Thank you so much! It's so great to reflect and look back and see what I chose to do for my daughter - I can't imagine going through recovery while she was a toddler, she needs me too much. Thank you for watching and commenting!
This is a fantastic video for us folks that had the same (or similar) procedure. I had the exact same pars defect and S1-L5 fusion just 3 days ago so I now have a little idea how it should go, although everybody is different of course: I'm 68 years old. Good luck to you and your family going forward.
Hi,I'm happy that you are recovering very well,your videos gave me courage to take heart and consider spine fusion now I'm 11months out and I'm beginning to feel good. May God bless you.
Bless you. Thanks for the videos I'm at the start of my journey in the living with pain scared of surgery part . Wondering about fusion or adr . But it's great to know people get through. What a crazy few years you've had . Congratulations on fatherhood
Wow, what a journey! I commented on your 207 days post op video. I’m documenting my journey as well. I’m only 2-1/2 months post op of double lumbar fusion. My fatigue has been what’s the hardest. I tire very fast and then when I have a long day I’m just exhausted for the next day. So navigating that is tough. Thank you for sharing. I’m so glad to hear your healthy and doing well. 👏🏽
Thank you for the update! Congratulations on your fusion and cancer recovery! Our 12 year old had same issue. She is very active in volleyball and softball. We believe due to repetitive motion she has bilateral. She is 3 months post opp of spinal fusion L5 to S1. She is in PT and strong as ox. Core and arm as well as leg workouts but all low impact for now. She is beyond ready to be active. We almost brought her to Cali for surgery! We ended up in Atlanta. Good luck to you and thank you for the updates- as a mom it was tough to swallow and prepare our daughter for such a long surgery and recovery. You were helpful! I have thought about journaling her experience. I have videoed and etc just not shared. It’s scary! Good luck to you!
@@dylanandersen2159 yes! She just finished vb game. She plays front and back. And fall softball has started back. Doing well so far. No issues. Moms always worry.
Hi my friend, thank you very much for posting these videos 🙏. It looks like I have the same exact issue with my lower back as you do. And my sciatica goes down my right leg as well. I've had a couple x-rays and MRIs and they tell me it's a grade 2 spondylolisthesis caused by the Pars defect. I'm 42 now, and thinking back I did notice back issues almost my whole life dating back to when I was a kid. I was pretty rough when I was younger, and would notice pain in my lower back maybe once every 4 months give or take, usually after rough playing or difficult sports. It would always go away within a few days so I thought it was normal. Fast forward to 2010 when I was 29 and in the military, I herniated the L5-S1 disc...increadible amount of pain...and I saw the base DR for it. He gave me simple stretches to do which didn't help, and sent me on my way. In 2015 I was a civilian again, and saw a chiropractor, who took x-rays and found that I had spondylolisthesis grade 2. That's the first time I knew something serious was wrong. Now presently I'm seeing a VA DR about it, and talked to the spinal surgeon last Friday for the second time. Once again he tried talking me out of doing the surgery because he said I would eventually require another fusion of L4-L5 a few years after fusing L5-S1. I get the very strong impression that he simply doesn't want to do the surgery, possibly just to save the VA money. Would you recommend I get a second opinion from a non-VA doctor, a specialist who actually cares and has a great reputation? Thank you so very much for your time and your posts 🙏🙏🙏
Loved your story! Unrelated to my back, I had thyroid cancer 10 years ago that ended up in total thyroid removal. Now I am Almost 8 weeks out from Alif fusion s-1/ L-5 I feel good thou I can feel my nerves rebooting since they were compressed for so long. I really hope that at 1 year I feel as good as you did. I have always been in good shape so Im hoping that will help in my recovery. T
Hi Dylan. Your videos on your recovery have been very helpful. I had my surgery in December 2022. I have been feeling great compared to what I was feeling before then. Just taking Tylenol and a muscle relaxer every so often for discomfort. I get way more sleep than I was in the last two years. I get out and walk when the weather is warm and keep a positive attitude. I can't wait til I get clearance to go back to work. Which should be in 45 days.
