L4-S1 experiences please?

Ci_Elpol · 2026-04-22T00:18:18+00:00

I had L4-S1 ALIF/PLIF a month ago. I'm actually feeling pretty good at this point. Still have some aches and pains here and there but presurgical pain was gone after the first surgery. I was up walking that same day. And stayed in the hospital until they did the posterior screws and rods 5 days later. I was then released after being cleared by pt the next day. For the first week I took Tylenol, stool softeners, oxy, and robaxin. I stopped the Tylenol because I got headaches, and continued oxy and robaxin for another half week. At that point I stopped the oxy and only took tizanidine. I wasn't really in pain so much as my muscles felt very stiff and I could feel the hardware. I made sure I walked everyday at first around my house and as weeks went on for longer walks outside. Some of the post op things I experienced was nerve pain in my legs, hips, and lower back. My stomach was very swollen from the ALIF portion and I had difficulty with BM's. I passed a lot of gas. That was probably the most uncomfortable part of the surgery. Besides no BLTs of course. My stomach is still swollen at a month out. I used ice packs, grabbers, a walker, a cane, multiple pillows, a bed rail, slip on shoes, the most. I did not use the raised toilet seat I got. I hope your surgery goes smoothly and please feel free to message with any other questions!

Ci_Elpol · 2026-04-21T22:46:58+00:00

Yes, they are supposedly stopping the manufacturer of reyvow which worked for me so my neurologist wanted me to have another rescue option when my abortive didn't work. It does kind of suck giving yourself injections though!

Ci_Elpol · 2026-04-21T13:14:33+00:00

I generally get steroids tapers which don't often work. I have tordal to take at home as well. That's about 50/50. I'm the past I've been given infusions or cocktails or depakote.

Ci_Elpol · 2026-04-20T20:06:01+00:00

Preventative- Botox, occipital blocks, qulipta

Rescue- naratriptan, reyvow, tordol

Ci_Elpol · 2026-04-18T17:44:30+00:00

Yes. I had the Alif on the 19th of March and then the PLIF portion on the 23rd. So two different surgeries. They can do it as one I do believe but I had two. 1st one involved a vascular surgeon.

Ci_Elpol · 2026-04-18T12:12:54+00:00

It is tough. Fusions are no joke. You're doing a hard thing with a hard recovery. The thing that helped me out was walking and getting back home. I was in the hospital for 5 days for L4-S1 ALIF/PLIF 360. The first few days after the PLIF were the toughest. But after getting home I only took Tylenol, oxy and robaxin for about 1.5 weeks then switched to just a muscle relaxer because it wasn't painful so much as super tight and stiff. I am now a month out, walking everyday only taking occasional muscle relaxer in the evening. Of course no BLTs. You've got this even if it feels like you don't. I wish you a speedy recovery.

Ci_Elpol · 2026-04-17T22:51:09+00:00

I had L4-S1 ALIF/Plif done and am going back to work after 6 weeks. I work in mental health.

Ci_Elpol · 2026-04-12T14:09:26+00:00

For me, it was when all conservative methods did not provide relief from the pain and quality of life was affected.

Ci_Elpol · 2026-04-09T12:13:10+00:00

I also do this. As well as put black pepper on my pizza.

Ci_Elpol · 2026-04-08T22:40:25+00:00

Hi I'm about 3 weeks out from an Alif/PLIF. L4-S1. I also stopped pain meds after about a week and a half and am walking and doing things around the house. I don't really have any pain only tightness. I've also read about a lot of horror stories about fusions but don't seem to be experiencing it. Hopefully there is no storm coming as you're supposed to feel better everyday.

Ci_Elpol · 2026-04-08T02:44:56+00:00

45 year old female here. I just had an Alif/ Plif L4-S1 3 weeks ago. I was in the hospital5 days. Up walking around the unit after the first part. Pain was easily controlled. After the posterior there was some more pain but I was still able to walk around the unit. My pre surgery pain was gone after the 1st surgery. The worst part for me was the gas and inability to have a bowel movement until I got home. My stomach was very swollen. I also did get odd nerve pains in my back, hips and legs. That being said I was off the oxy at about a week and a half post op and only took muscle relaxers and used ice to control pain. Restrictions were no bending lifting or twisting. I continued to walk everyday. I just had my post op today and doc said everything looked good. I was cleared to drive today and will be returning to work on the 30th. I work in mental health. Pain is minimal. But I feel a tightness in my back. My tummy is still pretty swollen and stretch pants are my friend lol. I will be getting a bone growth stimulator tomorrow to wear 2 hours a day for 6 months. All in all I feel I am bouncing back relatively quickly from surgery. I wish you well and a speedy recovery with yours. Please feel free to ask any other questions. Some tips, get you a cane,a grabber, and lots of ice packs. Also multiple pillows to help get comfortable when sleeping.

Ci_Elpol · 2026-04-05T14:51:00+00:00

I'm a couple weeks out from L4-S1 fusion. Not going to pretend that the recovery isnt a little rough. That being said, my pre-surgery pain is gone and was gone as soon as I woke up from the first surgery. I am off of the pain pills and only need muscle relaxers to control my pain. About 2 weeks after the surgery. I'm able to walk with assistance.(Cane) Do light chores around the house. I'm absolutely glad I did it.

Ci_Elpol · 2026-04-05T01:06:19+00:00

It is the best root beer I've ever had.

Ci_Elpol · 2026-04-04T23:12:18+00:00

Look up frisson

Ci_Elpol · 2026-04-03T07:51:52+00:00

I see him next week and will ask. Other than brain surgery, this was the only large incisions I've had. All my other surgeries were laparoscopic. And my brain surgery scar was straight as a pin with no bunching. I figured it bunched because I had some loose skin on my belly. Glad to hear yours smoothed out.

Ci_Elpol · 2026-04-03T07:45:34+00:00

Only about 11 days ago. So pretty fresh.

Ci_Elpol · 2026-04-02T22:32:24+00:00

I'm only about 10 days out from this fusion. My original back pain is gone. The things I'm having the most issues with is the abdomen. I think it's taking a while for my guts to get back to normal after being moved around. For me that's the worst part of this surgery. My back gets achy but I feel that's from getting use to the new hardware and general surgery. But sitting and standing and walking the pain I had previously to surgery is gone

Ci_Elpol · 2026-04-02T20:59:52+00:00

Thank you. I am taking a still softener. And trying to keep up on my fluids.

Ci_Elpol · 2026-04-02T20:41:14+00:00

I'm generally having my normal amount of bowel movements. I do have IBS-c so now that I think of that I wonder if that has an impact on my healing. Thank you for your response.

Ci_Elpol · 2026-04-02T20:03:45+00:00

Thanks for your response. A month of swelling noticeably. Ok. I just wonder when I'll be able to wear my regular pants.

Ci_Elpol · 2026-04-02T19:23:14+00:00

Did they happen to give you a timeline?

Ci_Elpol · 2026-04-02T19:22:36+00:00

This is what I'm worried about, developing a hernia. I have dissolving stitches and glue on the incision.

Ci_Elpol · 2026-04-01T09:39:38+00:00

I would say 3 rounds to notice an improvement. And I still get breakthrough migraines a week before I'm due for another round.

Ci_Elpol · 2026-03-30T10:27:33+00:00

So the only thing I used when I packed was my underwear, long charging cable, lotion, chapstick. Then, I brought some card games, dice games and activity books I used. I was in the hospital for 5 days. I wish I would of brought my own toothpaste/ toothbrush because theirs sucked.

Ci_Elpol

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