Forgot to mention: I did receive an extra rechargeable battery and charger for the bone growth stimulator. Each battery lasts 24 hours, so basically I just swap out one for the other around noon each day.

Happy that everything is going so well for you. Please keep making videos to let us know how you're progressing.

@LearnAtMyExpense

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I plan on making another video sometime this week.

I’m having ACDF c4-c7 I’m 2 .5 weeks, I’m grateful for the insight you’re sharing. Thank you! Continued health and happiness to you.

@LearnAtMyExpense

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! Wishing you a speedy recovery!

I had the same device after my 4 level cervical fusion. Worked amazing

Im 3 weeks post surgery c4-c6. They called me yesterday to offer a bone growth stimulator. I'm going to ask about this one.

Can you share Dr name? I'm going to need this surgery very soon. I've had both knees and a hip replaced at Jefferson and I prefer to stay there. Great hospital. So glad you are doing so well. Continued healing. Can't wait for next video.

@LearnAtMyExpense

Жыл бұрын

Dr. James Harrop at Jefferson

Thank you for sharing , I need a 3 level fusion C4-C7. I have anxiety that gives me swallowing problems and was wondering if you had any issues with that from surgery or if it’s just a soar throat and if it goes away quickly!? Any advice is appreciated - Super worried

@LearnAtMyExpense

Жыл бұрын

I try not to make blanket statements about how others surgeries will go but the one thing I can pretty confidently say is that anyone who undergoes a 4 level ACDF is going to have some trouble temporarily with swallowing. But the key word there is "temporary." I had trouble swallowing since I was a kid - I choked on some steak when I was young (my older brother performed the Heimlich on me, successfully thank goodness). Swallowing large pills/vitamins etc was always a problem. So I was concerned about it for sure heading into surgery and I discussed with my surgeon. He said I would definitely have some issues for up to 2 weeks. At my consent appointment he made a comment that he would do a larger incision on me, that in his experience that tends to heal up nicer than the small ones, which tend to bulge out, and also it makes for having easier access with less movement of the esophagus/throat. I told him I am all for that! A couple of weeks later at the hospital just prior to surgery when I met with him I reminded him that I didn't care about the size of the incision and encouraged him to make it large if it means easier access. He said he planned to do that and if you look at my incision it is quite larger than most. When I woke up from surgery I tried drinking some ice water through a straw and it was very difficult. But not in a choking/drowning way but in a "it just won't go down" way, like there was a blockage. The assistant surgeons came in that afternoon and I told them the only issue I was having was swallowing, that my throat was very swollen. By then, I was able to swallow liquid but it was like a constricted pipe and I had to force it down. They asked me to drink so they could see and agreed. They immediately prescribed IV steroids (2 doses). That was about 2pm. I felt them working immediately. Around 6pm dinner arrived. I laughed as when I first looked at it it is looked like steak of all things and I figured there was no way I was going to be able to eat. Turned out it was soft meatloaf, along with mashed potatoes, and some fruit cup or something. I was able to eat it all! I couldn't believe it. Next morning my throat was much closer to normal and eating wasn't difficult. Drinking liquids was still, surprisingly, difficult for about 4 days. I had to use a straw (bendy straws are vital to have on hand at home post-surgery!) and take smaller sips. Also, while in the hospital I did take OTC tylenol and also took a dose once when home - I used a pill crusher for that. Around day 4 or 5 post surgery I was eating and drinking pretty well. Still felt a slight restriction but it got better every day so that by day 9 or 10 I was fully back to normal. And, surprisingly to me, I think having to effectively relearn how to swallow actually turned out for the better as I now have no problem swallowing large multivitamins etc. I don't have the mild swallowing anxiety I used to have. I didn't expect that. So yes, you absolutely will have swallowing restriction post-surgery, but it should be temporary. It was a big concern of mine too but knowing it was going to happen was helpful - I was prepared for it and accepted it knowing it was temporary. If you do not have other health conditions that preclude you from taking a steroid, make sure to ask for one - be vocal (no pun intended) about your swallowing issue to the surgeon(s). Due to lack of availability of beds at the hospital I was at I was placed in the ENT ward after surgery and the nurses assigned to me, while mostly helpful, were not familiar with my surgery at all or the issues associated. Thankfully, the assistant surgeons (residents? fellows?) that were in the OR with my surgeon checked on me and prescribed the steroid. That helped immensely. I know someone who, due to being diabetic, was not able to take the steroid and it took them a few weeks for the swelling of the throat to go down fully. Another tip: like all other side effects of this surgery (aside from some limited mobility loss), they should all be temporary. So don't dwell on them. Just know it's temporary and trust the process. You'll do well I'm sure! Good luck and do let us know how it goes!

@Leenailsalon

Жыл бұрын

@@LearnAtMyExpense thanks for all the great information and I will let you know how everything goes for me- I will ask about larger incisions and if it’s an option for me too. Thank you so much for sharing 👍

What's the brand of the stimulator? How many weeks or months are you supposed to wear it? Thanks.

@LearnAtMyExpense

Жыл бұрын

Biomet. In more recent videos I mentioned that I had to give up using the stimulator completely due to it burning my neck (pretty severely). After using it no problem 24/7 for the first three weeks (aside from showering, and I changed the sensors daily), all of a sudden burning my neck where the round burns where the sensors were placed. The manufacturer sent me new water-based adhesive sensors which I tried after the original sensor burns healed fully. After only 8 hours the new sensors burned my neck. Won't be using it anymore. Something's wrong with the unit.

Are you still happy with the bone stimulator?

@LearnAtMyExpense

Жыл бұрын

I was never able to wear it. See my prior videos - it severely burned my neck where the electrodes attached. I called the manufacturer and they sent me different sensors that have a water-based adhesive on them but same thing happened - severe circular burns. I gave up on it.

@3Druzilla

6 ай бұрын

​@@LearnAtMyExpensehow did your recovery go minus the stimulator

@LearnAtMyExpense

5 ай бұрын

@@3Druzilla very well - see my more recent videos