@@dylanandersen2159 I am feeling good. Got my results from my CT scan and X-rays showing the bone has solidified. Still taking it one day at a time because I know I'm not fully recovered yet. But overall I feel great.
Appreciate the patience! Life comes at your fast in recovery, you forget you ever talked about spinal fusions on RU-vid haha. So glad to be back at it - thank you Yorsti!!
I am yr out from l5 s1 fusion and also had the bilateral pars defect and grade 2 spondlylothesis. My surgeon told me my pars defect was congenital? Glad you are doing relatvely well!
Thank you for this. I’m about to have T10-L2 fused and I’m sort of lost. I’m worried it won’t be worth it. The idea of not thinking about pain is mind blowing. Thank you for the perspective!!!
Reading these comments makes me grateful that i didnt go ahead with L4 disc replacement and L5 S1 fusion at 39. Rather, i went to a pain management clinic, got off all the pain meds and began exercise/stretching. I'm very active and I've blown it out a couple times over the years, but I'm now 50 and and still do what I learned to give me the best chance at avoiding surgery. The surgeons told me to put it off as long as possible because having it done will place a bigger stress on the discs near the fusion.
Man I’ve watched your video before I made the decision to have s1/l5 fusion ! I’m 2 weeks out today 2/13/23! No nerve pain since surgery, Praise God for that and the surgeon!! I’m only feeling pain where the surgery was now , but with time it should go away , I had bilateral pars also on l5 and it was Excruciating pain when that vertebrae would slide out of place,in the mornings I was ok but by lunch I would be in bed the rest of the day ! I waited 3 years to have the surgery and it messed up a lot inside my lower back, so if anyone out there That is on the fence ! My surgery so far has been a blessing and I’m only 2 weeks out !!! It has given me hope for my future of being out of pain!!! I should of done it sooner !!!! I’m in eastern NC and I had my surgery in Raleigh NC , I wish I would of done it in 2020 and not waited so long !!! Thanks for these videos you were an inspiration in me having my surgery!!
Thank you for your uplifting comment! I am one of those on the fence. I've backed out 3 times now. I have surgery scheduled now for Oct 8 for 345 with a cyst lamonectomy on 3. I'm terrified as I can still function but have pain on my left side
It’s been over 1.5 years now , today am still out of pain and it’s been life changing for me!!!! Complete life changer, I’ve heard several bad reviews form several people, that’s why I waited so long but I was at the point something had to change , and it did for the better!!!! I have limited movement bending over but I am out of pain!!!! Can stand up and walk around malls with my kids where I could not before!! I am truly thankful to the lord and the surgeon!! The surgeon that did my fusion , I haven’t heard any negative from him , Dr. Scott Reeg in nc !! The best!!!
@@dylanandersen2159 I am 4 months Post L5 S1 fusion. Prior to the fusion I had a laminectomy microdisectomy which failed 3 weeks later and could barely walk. Now I get around ok but I wake up with so much pain in left lower back. Surgeon says its common but pain that intense leads me to believe its something more.
@@dylanandersen2159 I’m a year and a half out and my pain is still pretty bad, not as bad as before surgery but I’m still on pain medication. I’m on BELBUCA 600.
I have spondylolisthesis with degenerative disc disease been living in chronic pain for the last five years the surgery been needed since 2019 unfortunately After my accident I’ve been abandoned by family friends and loved ones. Tell anyone out there that is living in a world where you can’t count on nobody the people around you have failed you please look around there’s always someone willing to help your health insurance will take in consideration your situation I know sometimes they Make you jump through hoops just don’t give up
Praying for you brother! Just got an mri this morning. I know i have degenerative disc disease as well with some arthritis. Been having lots of trouble with saddle anesthesia. Groin area feels tight as ever. Every morning feels like im just finishing a 5 mile race haha. Praying for you❤
So glad your back has improved since surgery. It’s definitely not the case for all of us. I had my L5-S1 fused, also did everything “right” (ie. Got a top notch neurosurgeon, post-op no lifting, bending twisting for many, many months, walked multiple times a day, went to PT, etc.) and a year later I’m still in excruciating pain and the surgeon is talking about doing another fusion because multiple joints above where they fused are now rapidly compressing. It’s so disheartening because that surgery and recovery is no joke. To anyone considering getting it done, proceed with caution.
