I’m legally blind, 80 years old, my husband is in A-fib, and I canceled my surgery. There is no way I can go through this recovery alone, having to do everything for myself. No one told me what it would be like. If it hadn’t been for KZread and so many describing the recovery, I would have been in a LOT of trouble! Thank you! Ya’ll probably saved my life. ‘Seriously.

@bionic_living

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment. Good luck to you friend! Sendings all the positive vibes your way. 👍👍

@silencedogood7297

Жыл бұрын

Wait !! Call the Department of Aging and Disabilities. They will arrange for an aide to help you, all equipment, all meds.. anything you need. Free. If they had not helped me, I would have died by suicide from the pain.

@bionic_living

Жыл бұрын

@@silencedogood7297 comments like this is why I have this forum. Thank u so much for this pertinent information!! I will be sure to share and research myself. So glad u survived my sage friend.

@leilalineberger995

11 ай бұрын

😢 I understand completely. This is my biggest fear, after surgery! I researched the surgery, no false thoughts on how difficult that part is going to be. I’m 64 with several autoimmune diseases/issues. This back issue, 3 weeks pre surgery has me bed bound and unable to drive (I get twisted with the most severe-incredible-unbearable pain). My husband still works, full time and full manual labor. He’s so tired, all the time. He takes good care of me and he’s taking the week of surgery off. I’m wondering now how long I’ll be in the hospital. I do have two grown daughters, five grandsons with one old enough to help me. Just like @OcalaBrew I am really go to be a huge bother. They will do it, help me, they will not whine - to me. It’s really hard to feel like this. OcalaBrew your message was posted 3 months ago. I hope you’re doing…what? Ok? Better? 😢 I understand completely why you couldn’t go through with it. Hope those around you help find solutions. ❤😊

L5-S1 fusion of June 2023. Squatting helped me sooo much especially with washing hands! Grabber comes in soo handy.

@bionic_living

3 ай бұрын

Thanks for the update. How are you feeling now?

@Nessa_757

3 ай бұрын

@bionic_living pretty good. Still sore and achy but I can move way better. Making steps day by day!

This is a great video! I didn’t have anyone to tell me what to expect after surgery. I had no pt or anything. I had to figure out everything myself. I used the grabber a lot too! If you are older, a walker or cane isa huge help too. Also a toilet riser with rails to help you push up. I had a regular recliner. I wish I had a push button or the lift chair. As a 56 year old woman, I needed something to help me wipe myself after using the bathroom. I used a squeeze bottle to rinse, but needed help for #2. I see they now make a wand to hold toilet paper so you can wipe. That would have been a huge help! Also no one told me I could possibly have extreme nerve pain in my thighs when all the nerves started to connect again. I don’t know how many people have that but I did and had to go a couple of times to get steroid shots. My surgeon accentuated walking. Walk as much as you can. Around the house at first then I walked up and down my driveway as many times as possible. I think it helped a lot. My surgeon also used my own bone marrow from my hips to fill the cages that he replaced the discs with. I had disc replacement plus fusion. Those incisions bothered me longer than the surgery sites did. I was cut in the front and back so I had a really hard time rolling over or getting out of bed. I dreaded having to go to the bathroom! Having all your meds near by so you can reach them, including your Tylenol or Ibuprofen for fever is very important. Being able to get in touch with you caregiver if they are across the house and you need help, is very useful. My husband wears a hearing aid so if he didn’t keep his phone near him with the ringer turned on, I had a hard time getting him to hear me. So many little things they do not tell you. My surgeon didn’t give me a back brace, which I don’t know if it would have helped me or not. When I first came home, I wore a nightgown with no underwear so I didn’t have to bend to pull them after going to the bathroom. I didn’t have a choice unless I was going to have someone pull them up for me every time.Hope this helps someone who is about to have surgery. It is the worst surgery I have ever had so if you can do anything not to have to have it, I would try anything. Nothing worked for me though. I had to have it.

@bionic_living

11 ай бұрын

Sounds like you did AMAZING though. Wow. Congrats. You inspire and I hope your doing well now friend.

