Hi! I've been following your surgery/pain journey and have found it not just helpful, but also calming. I'm having my L4-L5 surgery May 28th, and b/c of my other health challenges & still having a 15yo to raise, it's scary (esp since I've been sitting on my bum for almost 3 months not being able to walk). I truly appreciate your candid-ness and showing the nit and gritty. I honestly had no idea about a bunch of the stuff you mentioned, like how they put in a drain or whether sleep will be possible post-op in the hospital (or that I might WANT to stay in the hospital an extra day)... For example, I think I would have freaked a bit if, when I come out of surgery I had this bag-o-blood-chunks and didn't know that was "normal"! Also, I love that you have a sense of humor and made it seem human and "survivable." I'll be praying that your recovery is going well- better than expected even- and that you have strength and peace (& for your wife, too- God bless her for all she's doing- having been a caregiver for my mom I know that's a rough gig). Anyway, just wanted to reach out and say what a blessing your RUclips videos have been.
Wow Mary, First off thank you for the kind words…the internet typically isn’t the friendliest of places so I appreciate them more than you know. Our goal is to always be as real as we would be with each other whether or not the camera is on. Don’t be afraid of the surgery I’m 4 weeks out now and starting to feel much better each and every week! I’ll post an update tomorrow. Thanks for following along!
Thank you for doing these videos. Sending positive thoughts and prayers. I see a surgeon tomorrow for fusion, discectomy and laminectomy. I am petrified. Keep your positive attitude….you inspire us.
I had L1 L3 fusion. My screws came out but no pain. Just scary. My second surgery went about the same for the first week. I am 3 weeks along and having numbness in both big toes? And lower back is aching a little. But agree that it is a process. Hang in there.
So glad you're doing well. How did you make out taking the Trazadone?? (Not sure of the spelling) Did you see anymore strange things?? Thank you for posting your recovery!! It will help in case someone is considering this type of surgery. God Bless and take care!!
Hey the drug made me sleep for a few hours but I have thought about those shadow people every single day since it happened. I swear I can still feel them touch me….so I don’t know what to think.
Thanks for posting the videos! Trying to work up the courage to get this done. No one understands the pain until you go thru it. My back would go out and it would feel like someone was jumping up and down on my shoulders like on the cartoons forcing me to the ground. And the leg pain would feel like someone cut my leg wide open, poured salt and gas in and lit it on fire. It's diabolical.
Great to see your improvement! I’ve been following your progress because I will be having the TLIF and laminectomy on May 6th. You have helped me so much by documenting your journey and I really want to thank you. Was your back brace or the bone growth stimulator prescribed by your surgeon? Just wanted to know so if my surgeon does or will prescribe them I can see if my insurance will pay for a portion. Thanks again and keep up the good work
Yes the Doctor just put in the order for everything. I ended up having to pay $200 for my leg sleeves but the surgeon told me that whatever my insurance decided to pay for the bone growth stimulator was fine and anything that insurance didn’t cover on it they would write off.
Hello brother. I hope you recover well. This time. I might have to go through this in couple of months on my L4 L5 S1. That's why I like to see you. Videos, the positive attitude . Give me hope 🙏🏽
@@martycarmichael3885 I'm 12 weeks out now and walked 3.1 miles this morning before work so I am going to call it a success. I still have tons of pain and stiffness when sitting for a while. I definitely DO NOT regret the surgery at all.
@@martycarmichael3885 That's exactly what I did and it caused my fusion to fail.....once we did the 2nd fusion the Dr. said for 2 weeks just to walk to the kitchen and bathroom only.
So happy for you. I also went through the same operation L4L5 Aug 23. 6 skrews. From time to time stiff an pain in lower back. Thanks for dealing with us.
No I couldn’t, you need to order the cheap bidet that I installed prior to surgery and then get the toilet paper wand as well. The Bidet is only $30 and it is life changing and I can’t believe I lived without it
@@DownSouth_Adventures thanks, that’s what I thought. I bought the bidet when they told me a while ago that I needed the surgery. I also going to purchase a lifting recliner to be able to get up easier. I have a temperpedic bed with adjustable base but have a very hard time getting up if I am in severe pain. I hope this isn’t horribly painful.
@@ebikerforlife Well I always said that I would be real and not sugar coat everything.......so just be prepared it's painful, A LOT.....the lifting recliners can make your muscle weak. You need to be practicing sitting and standing without using your hands all while keeping your back perfectly straight. I worked on this for 7 weeks every single day before my surgery and it was a LIFESAVER! Good Luck with your surgery and I hope you heal quickly!