Thank you Jackie - I know everyone has a different experience. I am so sorry to hear of your pain. Please keep me updated and let me know what I can do to help!
I had L3-L5 fused and it was a disaster. I have to take pain meds daily. The cages moved into my spinal canal and the screws were loose. I made phone calls to the surgeon, I finally was able to see him a month later and he said he could not find the reason for my pain even though I had a CT mylegram which showed everything. Now after 3 other opinions I am being told I need T8-S1 fused to correct what the surgeon did wrong. I would not suggest this surgery to anyone.
Dylan thank you for sharing your story. I had minimally invasive postolateral lumbar gutter fusion of L-5 S-1 15 weeks ago. Still having nerve pain. have you experienced this or can anyone else comment on their experience? No nerve pain down any of my two legs.
I had surgery on 11/21/2022. Best decision ever!! I'm riding my motorcycle and looking forward to playing golf again. My feet no longer burn, or tingle and my sciatica is gone!! Greater Baltimore Medical Center is a great place to go.
@Dylan Andersen I played golf two weeks ago. No driving, but I did use my 3 wood once. I can hit the driver at six months! Just in time for our annual wounded warrior tournament.
@@darrencorcoran3508 give it time. The nerves were damaged over a long period of time and they will not heal overnight. My doc told me that whatever I feel after one year will most likely be my new normal. I still need to address the L4/L5 joint but that will be way down the road I hope. It's been just over 11 months now and my surgery area is the best part of me now. It's everything else that's barking at me. Best of luck to you.
Hey Dylan, so happy to hear you’re doing well and that the surgery worked for you! I’m in OC too and also have Pars fractures. I just had L5 S1 surgery both anterior and posterior with Dr. Jeremy Smith at Hoag Irvine 6 weeks ago. Just curious, did your initial back pain come back? If so, how long would you say it lasted? My exact same pain has come back, so I’m getting a little nervous. I start PT really soon, so hoping that will help. Thanks!
I had L4L5 S1 bilateral decompression surgery 2 years ago for the same reasons you did-shooting pain down one leg and unable to stand fir more than 10 minutes w/o tingling pain. The surgery immediately “cured” this pain and I am still pain free. HOWEVER the surgery caused both my feet to go numb and I can only keep my balance walking with a cane. Was it worth it? I had no choice as you said in one of your other videos. I could not cope with the leg pain. Every case is different. Happy for your recovery.
I am sorry to hear - but yes, we have little choice in this endeavor. The people who suffer with this can't regret the choices they make because it's either live in excruciating pain or trade one pain for another. Glad to hear you're with us and doing what you can. Hang in there!
Wow bro I thought I had it bad . I have blood cancer p vera and had vocal cord cancer lymph nodes out in dec of last year then got abscesses and septic in ICU . Glad your good . WHO WAS THE SURGEON AND WHAT HOSPITAL . ?? I GREW UP IN LAGUNA BEACH
Agree that these sort of videos can be really helpful but you have to keep in mind that everyone's experience with this type of surgery is going to be very different. I am 7+ months out of L4/L5 fusion. From the first day post-op my pain has been completely eliminated. We're talking zero and I was in a tremendous amount of agony. I could barely walk from the front door of the hospital to the waiting room on my day of surgery. Along with a great surgeon, I think following his instructions (and PT) for diet and exercise after the surgery to the absolute letter played a key role in my success so far. Of that, be sure that you are walking, walking, walking! No excuses. Walk at least twice a day as far as you can tolerate any sort of strain and exhaustion. Its such a big deal to walk. Get off the pain pills as soon as possible - I stopped mine in 5 days. No bending, lifting or twisting (BLT) until you are told its ok. Best of luck to those of you in the comment section about to undergo surgery. You'll be fine!