@Brandi62

11 ай бұрын

@@bionic_living God got me through it twice! I still have pain at times in my back but nothing like the nerve pain. I go to the Chiropractor regularly and that helps. I am sure if I excercised more to strengthen my core, it would help tremendously.

I had An L4-L5 laminectomy and other things done in April 2021. Ten days later I had an abscess on my spine at the surgical sore and meningitis and reherniation. I had an emergency surgery to have a fusion at that level and they cleaned the infection out the best they could. I was hospitalized a week. It was a PLIF. I am having an ALIF in October at L5-S1. I have had a discectomy there several years ago. I’ve also had a disc replacement in my neck. I’m only 42. It’s been quite the adventure. I was so ill after my last surgery. It was so draining to shower. I’m assuming that without and infection in and around my spine and without coming home on a picc line things will be better. I do have an adjustable bed which has been so great for all of these things!

@bionic_living

Жыл бұрын

Wow. What a warrior you are!! So inspiring to hear your story. How are you doing today? I hope you are well.

@sarahebobo

Жыл бұрын

@@bionic_living I’m getting ready for my ALIF at L5-S1 which has been pushed to November 14. I don’t feel entirely recovered from my last surgery but I’m losing neurological function so we can’t put the L5-S1 surgery off any longer. I’m doing ok but PTSD from my last surgery is real.

@aaadamt964

3 ай бұрын

​@@sarahebobo Jesus! That had to be rough. I'm curious how you're doing now? I'm on week two home from being fused from l4 to s1. I'm getting around pretty good but holy sore.

@sarahebobo

2 ай бұрын

@@aaadamt964I still feel like I'm recovering from my 2 big spine surgeries in April 2021 when I had the abscess. In the last 3 years I have had so Many infections where we can't always pinpoint a definitive source. I've been hospitalized so many times because of it. Some doctors think I have infection hiding in my hardware that can't be resolved with traditional oral or IV antibiotics. I would need to be opened back up and irrigated or have some contaminated hardware removed. I don't know what is reasonable or even possible. I just got out of the hospital from being there for the third time, the first time being an urgent surgery on C7-T1 where it herniated so badly out of one side it was all out of the disc space impinging 3 nerve roots on the right side. It was hell. I had cellulitis a week after the surgery and was thre for 6 days. I just got admit again last week with a high WBC count and just got out a couple of days ago. I'm so sick of being in the hospital and not having any answers and the providers that could do anything about it being willing to chat with e about the hardware holding onto infection. Anyway, healing is very slow with so many setbacks but I'm still here.

Awesome video! So helpful thank you 👍🏾

@bionic_living

Жыл бұрын

Hope it helps!! 💙

Great video. Thx. Nice to see a happy, healthy, positive person give us these tips. I’m going under in 3 weeks.

@bionic_living

Жыл бұрын

Good luck and god speed. You’ll do great. Just be patient. Ask for help. And don’t rush the recovery. Hopefully it will be faster than mine. Lol. 👍👍👍 stay strong.

Thank you for this informative video to proactively prep before the surgery. I didn't know about the 80% statistic, that's a huge number.

I had l4/5 fusion with screws 6 weeks ago. No pain after 5 days, off heavy medication at 10 days. Have to remember no blts! And to have a lie down a few times a day. Had trouble with the scar last week but that seems to have settled down. See my consultant next week. Def need the litter picker ...

@bionic_living

2 жыл бұрын

Wow!! Congrats on getting to a pain free point so fast. I hope you don’t have to look back. You deserve to live pain free. Keep me posted! Thank you.

@helenrankin1449

2 жыл бұрын

@@bionic_living Just had x-ray and 6 week check up with my consultant, all going well. Now allowed to drive, use my static bike and swim. See him in six weeks again, still no blts, my picker is so useful.

@bionic_living

2 жыл бұрын

@@helenrankin1449 loving it! Stay strong. You are an inspiration and warrior.

