Spinal fusion! First week of back surgery 

Thank you for the kind words! I'll have you on my prayer list. My advice is to get several opinions from different places before comiting to anything.

Just had my fusion on the 27th of March. I needed an enema 3 days in because the pain meds constipated me. The enama didn't work..then someone told me to stop the pain meds for 72 hrs..I did.( Was in pain) But started having a bowel movement. After then I started back with the pain meds just at night.

I have ALIF 2 stage may 28 and 30 .. I'm so nervous.

Had the same thing I stop pain meds but the surgery was the best thing I did no more pain meds

​@@waldenanthony By Now you've already had your surgery. Prayerfully this yr,I'm Next. God be with you All the Way& I understand being scared. But no matter what, This too Shall pass. Be Strong... God be with you dear.

Praying for you sister. May you make full recovery. What exactly was your surgery?

Wanda glad yours went well . I am getting L2 S1 done minimal invasive on June 25th .

Thanks for the comment! It is defiantly easy to overwork yourself during recovery. I am going back in for MRI and CT scans on the 20th. I've been a little too active...

I'm having L2 L3 laminectomy an bone fusion. Then attch it to L4 L5 wich was done in 2013.. on May 31this month. Thank you for the movie it was awesome.

hi Wanda, how are you doing? I'm having the surgery on June 12.

Thank you so much for this comment of good new and hope!

I am post op 10 days tomorrow from a decompression and fusion of L4/5. All my pain was in my left leg. For the most part my pain has been gone since my first day post op. I am also a believer in Jesus and for the last 8 months, my faith has been the only thing that has kept me sane.

@janeen millar hallelujah! Praise the Lord! I pray the fusion fixed all that was "broken" and you never have another problem. May Jesus keep a hedge of protection around you. Amen. Good Luck.

I just had surgery 3 weeks ago l5s1 discteomy I'm in absolute agony I have no help I'm on my own so have to cook eat clean I've been bending not realising and just been moving completely wrong was given no aftercare or proper pain management I just keep my faith in the Lord

If anything my nerve pain has got worse I'm worried surgery hasn't worked

Thank you so much!

After surgery any spasms? I get them after physical therapy.

I have the same diagnosis as you. I'm seeing a surgeon next Thursday. I have no quality of life.. I was hoping you could give me an update after your surgery.

Praying for you!

I have a surgeon, two of them actually. I'm scheduled for anterior release/interbody fusion L-4-S-1 lumbar spine; percutaneous vs open posterior spinal decompression/instrumented fusion at levels L-4-S-1. Other levels as indicated. Site-abdomen/back. It's going to be a big surgery taking 6-8hrs. A normal person would be terrified but having to live with debilitating pain for so many years, I see this as a temporary wound that will heal over time and I can get my active life back. I'm drinking a protein drink everyday leading up to my surgery date that's scheduled 04/25/24. Taking vitamin K2+D3, Calcium, Zinc, C, NAC, and liquid collagen in preparation. I will keep you all posted

Thank you so much!

Thank you! I am so thankful for how things are going.

@@TheGaginator How are you doing now? Looks like you posted this video about 2 weeks ago. I am scheduled for ALIF l5s1 in mid Nov. Thanks and hope you are feeling better.

@@maxbelski hello. How did your surgery go. Hope and pray that it went good for you.. God bless. Take care..Stitch

Thank you so much

Thank you for the kind words! I hope your journey goes well! I will be doing an update video soon

That is great to hear!!

Did you get adjacent segment syndrome from the previous surgery that led to having to fuse to the S1 and did it cause radiculopathy onto the feet ?

I hope your surgery goes well. I am doing well after over 3 months. Expect to be light duty for AT LEAST 1 YEAR. Don't overwork yourself no matter how bad you want to. I'm a busy body, so its very hard for me

How are you now

Praying for you. Same here total collapse at l5-S1. Having the anterior and posterior surgery February 2023.

