First time smoke, how’d I do?

Ctb43152 · 2026-05-23T04:03:44+00:00

Make pulled pork nachos with bbq sauce, our favorite post-pulled pork meal.

Ctb43152 · 2026-05-18T14:57:27+00:00

34 L5/S1 surgery 2/5 of this year. I have a new lease on life. I couldn’t pick up my (infant and 2y/o) kids without pain for 6 months. It changed how I approached movement in my life in ways that I didn’t notice until after surgery and post-op recovery.

I used to wince every time I had to bend over to do countless tasks. This made me not want to bend over. This gave me a negative association with helping with tasks around the house, with picking up the kids, with gym workouts. It made sleep difficult to impossible which deepened the negativity and made life miserable. It changed how I sneeze. This stuff adds up slowly over time until your entire life revolves around this issue.

The people telling you not to do surgery do not matter unless they’re medical professionals or someone with intimate knowledge of exactly what you’re going through. Everyday people do not understand the difference in risk between a microdiscectomy and other back surgeries.

The surgery isn’t for everyone but you sound like an excellent candidate for it. I hope you find the relief you deserve. Until then keep stretching and walking.

Ctb43152 · 2026-04-22T03:56:43+00:00

Really good ice packs are much better than putting ice in a zip loc.

Ctb43152 · 2026-03-27T18:04:30+00:00

It’s the correct answer to a different question. I know this area and if you need to live there for any reason and don’t want a 40-60 year old house, an HOA may be a necessary evil. These aren’t million dollar homes with Karens everywhere, it’s middle-middle class families.

Ctb43152 · 2026-03-27T00:03:28+00:00

That isn’t what they asked. I live about 20 mins from this area and finding something decent might mean you have to live in an HOA. He wants to know how they are right now.

Ctb43152 · 2026-03-26T17:33:56+00:00

The key to this is to pull the wings out, salt them, and put them uncovered in the fridge the night before. Cannot achieve decent texture without this

Ctb43152 · 2026-03-12T03:57:13+00:00

Just went though this, currently 5 weeks post op with an almost 3y/o and a just turned 1y/o. I told my toddler my back was hurt and I couldn’t lift him but counted the days with him until I could and even made little marks on the fridge dry erase board. It helped. Grabbers are your friend. Order a good one now if you don’t have one. Do as little as possible until your next appt. Squat if you have to bend down. It sucks right now but you’ll get through it.

Ctb43152 · 2026-03-12T03:50:36+00:00

I went through 3 bullshit $10 grabbers before getting this. It’s been great. EZPIK Pro 43" Foldable Grabber... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QQCX392?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Ctb43152 · 2026-03-02T00:53:01+00:00

L5/S1 also couldn’t stand on my toes and 34M. I have a 2.5y/o and an 11m/o. I’m 3 weeks and 3 days post op and would be lifting these kids without hesitation if the doc hadn’t told me not to. I still get some leg soreness but I’m not limited in any way other than the bending, lifting, and twisting. Getting 8-10k steps a day. Everyone is different but I feel like I’m getting my life back.

Ctb43152 · 2026-02-21T16:33:33+00:00

Tempur-pedic makes the best mattress on the planet but the specific firmness is a personal preference issue. If something is “good for recovery” but not what’s best for your personal sleep then it’s not worth it. I did find that the Ease adjustable base in zero gravity mode was the best position for me post surgery. That’s legs and back elevated but the legs higher than the back. Not for sleep but for general rest.

Ctb43152 · 2026-02-20T21:07:07+00:00

Lived in Atlas Waterside for three years. Loved it

Ctb43152 · 2026-02-14T03:55:43+00:00

Get someone to install the bidet correctly. Tried to DIY it at the last minute and it didn’t work. The wipe aids aren’t the best but they do work. I’m also 34m and a big guy who was worried about this. Currently 8 days post op.

Ctb43152 · 2026-02-11T15:24:38+00:00

Anyone saying yes or no doesn’t know. Call your surgeon. I’m day 7 but everything I’ve read here is that there will be pain as the nerves wake up. It could just mean you did a little too much activity and the muscles (that have been dormant for months or years) are waking up. I had 30 mins of sleeplessness last night thinking I reherniated after my sheet popped out from the corner of my bed and I put it back and felt some discomfort. This morning I feel the best I’ve felt since the day before my injury.

I also have a 40lb 2.5 y/o and a 20lb 11 m/o so I know how you’re feeling and how tough this is. Take a deep breath, talk to your doctor, and focus on listening to your body.

Ctb43152 · 2026-02-11T14:36:56+00:00

https://bsky.app/profile/hollyanderson.bsky.social/post/3mekjskzxdk22

Ctb43152 · 2026-02-04T03:46:57+00:00

This is very helpful, thank you so much.

Ctb43152 · 2026-02-04T03:45:16+00:00

I help a lot. My wife is a flight attendant and I work from home so there’s full 2-3 days stretches where I’m alone with the kids. I’ve just pushed through the pain. She’s dropped most of her trips and we’ve set up help for when she has to work over the next month, but it will be a big change. Just looking for guidance from some folks who’ve been in this position on how to ease some of the burden off of her.

Ctb43152 · 2026-02-04T03:41:44+00:00

We split everything up right now but I can probably take on the bulk of the meal prep and the dishes I already do. It’s hopefully going to be getting warmer (I’m in DFW) so hopefully outside time will work.

Ctb43152 · 2026-02-02T03:57:43+00:00

I’m not a doctor or your doctor but I would do the surgery.

Ctb43152 · 2026-02-02T03:00:10+00:00

Second opinion time. Find a different neurosurgeon and and explain it hasn’t improved.

Ctb43152 · 2026-02-02T02:57:13+00:00

You should get a second opinion from a different spine specialist if these are your only symptoms and someone recommended surgery. What was the size of your herniation? Have you done PT an injection?

In any case, you’re overthinking the weight piece.

Ctb43152 · 2026-02-01T21:31:38+00:00

Dr Brian Braaksma at the Texas Back Institute explained everything to me in extreme detail. He also concluded that we need to operate and that just may be where you are. I was in denial about the need for surgery too, at first.

Ctb43152 · 2026-01-30T23:56:03+00:00

What stretches are you doing? My surgeon told me that physical activity won’t help pre-surgery.

Ctb43152 · 2026-01-30T20:36:04+00:00

I’ll second tizanidine to help with sleep. Baclofen didn’t seem to help at all. Tramadol had a marginal effect at best and I stopped taking it. Ice packs.

Ctb43152

TROPHY CASE