@helenrankin1449

2 жыл бұрын

Up to 11 weeks and feeling good. Just done 30 minutes on my static bike, going for a walk later. Don't like my physio, she wants me to bend forwards or backwards....not doing that yet....so all she says is swing my weak leg backwards and forwards...

@yvonneschimmel453

4 ай бұрын

Wow, not me. My surgery caused my left leg to get numb. Still numb to this day. My spine collapsed so still going through problems. Right now my left leg is swelling up when I walk. Can't elevate my leg because the doctir says it puts too much pressure on my fusion. Yeah I had fusion done .

Thanks for the video. It helps a lot 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

@bionic_living

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. Did you also have a spinal fusion? How are you feeling?

Awesome video! Thank you for all the suggestions! LOOOOOOOVE the Birkenstocks! I wore mine for a 15 day trip to Europe in August and they were fantastic for my balance even on the uneven cobblestone and old streets of Pompeii!

@bionic_living

4 ай бұрын

Yes 🙌🏼 cheers to my Birkenstock friend! I still am wearing mine at the time! I have also found ASICS novablast running shoes with my orthotics to be super comfy for my travels.

@mistymountaintraveladventures

4 ай бұрын

@@bionic_living Yayayayay! I will look into the ASICS when we go on our next trip. I think I will feel more balanced in a "proper" shoe! LOL! Stay safe and healthy my Birkenstock friend!

Thanks for your video. I am 2 months in. I wish I would have seen this before my surgery. Great tips though.

Thanks for the tips. I’m scared I’m going to twist or do something wrong too once I have surgery. Your video was helpful, good to hear what you are up against. Hi Tucker!

@bionic_living

Жыл бұрын

You are welcome. I hope it helped you to a quick and safe recovery. My little twisting never amounted to anything. I am back to life and living for every moment. How are you feeling now?

Gearing up for my surgery in May. Your videos are SO helpful! Thank you!

@bionic_living

Жыл бұрын

Good luck! You got this!! Sending healing vibes your way.

@dalepetersen6533

Жыл бұрын

I’m interested in hearing how are doing?? I’m considering doing this! Thanks!

@Big-three492

Жыл бұрын

How did it go?

Thank you❤ Very Helpful!

@bionic_living

Жыл бұрын

You’re welcome! Good luck!👍

@leslieyoung2682

Жыл бұрын

@Bionic Living I'm 61 yr old lady. In fairly good shape, no smoke, no drink, no health issues, thin. I'm having XLIF L3 - L5. Going in thru my hip to replace the discs, then a small incision in bk to put rods and screws. I had a custom back brace made. You have helped me. Toilet seat, grabber!!

@bionic_living

Жыл бұрын

@@leslieyoung2682 sounds like you are set-up for success! Cheers to a speedy recovery so you can get back to being YOU! thanks for sharing your story.

I have had 2 spinal fusions. I went with Cadaver the second time. Yoga has pulled me through this.

@bionic_living

Жыл бұрын

Wow! You are a true warrior. And it’s inspiring that you still continue your yoga practice! Should I try yoga? Any movements that you avoid?

Thank you ❤❤❤

I’m gearing up to schedule my surgery. I had my injections about 3 weeks ago, which helped for about a day. I have level 3 spondylthesis on my L5-S1. Thank you for the tips and tricks.

@bionic_living

2 жыл бұрын

Wow. A level 3! That must be intense. Did the injections help? Are you going to have an ALIF as well? Good luck my bionic friend.

@jazzblkwht

Жыл бұрын

It's not that bad. I'm 7 weeks out and pretty much back to normal.

Thanks for sharing, I'm ending my third week after fusion from T10 to S1 and it's been a ride

@bionic_living

11 ай бұрын

You’re welcome. How are feeling now?

@mitziruff188

11 ай бұрын

@@bionic_living thanks for asking😀 Well overall pretty good at 2 months out, but it's still so much up and down, two steps forward one step back with pain. Most all of my pain is in my rib cage which is very surprising to me 🤷🏼‍♀️ I guess it makes sense but it was unexpected. The hardest part is just trying to get comfortable to sleep in a bed.

