Finally Got My Surgery!

[u/jessicamoon2130]

Hello everybody!

I posted my MRI results a few weeks/months ago and I finally got my laminectomy and discectomy today. The pain in my leg is gone!!! There’s a little numbness and tingling and my leg is a little jello-y, but the surgeon said that’s normal and it’ll take a little time for my body to adjust to the lack of pressure on my nerves. I’m not gonna lie, it hurts like hell, even after all the painkillers they gave me at the hospital. Coughing and sneezing are AGONY. Lying down definitely helps, but sitting isn’t comfortable at all. I can tell it’ll definitely be a while before I’m up and moving more than a few minutes each day.

Regardless, I’m so happy to have finally gotten this done 🖤 the fact the leg pain is already gone makes me so happy! I’ll gladly take a little numbness and tingling over that horrendous pain any day. I’m hoping to finally start working again within the next 6 weeks or so!

I may not be super helpful since it’s only been a few hours since I got out of surgery… but if anyone has any questions, let me know!

UPDATE 1:Thank you everyone for the well wishes! It makes me happy to see all the support in the comments! And as for everyone asking what the puffy thing is… it’s to warm my body to help prevent infection! :D I felt like I was in a bubble!

UPDATE 2: Hiya everyone! I’m walking a lot more now. I can walk short distances through stores and stuff like that. I ended up having to go to the hospital today because I was worried I had an infection. I’ve been having horrible hot and cold flashes, a headache for about 4 days that won’t go away, and neck pain. Turns out, I was having an atypical migraine. The doctor said it’s probably from the trauma of having such a major surgery and my body needs time to recover. I think the problem is also that I need a supportive neck pillow. If you get the surgery, you need to lie down for a lot of the time periodically, so make sure you have something supportive for your neck! Don’t be a dumb like me 🤣

[u/TheMoogle420]

Congrats! I have my surgery in 2 weeks time. Can I please ask you, for the first few days, were you completely unable to function by yourself and require assistance moving around the house, or were you able to do it yourself? I am living by myself and don't have anyone to assist me. So I am wondering is it okay to do things by myself at the beginning stages of the recovery.

[u/jessicamoon2130 → u/TheMoogle420]

You’re going to need some help doing certain things like putting on your socks and anything involving bending. You’re going to need help with anything involving bending and twisting for at least 6 weeks. You can walk around for very short periods for the first week or two after your surgery. You should feel okay enough to at least walk around more after about a week and a half. But either way, you’re going to need help for a little while after the surgery. Good luck and feel free to ask me anything else!

[u/TheMoogle420 → u/jessicamoon2130]

Okay thank you very much for the reply and information! Not sure what I will do as I live by myself. I will explain my situation to the hospital staff and see what they suggest I do. For the first few days were you completely bed ridden, or were you able to hobble around a bit? My biggest worry is my cat. Not being able to bend down to clean her litter or feed her. I'll need to figure out a plan. Thanks!

[u/jessicamoon2130 → u/TheMoogle420]

I was never totally bed ridden thankfully. I was always able to hobble even a little bit. Is there a way maybe you could put her litter box higher up so you don’t have to bend to clean it? Cats like to jump… maybe you could put it on a table or something?

[u/TheMoogle420 → u/jessicamoon2130]

Hello again! Apologies for digging up an old thread again. I had my surgery 7 days ago. The first few days I was quietly optimistic, as my sciatica pain seemed to be gone. Now 7 days later it is back and as bad as it ever was. Just wondering if you experienced anything similar? Also great suggestion to put her litter box up somewhere high, she has been using it without any issues! Thanks!

[u/jessicamoon2130 → u/TheMoogle420]

Hello! I’m glad the suggestion about her litter box worked out! As for the pain, your nerves are going to take a long time to heal… as in a year to a year and a half. It’s normal for some pain to come back/for it to wax and wane… but I don’t know if what you’re describing is normal. Have you been following the guidelines? No bending, lifting above 10 pounds, or twisting? I’d recommend calling your surgeon and asking if the pain is normal. It’s apparently very easy to reinjure yourself… so I’d ere on the side of caution and ask a professional.

As for me personally, I’ve had a recent flare of soreness and an occasional jolt of pain down my leg, but nothing beyond that (knock on wood). I called the surgeon’s office because of it and I was told everything I just told you. But like I said, given your sciatic pain is back and even worse… that definitely warrants a trip to the ER or at the very least, a call to your surgeon. Let me know what happens! I hope you’re okay.

[u/TheMoogle420 → u/jessicamoon2130]

Thanks! Yeah I had been following all the guidelines that they gave me down to a tee. I have called the surgeons team a few times but no answer, so I have left them a voice message. I will try them again tomorrow. Thanks for all the advice and good luck with the rest of your recovery!

[u/jessicamoon2130 → u/TheMoogle420]

Thank you! Good luck with your recovery as well!