Experience of spinal fusion recovery? (ALIF)

[Wishiwasrunning2]

I'm booked in for this surgery.

My DH and I have been invited to a wedding the following weekend. Surgery on the Wednesday, wedding on the Saturday.

He is insisting that he will still attend the wedding (overnight 4hrs away) without me, we have 3DC aged 5-10 and my nephew (18) was going to babysit.

Will I be in a fit state to care for DC and myself with assistance of nephew or is this going to be too difficult? I know it's major surgery, and I'm quite worried about what state I'll be in 3 days after.

Anyone had experience of this?

I’ve got experience of my daughter having a fusion age 12.

I’m slightly confused is the wedding 3 or 10 days post op?

If 3 then don’t be ridiculous! If 10 then it’ll be incredibly hard going. My daughter was very tired post op and needed a lot of rest.

You'll still be in hospital surely?

It's 3 days post op

Surgeon said I'll be home the next day all being well, so home on Thursday

Oh sorry totally missed the last bit of your message (sleep deprived with 12 week old baby!).

Surely you’ll still be in hospital?

I know a few people who've had this surgery and most if not all have been in hospital for at least a week after surgery, so surely at 3 days post op you will still be in hospital?

6 to 12 week recovery period.

My ex dh had it done a few years ago. Iirc he was still in hospital at the three day point. What have the hospital staff said to you about recovery? Certainly he wasn’t in a position to do much for our children for quite some time (not that he did much anyway, he’s an ex for a reason!)

Good luck for your surgery anyway

Your husband should be looking after you.

You can’t bend or twist or lift anything over 5lbs.

You will probably struggle to walk far at all.

Can't believe your be home the next day?
My dd had a fusion, hospital for a week then like sexnotgender's dc absolutely knackered.

Looking online it is different to scoliosis fusion (what my daughter had) in terms of hospital stay but recovery points are very similar.

I'm quite at your dh thinking you can look after small kids 3 days after a spinal fusion.

I had a spinal fusion. Three days post op I was still in hospital and was not able to walk alone. I needed help with dressing etc and couldn't sit upright for more than 10 mins at a time. You will need to be looked after- not left looking after the kids. Hope it all goes well

Thanks for your replies.

I was thinking it would be a bit of a stretch and unfair on me and my nephew.

I will have another chat with DH and make him understand.

I am also surprised at the short hospital stay but they said if I need longer, I can stay longer.

Thanks also for the well wishes, it's been a tough few months in the lead up so I'm looking forward to getting my life back!!

Can your DH not take the children to the wedding and leave you to recover in peace?

Yeah OP, there’s no way you’d be able to look after your children when you’ll be in so much pain. You won’t be even allowed to carry a pint of milk for the first few weeks. Your DH, at best, is massively underestimating the recovery period for you.

I think the average stay is about a week. More if it’s complex. They do get you up after day 3-4 to get you up and walking but it’ll be hard work in itself since you’ll have had your back fused and your muscles will have to take time to adapt.

My mum had this surgery about five years ago. Absolutely no way was she in any fit state to do anything for 10 days post up except get up and walk around with the physios. It's really really big surgery. She managed to sit down at the dinner table for about 20 minutes after she was discharged which was v painful but she wanted to do it for us and it was lovely as she was so happy to be home. She was in 9 days in total.

Please please don't underestimate how much time you will take to recover. Take it easy, listen to the physios and rest! Lots of long walks in the weeks to come to get your strength back. Best of luck

Thanks everyone. I just needed to check I wasn't being unduly nervous!

We've had another chat and agreed that DH won't go and we've apologised to the bride and groom who completely understand. We can have a celebration with them once I'm all fixed.

It's helped me think more about what the op involves and I think we probably need to line up some more help with the kids for a couple of weeks!

Oh and sorry, kids not invited to wedding.

I'm having this soon too...just had pre-op......did they not explain any if this too you ?
This is MAJOR surgery which will require a few days over night!

@IceBearRocks good luck for your op.

Consultant has said one night in hospital, take it easy for 4-6 weeks. I understand it's major surgery but maybe because I'm having ALIF and screws in my back, it will be faster recovery?

My husband has probably struggled over the last 6 months when the pain has been really bad, I think he doesn't listen to the details either, but we have agreed that he won't be going to the wedding.

He's booked 3 days off work, then the weekend, then he works mostly from home and I have family who will help with the kids.

Just want it to be over now!

Good luck to both of you.
It has been life changing for my dd, she went into hospital in a wheelchair and 6 days later walked out. Albeit leaning on a very emotional mum and dad.

@CarrieErbag wow, I'm so pleased it was such a success for your daughter. You must be so proud of her!

Thankfully I'm not in a wheelchair, however, every day tasks are very difficult and painful, I've got about 4 weeks to go now, and it can't come soon enough. I really want my life back and to be able to be active with the kids again and back to being me.

Well I wish you loads of luck and a speedy recovery, let us know how you get on.

I had a discectomy and laminectomy with cauda equina. Discharged 21hrs post op (op was 5hrs) and no lifting/bending or twisting for 6-8 weeks. I also wasn't allowed to sit for more than 45 mins and had to stand or lie down
Honestly I spent the first 3 weeks sleeping, I was SO tired