@gailcoleman3351

9 ай бұрын

My neurosurgeon wants to do a t9-sacrum fusion. I think that will kill me sort term and long time.

@mitziruff188

9 ай бұрын

​@@gailcoleman3351I'll be glad to talk about it with you

My Doc didn't give me a brace and I'm 7 weeks out doing AWESOME!

@bionic_living

Жыл бұрын

You are a warrior! Love this. It took me so long to recover. I am happy to hear others didn’t suffer as I did. Thank you for sharing a part of your story. What’s one thing you can’t wait to do once you are recovered?

Thanks for your video! I'll be having surgery August 11, 2021. I pushed it back past some summertime activities. I don't blame you for not showering every day. I've prepared to use wipes so I can go every 2nd or 3rd day. I hope you are doing well after your surgery!

@bionic_living

3 жыл бұрын

Getting there! It’s quite a journey. But I never regret having my spinal fusion.

@MsLauers

Жыл бұрын

Honestly you’re not doing much anyway. And you don’t get stinky until day 3. So it’s not a big deal at all!

@dalepetersen6533

Жыл бұрын

How did it turn out??

Get a bidet - either a toilet seat one or one that's a sprayer that hooks onto the toilet tank or the wall. Good for all sorts of things.

@bionic_living

11 ай бұрын

That’s a great idea!!!

More great information... I think you were about 7 months out from your surgery in this one?

@bionic_living

2 жыл бұрын

Hello fellow future bionic friend. 🖖🏼 hope your surgery goes smooth along with your recovery. Currently I am about 11 months out with return of all my numbness in my right leg. I was pain free for the entire month of July tho and it was AMAZING albeit short lived. Here in this video, you are correct, I was 6-7 months out and finally feeling the benefits from the surgery. For me it was and continues to be a rough road.

Great info - thank you! What are the things hanging on the wall behind you? Please turn off the background music. I have hearing aids the sound comes through and the music is very distracting.

@bionic_living

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the advice about the sound. Behind me are Hawaiian fishing tools from Zgallerie 😉

Thanks for this very informative video. How are you feeling these days? Any problems with your fusion?

@bionic_living

4 ай бұрын

It’s 2024 and everything from this surgery feels back to normal. I just have other parts that need work or attention. lol. 😆 I how to have a new video out soon to talk to you about what’s been going on. How are u feeling?

Wearing the brace has really helped remind me to sit up straight and not bend or twist..Leg pain is insane though.

@bionic_living

4 ай бұрын

The leg pain was the worst for me. It took two years after the surgery to good away. Now I am pain free 100% in that leg.

I got an infection too and was on a pic line, I'm likely to have surgery again so I'm on here looking for tips, trying to find a better back brace

@bionic_living

11 ай бұрын

Godspeed to a healthy recovery. How are you feeling now?

Great video. I’m have L4 L5 fusion Wednesday. I can’t locate emily d baker video says it’s private. Suggestions? Don’t know if u will even read this. I think I am going to make a video since so difficult finding info before and after. Thank you

@bionic_living

11 ай бұрын

That Emily D baker was from awhile back. But more videos form you could help us! Thank u friend.

Hope you are doing well

@bionic_living

4 ай бұрын

Back at you! Thanks

I am almost 4 weeks out from ALIF Surgery S-1/L-5..My surgery went fantastic! The 1st week for me was the worst for pain and that's because I stopped taking my pain meds and switched to Tylenol. I currently walk a little over 2 miles a day which I think is great. I think for me the toughest part of this surgery is my mental state. I do everything I can to stay focused and positive but it is very hard. Definitely looking for suggestions. Thanks

@bionic_living

Жыл бұрын

Wowww. Congrats! it sounds like you are recovering really well. I hope your trajectory continues upward and onward to getting back to an amazing life! Thanks for sharing, this is so inspiring. I am responding about 2weeks after your post: how are you now? Any new milestones in your recovery?