Congratulations on your recovery. How did you choose a surgeon? How many did you see? I've seen the two most highly rated surgeons I could find within my large metro area, but the surgeons have significantly different prognoses and even a difference in number of disks they want to fuse.
I am 7 months after surgery, had spinal fusion on 4 levels and decompression had to brake my back because it had self fused ,I cant walk now without crutches and are on more pain meds, I had a very good surgeon but unfortunately I was left to long waiting,so sometimes it is not possible to get up and walk or get off meds ,each person is different, best of luck and prayers to everyone you has to go through this
I had my L4xL5xS1 fusion just over two months ago. I am glad to hear you say this, because I thought it was weird. It has been the same for me. Aside from the pain of having bones cut and screws, etc. put in, I was pain free. None of the previous pain was there. I had terrible sciatica, the feeling of walking with golf balls under my toes, and like there were wires being driven into my toes from the top. Postoperatively, I took Tylenol for pain and it worked fine. I’m a different person! I, too, chose my surgeon carefully. I saw three total. The first two, while nice enough and highly recommended, I just did not feel comfortable with. The one I went with, I liked what I saw in his bio, I liked the program that he and the hospital he is affiliated with have created so that people have the best possible outcomes, and the care at this hospital I knew was exemplary after seeing them in action with my late father-in-law. I more or less went with my gut. I had an amazing experience (as amazing as lumbar fusion can be lol) and am also following his instructions to the letter. I’m so glad I did it the way I did! I have a new lease on life.
I have a pending L3/L4/L5/S1 fusion by the VA. Worried sick! Been watching lots of recovery videos and really hope it goes as well as some of you all. This will be my 2nd back surgery...
Thank you for the video. I know everyone is different. I am scheduling my surgery for August 1st but need to fly on 19 September. Is 6 weeks recovery time realistic for flying? I can push to October if need. Your thoughts? I’m 53 y/o. Thanks for any input.
Hey im sara im 39 chronicpain disabled I'm about to have Alift spinal fusion surgery on lower back Sept 12 im so sacred my L4 and L5 there no disc anymore. Can you give me any tips please im so happy for you that your out of chronicpain your surgery went well. Please let me any tips things i need to buy for the house for my surgery ✝️✝️❤️❤️💜❤️❤️❤️💜💜❤️❤️💜❤️💜💜💜❤️❤️
Tomorrow at 6am is my surgery and i am scared to death. But my pain is so bad i will do anything. Ive tried everyrhing so here i go. Ty for the info. Have a great time wirh your daughter. These are my three kidd o s
You'll be fine! Hang in there and just know that the good times are coming. It's going to be a lot harder for a while but eventually, you will be back to normal.
Ive had 2 disectomies on my l4 l5 and its re herniated again and my doctor has said i ever have to deal with the pain or get a fusion which im going for cause im so over the nerve pain and medication i gotta take.
Do you have a screw at the back and plate in the front? AFter surgery, I am home bound. I used to the thing that you are doing. Now, I am very sad. Thank you and wish you well
No, just a TLIF with 4 screws and rods in the back. No plate. Hang in there - it is not easy! Your mental fitness is the most important part. Be positive. I promise it will pay off.
Thank you! Honestly? I don't notice any limitations but I often try my best (instinctly, now) to not bend over. I do a lunge to pick things up and if I do bend, it's not extreme. I'm sure I can push it further but just no need for it. Hope that helps!
