Well, I finally had to have surgery. Lumbar Laminectomy/Discectomy. The short description is a small vertical incision was made in my lower back (L5-S1 area), a small piece of bone (lamina) was removed, nerve and muscles moved out of the way and the herniated portion of the L5/S1 disc was removed. Internal stitches were used, 3 Steri strips on outside. Incision is only about 2-2.5 inches. This was outpatient surgery, but still is considered major surgery.
I fought the idea of surgery for over a year and a half. I tried every other option I could find, and I do mean everything! I went to both an orthopaedic surgeon and neurosurgeon for opinions. I finally decided to go with the neurosurgeon for the surgery. I felt better with this physician and they have the top rated facility for spine surgery in the state of TN.
I had the surgery on Monday, 3/30/09 at 7am. I was home by 11am. That day I was so pumped full of drugs and anesthesia that I felt very little pain and slept most of the day. I would get up and walk around the house a little, then go back to bed. I was able to eat very small portions of food as well.
According to the surgeon, everything went very well. Today is 13 days post-op. I don’t have my follow up with surgeon till a week from today, which will be 3 wks and 1 day post surgery.
I have been trying to make notes on how I have felt and my general observations about the whole process. I will post those in a series of smaller upcoming posts.
(Disclaimer: These are my observations about my surgery and recovery only. I am not a medical professional. I do not in any way intend for these observations to be used as medical advice or guidance. Please discuss with your physicians any questions, concerns, etc you may have.)
