I just had back surgery and need some help with post surgery do's and don'ts?
81966
Depending on what it was, you probably should stay bed-ridden for a good majority of they day (except for bathroom breaks, etc...) Other than that, painkillers and call the hospital and they will give you a detailed list of do's and dont's.
92119
my experience may be a little different, but i had an abdominal hysterectomy...(cut from hip to hip). i carried my little pillow around with me EVERYWHERE i went, didn't over-do it..i had help getting up AND sitting down. my stomach muscles healed quite fast to my suprise, my doc said it was do to me taking it easy for the first 4 weeks after surgery...don't leave home with-out your pillow (if you don't have one, or know what i'm talking about; it's a little pillow you hold on your stomach to walk, get up, etc..,don't have one?? just use a little (soft) couch pillow, hopes this helps and hope you feel better soon!! =)
791465
Go back to the surgeon that operated on you--- something may of happened with the surgery-------good luck
518141
Purchase a back brace, you can either wear them under or over your shirts, depending on how much you need the support. As for the ongoing pain, take some Tylenol or another OTC med and take a hot bath, the warm water helps muscles relax.\n\nAlso, what I discovered, stand up tall and straight, may think that it'll hurt worse, but it really doesn't. The more you slouch, the more pressure is put on your spine.
15401
Rest,fluids,and DONT RUN AROUND LIKE ADN IDIOT!,WARM BATH.AND MAYBE A DOCTORS PRESCRIPTION
505898
I am going to a chriopractor and love him.  Check around and find one highly recommended.  I also have had two back surgeries. I take neurotin for the jumpy nerves in my legs and percocet for pain.  The pharmacist told me there is nothing formulated for fibro. pain, but this helps a little. I am a firm believer that your spine must be aligned.  It may not give you total relief ((nothing will) but it sure has helped me a lot and it is relatively cheap in the medical field.   Remember ask around and get one highly recommended, don't just pick one out of the phone book.  Good Luck two year sufferer
727980
OH MY GOD\n\nthose bring back possibly the worst short term pain memories of my life. I had the same problem. Two severe herniated discs. I went through a year of physical therapy, swimming, strong back muscles, no activity, lots of activity, braces, pills, basically anything you can think of. \n\nI went to the doctor at one point and said that I have two options. Surgery or epidural steroid injections. I took the ESI like anybody would and it was done in a rush after they got the doctor who performed this right before he left to go home. I dont know if this was normal but they only put 3 numbing needles. Then I easily went through the worst pain of my life. The needles into the epidural space are just immensly, undescribably painful. I was put in a wheelchair afterwards and then they said it will get better worse before it gets better. After 2 or 3 days it did get better to some extent, I could walk longer, stand longer, etc. In the end, the ESI did not work for me. They only served as an immense surge of pain. \n\n\nSince your husband already has 4 discs herniated, I would go for surgery. It is painless, quick, just so much better. I would much rather live a full life rather than a half life filled with steroid injections
151118
Since no one else has answered you, and I have had a similar injury, I thought I'd offer you my experience. I am not a medical expert, just a survivor. My injury was L3 L4, and the disc blew up! In other worded it was not your standard slipped disk. They could not do the laser surgery on me, partly because it was not yet approved but mostly because of the number of disk fragment sthat they had to remove. Prior to the surgery I spent 8 weeks flat on my back while they figured out what was wrong with me, i.e. orthopedics, medical and finally surgical. I had lost all use of my right leg, including the feeling from the hip down, and was starting to loose bowel function. They did the full laminectomy, and sent me home from the hospital the next day. I asked for PT or some kind of rehab but they refused. For the next five years I had to fight on my own to regain use and control of that right leg. For ten years I had a noticable limp. To this day there are certain movements I just cannot do. And the hip is still bad with rampant arthritis. Three years ago I had a relapse, and after the same surgeon did the x-rays and MRI's he said he could not do anything to help me, and that I no have spinal stenosis from L2 down. You should see how little bone mass there is in that picture. It's scary! Anyway, I went to my local gym who has a healthy back program, using Medx equipment. I rehabbed with that program, and am as functional now as I was 5 years after the surgery. If you have a program like that I would seriously check it out before agreeing to surgery. The program at my gym has prevented a lot of surgeries, and has an 85% success rate. They train surrounding muscle to support the bones, and carry the weight. We once trained a dog the same way who was born with hip dysplasia bad enough they wanted to put him to sleep in his first year. He lived to 17, and passed away as a result of an auto injury, not his hips.\nSorry this was so long but your husband needs to know there are options to surgery, and not just PT. Good luck and feel better. I do understand your pain and confusion.