29M, Closing in on surgery being the next option. I'm not sure if this can be answered easily, but I'll try: How bad do you think ones day should be before surgery? Like on a 1-10. Currently dependant on opiates to get through days, it's not even just to get through work-days anymore. Thanks
I made a video (see it oin my channel) trying to discuss if spinal fusion was worth it. For me, obviously with the thyroid cancer and other factors including the pars defect, only a fusion would fix the problems. It wasn't a "up to you if you wanna do this", it was a "this must happen, there's no way to fix broken bones other than to fuse". But, in terms of pain, I said in that "Is Spinal Fusion Worth It?" video, that for me it was when I realized I couldn't cope with the pain and discomfort anymore. When my coping could not keep up with the pain, it was time to go.
If the only thing limiting you is pain then I would see an anesthesiologist that specializes in chronic pain before getting surgery, especially a fusion.
How can the orthopedic surgeon not realize your bones were not right during the fusion. He had to drill, tap and screw in a threaded fastener. Anybody that worked in wood or metals knows the feels of har woods vs soft wood, steel vs cast iron, high strength steel vs low carbon steel, and your surgeon tell that your bone density was f’ed up. Did you ask that question? Did he test the bone density of the broken facet? If not, why not. I’m an engineer with some biomechanics. I went through 6 years and 4 knees before I got one that hasn’t gone bad. Last hospital was world famous and they did as many F-ups as the Back woods boys. What a horrible scam upon the public to have to go through this crap and we end up paying deductibles, copay’s, transportation, and so on and none of that goes back to the source of the problem. It’s like letting drunk drivers go as long as there were no traffic violations. Pure bullshit. Medicine is highly intelligent and educated people trying to fix things with Stone Age tools and passing it off as state of the art science. Science and analytical thinking has nothing to do with the process. They look at things one at a time, under a microscope. They need to teach systems engineering. The science is only about 70 years old, they should try it. Oh, to go with the 4th knee I got my third bacterial infection for life. Antibiotics for the rest of my natural life, you call this natural? The knee doesn’t work right and the leg is 20mm shorter. Nice job doc.
Haha, this was a intense comment to read. You're right though. I'm disappointed that they saw high calcium in my blood and never investigated further. You're right. Hope you're feeling better now, Greg.
Thanks, good fortune in your future too. This RU-vid thing can be very inspirational in a time of mental and physical passivity. I like things that move. Boats, little ones, big one, real big loud ones, sail boats, I’d like a ride on one of those World Cup hydro foil boats that go 2 and 3 times the speed of the wind, wait there is more, motorcycles, I’m relegated to 3 wheels, luckily my friends in Canada at Bombardier make a very sporty 3 wheel well engineered bike with an aircraft engine. It’s a blast. I’d say fast cars but my son has taken that over and put a V8 in everything except his snowblower, it only has a turbocharged flat six ( not really). He has one of the lesser popular Porsches and he put GM LS V8 in displacing about 7.0l and making just under 400hp. Upon acceleration I couldn’t breath. Fast cars are done. I can live vicariously based on chromosomes I planted. That wasn’t the plan but every once in awhile you get what you need as The Rolling Stones song lyric goes. Press on my friend.
And then came the pandemic. It's all about the money and not being held responsible for their Fuk ups .I've had two spinal fusion and 7 years later suffering worse then ever but they made their money off me So kicked to the curb 😂
Well said guys, it's a pity that even with recent advances with stem cells, doctors are still sticking with fusion and other stone age machanical hardwares like steel and carbon based, instead of grade 1 titanium. I still don't understand why stem cell therapy or regeneration of spinal disc or intera-vertibal body with the use of stem cells are not possible or may be there is no incentive in developing a new way of treating spinal related issues. I think it's deliberate that doctors or researchers are not looking for or trying to invent a better way of treating patients than the traditional outdated methods.
Fantastic to listen to your story, keep up being a strong good person. Bless you and your family, thanks for sharing ❤ (+4 y w L5S1 herniation here). Your videos means a lot to me.
I am happy that you recovered from the surgery I am almost 8 weeks post op early in the recovery ❤️🩹 hopefully I will feel better very soon . When did ur bone started to fuse? Do you have any tips how u are handling your daughter any restrictions when u spend time with her in the playground or running around? Have great day thank you
