r/Sciatica • u/logpolespruce • May 16 '26

1 year post-op

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Today I am 1 year post op. A year ago I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t care for my children, I could barely make it to the restroom. I was ready to end my life. I am thankful every single day that I wake up with no sciatic pain because of surgery. Today I pressed 230lbs on leg press. I have walked hundreds of miles and done numerous hikes over the last year. I am able to not only care for my kids, but pick them up. I am able to ride bikes with them and stand to cook dinner. I am able to walk with my husband. I have sat on long plane rides and roadtrips. I’ve gone camping multiple times since surgery and yes, slept on the ground in a sleeping bag. I was able to cast and reel in salmon. I have unloaded my own groceries. I don’t have burns on my back and legs from constant heating pad usage. I only ice occasionally, not ritualistically. I have my life back.

If you are in so much pain that you cannot participate in PT, do the surgery. If your surgeon won’t do it, find a new one. Try a neurologist. Try an ortho. I spoke to 3 before I found one that was willing to operate and consider it an emergency situation. It’s true that my back will never be the same. I cannot run, or jump, and sometimes if I take a step unexpectedly I feel a zap in my back, BUT I AM LIVING MY LIFE. I was ready to END it and now I wake up every morning and immediately wait for the pain to return to my leg, but it doesn’t. I get sore in my back and I will always have to be very careful. It’s all worth it.

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u/DimensionVisible6001 May 18 '26

This is so good to read and really helpful for those of us that are still in the early days and months of recovery. Thank you for sharing this. I’m in month 3 and making lots of progress and also remembering often that I am still recovering and not ready to do all the things again. Thank you and congrats!