I'm a former firefighter in the UK. I did 32 years in the job. I retired in 2006 With the back issues, NOT because of them. I'm seeing the surgeon on Thursday (26th Jan 2023) and get booked in. I too have the same disc issues as yourself. I think I understand your fears. Can I still do the job? What will my life be like? How will my family cope? WILL they cope? But I looked at it as facing a decent job, the fear you feel before going into a BA job, the not knowing how its going to go, what's in there? But the thing is. WE faced them and overcame them! YOU SAVED A LIFE! You, (I did) face bigger things every day at work. Use that experience to get you through it. That's what I'm going to do! I mean we're, (well you still are) firefighters! What could possibly go wrong? 🤔😱😉😂 Stay strong my friend and see you on the other side! 😉👍💪💪

@@stetomlinson3146 same here EMS and firefighter, hopping that I can still wear an SCBA after this ,

Thank you for the comment, tonight I will be praying for your journey and the accuracy and efficiency of the surgeon and staff when your surgery comes. I am going to do another video soon

Chuck, I'll have you on my prayer list! It never ever hurts to get multiple opinions from doctors in different networks. If more than one person can confirm the same course of action, that's all you need!

Thanks for the comment Amie! I'll add you to my prayer list.

I'm waiting to schedule mines for this year. Hope all went well for you.

6 months out, I am doing ok. I still have pain, but i have not done a good job of resting at all. The biggest benefit for me has been the ability to sleep better.

Thank you for the comment, I'll have you on my prayer list!

@@TheGaginator Thank you 😊

Thanks for the comment and kind words, You'll be on my prayer list!

@@TheGaginator 🙌 So very kind of you. Thank you!

Hang in there! I would lie in bed and cry and thinking how I couldn’t wait until after 1 year. It was definitely the hardest surgery ive had and ive had c-section & a hysterectomy but I prayed and trusted God. I got a huge blood clot which slowed down my healing but here i am now 1 yr & 4 months later than i thought would NEVER come. I will be glad to answer any questions or help anyway i can. Sending healing wishes!

@@ConE49 Aww you are so very sweet. I'm so sorry you went through all that with your surgery struggles. I had my first Fusion then 2nd 4 weeks later due to hardware coming out and the second one failed and now so far doctors think I will be permanently disabled from that surgery. Complete nerve damage. Did you have any Nerve issues? And how are you doing to this day? And your right this was the hardest surgery EVER! lots of tears and praying.

Thank you for the comment and kind words!

Thank you for the kind words and sharing your story! I'll have you in my prayers Bob

Good info, and thank you for the kind words. I will have you on my prayer list!

I'll be praying for you!

Thank you for the comment!! Definitely get multiple opinions before surgery. Even if it seems monotonous.

Thanks for the comment, wishing you the best!

I am having the same surgery as you in ten days time. Not looking forward to it at all, but hope the result will be good.

I am ok after 1 year now, but still have pain. Just different pain. Next i am going to try strength training and conditioning since surgery did not give me the result i wanted. I will have you on my prayer list for sure!

Thanks for your answer. Sorry to hear you are still in pain. My surgery last Monday was cancelled during anestecia as they found problems with my Hearts. Sometimes 10 seconds between its beat. So now they are looking into that, before a new surgery is done. I was mentalt ready for the surgery, so I was very dissapointed when I woke up. They said I would have died during surgery, if they had not stopped.

Your video is painful but at the same time hopeful. I had L5-S1 fusion in 2014, an ACDF C5-6 in 2010 and another lumbar fusion, this time L4-5 in a few weeks. I’m terrified, knowing how painful the process is, especially since I never recovered after the L5-S1 fusion. It was due to Spondylolethis, slipped vertebrae, and couldn’t be fixed as the surgeon had hoped for. I’ve been in chronic pain for the past 9 years and need the surgery now for another slipped vertebrae, that has caused an almost complete foot drop, leg weakness and intense pain. I’m so scared knowing what awaits me pain wise but worse is the uncertainty of recovery and length of it. Thank you for sharing your video with us and being so optimistic despite the pain and limitations. I’ve never shared my personal experiences online but might record my upcoming journey to provide others with a-hopefully-positive experience. I wish you Godspeed, a full and complete recovery and may you be able to return to a life without pain and limitations! Thank you 🙏

Thank you so much!

SUCH GOOD INFO RIGHT HERE!!!!

I had scoliosis surgery in 2009 now have lumbar radiculpathy possibly degeneration of l5 S1so possibly need fusion for that which is adjacent segment syndrome also have nerve pain coming from around C6 C7 now and considering to do Acdf because cervical radiculopathy is very painful too.

