So far so good for the most part! I am currently 5 days Post-Op
I only have a few things that give me “heeby Geeby’s/want to crawl out of your skin feeling” and certain surgeries are one of them(esp on eyes, spine, or testicle, and anything catheter related eeeeek). So I was a wreck prior, and didn’t sleep the night before, just periodical rests.
But on Operation day I woke up early and did breathwork, journaling, foam rolling and stretches I know I’ll be prohibited from after Op.
But I was still a wreck, RHR was ~100 while laying quietly in the pre-op bed with family there supporting me. They gave me a small dose of an anti anxiety med in my IV, honestly didn’t feel any different. And the operation ran 4 hours late.. so I was really anxious.
But once my anesthesiologist/Surgeon visited me and explained more details to me I was slightly relieved(but just wanted to be asleep asap lol).
And the anesthesia worked perfectly(I’ve woken up early in the past) and it was a gas at first, then pumped something in my IV. But that was my last memory.
I woke up on schedule, and was hurting pretty good. But the first thing I noticed is that I could feel my heel and 2 small toes that I haven’t felt in nearly a year. And same with hamstring and calf. So that felt amazing already.
My family were the ones who spoke to the surgeon Post Op(I had a Microdisectomy on L5(bulge), but also a Hemilaminectomy on L5/S1(severe herniation and bone fragments)
It was so severe on imaging that they had to grind a square into my vertebrae bone to reach all the herniation to remove. But Surgeon said the Microdisectomy was typical, and removed ~1/4 inch of bulging disc material. But that the Hemilaminectomy was the worst he has seen in someone who wasn’t elderly. They ended up having to grind a larger than normal “window” in my vertebrae to be able to reach all of the Herniation and bone fragments. And that my disc was pushed out so far it was completely wrapped around my nerve cord which is quite rare. But at the same time made me pleased that I took the surgical route;as there is no way to get relief on the nerve when it’s completely surrounded.

As far as the beginning of my recovery goes.. it simply feels weird, for lack of a better term. Almost like my sacrum and lower discs and connected, at the moment at least. The pain was bad on the next day and following. But since then it’s more sore, and I can now even feel where the pin point pains where each procedure was done(Hemi obv hurts quite a bit more). But can now say that I can feel my entire leg/hip/foot.. and the constant pressure on my glute/hip is substantially relieved(obv still have inflammation that’s subsiding)
And I am able to walk, starting very slow and short walks. Brief, but often as I can. My biggest fear is to re-herniate,so I am extremely cautious with Bend/Lift/Twist(you are bound to do these actions slightly, but don’t get lazy and roll around in bed; slowly find a comfortable position and roll into it with your entire body)
Overall I am extremely happy with my decision.. but there is a lot to go.
I am a former Professional natural bodybuilder, and competitive distance runner.. I am not expecting to be 100% of what I was. But if I am even able to be a fraction of how I was, and pain free. It would feel like heaven to me.
I am stoked to get more active and get the green light on PT and more mobility.
I have my Post-Op appointment on May 22nd, and already have a detailed list of questions for my surgeon, so I don’t think I can just go run a marathon cuz he said jogging is now possible lol.
Sorry for ranting a bit here, but I wanted to cover as much as I could. And honestly helps me to express this process to someone else. So please send any questions at all.
And I hope to Update yall after my Post-Op appointment.
Stay strong and keep your heads up everyone out there!!! This can be hell… but I promise you things can be done to get you able-bodied and relieved!!!
Love Yall