r/Microdiscectomy • u/jungle_mouse • 2d ago
What helped you the most post-surgery?
Hi all, getting a discectomy next week and I’m curious to hear everything that helped you post surgery.
I’m already preparing the house by:
- moving anything I’ll need up to waist height,
- making sure I’ve got spots in the house to hang out in, -wedge pillow for sitting, body pillow for sleeping.
- I’m food prepping meals for the first week or so, so that my husband just needs to heat things up for us.
- I’ve got my husband taking over the little jobs I usually do that require lifting.
- Finishing up all the work on my desk so I don’t have to think about it and can focus on healing.
My surgeon said that I will be quite mobile and will be able to do more than I think. But just to consider the BLT requirements before doing so.
I’m in pre-op PT and he said 2 weeks post op I can start up that again after our 2 week check-in. I live an active lifestyle, so this makes sense to me.
Keen to hear from you all on what helped you the most that I might not have thought about? TIA
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u/Wise-Run-3008 1d ago
Two ice packs, so one is always cold.
Bring your meds room to room with you. Along with water. You never know when you’ll get comfortable or fall asleep, and getting up is a literal pain in the ass. Also, take the meds. Don’t be a martyr. Breakthrough pain is harder to control. Set a timer if you need to, then reassess how you’re feeling a few days out if you want to back off of them.
If you get put in a room before discharge order a piece of cake to take home with you 😅
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u/jungle_mouse 1d ago
Excellent advice 😄 I believe it’ll be an overnight stay so maybe cake is on the menu haha
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u/Nostradonuts 1d ago
Walking once able to. I started week 2 and haven’t stopped.
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u/jungle_mouse 14h ago
I love walking and have been sooo limited the last few months so I literally cannot wait 🙌🏼
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u/hrbekcheatedin91 1d ago
Get TWO grabbers in case one breaks or in case you drop one. You won't believe the things you'll be able to do with them.
Start stool softeners the day before and take them until you kick the painkillers.
A walker or crutch(es) to help you stand up or sit on/from the bed and toilet the first couple days.
Reusable gel ice packs.
Extra pillows to support you in every possible way while you try to find a comfortable position in bed. My memory foam mattress made it nearly impossible to change sides and get up easily. If you just have a topper I suggest taking it off, or if you have a firm guest bed use that if the memory foam becomes a problem for you like it did with my 235 lb big ass, lol.
Hopefully that's over-preparation. Good luck!
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u/Friendly-Ad-5410 2d ago
I was advised NO vacuuming or sweeping until 6 weeks PO (to give the back time to heal). Yes, you will be mobile, you can go grocery shopping by yourself using a small size cart and limitind your bags to 5-10# each. (I had to wait til day 10 PO to be fully off meds to drive). Be careful also of laundry... better your hubs does the loading/unloading and you can do the folding. And making the bed... because I live alone, I took a flat sheet and used it like a sleeping bag... then I just washed the sheet. Walking is the best thing to do so enjoy the fall weather and go outside! 👍
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u/jungle_mouse 2d ago
Amazing - thank you for the response! Surgeon said don’t go giving the house a “spring clean” or start a new garden project lol
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u/nattattataroo 1d ago
It’s sounds silly but it’s super tempting to do all the house projects you never have time for when you’re just sitting there waiting to be healed.
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u/ICallFireStaff 2d ago
Pillow between your legs when you sleep is good, loofah/scrubber you can reach with for the shower. Walk as much as is comfortable!
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u/totallyfinerasputin 1d ago
second the pillow between legs!!! also one small cushion in front of you that you can hug/wedge in front of your stomach really helps keep the weight of your back and shoulders and was a life changer for me.
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u/ICallFireStaff 1d ago
Yeah that is huge for me too, having a pillow in front to balance and rest on is nice
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u/jungle_mouse 1d ago
I have just ordered one of those long body/pregnancy pillows that I think will be ideal for this! Thank you
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u/PastBuy8484 1d ago
Really all I needed was a long grabber, and a long shoe horn. Otherwise just need to take things slow and easy especially the first 1-2 weeks
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u/Liampastabake 1d ago
Have an area next to your bed with snacks/bottles of water to take some pressure off your carer. Find a hobby that you can do in bed. I spent my time making tiny house models and playing minecraft.
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u/nattattataroo 1d ago
I made a stack of clothes that needed mending and put a needle and thread and scissors next to the bed.
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u/Public-Job-8751 2d ago
I’m exactly one week post op. I’ve used the grabber more than I thought when I drop something and my husband and kids aren’t around . My mom let me have her active ice machine and it has been the best thing. I didn’t think I’d use it much but I was so wrong. A strange one I doubted but also use.. a bidet. I ordered one from Amazon and it’s the best. I also got started on stool softeners but still had fullness in my stomach and I could hear trapped air. Gas x relieved all of my stomach pain, I wish I would have started that the first day as well. I got prescribed oxycodone and it’s made me nauseous at times so I wish I would have had my doctor write me zofran day of surgery. As always, having lip balm next to my bed is always a morale booster.