Thank you for the kind words Tim! I will have you on my prayer list for sure.

I just had lumbar fusion on Monday October 16 by Tuesday morning I was walking and doing upstairs with little pain as of today Tuesday 24 one week after op no pain at all from surgery just a littke stiff but wasn't really that bad honestly but well I'm 34 years old

Please pray for me. I’m a backslider and haven’t been living right. I’ve been diagnosed with the same issue and I’ve had additional heart issues as a result of the pain and stress. God bless

Thanks for the comment! So far I am so much better. i lived with the pain for 15 years, what finally made me do it was the lack of sleep, and overall attitude because of how bad the pain had gotten.

I'm in ur same point I'm really scared and worried about it and I don't get scared literally ever and I'm terrified do u have the same feel I do where u feel like u need to be pulled apart or stretched out similar feeling ro right before ur knuckles are about to pop

Ugh I lived with my pain for well over 10 years and when I couldn't ride my mountain bike even for a mile I called my orthopedic surgeon and made an appointment. Couldn't take life anymore. Just do it. I did mine winter time so I didn't miss good weather. Just make sure you have a support system and get the grabbers to pick things up if something falls to the ground, they are so helpful.

Thank you for the kind words, you will be in my prayers for successful surgery and speedy recovery!

I’m in the same boat with ALIF fusion of my L4-L5-S1 coming up on July 19. Good luck to you!

@@jasonjones6208 Same to you. I will be praying for both of us!

its been 4.5month post ops... fusion L4/L5.. laser shrink the L2/L3 and L3/L4....i am still not feeling well with my lumbar.. painful and tiredness.... cannot walk far, stand long, sit long, lay long... cant even walk fast.. 😓 how you guys feel..?

@@zizapop I was VERY lucky as my healing is WAY ahead of schedule. I'm three months post op and my surgeon has already cleared me to return to the gym (no squats or back extensions). He believes I will be fully healed within another three months. Yes, I still have some pain, but the 9 is down to about a 2, maybe 4 after physical therapy. I wish you the best and will pray for your full and speedy recovery.

Thank you for the comment and kind words Peter! Eating prunes and prune juice REALLY helped. That was a bigger help than any medication that I tried.

Thanks for the info. I hope that you are doing well. I read that after this type of surgery, you will not be able to twist or bend ever! Is that true?

Thank you for the kind words, I will have you on my prayer list for sure!

Prayers your way for healing! I'm due for the same surgery this year.❤

I will post another video soon since its been a few months

I wish I had backed out of mine ! I'm in pain 24/7 12 wks post surgery 🙄

@@karenmiller3750 I’m very sorry. Hopefully u can get some relief. How was ur pain before surgery though? Sometimes there is no other choice

Hey. !! How are you doing now ? Hope u are doing well and recovering

Thank you for the comment!

Thank you for the kind words :) The muscle relaxer that they prescribed to me was Methocarbamol.I didnt like the way it made me feel for sure. A muscle relaxer that works for me without side effects is Tizanidine. The pain medicine that worked well for me at the hospital was Dilaudid. I know little to nothing about medication, so this is not advice, just stating my experience. God has been so good to me, I was just able to complete a major life goal hike last week in Oregon (video posted), and I walked over 50 miles the week before!!

Did you not know of or consider a spinal cord stimulator like I did in 2007.

@@JohnSmith-uy7sv everyone is different, but usually docs like the frame to be fixed and nerves to be free down the spinal canal before doing a pain stimulator.

Just know it will be harder and take longer to recover than people in their 30's, I'm in my 60's just had the same surgery as this guy, I have had issues all my life with sciatic pain, I threw up for 14 hours after the surgery, never used the dilaudid pump, the only thing I could tolerate was 5mgs of IR Oxycodone with a dissolvable nausea medication, it has been two months and I still have sciatic pain but it is gradually getting better, the surgeon had to do a lot of bone removal from spurs, I had blown my L5/S1 disc when I was 13 and lived with it but I started having other disc herniate and it got to the point of nothing helping not even steroid injections, so I caved and had the surgery.

How did it go?!

@Dime333 i was in surgery for 5 hours. It's almost been 2months, and I honestly can't complain. I feel better than ever. The hard part is remembering that I have a lot of restrictions.