748990
I'm going to guess the major pain is coming from your back. First, check with your doctor, what exactly is wrong with your back? Hard to tell you what to do but, sitting is one of the worst things for back pain. you need to start doing some very light exercise and then increase you activity level as the pain subsides. Now you can be active and have pain, so you have to get into proper stretching and strength exercises. Like I said it's tough from here. \nI had back surgery for a ruptured disk, it messed up the nerve big time. Tylenol sort of works to keep the pain managable, exercise is the key. You just have to be careful 'cause it's easy to pull things when you start out.
669583
Stand up and stretch your arms above your head! The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) suggests, "Do the 'hug your best friend.' Wrap your arms around your body and turn as far as you can to the left, then to the right." \nExercise regularly to keep the abdominal muscles strong to help support the spine. \nAvoid wearing high–heeled shoes. Choose shoes that offer good foot support and comfort. Some styles can affect the body's center of gravity. Flat shoes are better. \nLook at yourself in the mirror. Is your posture good? Think about your posture and how to maintain it throughout the days' activities. Practice makes perfect!
58715
I have not had the surgery personally, but have taken care of many patients who have had the surgery.  Yes, if done by a trained surgeon it should relieve the symptoms that prompted the surgery.  The surgery is relatively simple, and you should be recovering overnight in a hospital.  You will be up out of bed the same day as the surgery and barring complications you should be home the next day.  Nurses will be checking on you frequently asking you to move your legs, psuh down agaisnt resistance, and checking for numbness because those are how they determine whether the surgery was successful.  You will be sent home with activity and wound care instructions... and all will be fine! :)\n\nGood luck!
1120302
Walk your tail off, That is what i had to do,  YOU DON'T WANT TO BE MEDICALLY INDUCED UNLESS IT IS NEEDED.  Walking helps alot
574786
Have you talked to him on the way you feel. You need to make him understand that back surgery is a big deal.  If that don't work have your doc. tell him that you need to take it easy
387652
I wont recommend a surgery at this initial stage ... i hv spend a big part of my life in Asia (India)(M now settled in UK) N will recommend u 2 follow wot v call the Grand Mom's tips ... drink plenty of water, avoid drinks (huge intake) ... tke loads of fruits n salads n if possible try looking for a homeo treatment ... \n\nThis will definately help u in not only controlling the stuff but will also assit u in minimizing / eliminating\n\nCheers ... God Bless
821005
i just got surgery so i know what you need to do is rest a lot and if you can elevate where you got the operation feel better
1037355
i would do what your doctor told you to do, yes the surgery is bad...but you could become paralyzed from L4 down, you don't want to mess with your back
686848
My daughter just had spinal surgery for Scoliosis (March 15th) and she felt the same way.  She cried, started staying in her room, didn't want to eat.  But we kept talking her through it.  I don't know what kind you're having, but if it's the same kind, she's now happier about how she looks, as she kinda looked chubby before-- but it turned out it was her spine pushing things in directions they weren't supposed to go.  She's taller now.  She doesn't hurt as much (she had a severe curve).  She's wearing different clothes because she's proud of herself, some now.  Just remember that if it won't make you better, they wouldn't be wanting to do it.  They only do back surgery if it's warranted.  It also doesn't take as long to heal as it used to, so you will be up and around ASAP.  It's scary, but in the hands of good doctors, you'll be better than before, so look forward to it and keep your chin up.  Talk to your family and ask for a hug when you need one.  If you can't sleep, find out who you can talk to when you need some one on one in the night or maybe even ask your doctor for some meds to help, if possible.  Good luck and blessings!