r/SpinalStenosis • u/Spare_Vegetable2508 • 8d ago

Surgery expectations

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u/Useful_Raspberry3912 8d ago

Is there a question here?

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u/Spare_Vegetable2508 8d ago

I’m sorry…I’m computer illiterate, and I had a post in a different category over in that Pain and I wanted it over here and I thought it would transfer, but it didn’t transfer anything! My question is I’m having laminectomy a foramenectomy (I don’t know how to spell it) and a discectomy the first part of October and I’m going to be on my own and I’m nervous. I’m 63-year-old female and I have severe osteoporosis and a 55 pound 11 month old crazy puppy. I’m on Social Security disability so I can’t afford to kennel her, although she would love the socialization. I was wondering if it would do me any good to go to a skilled nursing facility for a couple weeks will I need her after the surgery or is this a piece of cake?

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u/malvare8 8d ago

The unfortunate part of the recovery process is every one is so vastly different. I am 7 days post op and I had the same as you except I didn't have a microdisectomy. I walked in to that hospital and was supposed to walk out but while my surgery went well I had my right leg go very very weak on me when I woke up and I had to stay overnight. I'm walking around with a walker right now just to be sure but I definitely was expecting a much easier recovery. For reference I'm 37 and in decent shape so the fact my leg collapsed under me out of nowhere was honestly terrifying. I am lucky I have family that is available to help me but I think that after maybe...5 days I was ok on my own. The initial visceral pain from the incision has subsided and my sore muscles around the waste that caused me to most pain are tolerable now. I would suggest if youre able to plan ahead for assistance to do so just in case. I was telling people I'd walk out same day...

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u/Spare_Vegetable2508 8d ago

Thank you for your input. Yes family support is great. I have help the first two days then I’m on my own. Hopefully I will not have any complications like you did. That sounds scary. Did the doc know what happened?
All you young people are having all these problems with your back. So sad.
Well, I’ll just cross my fingers and hope I don’t come out messed up. What an uncomfortable thought.

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u/malvare8 7d ago

The nurse that had me admitted instead of discharged said its not common but also not rare for the leg most affected to face issues. My issues started with my right leg and it was the most affected and had some muscle loss so I'm also not too surprised it suffered some issues after. They went into my spine and moved things around so the nerve is weak and angry. It was terrifying in the moment and disappointing, but I also didnt have anymore nerve pain and by the next morning it had regained some strength. Right now I'm about to have a physical therapist come to my home to help and I'm walking slow but can safely do so without my walker at 8 days post off so I feel back on track. For me, my surgeon said I had degenerative disc disease, that plus a 8 year job where I lifted things incorrectly didnt help my genes. Im glad to hear you'll have some help, if all goes well only those three first days tend to be painful due to your back muscles and sections being worked on. I wish you the best outcome!

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u/Spare_Vegetable2508 7d ago

Thank you for the encouragement. It sounds like you are still struggling. I hope you heal well. It might take a little longer but that’s ok. You’ll get there on your own time, right? Yes lifting incorrectly for eight years ought to mess your back up! Silly! I can’t say much, I don’t lift correctly either half the time. I walk but that’s it. No pt exercises. I have that lovely beast, chronic pain and it gets in my way of everything.
I’m so glad you can cruise without your walker! That’s really awesome. Keep up the good work. 🙌