I am 3 weeks post op and my advice to all that's having or just had ACDF, be prepared to find, once you go home, sleeping will be awkward, you'll need every pillow you can find to prop you up. Eat soft foods to start with, yoghurt, Weetabix etc, the throat pain is just like you'd get when you have a cold, so with that in mind eat small amounts to begin with as you'll feel like your stomach is in your throat. It does get easier. Don't rush with exercises, start off little movements and build up, trust me when I say that your neck and arms will make you stop if you've gone too far. I didn't take any ibuprofen, I continued to take the painkillers I was basically living on before the op, but I found I didn't need them and paracetamol worked just as well, never thought I'd say that 🤗 I know everyone's recovery is going to be different, but stick with a routine and build yourself up gradually, good luck everyone 👍
I had ACDF on Tuesday morning, Sent home late Wednesday. Couldn't swallow Thursday, called the doctor, Couldn't swallow Friday. Spoke with the Dr. who siad it was inflamation. Could not swallow pain killers or muscle relaxants. Or a teaspoon of water. Could not reach Dr. weekend. Emergency Room early Monday morning - immediately Cat scan. Large Hematoma was completely blocking esophagus. 5 doctor meeting. 1)more Surgery, 2)radiology procedure with a stint - quite dangerous, or 3)steroids. Steroids was chosen I had NO water for five days and no food for 9 days. I lost 20 lbs in 9 days. First days of food was cup of jello and apple sauce. 5 weeks later I still have eat very small bites and slowly. I am a singer. I have no voice. Failure to monitor drain properly. 1% risk for this procedure.
I would suggest that if you don't have a recliner, to buy or borrow one. It is painful to lie in on a flat bed after ACDF surgery. The elevation of a recliner, takes some of the pressure off your neck and eliminates that extra pain. No one warned us and my husband had to run out and buy one. Others I have talked to said they could not sleep in the bed either, and had to sleep in a recliner.
I am heading to the surgery center in about an hour. This video and your now and forever video were both very helpful in knowing what to expect and having a plan for what to do. I have to admit that my Dr didnt give me a good gameplan like this. Thank you! - TJ
MIKE SCHULIK thank you for your concern... my head cracks when I stand up and I have so much preassure un the base neck till my shoulders, but the worse is to drink or talk ... hurts me so much Dr. told me is because they tube me . And all is inflamated... hope you are doing well with all my heart ! Blessings and wish you recovery soon !!
I’m so sorry to hear that. I had this done on June 24th and I’m not doing well. The burning sensation running down my arms is horrible. I’m tiered of all of it.
Everyone is different. Naturally with multi levels, your chances are greater of experiencing this. I had a 3 level over 4 years ago. Clear, thin liquids like water would choke me for the first 3-4 days. Thicker liquids were easier for me- cream of chicken soup, milkshakes, yogurt, smoothies, etc. It gradually dissipated.
My surgeon said nsaids are not to be used after acdf because you need the inflammatory process to fuse.
I am 3 weeks post op and my advice to all that's having or just had ACDF, be prepared to find, once you go home, sleeping will be awkward, you'll need every pillow you can find to prop you up. Eat soft foods to start with, yoghurt, Weetabix etc, the throat pain is just like you'd get when you have a cold, so with that in mind eat small amounts to begin with as you'll feel like your stomach is in your throat. It does get easier. Don't rush with exercises, start off little movements and build up, trust me when I say that your neck and arms will make you stop if you've gone too far.
I didn't take any ibuprofen, I continued to take the painkillers I was basically living on before the op, but I found I didn't need them and paracetamol worked just as well, never thought I'd say that 🤗 I know everyone's recovery is going to be different, but stick with a routine and build yourself up gradually, good luck everyone 👍
I had ACDF on Tuesday morning, Sent home late Wednesday. Couldn't swallow Thursday, called the doctor, Couldn't swallow Friday. Spoke with the Dr. who siad it was inflamation. Could not swallow pain killers or muscle relaxants. Or a teaspoon of water. Could not reach Dr. weekend. Emergency Room early Monday morning - immediately Cat scan. Large Hematoma was completely blocking esophagus. 5 doctor meeting. 1)more Surgery, 2)radiology procedure with a stint - quite dangerous, or 3)steroids. Steroids was chosen I had NO water for five days and no food for 9 days. I lost 20 lbs in 9 days. First days of food was cup of jello and apple sauce. 5 weeks later I still have eat very small bites and slowly. I am a singer. I have no voice. Failure to monitor drain properly. 1% risk for this procedure.
I would suggest that if you don't have a recliner, to buy or borrow one. It is painful to lie in on a flat bed after ACDF surgery. The elevation of a recliner, takes some of the pressure off your neck and eliminates that extra pain. No one warned us and my husband had to run out and buy one. Others I have talked to said they could not sleep in the bed either, and had to sleep in a recliner.
I am heading to the surgery center in about an hour. This video and your now and forever video were both very helpful in knowing what to expect and having a plan for what to do. I have to admit that my Dr didnt give me a good gameplan like this. Thank you! - TJ
6 days since my C3/4 ACDF, and I'm back in the office working. Plenty of rest up until today and an icepack on the neck did wonders.
Everything Dr. Rodz says in this video will really help post op!
Thank you with all my heart and soul for this explanation !! This is my first week and I don't feel well..
Monica O Keeffe are you feeling any better? I’m on week three post op
MIKE SCHULIK thank you for your concern... my head cracks when I stand up and I have so much preassure un the base neck till my shoulders, but the worse is to drink or talk ... hurts me so much Dr. told me is because they tube me . And all is inflamated... hope you are doing well with all my heart ! Blessings and wish you recovery soon !!
I’m so sorry to hear that. I had this done on June 24th and I’m not doing well. The burning sensation running down my arms is horrible. I’m tiered of all of it.
Diana Fernandez Hi Diana .. and how are you doing now ??
I was only given paracetamol post op 😕.
Fantastyczny opis postępowania po operacji,bardzo pomocny
What is your facebook name, thx!
What about the swallowing issues?
Everyone is different. Naturally with multi levels, your chances are greater of experiencing this. I had a 3 level over 4 years ago. Clear, thin liquids like water would choke me for the first 3-4 days. Thicker liquids were easier for me- cream of chicken soup, milkshakes, yogurt, smoothies, etc. It gradually dissipated.
c coop how are you feeling today and how long was your recovery?
I would like to know how soon after the ACDF recovery one can takes a trip on a plane? Please advise. Thank you.
KAL always wear a soft cervical collar when take off and landing on plane trips. So not to get whiplash avoid second surgery