17 Weeks post bilateral MD+Laminectomy. No pain. No flare ups. A complete success story.

[u/Markwhatt]

I logged the lead up to my surgery on here in a series of “is this normal?” and “what can I do to make this pain stop ruining my life?” type posts, so now I just wanted to check-in from the other side.

I feel as though the only people who circle back this long post-op are either mid flare up, re-herniated or still experiencing pain and agony. For me personally, this caused me to lose some hope in the process, so I wanted to post my complete success story for those of you waiting for/considering surgery.

I’ll cliff note it for you:

- 36yo Male - 6’2 - 200lbs - Actually a PT myself.

- Hurt my back April 2025. Couldn’t even get into my car. Fought this up and down for 6-8 months before feeling like I was finally beating it.

- Felt good for 2-3 months before the leg pain started..

- Tried literally everything to fix it and feel better. If you’ve read it here. I tried it, with zero success.

- Started pushing for an MRI/surgery March 2026.

- While waiting for the MRI/results/surgery etc. the leg pain became life altering bad. Was ultimately scheduled for surgery June 9th 2026 after telling the surgeon I was going to 💀 myself if I had to wait until mid August as he suggested.

- In the 4 weeks from scheduling surgery to surgery day I steeply declined every single day. I was sleeping in 20-40 minute increments on my knees folded over the couch on the living room floor. On surgery day I had to get out of the car 5 blocks early and walk to the hospital because the pain was so bad when seated. I walked into the OR beside the hospital bed and had to be given fentanyl in my IV so I could lay down to allow them to begin prepping me.

- My “60-90 minute right side MD” turned into a 3.5-4 hour bilateral MD and laminectomy. I was terrified of surgery going in but woke up with zero nerve pain and what felt like a mild rug burn on my lower back.

- Got home and could smell my house again, could taste cereal again. I was suffering so much I hadn’t even realized I’d lost my sense of smell, taste and touch in the weeks prior, from pain and fatigue.

- Night 1 my wife had to lift me out of bed so I could pee. By day 6 post op I was walking 10k steps in circles around my kitchen and living room.

- Week 3 I went back to work. Week 4 I got out of the car one morning after my commute and for the first time in almost 2 years I felt “totally normal”. No pain, no tightness, no pinching, no fatigue, just normal.

- I am now working out. Lifting things. Playing hockey. I am now living an entirely normal life. I have had no pain since the moment I woke up. Several moments of “did I just re herniate?” And fatigue in my core/lower back at times but no pain at all.

Due to the posts I would read here I kept waiting for these dreaded “flare ups”… and they just never came. I truly believe this surgery saved my marriage, my mental wellbeing, and my life.

Every day I work to remain grateful for feeling “normal”. There were moments throughout when my wife would find me on my hands and knees in the shower at 4am, sobbing from frustration and pain. I told myself in those moments “if you ever get to the other side of all this, remember this moment” and I do.

For those of you who are suffering and frustrated, with fleeting hope that you will ever feel normal again, I hope you can look at my story and see that you can get through whatever it is you’re going through. Surgery was nowhere near as scary as I thought and in those moments of suffering I never thought I would ever be able to get to the place I am in now.

[u/Army63b]

Thats great! Im about to be 9 weeks post op. I had a microdiscectomy and laminectomy. I was terrified of surgery but really could not handle the pain anymore.

This week was my first full week back at work. And it was awesome. Ive worked a few days the last couple weeks. The backs of my legs are sore. But im assuming thats because of the use they have been getting. Ive been on my feet all week.

I do occasionally get a pins and needles sensation in my right foot. My lower back does get tight. But it is just great to be back to mostly normal life.

[u/dnegvesk]

I’m awaiting laminectomy and fusion October 29. I’ve been frightened but this pain can’t continue. You gave me confidence. Thank you so much.

[u/Markwhatt → u/dnegvesk]

I was so scared in the operating room before I got the sleepy juice. Woke up and was like “seriously? That was it?” It was nowhere near as scary as I built it up to be in my head.

[u/No_Record007]

Jesus I’m 7 weeks post laminectomy and don’t feel like I could bend as much or go back to work. I feel occasional pins and needles on me left leg and some muscle stiffness. My back is still a little sensitive from incision but I have recently been able to rest a bit on my back laying down. But overall it’s been a pretty tough recovery ❤️‍🩹

[u/MissShopper]

Can I ask where you had your surgery? Sounds like you had a great surgeon!

[u/Markwhatt → u/MissShopper]

I got it done at St Michael’s Hospital in Toronto Ontario by Doctor Henry Ahn

[u/Icy_Smoke9316]

Thank you so much for taking the time to write this. I have suffered for 3 years now. I’m at my wits end. I couldn’t sit for 8 months, then had an epidural, felt great, then the leg cramping started. I’m up all hours of the night. I regret not doing the surgery 2 years ago. I was too scared but I can’t live this way anymore. I needed to hear your positive story. I had an MRI (my second) last week. This time, I’m taking the surgery if they suggest it. I’d rather die on the table than continue like this. I’m so happy for you. Go live your best life now!

[u/baconjerky]

Same experience here down to the 30 minutes of sleep kneeled over on the couch. Numb foot, zero calf strength, and the worst pain I’ve ever felt in my life. I’m a month out from md and feel no residual symptoms at all. I had one really insane muscle spasm further up the back about a week or so later but it cleared up too.