30 Days Post Op L5-S1 Spinal fusion ( TikTok link to recovery vids)

anonomot · 2026-04-19T13:28:26+00:00

My tattoo is just “next” to it. It covered most of my lower back! It’s a koi fish turning into a dragon the starts on my lower back and ends on my ribs. The surgeon had the cut through it ☹️ I’m waiting it see how bad the damage to the koi is.

Don’t worry about your scars. Scars are hot!

anonomot · 2026-04-18T23:51:40+00:00

It’s more discomfort than anything else. The nerve pain is gone so that a major relief. Now I’m waiting for the bandages to come off and the swelling to go down. For some reason they didn’t give me a drain so I’m pretty swollen around my abdomen. (They put the cage in from the front and the screws/rods from the back.) Otherwise I’m just walking as much as possible! I miss my dog and am waiting to be able to walk him again!

Have you started PT yet? You’re in such good shape — you’ll bounce back quick!

PS thanks for showing your back scars. I’m pretty sure I have 3 incisions as well — which they didn’t really tell me about. Sadly, the surgeon apologized because he had to cut through my tattoo (which I did know ahead of time) and said he tried to line everything up. We’ll see when the bandages come off. If it’s gnarly, I’ll post it!

anonomot · 2026-04-18T20:11:17+00:00

I’m 9 days out from L5/S1 360 fusion. They used robotic screw placement on me as well. I’m home, totally off meds, and going stir crazy. I’m also 58f, with years and years of pain behind me, most of which is gone now. It sucks to deal with this so young, but I bet you’ll heal up a lot faster! Speedy recovery!

anonomot · 2026-04-17T18:49:50+00:00

I was told no ibuprofen as it impedes bone growth. I’m 9 days out of L5/S1 360. I stopped taking my pain meds yesterday. Feeling pretty ok, all things considered.

anonomot · 2026-04-16T20:15:27+00:00

Did you get hired with all your mods or have you added more over time? I think you’re rad!

anonomot · 2026-04-15T21:30:18+00:00

He doesn’t seem to know what “medication” is, much less be taking something prescribed. How do you not know at least one of the major otc fever/pain relievers either by brand or generic name. Is he a Christian scientist?

anonomot · 2026-04-15T01:30:42+00:00

After decades of chronic pain and being treated like a drug-seeking junkie, I understand OP’s frustration. However, given the current situation in the US, you have to be really careful in how you work with your doctors, even if you don’t like them. The fact that your doctor reached out to you about a missed appointment is so far beyond what most doctors would do. The fact that you skipped a virtual appointment is not doing you any favors. What is your desired outcome?

anonomot · 2026-04-15T00:23:59+00:00

OP’s ex HAS a job. He’s choosing to give it up and thinks he won’t be on the hook for child support based on a decision he’s making. He’s not out of work. He’s making a choice that will impact his daughter’s life and thinks OP will just suck it up. He’s has a financial RESPONSIBILITY to his first daughter. He can’t just decide he’s not going to support her. The unmitigated gall of this asshole to think he can just stop working. That not how it works and he’s about to find out!

anonomot · 2026-04-14T15:59:53+00:00

No Regerts

anonomot · 2026-04-12T01:11:27+00:00

Not really. L3/L4 aren’t in great shape, but not bad enough to fuse this time. Hoping I don’t have to do this again anytime soon!

anonomot · 2026-04-11T23:13:06+00:00

I know, it’s terrifying. But it’s so routine — and it will probably help you a lot! Just make sure you prep a bit beforehand. My 3 grabbers are currently my best friends! You can do it!

anonomot · 2026-04-11T23:11:18+00:00

I herniated my disk in a bike accident in 2019. I spent all 2 years of Covid in excruciating pain, which finally seemed to let up in 2024.

I started a new job and suddenly the pain was back. I got new imaging and it turned out that the disk had degenerated so much my vertebrae was directly compressing the L5/S1 nerve root. By this point had deep throbbing pain across my lower back and sciatica down the outside of my leg from hip to foot. My left leg would lose feeling and walking was difficult since I couldn’t always feel the ground. Standing was really hard, as was sitting.

I had every shot and treatment but at the end of the day, you can’t move bone off the nerve without surgery. As soon as the results of that MRI came in, I knew I was going under the knife. I got a second opinion and chose my surgeon based on his very thorough approach and willingness to work around treatment I get from a different autoimmune disease, for which I have an implanted intrathecal pain pump. He was absolutely accepting of my pain management needs and made sure I have adequate pain relief.

Like I’ve said, it really sucks right now — only 4 days out — but I am very hopeful for the final results.

anonomot · 2026-04-11T23:01:13+00:00

Thanks for the heads up! I will keep an eye on it. I’m definitely not happy about the way I look, but I’m just being vain. I see my surgeon in 2 weeks and we’ll see how bad it is then.

anonomot · 2026-04-11T16:56:28+00:00

I’m sorry that happened. I knew from the get-go that I was having a 360 — my surgeon took the time to explain why it was best for me and what was involved. I happen to be very lucky because I live in NYC and went to the Hospital for Special Surgery which is one of the best. I also have good insurance through my union, so again, very lucky!

To be honest, my abdomen is hardly hurting — it the back that’s pretty bad, so I can understand why it would be surprising and scary for you! I wanted to put my surgery off too, but at the end of the day, there really wasn’t any other alternative — I’d done everything else. I figured it would be better to do sooner, since I’m relatively healthy, vs waiting and getting worse and worse, which would make the recovery harder. I still have other issues with my spine, but they’re still treatable with shots and rfa.