@yoursecondlook

Жыл бұрын

Take your medication

Good Day I'm from. South Africa whole back scheduled for 31st July my question will I be stiff or can I bend after recovering period. Regards Gerda

@bionic_living

Жыл бұрын

I recommend to ask your surgeon the specifics of what you can and cannot do after surgery. As to not disrupt any of the surgeons work. Cheers to a speedy recovery!

What about stepping in and out of the shower? Lifting your leg over the side of the tub?

@bionic_living

11 ай бұрын

I had a walk in shower 🫤 How did you do?

How did you manage stairs? I know some folks need a walker.

@bionic_living

11 ай бұрын

I didn’t use those stairs until six weeks after surgery. And I managed to climb in a normal fashion.

How long did you use 2 glasses while brushing your teeth...a couple weeks or months?

@bionic_living

11 ай бұрын

About six weeks. I’m a nerd.

I love alone 74 what should I do for meals?

@bionic_living

4 ай бұрын

I would ask for help from fam and friends. I also made things that I froze that I could easily microwave. I ordered grocery delivery thru Amazon and tipped the delivery ppl extra to come into my home and help put away the groceries. The video after this one is good to watch since I cover how to ask for support. Let me know if there is anything else I can cover, as I will be making a new video soon. Good luck friend.

I have my alif surgery July 9 2024 l4 l5

@talyho7

6 күн бұрын

Mine is July 8, 2024. Pray for great results and relief with rapid recovery for you! 🙌

Vascular surgeon part of your surgery team?

@bionic_living

4 ай бұрын

Yes. The vascular surgeon did the dissection for the spine surgeon to access the front part of my L5-S1 level to fuse.

hello i feel haevy my back when i walking after disc surgery

@bionic_living

4 ай бұрын

How are you feeling today??

@ZulqarnainHaider-jk5qv

4 ай бұрын

@@bionic_living i feel good but sometime i feel backpain

You didn’t cover how to clean yourself after a BM

@bionic_living

4 ай бұрын

I have really long arms. But in my next video will be asking our listeners if they have tips for us! Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

Did you know that many having spinal fusions end up worse off! I live in intractable pain, should never of done it! My neighbor has the same issue! If you are going to go thru with it go to a major spine center!

@bionic_living

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing your story. It’s nice to know we are not alone with our experiences. How are you feeling now?

@bubbafatas2588

4 ай бұрын

@@bionic_living well I am after 18 months since my multiple level fusion and 4 years from my L5S1 fusion which left me with severe neurological pain in feet and legs! My recent multi level fusion did little to relieve my symptoms but there has been some improvement such as those 30 second bursts of pain that feel like a shock have diminished. I have to be careful tuning over in bed and going up and down stairs as it cause a blast of weakness and pain. I am doing regular exercises for 6-9 hours a week and am otherwise in excellent shape! My next surgical adventure would be removal of rods and screws. This procedure seems to have helped some with their symptoms. Will definitely go to major spine center for this! It just improves your odds! I really cannot get a good MRI of my spine with all that metal in their to see if their is something pinching nerves. I think I am out of luck though as the nerve damage has been done and after all this time not likely to improve much! When considering surgery only do it if issues are negatively impacting your life and PT isn’t helping. Go to major spine center where your odds may be improved!

Can you golf?

@bionic_living

11 ай бұрын

No! Lol. I couldn’t golf before the surgery! I am horrible. But I know Tiger Woods had the same surgery and he returned.

The brace is tottaly bad positioned!

@bionic_living

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for checking that! How should have I been wearing it? So viewers can learn the right way. Have an awesome day.

I’m 72 tears old, live by myself and going to have TLIF surgery L4, L5 and S1 soon and I’m trying to think ahead and prepare myself. I realize that it maybe indelicate to talk about but one thing you didn’t cover in your toilet section was how do you wipe without engaging in some form of BLT? It’s something everyone of us, male and female, have done since we were potty trained but after surgery what? Are we going to have to drag our asses on the carpet like a wiener dog with impacted anal glands? Quit grinning like it’s funny. We need reality check answers. Would a bidet work?

