I am having lamenectomy and microdiscecromy on my L5-S1.
I am very nervous. Anyone been through this with words of encouragement for me? I know each case is different but if I could get a general breakdown of what happens and how you recuperated, it may make me feel better.

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My DH had this about 2 years ago. He is a large man and the doctor had a lot of back muscle (?fat?) he had to cut through that you probably wouldn't have. He was in the hospital only one night and didn't go back to work for 4 wks because he wasn't allowed to drive. He says he felt better in really 3 or 4 days. It is a major surgery but the recuperation isn't as bad as you think it might be.

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You will probably be in the hospital two days at the most. Ask ahead of time if you are allowed to get the incision wet. Some neurosurgeons are ok with that and some are not. That way you can buy some bandages ahead of time to cover the incision or stock up on saran wrap and tape.
Good luck.

Yeah, my DH had to keep the dressing dry with saran wrap taped on it, but once the bandage came off he could get the incision wet.

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Thank You for the suggestions. I made it through the surgery and am recovering well. The only thing I wished I would have been warned about was the muscle spasms.They almost got the best of me. Other than that I was in a little over 24 hours and was walking a mile in less than two days. I go back to the doctor in a week and should start "pool therapy". I consider myself very blessed.

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I'm glad to hear you are recovering well. Did they give you a muscle relaxer?

yes they gave me something for the spasms and it worked well.
I am hoping to get alot of the restricitons lifted from the doctor when I go on wednesday. I wonder if it is customary to wait 4 weeks to be able to drive. I feel so trapped. Over alll I am happy how things turned out though I havent started therapy so I may feel differently after my muscles hurt.Lol

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Yes, 4 wks is a pretty standard wait time especially for a back surgery. What they say is that you have to be able to stamp down really hard without pain (like if you had to slam on your brakes) before you're safe to drive. I know it's hard being cooped up but you should probably wait the 4 wks even if you "think" you're able to drive before. Glad it went well

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