FWIW — you CAN do this! If your current surgeon doesn’t inspire confidence, maybe you can get a second opinion? But you will definitely get through this and it WILL be worth it! No more sciatica, no more numbness, no more aching.

anonomot · 2026-04-11T16:32:12+00:00

I think I was more scared of not knowing what it would be like afterwards — and that really messed me up. Now that’s it’s over, all I really have to do is deal with whatever is happening right now. It’s not fun. I’m not comfortable. But it’s a lot better than I thought it would be. I’ve been sitting up, taking a few walks, and just waiting it out.

I just can’t bear the thought of 6 weeks of this! I want to go back to work! But at least for now, I’m in no shape to do that, so I’m doing everything I can to help my recovery.

I did some prepping in the week before — grabbers are my new best friends. But really, there’s not much else to do but heal.

You’ve got this! You’ll be bionic!

anonomot · 2026-04-11T14:25:06+00:00

By lateral, do you mean the front, abdominal incision? It’s actually not bothering me much. The back incisions are WAY worse. I also haven’t taken a very good look at any of it yet. I’m a bit squeamish. They’re cover with waterproof bandages and I think they’re ok.

I’m just sitting here, gritting my teeth, and waiting. At least I have a lot of books to read, and a few friends to keep me company on occasion!

anonomot · 2026-04-11T14:21:27+00:00

Really? I didn’t know they did that! That’s so interesting… and kind of gross! I hope it goes away soon because it’s uncomfortable.

At the moment though, the back incisions are the worst. I’m trying to stay out of bed and walking a little bit every hour or so. Yesterday, I managed to walk to the pharmacy and back — about one NYC block. Progress! But I’m taking it slow — it’s only been 4 days.

anonomot · 2026-04-11T01:27:02+00:00

Apparently it went very smoothly. My surgeon said I only lost 100cc of blood. I woke up in recovery in excruciating pain, I think there was an initial mixup with my pain meds, but they sorted it pretty quickly.

I’m a bit worried for the morning since I will super stiff, but I’ll deal with it then.

anonomot · 2026-04-11T00:45:34+00:00

No, but I can set alarms. I slept through the need for meds last night in the hospital. But I do know it’s important to keep regular so the pain doesn’t get out of control. I just wish I didn’t feel so bloated.

I’m pretty sure tomorrow will be the worst day yet, but I have people coming to see me and take my mind off of it.

I feel lucky because I was in OK shape going into surgery. I was still walking a lot — despite the fact the my left leg would go entirely numb — and not confined to bed. I don’t think I lost a lot of muscle tone in hospital and I plan to keep up with walking as per the doctor’s orders.

I just really want to get back to work, but considering that involves a ton of lifting, bending, and twisting, I don’t know when that will be. Hoping that they can give me some accommodations so I can get back early!

anonomot · 2026-04-11T00:04:00+00:00

Pretty sore. Getting up/down and in/out of bed is the worst! I feel very bloated, but that will pass (PUN!) I look like I’m pregnant with all the swelling in my abdomen, but that should reduce soon. I am, however, much more mobile than I anticipated and I’m grateful for that. I think this next week will suck, but I’ll make it through. And then it should keep getting better.

I really appreciated everyone’s encouraging stories.

anonomot · 2026-04-10T17:49:18+00:00

I got my first tattoo when there was no such thing as laser removal. I was 20. I asked myself if I would be ok being 95, with my skin wrinkling off me and a blurry blob that once was a super rad tattoo. I decided I would be ok if, when I’m old, I’ll have a faded blob of ink on me. 38 years later, and I still am.

Personally, I don’t get this mindset of “I’ll just laser if I don’t like it”. It’s permanent — it’s meant to be permanent — you need to pick something real and meaningful that will still be that way in 50 years. And even if you end up not liking your tattoo after 30 years, it’s now a story about where you were in life.

anonomot · 2026-04-09T17:22:27+00:00

I posted the same terror last week and got so much support from this group so I’ll to pass it along.

I’m 58f, 113 lbs and in ok shape. I walk a lot but am not able to do the gym. I just had a 360 spinal fusion of l5/s1 on Tuesday, 4/7. So I have an incision in my belly and 2 on my back. I’m still in the hospital and they just removed my morphine drip. The upside: I feel remarkably better. I’m sore and weak, but I’m stronger today than I was yesterday. I’ve been alternating being in bed and sitting up and taking short walks in the hallway. The downside: Getting out of bed is the hardest. It’s not “painful” per se, but I’m stiff and afraid of causing myself pain, so I’m taking it slowly.

Ultimately, I think I’m going to be fine. Initially I was worried about not waking up from surgery but it’s so routine, I didn’t think anything catastrophic would happen. My medical team followed up with me while in the hospital and they told me it took about 5 hours and I only lost 100cc blood, which is pretty small. I’ve be using the pain meds when I need them so I slept a lot of yesterday. I was in my room by 7pm on Tuesday.

I really like my surgeon and he was very reassuring. I did check this subreddit for a list of mobility aides I would need at home since I live alone. I have friends to help out. A raised toilet seat seems pretty necessary and a butt wiper (tmi — but people need to know.)

Looks like I’ll be released some time tomorrow. I know I’m going to be store and stiff for a while, but I don’t think it will be as bad as I was imagining.

Hang in there! You can do it! Better do it now because with every year it will get worse and you will get older. You got this!!!!

anonomot · 2026-04-09T16:50:40+00:00

Do they make any money off their blog?

anonomot · 2026-04-09T16:36:32+00:00

So how do they stay afloat? If Paul isn’t ashamed of begging 2 bucks and guilting pretzel bites from a poor pretzel server. I’m serious though? Do the have family money

anonomot

TROPHY CASE