I've got you on my prayer list for a good recovery!

​@@heosomeheosome6752how are you doing now? I need it but I'm terrified

Thank you for the comment and kind words Mary! I'll have you on my prayer list. I hope you are able to find long lasting relief

Just remember, Bad things happen to good people and Good things happen to bad people. It is sin in the world. If we could escape all the pain and suffering by becoming a Christian, then everyone would want to be one. Everyone goes through some sort of trials in their lives. My L3-L5 is really really bad for years. Had a boston Scientific stimulator implanted Dec. 3, 2007 and had to retire from the forestry service because of all the years on a bulldozer destroying my lower back. I was an adrenaline junkie and I could not give it up and become a dispatcher/secretary. I hate paperwork. Now at 66, I've been having bad problems and muscle spasms and charlie horses in both hips for the past 6 months. I am terrified to have this surgery of a laminectomy or fusion and they say it comes back again after 2-8 years. I suffered so much in the early 2000's until 2011 when I lost 135 pounds and I was pain free for 8 years. But the past 3 years dealing with my aling wife who is older than me is so stressful and it is difficult to stay on the strict vegan diet I was on and gained 65 pounds in the past 3 years. Any extra weight you put on will add to or cause you pain. I didn't see or hear anyone mention getting a neurostimulator implanted for the pain. They work really great, but you have to really crank them up when the pain is really bad and will lock up your muscle like a tens unit. I may need a new one again if this one goes broke. I pray that everything works out for the best for all of you and consider an implant first. There are 3 different companies who make them. Boston scientific, Saint Jude and Medtronics are the top 3. But there are others too. As of 2020, there are nine commonly used SCS platforms made by four manufacturers including four SCS units from Abbott, three from Boston Scientific, and one each from Medtronic and Nevro.

@@JohnSmith-uy7sv pain stimulators are great and usually as a last resort. Docs want the spine to be secure and nerves to be clear down the spine first. If still a problem after the surgeries, then consider a pain stimulator.

I'll be praying for you Angela!

How did yours go?

Hi Angela I like to ask as I’m very hesitate and scare have surgery at the same level as yours With fusion you be able to bend normal after said month of the surgery or no I appreciate your answer And wish you well

OH and my TLIF surgery is June 20th.

Thanks for the comment! It is really great to see how people have responded to the video. I will say, I would not do the surgery again if I knew then what I do now. So many back issues can be fixed and or managed with correcting posture and daily habits. After the surgery didn't help my pain, my wife bought me this book amzn.to/3K8KQVM and I am serious when I say, it would have solved all of my issues. I'll have you on my prayer list for God to guide you on your path, and for the surgery to go well if you proceed with it

I will do an update video soon! recovery has been going well. I have been doing most normal things now

I've been told it can take up to a year to fully heal . I honestly thought I'd be doing better . I've never taken any pain meds as they make me sick ..I'm hoping when able physio will help..

Thank you for the comment, I'll have you on my prayer list for sure

Thank you for the kind words, I've got you on my prayer list!

I'll add you on my prayer list! I am going to do an update video soon after my next MRi / CT appointment

I'll have you on my prayer list Martina!

Thank you for the comment, I'll add you to my prayer list!

Great suggestion! I will add x-rays at least to my 6 months update video i have planned

Thank you! doing ok

I will add you to my prayer list, thanks for the comment Kimberly!

Thanks for the prayers. I'll tell you after 1 year I am doing ok.

@@TheGaginator that's great to hear!!! I'm almost 6 weeks out and still having some pain issues, but I believe it'll get better...🙏🏿 🙏🏿

Thank you for the kind words!! I am doing ok, but still have pain. I can sleep now which is good. Maybe I was much too active during recovery? I didn't do anything crazy. Just had my 1 year checkup and they said everything looks great in my spine, so they don't know why it still hurts. The past year I have been given some opportunities to grow in my faith, and do some things I would have always been to "busy" for before. I don't regret the surgery, and many people have noted great success.

I will add you to my prayer list, you have been through quite alot it sounds. Thank you for the kind words, and info you shared. I have been having increased pain lately, so im going in for some teste before i do my next video.