@bionic_living

4 ай бұрын

Good point. I don’t remember this being a problem as I have very long arms. But in my next video (this week) I will ask the bionic living listeners if they have ideas for u. I’ll return with some tips hopefully. Thanks for bringing this to my attention friend.

@sheriwilson1092

3 ай бұрын

I’m preparing for surgery as well and just purchased a bidet attachment for the toilet. Easy to install and hoping it will be helpful along with a reacher to use tp to dry off.

Very annoying music

@bionic_living

Жыл бұрын

I know! Lol. I was so new hopefully my videos got better and will as I learn to edit.

Mannnnnnn! I have to do this ALIF 😩 I just had open total foot and ankle reconstruction that left me with some crazy nerve and dystonia in my last three toes. Always feela like bugs crawling on my foot from the nerves growing back! It's insane! How is your recovery? What can you do you couldn't before? And what can't you do that you will never be able to do again? And last lol sorry! Did you gain any height back from the surgery? Vitamin C helps nerves grow back and with pain! Collagen by "Doctor's Recipes" it has types l, ll, lll, V, and X with Vitamin C, Zinc, Biotin, and Hylauronic Acid 2 x a day in your tea, soups, yogurt, and protein shakes. It will speed your soft tissues, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and skin. Vitamin B1 for Nerve regrowth, repair, and help your soft tissues as well! Mag citrate capsules 400mg at bed with lots of water for BMs and take Psyllium husk in the day for smooth and easy BMs, also Coconut oil, or MCT in your tea or coffee. Try to eat as mich protein as you can! And eat non inflammatory veggies meaning cut out all nightshades for a while! No Omega 6 for a while as well! Just take your Omega 3 and stay on top of it! Don't forget about 3 or 4 prunes help but don't eat too many! 😮😅 I am supposed to do ALIF through an incision in my gut and im NOT ok with this at all! I have a total collapse at L5-S1. I went from 5'4 to 5'2 and have severe degenerative disc disease w/retrospondylothesis, complete loss of vertebral disc space, sceratic changes, vacuum pressure phenomenon, bilateral neuroforaminal stenosis, spondylosis, lorodosis, and OA on illiac crests. 😅 I don't want to do ALIF! I want total disc replacement! God help!🙏😫 😢 I don't want my stomach cut open! ffs! I'm looking at specific peptides for post op healing since my body is a lil b__h...😅 Pardon my bleep! My SLAP repair failed and so did my foot somewhat so the docs don't care since they have sovereign immunity and so does the hospital if something fails. I for totaled in a work accident and left to rot by workers comp in Florida or I wouldn't be in this position right now! Nothing I can do, they say we are protected... But that's a lie! Thanks ACE Hardware! 🤐Bleeping mofo bleepers! 🤐😬😡 I still have my right foot and ankle to do, bilateral SLAP and rotator cuff tears, cervical instability and injuries. So much more that hasn't been discovered yet due to lack of work and money to get imaging and copays, insurance and what not it vicious! And I live upstairs and only have help for a few minutes every 24/48 hour shift that passes. I do not feel confident with this ALIF approach 😕 but my back in bad shape! 😔 Just laying here is agonizing all the time for years and progressively getting worse. I hope some of the info helps you and they still will work a year later as things take a long time to heal. Do you regret having it now a year later? Can you make a list in the comments of your items and ideas? 🙏 Please? Thank you for your video! Godspeed ✨️

Can you ride a motorcycle?

@bionic_living

Жыл бұрын

I rode a scooter with no problem about one year after the procedure. And was able to ride my bicycle about 6 months after. I was very conservative in my return to activity. Now. If any wants to lend me there motorcycle, I would definitely give it a try!! Have you tried?

@KBradAdams

Жыл бұрын

Motorcycles and lawn mowers are a big no no until you fuse the vibration can cause the bone not to fuse! Just wait 6 months before riding again!

@chrismorris3030

10 ай бұрын

Ahhhh man, those are two big ones for me!! I figured I could use my tractor or quad in the woods. But riding mower is a problem?