Thank you for doing these videos. I’m 73 and having surgery August 19th. I think my surgery may have some differences compared to yours. I have 2 vertebrae that have crumbled and will be replaced with cadaver bones or metal ones. I will have rods and screws on several other vertebrate. All of it is lower back. I have a couple of questions. Why did you have 2 IVs? Also, do you know if the thing they did to your hand is common? Is the brace worn all the time? Glad to see you are doing so well. Blessings…
it was to administer separate medicines, I wear my brace anytime that I am up and moving. I am 12 weeks post op now and will continue to wear the brace for around 3 more months. It's like a comfort blanket at this point. Good Luck with your surgery Kay....I TRULY hope that it brings you relief and thanks for supporting my channel!
My recovery went great in the recliner. I’m eight weeks out and walking 3 miles per day and just started sleeping in the bed again . The only time I have pain is when I make a movement that I shouldn’t.
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again do not get fusion unless you can’t walk especially if you’re older where older bones and vertebrae are more brittle. My sister-in-law had the surgery and a month later the screws backed out. She had another one and she’s got 40% pain still, and what happens now is the rest of the spinal area is compromised because of the solidification of the current section.
@@lance0055 my feet were completely numb for around 12 years but we thought is was due to peripheral arterial disease and nueropathy but when I woke up and could feel them it was crazy!
I am following all of your videos. they are very helpful.. I appreciate your showing the bandages and items that are helpful. I guess I need to go abck to oter video because you may have a link to the tray for the chair. thank again
Hi boss so glad you are doing well, I am 17 days post l4l5 fusion doing great but try taking calcium and vitamin D supplements to help with bone growth. Keep healing my friend Raj from London
Hey thanks so much for the kind words! I hope that your recovery is going well and thanks so much for the suggestion on the calcium. I have only been taking vitamin D.
Thk you for these videos. I get my L4 and L5 fused with robotic assist in 7 days. Your videos have made me feel better about it. I have a bad left leg with numb feet and toes. In fact I can't feel how much pressure I'm putting on my gas pedal at times. Prayers for your recovery and good luck
Been in your exact spot. Except I had a L4-S1 fusion. That wedge failed on me too causing foot drop and having to wear a leg brace daily. Wish you a speedy recovery
Thanks again. I just had my clearance and waiting for my pre-op appointment. Curious - was it the same surgeon the second time? Wondering if choices of hardware and stitch thread were discussed. Seems like a major surgery for a dr to be like, well that setup didn't work let's try this one. It probably wasn't quite like that but I'm curious. I'll make sure to talk about that stuff at my pre-op. All the best!
Yes it was the same surgeon because they were trying a brand new style of entrance because of the muscle around my spine. I knew the risks the 3 out of 10 fail. The nylon stitches are holding up much better on my bigger frame but if you look at how much more space they could give me with the globus medical expandable spacer. I feel much stronger after this surgery and I think it’s from the extra space.
@@DownSouth_Adventures Ah, I see. Thanks for the deets. I won't have as much muscle for them to worry about, hah! Keep posting as long as your up for it, real helpful - rock on man (real slow ballad rock of course) :)
And remember, slow and steady wins the race
Absolutely! I learned that after the first failure!
Awesome news! Great spirit brother! Looking great and sound great! 🙏 for a speedy recovery! Thanks for the updates!
Hey thanks for the kinds words! A positive spirit heals faster than a negative one!
Hi! I've been following your surgery/pain journey and have found it not just helpful, but also calming. I'm having my L4-L5 surgery May 28th, and b/c of my other health challenges & still having a 15yo to raise, it's scary (esp since I've been sitting on my bum for almost 3 months not being able to walk). I truly appreciate your candid-ness and showing the nit and gritty. I honestly had no idea about a bunch of the stuff you mentioned, like how they put in a drain or whether sleep will be possible post-op in the hospital (or that I might WANT to stay in the hospital an extra day)... For example, I think I would have freaked a bit if, when I come out of surgery I had this bag-o-blood-chunks and didn't know that was "normal"! Also, I love that you have a sense of humor and made it seem human and "survivable." I'll be praying that your recovery is going well- better than expected even- and that you have strength and peace (& for your wife, too- God bless her for all she's doing- having been a caregiver for my mom I know that's a rough gig). Anyway, just wanted to reach out and say what a blessing your RUclips videos have been.
Wow Mary,
First off thank you for the kind words…the internet typically isn’t the friendliest of places so I appreciate them more than you know. Our goal is to always be as real as we would be with each other whether or not the camera is on. Don’t be afraid of the surgery I’m 4 weeks out now and starting to feel much better each and every week! I’ll post an update tomorrow. Thanks for following along!
The medicine they gave you is the same medicine im yaking now. Plus i take it for my chest eall pain.
Luckily I’m off of everything now!