I will be praying for you. I need the same surgery L4/L5. Please let us know how it goes. Good luck! ❤

Thank you for the comment! I have has good success, and it's all a gift from God. During my back surgery there was a catheter, but it was already pulled by the time I woke up. I dont remember pain from it at all, but i do remember having a hard time going pee due to alot of gas build up. I was unable to pee very well or at all sometimes in the bed like they wanted. I had to get up and use the toilet instead. This was pretty difficult, but aided in my recovery i think having to get up and move around more often.

I wish you good luck. I hear the minimally invasive endoscopy is the way to go. You have less incisions and all the “cutting” is done inside. I’m afraid I’m up for surgery in February also. I see the surgeon soon. This video answered of lot of my questions and brought up things I didn’t think of. Take good care.

@@Teresa-K Thank you dear. I'll say a prayer for you and please ask all the questions. Sometimes we get intimidated in front of doctors. From all my research the most important part is post-surgery. How well you keep your body your first 2-3 months for the vertebrae's to naturally infuse, so no mobility is lost or little. Let me know what your surgeon will say. I see mine sometime end of next month. Good luck!

How are you doing brother? Did the minimally invasive approach work OK for you?

Thank you for the kind words!

Thank you for the comment!

Your last sentence is exactly how I felt / feel. I'm 110% a busy body. Its been almost 8 months since my surgery, and I recently had an x-ray, MRI, and CT scan that I hope to talk about on my next video. I'll have you on my prayer list for sure. God has done amazing things in my life that I could never explain or accomplish on my own, and I know he is not done yet.

Sounds like you and I share an addiction to working haha. I'll be doing a 1 year follow up video soon!

Sorry, I said the day before my ski accident. It was the day after, of course 😄

Thanks for sharing your story, you will be on my prayer list. Sounds like you had quite an ordeal! Safe daily movement is the key to recovery for sure. I am guilty of overdoing it during recovery. The bone growth stimulator works like a metal detector, creating magnetic field pulses. It was prescribed by my surgeon. I can't say if it has any positive affects, but research shows it may.

@@TheGaginator thank you. I'm so glad I found your video. Tomorrow is my appointment and right now I feel pain all over my spine. I have to stop thinking about the visit and pray for better health and life. Please God, help us all!

@@roxanamarin2323 ❤🙇🙏

I will add you to my prayer list!

I am not sure why it was done this way. I know that I got 4 screws, and some rods in my spine to make a cage. I also had some pain issues with medication resistance after surgery, so that added some time. Thank you for the kind words!!

I did the same thing. Tried for years to do anything but surgery. Hoping this is the fix for me for a long while

Any updates on your L4/L5 fusion? I had a revision about 2 weeks ago and last night got that hellish sciatica in my right hip leg and calf and foot... I do not take many pain meds and took zero at the hospital after surgery except Tylenol but the sciatic pain is so bad I am actually filling the opioid prescription today and took muscle relaxers last night and it did nothing for the pain. I slept maybe 30 minutes...

Honestly I may be a little better than before in some ways, and worse in others. I will do a 1 year follow up video this month hopefully

You are on my prayer list!

My 16 yr old had spinal fusion today. 16 screws from t2-L3.

Same here, I'm 59 and in need of the same surgery, and I'm scared. Good luck!

I hope your procedure goes well, and you gain your freedom from pain!

Good luck Jamie. I am doing this very soon L4/L5. I am so scared. I will be praying for you. Please let us know afterwards. ❤️

@@marsidanajdeni ❤🙇🙏

jamie fisher ...❤🙇🙏

Thanks for the comment :)

Thanks for the comment, i'll have you on my prayer list for sure!

@@TheGaginator Thx bro

Don’t do it

Unfortunately, I have had worse back pain since month 3 of my surgery. I also think I had a misdiagnosis. They say all is well, but i have had to stop working all together the pain is so bad. I sold my shop last November :(

@@TheGaginator sorry to hear that brother. Stay strong.

Thank you for the comment! I am praying for a full and speedy recover for you

I’m having surgery from L2- L5 and L5 -S1. I’m very nervous and scared about all of it. Thanks for the video.

@@debbyebouldin1543Thats a long span. Please keep us posted!

Great info for everyone who watches, Im pinning this comment to the top!!

I hope that your situation gets better, and if you choose surgery, I pray a speedy recovery! I have been wanting to do a follow up video. I'll post one soon now that I have started PT.