.

Keep in touch so we can "compare notes" Nuvasive is a great company and I feel blessed that I fell into this
study not knowing a thing about it in the beginning. Rest, and enjoy your down time.

Jennifer

**Katie** · 03-12-2010, 06:13 AM

Hi Joe,

I've been a little slow in checking up on the board news, so excuse me for not sending out my welcome and good wishes earlier. We will soon be 'related', as I am getting new parts from NuVasive next week too

Besides you and Jennifer, does anyone know how many others have their products?

I'm looking forward to hearing from you on 'the other side', and gaining confidence from your successes. Congratulations!

**Suprajoe** · 03-15-2010, 02:59 PM

Hello all!

I had my surgery by Dr. Dryer March 9th, last Tuesday. I had a NuVasive disc in put in my L2-L3. So far I feel pretty good. My back does not hurt like I have been use to the past 15 or so years. Now, I am sore from the surgery, but besides that I am doing good. I go back to see Dr. Dryer this coming Wednesday so we will see what he says. Here are the issues that I am having, now, they are all related to the surgery and not my back and I know they will go away:
1. When I hiccup...it hurts like crazy.
2. When I laugh...it hurts like crazy!! Funny huh!!!!
3. I have troubles at night getting comfortable so I can sleep. I get up at least once in the middle of night to walk around. I have an adjustable bed and that helps, but still hard to get comfortable. Again, because of my left side where my incisions are.
4. The left side of my side where my incisions are to my belly button, and a little below, are numb. Not too bother some, but feels really crazy. For those women that have had a C-section or a tummy tuck...I know just a fraction of what you have or are going through (I'm trying to be funny...don't hate).
5. I live in a two story house, I work from home and my office is upstairs, and I am not allowed upstairs until Dr. Dryer says so.

Jennifer, you were correct, the whole crew at CTSI and the hospital there were totally awesome! I have never had that great of a surgical experience! How are you doing?

**scduggan** · 03-15-2010, 04:07 PM

Dear SupraJoe,
Congratulations! You made it! I am really anxious to hear reports from you and Jennifer C. Hopefully you will find a way to rest a little bit better at night. It is probably good to get up in the middle of the night to walk around and loosen up a bit. Do you take a pain pill when you wake in the night? I found it to be extremely important those first couple of weeks. Otherwise you wake in the morning feeling like you have been hit by a bus. Good Luck!
CD

**JenniferC** · 03-15-2010, 10:50 PM

Hi Joe,

It was really great to see the post and hear you came out ok

This surgery was really the first time I had been in the hospital (other that having 2 girls) so finding the spine forum and reading each person's experiences has been really neat for me (Especially being a guinea pig in this study not knowing how we'll actually turn out!).

After the hospital, I think the first 2 weeks I had a lot of trouble sleeping. Any time I would even brush up on my incision, it was horrible. I also, had to get up and walk around at night too. Now (post-op about 7weeks) I'm good. Still sore and am starting physical therapy tomorrow. Guess I'm not supposed to be sore according to other study patients. Figure I'm stiff from "babying" my back???? I also stepped in that pothole 2 weeks post-op so maybe that's why?

Funny to say you too had a good experience at the hospital. The nurses and doctors are just the best there. I didn't want to go home and take care of myself

Glad you're doing well! Do you know what # you were in the study?
I like saying I'm #1...at least in Texas

Take care,

Jennifer

**Suprajoe** · 03-18-2010, 10:26 AM

I had my 1 week follow up yesterday and Dr. Dryer was really excited about the outcome of the surgery, and of course so am I. He has lifted all my restrictions but told me to still not lift anything mildly heavy. This is a good thing since I work from home, my office is upstairs and I was unable to go upstairs. Also my media room is upstairs so I couldn't relax in my comfortable chair and watch movies the past week, but I can now!!! I am going to try and post two pictures of my xrays from yesterday. Dr. Dryer said that these looked great and he couldn't be happier.