This is what worries me BIG Time. As I need same operation. Neck is just as bad. I have had operation on back before. Take care take buddy
Yeah it sucked but I would make the same decision all over again....the relief I have now is soooo worth it! Good luck with your recovery buddy!
I also put a gel brace under the big brace so the contact with incision was hurting😢
That’s smart! I didn’t really experience any pain with the brace so I didn’t think of that.
Thank you for doing these videos. Sending positive thoughts and prayers. I see a surgeon tomorrow for fusion, discectomy and laminectomy. I am petrified. Keep your positive attitude….you inspire us.
Good luck with your procedure!
I had L1 L3 fusion. My screws came out but no pain. Just scary. My second surgery went about the same for the first week. I am 3 weeks along and having numbness in both big toes? And lower back is aching a little. But agree that it is a process. Hang in there.
Hey big ditto Rosemary! You’ve got this!
Wound looks a lot better too....
Yes it is “leaking” so much less than the first time!
So glad you're doing well. How did you make out taking the Trazadone??
(Not sure of the spelling)
Did you see anymore strange things??
Thank you for posting your recovery!! It will help in case someone is considering this type of surgery.
God Bless and take care!!
Hey the drug made me sleep for a few hours but I have thought about those shadow people every single day since it happened. I swear I can still feel them touch me….so I don’t know what to think.
Love your positive attitude.. I'm sending prayers and a successful recovery ❤
A positive attitude heals quicker than a negative one!
Thanks for posting the videos! Trying to work up the courage to get this done. No one understands the pain until you go thru it. My back would go out and it would feel like someone was jumping up and down on my shoulders like on the cartoons forcing me to the ground. And the leg pain would feel like someone cut my leg wide open, poured salt and gas in and lit it on fire. It's diabolical.
I’m so thankful for the surgery man….seriously
Great to see your improvement! I’ve been following your progress because I will be having the TLIF and laminectomy on May 6th. You have helped me so much by documenting your journey and I really want to thank you. Was your back brace or the bone growth stimulator prescribed by your surgeon? Just wanted to know so if my surgeon does or will prescribe them I can see if my insurance will pay for a portion. Thanks again and keep up the good work
Yes the Doctor just put in the order for everything. I ended up having to pay $200 for my leg sleeves but the surgeon told me that whatever my insurance decided to pay for the bone growth stimulator was fine and anything that insurance didn’t cover on it they would write off.
Thanks so much for the motivation to keep doing these videos…..they aren’t typically what this channel is about
I was out of commission for 12 months.
What kept you down so long?
Happy to see you in good spirits Sir!! prayers for a full and speedy recovery!!! Enjoy the view!!!! heheheheeee
😁
Lol thanks so much! And yessir we gotta focus on the good stuff
Thank you so much for sharing
I have my surgery on May 9th you and your wife have put my mind at ease 😊
I’m uploading my 3 week update today….just get prepared and You’ve got this!
Hello brother. I hope you recover well. This time. I might have to go through this in couple of months on my L4 L5 S1. That's why I like to see you. Videos, the positive attitude .
Give me hope 🙏🏽
Thanks buddy you’re gonna be fine and eventually you’ll be glad that you did it!
How are you doing ow? I just had L4 thru S1 fused two days ago.
@@martycarmichael3885 I'm 12 weeks out now and walked 3.1 miles this morning before work so I am going to call it a success. I still have tons of pain and stiffness when sitting for a while. I definitely DO NOT regret the surgery at all.
@@DownSouth_Adventures Thanks! I just had it done two days ago. I’m sore, but walked around a mile today.
@@martycarmichael3885 That's exactly what I did and it caused my fusion to fail.....once we did the 2nd fusion the Dr. said for 2 weeks just to walk to the kitchen and bathroom only.
So happy for you. I also went through the same operation L4L5 Aug 23. 6 skrews. From time to time stiff an pain in lower back. Thanks for dealing with us.
I hope that your recovery goes continues to get better! Thanks for watching!
I have to ask, can you go to the bathroom and turn enough to wipe yourself? I have a major fear of not being able to do that myself.
No I couldn’t, you need to order the cheap bidet that I installed prior to surgery and then get the toilet paper wand as well. The Bidet is only $30 and it is life changing and I can’t believe I lived without it
@@DownSouth_Adventures thanks, that’s what I thought. I bought the bidet when they told me a while ago that I needed the surgery. I also going to purchase a lifting recliner to be able to get up easier. I have a temperpedic bed with adjustable base but have a very hard time getting up if I am in severe pain. I hope this isn’t horribly painful.
