Anyone here had back surgery?

[Devilmanak]

I am having back surgery in the morning, and am a bit confused about what the doc told me about recovery time, I am trying to figure out if he is just covering his rear to be safe or there is a legitimate reason I am supposed to "do nothing" for 6 weeks. THEN start PT.
I have a bulged/fragmented disc. It has been an ongoing problem for going on 20 years now, ultimately finished off by my 3 year old pile driving my back when I was laying on the floor not expecting it. Doc is cutting out the part that is putting pressure on my nerves and removing the loose chunks that are floating around. He told me a 1" incision, zero bone damage, and pushing a small tool through muscle to do the work. So minimal muscle/tissue damage, no bone to heal, and really nothing else to heal, just removal of a small part of disc that is sticking out against my nerves. He tells me 6 weeks of doing nothing, so I ask what about the surgery is going to weaken or damage my back that needs to heal, he says nothing at all. So by that train of thought, I should be doing nothing now and should have been doing nothing for the last 4months?
Yes, he is the doc, yes he knows what he is doing, but I am curious if anyone else has had this type of surgery and how it went?
Thanks,
Chris

 

[rocks rev]

I had basically the same surgery May 22 12 and was released to go back to work July 5 12 I work for our Public works Dept. so lots of lifting/shoveling etc. Post surgery the pain was gone, I was livin on Ibuprofen. I didn't do any PT after surgery either. So far so good I'm just more careful how and how much I lift.

 

[Devilmanak]

Right on, thanks!

 

[treemagnet03]

PT can be pretty helpful in figuring out what you can do to prevent future back injury and how to get you back to baseline more quickly. Even one session to get an idea of what they want you to do would be useful. Crafty helpful folks they are...

Best of luck!

 

[Devilmanak]

Yah, I had to do a couple of weeks before I could opt for surgery. I honestly went with my eyes perma-rolled in my head. But I was surprised that I had muscles in places I never knew existed. I figured we were paying them to watch me do situps and back extensions. First few times it was different every time, but now it is the sane thing over and over and the Dr or whatever he is pawns me off on an assistant. I can do everything he walked me through on my home gym. Going to work it hard though to be good and strong for RIDING SLEDS!

 

[kiliki]

had a major rupture in L4-5 i hurt 20 years ago and 1.5 years ago had it let go. TAKE the 6 weeks and just do as your are told! I'm an electrician and work for myself so i went back to work full time after 4 week and i know i went too soon. now i'm about 90% of what i was before and i was my own enemy. dr did a great job on his side his patient was just not the best listener as i don't ride the couch well. the first 2-3 mo are very important so don't push it too fast as you will start to feel better as the 3 week line. I also went strait to ibuprofen right out of surgery with no problems but don't be shy with the muscle relaxers as your upper back has to get used to the new location you will keep.

 

[Devilmanak]

Thanks for the advice, I have a hard time with sitting still also. I am pretty optimistic, it has been 16 hours since surgery, 7 hours since last pain med with almost zero pain. After talking with multiple nurses and Dr assistant, it looks like I will be able to do half of my normal routine right off the bat. (10 minutes sitting, walking around, very light lifting and working on bench, 10 minutes sitting.....) I found out where the 6 weeks comes from, he told me that I need that time for the disc to form scar on its surface so it cannot be damaged again. I am super bummed that my project truck from the last 8-10 months us almost done and I cannot finish it for a while. 43" tires and wheels, I had everything but one tool to mount them and get them on the truck, that last tool gets here today, lol.

 

[mckinney]

I went in for surgery sounds similar to yours, bulged disc he cut away with a 1" incision. Walked in at 6 am on Dec 24th as they were turning the lights on, walked out around 10:30 am on my own. Before surgery they said no ibuprofen, I couldn't walk from couch to fridge without a break in the middle. Screwing with the nurses before surgery and they double teamed me said he was going to be early. I joked with the guy that put me under asked how long it would take, and thats all I remember. Dr said walk about 1 mile a day and work my way up. No lifting for a month nothing. Saw him the next month didn't even look at my back just asked how I was feeling, bout kissed him I was doing so good. Don't remember the weight restrictions, was something funny like don't lift anything too heavy. The 25th drove to my parents house for Christmas left around noon, they live 2 hours away. No issues like I had, sure he said I have a few discs that are starting to deterorate and he said just be cautious. I ride sleds and lift the stuck ones. No issues. Just stretch a lot during the day. Good luck mine was not bad at all. Just the bills.


mckinney

 

[mckinney]

My kids still jump on my back like they did and look at the scar and tell me it is getting better every time they look. Still don't get many back massages from the wife. Reminds me to make a chiro appointment, haven't had one for a few months. My surgery was a few years ago. Again good luck.


mckinney