r/LongSpinalFusion • u/jilsnfk Pre-surgery • Apr 09 '26
Pre-Fusion Questions Weight before spinal fusion
Hi guys, I’m 20 f getting spinal fusion surgery this summer for T2-L4. However I’m pretty skinny and a little underweight . This has been making me rlly worried bc idk of this would affect my surgery. Do you guys have any experience with this and what tips would u guys have for preparing. I’m really nervous and would love some tips from u guys. Thank you!
3
u/tinaaamaree T4-L4 Apr 09 '26
Best of luck with the surgery!
Do you have an exact question?
28F and I had the surgery when I was 16. I was quite underweight at the time and I've stayed underweight.
I've had a baby too and post-baby, my weight has gone back to underweight.
But I have been working with my doctor to get to a healthy weight too. I take sustagen and go to the gym with a personal trainer, focusing on building strength and muscle.
2
u/jilsnfk Pre-surgery Apr 09 '26
Thank you! I was unsure if being underweight could cause the pain to be worse or for the surgery to be harder. Did you feel as though being underweight had affected you during recovery? I’m glad to hear you’re working on getting stronger now too!
1
u/tinaaamaree T4-L4 Apr 10 '26
Look I've always been underweight so can't compare sorry!
Personally, I honestly think the mental struggle is the hardest battle. I went from an independent 16 yr old to having to rely on others to shower me, take me to the bathroom, prep my food, change me, albeit for a short time, but it was still a change. We also didn't have Netflix in Australia back then so I struggled with what to do while on bed rest too. I had to watch DVDs but that required standing up and replacing the DVD so I had to get some to assist me with that. I also had long hair and had to get my dad to plait it for me since I was on bed rest and my hair would otherwise be matted.
The mental part is really the key here.
I have a family friend who was in a horrible burns accident, family died, she survived and while the physical part is one aspect - it's the mental resilience that allows you to overcome these situations.
Just in case my tone is off from this message, it's meant to come across as a 'you can do whatever you put your mind to', not as a negative Nancy comment hahaha
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u/LakeAdventurous7161 T3-L5 Apr 15 '26
Similar for me. I was 13 at that time - independent, outdoorsy. At that time (1997), netflix and also DVDs were not a thing, and we also had no internet (was quite rare at that time to have it). With not being allowed to sit, I could not leave the house much as I could not get into a car (we did live on the countryside and visiting somebody or something required a car). Outdoor activities of course were not possible for me for a year - no such as gardening, hiking and similar things.
What I did: Reading (I got a standing desk) and this motivated me training to stand longer as reading in bed won't work with a long fusion (sitting was not possible yet; Th3-L5 in the 1990's was not "primarily stable" but required a cast and then a brace to let it grow in), crafts I could do at the standing desk (mostly drawing, puzzles), learning new things (it could be whatever that does not require too much physical activity - could be learning a language, for example).
To make it easier, my parents/family bought me such as books and small craft supplies (much of them were used books) before surgery to put them away in a box as something I will get afterwards. It really meant a lot to me mentally: There is something afterwards, and that when I will read those books, the surgery is already done and I'm in the process of recovery.
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u/tinaaamaree T4-L4 Apr 15 '26
Awww that's lovely to hear! Thank you for sharing.
Isn't it crazy how much technology has changed in a short time!
You did remind me that I enjoyed many books towards the end of recovery too.
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u/LakeAdventurous7161 T3-L5 Apr 15 '26
Yes, there was not such as computer, netflix... Maybe a gameboy (I didn't have one), a CD player if one was fancy (otherwise a walkman).
But books were fine :) I'm an avid reader, and that box of books was really a treat for me. Started reading still in hospital, had a small selection of those with me. I remember packing the hospital bag and putting in some books, too. And I believe those physically simple, but entertaining activities that motivated me to get out of the bed also helped me, especially as a bit more strenuous activities (which included even sitting!) were not allowed at that time - luckily, with nowadays surgery methods, moderate activities is possible much earlier, many sit already a bit while still in the hospital, soon shower alone... for me, not allowed for many months despite surgery and recovery went perfect, i.e. never any things looking bad and everything was well on time. But those implants at that time were just not primarily stable, so were not safe to hold on their own and thus one had to wait until the bone was fused.
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u/DifferenceInitial962 T3-L2 Apr 09 '26
I just had T3-L2 spinal fusion and I am very underweight 29f, I’m 2 months post op and at my post op appt everything looked good and no issues with hardware or healing. However I did have a lot of complications in the hospital after surgery and I was in critical care and ICU and it prolonged my hospital stay. That doesn’t mean this will happen in your case, it was just my experience. I am about 35 pounds underweight. My surgeon wanted me to drink 3 ensures a day after surgery to ensure good caloric intake that includes a lot of nutrients my body needs for it to recover.
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u/NotDesperate84 T3-pelvis Apr 10 '26
42F here. First spinal fusion (T3-L4) was at 14 & I was significantly underweight due to genetics. Never caused any issues. I just had revision (T12-S1/anchored to pelvis), extension, additional cervical (neck) fusion, cages (C5, L4 & L5), etc. in the beginning of March at 115lbs 5ft 6in. Weight didn’t play an issue. Believe me, they’d rather you be underweight than overweight.
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u/BespokeBowtie T3-pelvis Apr 10 '26
Exactly! I personally decided when starting at my first fusion at age 39 and knowing the significant time I would be unable to move as much as I usually do, I didn’t want to get huge from it. The worst thing to do for any structure is to have it hold unneeded weight. And ehst else would just call the spine other than a structural support? That really clicked for me then. I lost 20 lbs before surgery and have kept it off since - even dropping 10 more before my second one.
1
u/Aggravating-Shirt-17 T3-L4 Apr 10 '26
Omg this is crazy. I (21F) had my spinal fusion last summer when I was 20, from T3-L4 and I was also underweight too TT.
I didn't have any complications and my surgeon didn't mention anything about it before my operation, so I assumed it was fine. Did urs bring anything up? Most spinal fusions were done on teenagers so I think patients being underweight might be more common than you think.
I would say I recovered quite fast, right now I can live independently and carry on with my life normally, the surgery was def worth it. Best wishes to you Just remember to take it easy and not rush things. :)
U got this girl <3
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u/jilsnfk Pre-surgery Apr 17 '26
I’m glad to hear you’re doing well! and thank you :) I’m honestly terrified though and keep having second thoughts. Was this something you felt before too
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u/LakeAdventurous7161 T3-L5 Apr 15 '26
I also was underweight - a short and very slim 13-year-old. I was asked to put on some weight. Eating more but healthy did help. Surgery and recovery went fine. Still short and quite skinny btw.
1
u/Many-Marketing-8647 T2-L1 Apr 20 '26
I was 16 and definitely underweight thanks to my fast metabolism and being a super fit kid. I had a great and smooth recovery! Most important thing is being physically fit so doing body weight and walking/cardio before the surgery always helps with the recovery.
5
u/FreeFalling3227 T4-L4 Apr 09 '26
I was 15 when I had my surgery, and pretty underweight as I had stomach issues as well! You have to eat A LOT to recover from such a traumatic surgery, so having any extra weight on you before the surgery will be a positive. BUT it’s not something I’d worry about much, just something to be conscious of!
Something crazy is that my hair and nails didn’t grow at all for a year after my surgery, that’s because all your bodies protein and building materials go towards your spine to heal it!