Horrible L4-l5 Lumbar Laminectomy for me (Narrowing of the spinal canal). I'm in my 5 months and going 6 in 3 more weeks but I wanted to make sure never to be in the horrible sciatica experience again so I'm heeding surgeon advise to give it a YEAR before getting back to normal active road cycling and BLT (Bending Lifting Twisting) work including weekend warrior home improvement. I asked my surgeon about the 8 -12 weeks back to normal life info on several YT videos as well as Mayo Clinic/John Hopkins articles but he counseled that it is always best to give my body time to FULLY HEAL and added that he would prefer that I never have to call him again for the same condition. He even counseled against PT at this time as he wanted to make sure that no accidental maneuvers are introduced in the process. I respected him for that wisdom and so I'm only into walking and measured stretching BUT ONLY WHILE LYING DOWN per his instructions. Though I'm all in on the 1 year FULLY HEAL timeline, I'll try easy cycling in 3 weeks but will pause if I feel issues. "Sciatica"? Never again.
Congratulations! I just had the same surgery. I beat it once but I'm an auto tech, and pushed it all the way into paralysis this time. Had emergency surgery 7 weeks ago and seem to be doing fine. PT now...we're lucky! Forward is the only direction!
Ease back slowly. I had surgery several months ago and all you want to get back fast and Dr warned me that ppl who try to do too much too fast often set themselves back or do permanent harm to themselves. Day by day you got this! Sending helping vibes your way.
Thank you so much! And yes you’re absolutely right. Dr said you might feel great but things are still healing. I’m not doing anything they haven’t cleared me to do👍 Best of luck with your recovery as well!
Same here Holly Molly!! 7 months ago, just started hitting the weighs, lots of yoga & Salt baths. But Iam 60yo Just did 20miles on AT with the wife. Pain free hiking But 5 hrs in the jeep is it. Prayers & Thoughts !!
Happy seeing your back to normal life.. I will be having my Laminectomy after two days. Hope it goes well. I'm afraid I can't workout again, I'm 44 and hope my age is still good for enjoying the things I used to do especially exercising
Follow recovery protocol very closely. Don’t do too much too soon even if you’re feeling better. Stay well hydrated and keep protein levels up. Best of luck!
Thanks for sharing this video. I am thrilled to see there’s still backpacking after surgery. I love backpacking, but am scheduled to have L4-L5-S1 fusion soon. My goal is to thru hike the Appalachian Trail next year. Thank you for giving me hope!
Great video and channel. I wanted to ask how you are currently doing? Any flare ups? I had a very similar story as what you went through. I am 3 days out from my second L4/L5 laminectomy. I reherniated less than 24 hrs after my first surgery due to making a stupid move where I accidentally bent forward. Luckily, they got me back into surgery within a couple of weeks. I am a 48m thats pretty active like you. Obviously being 3 days out, I am only walking, which has been fine but was curious when you started doing anything else? Also, did you give anything up completely....like even post recovery? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
I followed the recovery protocol to a tee. The first two weeks I made sure to get up and go for a walk every couple of hours throughout the day. I worked up to 5 miles after about a month. (No hills) Kept my protein intake high for muscle recovery purposes. It’s been about a year and a half now and I do everything I did before except for any kind of heavy dead lifting and no back squatting. Lots of front squats and single leg exercises. Once in a while my low back gets a little bit tight to remind me it’s there from being on my feet all day at work. But mostly back to normal. Hope that helps. Best of luck!🍻
@@BackcountryTreks Good info and glad to hear you are doing well. Definitely inspirational! I didn't get a lot of post op instructions besides the no BLT and walk as much as possible, so it's good to hear from a person who went through something similar.
Can you do a follow up video where you are? I’m 27 woman moderate actively 9 weeks post op waiting to see surgeon but seeing a video of someone that went through it is informative and helpful
@@peaches829able I am now about 5 months out and doing great. My back gets a little sore if I do too much and it's my signal to take it easy. My sciatica is pretty much gone. I will get strange tingling, numbness when I am laying down sometimes but nothing that wakes me up or keeps me awake. Overall, although I don't know what the future holds, I can say I have zero regrets from surgery. I am 90% back to normal. Good luck!
@@justindpeak Thank you for sharing your experience that is motivating. I agree with you have zero regret of surgery my sciatica is gone thank God 🙏🏼 waiting for surgeon update to see work return date. Happy I am finally able to lay on my back. Good luck to you too! I definitely need to start walking more too
