AnthonyO
huberoy123
10+ year member
Member
I understand. I'm also afraid of surgery. Just remember that the surgeon has many years of practice and perform this surgery regularly. I'm sure that you will be okay.
Firewalker
CarAudio.com VIP
I had my L5/S1 disc partially removed 3 or 4 years ago now. They also removed a chunk of my spine in that area as well at the same time.
One thing I can tell you that you want your doctor to do is, get them to give you something called a Polar Ice Machine with lower back attachment. Basically you fill it up with ice and cold water. That lower back attachment wraps around your lower back and it moves ice cold water through that attachment via a pump inside the polar ice machine. I have used those for 25 years now whenever I have surgery on my knees, shoulder, ankles, back or arms.
It helps SO MUCH with the pain and swelling. One of the best things you could get the doctor to sign off on as the insurance pays for it.
I have double left arm surgery April 11th as they are doing carpal tunnel and a major UCL repair. I had the right arm done in november for the same things. Basically my arms are going numb from the shoulders down. Right arm for the first time in 12++ years almost feels normal again. Then May 12th is right knee surgery then June 11th is left knee surgery.
After those I will be at 121 surgeries since I turned 16. Plus I have double genicular nerve block surgeries on both knees at the end of October. They use 4-5 needles in my knee to chemically burn the nerves to cut down the pain by 50% because without it I can't handle the pain.
Back surgery is NOT easy or fun as the recovery is going to take you a few months most likely. I did mine without a spinal tap as I despise those. Most people use them but I don't like the idea of waking up temp paralyzed.
GL!
One thing I can tell you that you want your doctor to do is, get them to give you something called a Polar Ice Machine with lower back attachment. Basically you fill it up with ice and cold water. That lower back attachment wraps around your lower back and it moves ice cold water through that attachment via a pump inside the polar ice machine. I have used those for 25 years now whenever I have surgery on my knees, shoulder, ankles, back or arms.
It helps SO MUCH with the pain and swelling. One of the best things you could get the doctor to sign off on as the insurance pays for it.
I have double left arm surgery April 11th as they are doing carpal tunnel and a major UCL repair. I had the right arm done in november for the same things. Basically my arms are going numb from the shoulders down. Right arm for the first time in 12++ years almost feels normal again. Then May 12th is right knee surgery then June 11th is left knee surgery.
After those I will be at 121 surgeries since I turned 16. Plus I have double genicular nerve block surgeries on both knees at the end of October. They use 4-5 needles in my knee to chemically burn the nerves to cut down the pain by 50% because without it I can't handle the pain.
Back surgery is NOT easy or fun as the recovery is going to take you a few months most likely. I did mine without a spinal tap as I despise those. Most people use them but I don't like the idea of waking up temp paralyzed.
GL!
hispls
5,000+ posts
CarAudio.com Veteran
Good luck. I don't think anybody likes to go under the knife because there's always risk, but 99.9% of the time your quality of life will improve exponentially before you even fully recover. You need to weigh your options of what's the risk vs. how much it sucks and how much worse the condition will get if you do not address it.
My advice, make peace with your creator and you won't have to worry about anything in life.
My advice, make peace with your creator and you won't have to worry about anything in life.
OP
AnthonyO
10+ year member
Budget Banger Connoisseur
- Thread Starter
- #5
Recovery is only 6 weeks for this procedure. Its a partial laminectomy, removal of spinal bone, and a discectomy. Basically they have to remove bone in order to access the disc.
Your kind of scaring me about the arms. I have been getting cortisone shots in both shoulders the past 5 years because of the symptoms you mentioned.
Firewalker
CarAudio.com VIP
Carpal tunnel surgery is very easy these days. Just a cut in the middle of the hand and at the wrist. The UCL Repair however they cut your arm for about 7-9 inches to decompress the nerve and realign it. Trust me after having it done once I am thankful for being able to feel my right arm in years and not having it go numb down to my fingers from the top of my shoulder.
Yeah even though they say 6 weeks. Trust me plan on a few months of taking it very easy. They told me the same thing 6 weeks and back to normal but no. Even with the way my body heals as fast as it does it took me around 5-6 months before being somewhat back to normal. You will feel a difference though as soon as you wake up. My right leg was going numb from the hip down off & on not too mention the back pain. But it was gone when I woke up. It was the back getting back to normal around it the muscles and what not that took awhile.
Get that Polar Ice Machine it will make a world of a difference. All insurances these days pay for it so definitely call the neurologist doing your surgery and get one.
Yeah even though they say 6 weeks. Trust me plan on a few months of taking it very easy. They told me the same thing 6 weeks and back to normal but no. Even with the way my body heals as fast as it does it took me around 5-6 months before being somewhat back to normal. You will feel a difference though as soon as you wake up. My right leg was going numb from the hip down off & on not too mention the back pain. But it was gone when I woke up. It was the back getting back to normal around it the muscles and what not that took awhile.
Get that Polar Ice Machine it will make a world of a difference. All insurances these days pay for it so definitely call the neurologist doing your surgery and get one.
Buck
5,000+ posts
little alien on campus
Best of luck, man. I had 75% removal of my L5-s1 disk over a decade ago, was almost paralyzed waist down before surgery, going into shock and shit. Just make sure you rest and try to be stress free, enjoy yourself so you heal well.
Last edited:
Jimi77
Premium Member
CarAudio.com VIP
Good luck with the surgery.
Man..I remember you telling me about this coming up. You know my story and my several back issues and stubbornness. I wish you well and do hope it turns out to help you. Deff take your recovery seriously and the time you need. Dont rush it. I would be slugging a few pitchers of frozen Margaritas down over the Weekend if it were me. Whew!! The Anxiety setting in. I feel ya man. 
Dayuumm!!! And I thought I was all jacked up..LOL. That cold machine is a great pain relieving piece of equipment. I used one for my right Roto surgery. It was a PITA to refill and get it back working being by myself. But it works for sure!!
OP
AnthonyO
10+ year member
Budget Banger Connoisseur
- Thread Starter
- #13
VA Optum is paying for this 100%. No out of pocket for me. Even paid for me to go to the Doctor of my choice. Dr. Kraljic in Bismarck ND. He has a very good reputation and was recommended to me by several people.
But you are right. The anxiety didn’t hit me until Friday when I had to do the pre admission paperwork. I was actually shaking while filling it out. I’m nervous as hell.
OP
AnthonyO
10+ year member
Budget Banger Connoisseur
Jimi77
Premium Member
CarAudio.com VIP
Lame.
Activity
No one is currently typing a reply...
Similar threads
Northwest Region
1X (St. Maries, ID) 3rd Annual Paul Bunyan Days Soundoff
- Started by larrydavid
- Car Audio Competition & Events
Featured
Best subwoofer brands these days
- Started by larrydavid
- Subwoofers
About this thread