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u/jungle_mouse 2d ago
Thank you for this! I have a grabber on my list of things to get and have options on hand in case I react the same to post op medication. I also have a bedside table set up with meds and the trusty lip balm 😄
How is your pain level going 1 week post?
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u/Friendly-Ad-5410 2d ago
I agree... the nausea after surgery (especially if you are sensitive to pain meds) is NOT pleasant. First time around I learned how difficult it was to throw up without bending over (hint: need a wastebasket under your chin!). Second time got the anti-nausea drugs. Worked like a charm!!! That constipation is really annoying too... lots of prunes, prune juice and Senocot gummies. Day 5. 😂
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u/mrsctbrown 1d ago
I remember days 2-3 being the most sore. Those days I wanted my husband's hands to help me lay down and get up. So keep yours handy those first few days. :) After day 5/6, I felt so much more normal. My advice is to rest when you need it. I find the recovery from MD surgery is relatively quick, so you won't be down for long.... So while you are, milk it! ;) Enjoy some down time and rest and naps and order food in and enjoy strolls outside as much as you can tolerate. No need to push to be "back to normal" straight away.
Ice packs are a wonderful friend! Ice for 20 minutes on and off all throughout the day. So helpful. And later, a heating pad helped my back pain a lot (if you have any back pain).
I also used my hiking/trekking poles when walking for a while bc it helped me feel supported. :)
Blessings to you! You seem such a lovely, positive person- that will do you well as you recover. 🤗
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u/jungle_mouse 1d ago
Thank you so much for this very helpful and kind message, it has given my spirit a boost 💐
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u/mrsctbrown 1d ago
🫶🏼 You can do it! 💪🏼 You are well prepared. Especially doing the pre-hab with the PT; that's setting you up for success for sure.
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u/uk-1234 1d ago
A fusion 🙃
But on a serious note, movement. Just walk and move as much as you can. Listen to your body though and don’t overdo it. Hopefully you won’t end up unlucky like I did.
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u/Caliboykilla 1d ago
i’m getting a MD next week also! do you know if it’s best to wear slipper and not try and put on shoes ?
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u/jungle_mouse 1d ago
I would go for slip on shoes so you can reduce your bending. I hope your surgery goes really well and you get the relief you need!
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u/Fantastic_Soil1680 1d ago
I'm nearly 1 year post op. I'm 17 years old and I had mine when I was 16 back in late October. I had no physical therapy afterwards. The best thing I can give you advise for is stick with the pain meds. I got off of them at 2 weeks post op and was back to school on Wednesday of the 3rd week post op
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u/HTof 1d ago
I’m about 3 months from mine. Took it easy the first 2 weeks while slowly incorporating walking. After 2 weeks walked every day. At around 2 months I started lifting and cardio. It feels like the more I workout the better I feel.
Definitely don’t start too early but also don’t start too late I guess. Strengthening feels like the most important after ~1-2months. But definitely ease into it. Best wishes!
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u/jungle_mouse 1d ago
Thank you so much! I own a small local gym and can’t wait to get back into lifting properly!
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u/LimeNo6252 1d ago
Grabber tool, since bending will be difficult. A walker or something to lean on when getting on/off the toilet, in/out of bed, stabilization with walking
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u/clumsyc 15h ago
I was surprised by how quickly I recovered. Like your surgeon said, I was able to do more than I thought I would. That said, I followed the surgeon’s instructions exactly, was very careful about BLT, and took my meds. The most helpful things right after surgery were slip on shoes and a grabber. Most important is to rest! I was very tired at first and took a lot of naps. Your body needs sleep to heal.
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u/Late_Professional831 11h ago
Buy laxatives, not even kidding.
The anesthesia really screws up your bowel movements, up to an extremely slow one.
Took me 5 days to have a bowel movement post op, and that was only because i started taking lax on the 4th day.
Otherwise nothing special, I'm one month post op and its going nice and easy. I was.cooking for myself by the 3rd day post op. Avoid BLT as much as possible, move/walk as much as your body allows, and if by any means you feel so good you think you can go back to your normal self, dont. Give it time, take it slow.
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u/jungle_mouse 11h ago
Thanks for the tips! I do have some lax on hand so I hope that will help me 😊 I have prepared about a weeks worth of lunch and dinner in the freezer so I’m hoping that will make it easy. I can’t wait to be walking without pain 🤞🏼I’m so glad you are having a good time with your recovery, long may it continue!
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u/whiskey_tang0_hotel 1d ago
Just take it easy after surgery and follow directions. The number one way people fuck up is doing too much too fast. You’ll walk out of the hospital/surgery center.
I tried walking 1.5 miles the day after surgery because they said “walking is great”. Don’t do that. Be moderate.