Sacroiliac Joint Fusion on 2/6/2012

**Sara** · 02-04-2012, 05:11 AM

Hello Everybody,

I haven't been on this board in a while but my doctor, Dr. Keith Mayo, is going to be doing my SI Joint Fusion on Monday! It was originally scheduled for May 21st but when I went in to my appointment with him last Tuesday, he moved my surgery up to this Monday.

I'm excited and super stressed at the same time. I'm a Hotel Front Office Manager and we are in the process of hiring for a new overnight front desk agent. During the meantime, I'm working graveyard so that only left me with 2 days to hire someone. Anyways, my doctor wants me to be off of work for 8 weeks with partial weight bairing (20lbs) on my right side during the 8 weeks.
I guess my surgery will be between 4-6hrs long. He will be using an anterior approach with 2 screws and a small plate in addition to the fusion and I will be in the hospital for 3-4 days. I hope everything goes well and I will be keeping you guys informed of my progress. Hopefully the hospital has wireless internet....

Any advice from anyone who had this surgery? My Dr. said that usually they do an epidural for the first few days to manage the pain but due to the amount of percocet (15mg 3xday) and tramadol (100mg 3xday) I'm taking, this is not an option. I guess that's bad news for me. I really hope that they can manage my pain after the surgery.

**ajj1001** · 02-04-2012, 07:34 AM

Hi, I did better with a PCA than an epidural (fentanyl PCA) so wouldn't worry about what pain relief just that its effective. Hope you get everything sorted quickly and easily. At least you haven't got too long to get nervous!

**ouch2** · 02-04-2012, 09:56 AM

Hi Sara, Wishing you all the best on Monday! That is my day too. I am having adr surgery on Monday for my L5-S1. Mine will be 4-5 hours and in hospital about 5 days.

Nice that yours was moved up and you don't have all that extra worry time, but still a struggle to get things prepared I bet.

Look forward to hearing more from you!

Karen

**Sara** · 02-06-2012, 02:59 AM

Hi Karen,

Good Luck on your surgery as well. Monday must be the day for successful surgeries

I can't believe I will be at the hospital in less than 12 hours!!! This week was emotionally draining. I guess all the anxiety and stress that I would have dealt with preparing for the surgery was all pushed into 5 days. I'm ready now and definitely anxious to get there and get it over with.
We can chat during our recovery if you would like and see how we are both progressing.
I wish you the best tomorrow

**Sara** · 02-06-2012, 04:01 PM

OK... I'm at Tacoma General Hospital waiting to be taking into surgery.. the nurses put on these "compression socks" to prevent blood clots n these beautiful bright yellow socks....lol that's was a little sarcastic but I guess it tells them I'm a fall risk so they watch me if I'm out of bed.Already, nurses r coming in soon to take me away. Ill talk to you all when I get out this evening.

**ajj1001** · 02-06-2012, 05:17 PM

the attractive things they make us wear! Look forward to hearing from you.

**Justin** · 02-06-2012, 09:01 PM

Good luck, Sara! Please let us know how you are doing when you are able. Thinking about you.

**ouch2** · 02-11-2012, 10:17 PM

Hi Sara, my surgery day twin! Hope you are doing well. I too am wearing those lovely stockings,but they are keeping my legs warm. I arrived home yesterday,wanted to see how you were doing.

Wishing you all the best!

Karen

**Kimberly** · 02-12-2012, 10:10 AM

Hope all went well!

Let us know how things are going when you can.

Take care,
Kimberly

**Pbchoclovr** · 02-15-2012, 10:18 PM

Hi Sara,
Hope your surgery went well. Those socks and slippers are such fashion statements, not to mention the lovely gowns.

Let us know how it all went when you feel up to it.

Linda