@@ebikerforlife Well I always said that I would be real and not sugar coat everything.......so just be prepared it's painful, A LOT.....the lifting recliners can make your muscle weak. You need to be practicing sitting and standing without using your hands all while keeping your back perfectly straight. I worked on this for 7 weeks every single day before my surgery and it was a LIFESAVER! Good Luck with your surgery and I hope you heal quickly!
You look and sound good - Sunshine is your friend ☀️
Thanks belly you’re absolutely right!
Glad to hear all is going well this time around!
Thanks Meagan!
Thank you for doing these videos. I’m 73 and having surgery August 19th. I think my surgery may have some differences compared to yours. I have 2 vertebrae that have crumbled and will be replaced with cadaver bones or metal ones. I will have rods and screws on several other vertebrate. All of it is lower back. I have a couple of questions. Why did you have 2 IVs? Also, do you know if the thing they did to your hand is common? Is the brace worn all the time? Glad to see you are doing so well. Blessings…
it was to administer separate medicines, I wear my brace anytime that I am up and moving. I am 12 weeks post op now and will continue to wear the brace for around 3 more months. It's like a comfort blanket at this point. Good Luck with your surgery Kay....I TRULY hope that it brings you relief and thanks for supporting my channel!
Zero G. Is very helpful. I was zero G for 7 months. Then slowly started walking.
My recovery went great in the recliner.
I’m eight weeks out and walking 3 miles per day and just started sleeping in the bed again . The only time I have pain is when I make a movement that I shouldn’t.
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again do not get fusion unless you can’t walk especially if you’re older where older bones and vertebrae are more brittle. My sister-in-law had the surgery and a month later the screws backed out. She had another one and she’s got 40% pain still, and what happens now is the rest of the spinal area is compromised because of the solidification of the current section.
I hadn’t been able to walk for three months after 10 years of personal training and therapy. I believe it was my time.
@@DownSouth_Adventures ok makes sense then. Did you have numbness and foot drop?
@@lance0055 my feet were completely numb for around 12 years but we thought is was due to peripheral arterial disease and nueropathy but when I woke up and could feel them it was crazy!
@@DownSouth_Adventures awesome!
I am following all of your videos. they are very helpful.. I appreciate your showing the bandages and items that are helpful. I guess I need to go abck to oter video because you may have a link to the tray for the chair. thank again
Yes, there is a link for that tray table in one of the descriptions. Btw I have all of the spine videos in a playlist
Hi boss so glad you are doing well, I am 17 days post l4l5 fusion doing great but try taking calcium and vitamin D supplements to help with bone growth. Keep healing my friend Raj from London
Hey thanks so much for the kind words! I hope that your recovery is going well and thanks so much for the suggestion on the calcium. I have only been taking vitamin D.
Thk you for these videos.
I get my L4 and L5 fused with robotic assist in 7 days. Your videos have made me feel better about it. I have a bad left leg with numb feet and toes. In fact I can't feel how much pressure I'm putting on my gas pedal at times.
Prayers for your recovery and good luck
Hey buddy I’m glad they are helping! Good luck with your surgery!
Been in your exact spot. Except I had a L4-S1 fusion. That wedge failed on me too causing foot drop and having to wear a leg brace daily. Wish you a speedy recovery
Hey William I hate that for you man! My strong foot is now tingly on the top but I am feeling good! I hope that your symptoms improve!
keep working it out. get healthy and back in the seat to do some campin. that will free the mind of the grind.
Absolutely but I feel like it’s going to be forever….probably 6 months before we are off-roading :(
How did you know your first surgery failed?
I am having surgery next month
I got some very sharp and harsh pain near the incision when walking that I had never felt so we went and did an x-ray and saw the screw had came out
Curious why the doc went with TLIF approach and not the ALIF?
He had a couple of reasons the first was my size but the major reason was my level of spondylolisthesis
Thanks again. I just had my clearance and waiting for my pre-op appointment. Curious - was it the same surgeon the second time? Wondering if choices of hardware and stitch thread were discussed. Seems like a major surgery for a dr to be like, well that setup didn't work let's try this one. It probably wasn't quite like that but I'm curious. I'll make sure to talk about that stuff at my pre-op. All the best!
Yes it was the same surgeon because they were trying a brand new style of entrance because of the muscle around my spine.
I knew the risks the 3 out of 10 fail. The nylon stitches are holding up much better on my bigger frame but if you look at how much more space they could give me with the globus medical expandable spacer. I feel much stronger after this surgery and I think it’s from the extra space.
@@DownSouth_Adventures Ah, I see. Thanks for the deets. I won't have as much muscle for them to worry about, hah! Keep posting as long as your up for it, real helpful - rock on man (real slow ballad rock of course) :)
@@mrneilsrv bwahahaha definitely slooooow
@@mrneilsrv Bwahahaha you too!