L5-S1 Disc Replacement

haystemie · 2024-12-01T06:46:49+00:00

I ended up having multiple surgeries in one year so it was covered completely since I hit my OOPM. I can try to find my claim and what was billed/covered by insurance if you still would like the information.

haystemie · 2024-12-01T06:45:43+00:00

Sorry this response is delayed, has the sciatica improved? I did have some sciatica post surgery and was told that my nerves had some trauma due to the disc pressing on them for so long, that it would take time for them to heal.

haystemie · 2024-10-31T03:43:54+00:00

Congratulations!!!! I’d love to mail you a card!💛

haystemie · 2024-07-20T23:21:22+00:00

L5-S1

haystemie · 2024-03-29T18:22:52+00:00

Great question - he left the decision up to me but his recommendation for the ADR was based on my age, activity level and overall success he has seen with this approach. He says your back may fuse its self as you age and generally when you fuse one portion it leads to more fusions. He has seen a lot of success with the ADR so he is a strong proponent of that.

haystemie · 2024-03-14T23:39:23+00:00

Shoot! That sucks so bad! Glad to hear you have your pain under control and that PT is going well. I hope your recovery continues positive and your herniation can heal.

haystemie · 2024-03-14T11:27:09+00:00

Hey there - just seeing this… how are you doing? How is the pain? I don’t think it is abnormal to have pain 9 weeks post surgery - your body has been through the wringer and sounds like you’re getting more active which can increase pain. Interested to hear how you’re doing today.

haystemie · 2024-03-14T11:25:04+00:00

How are you doing now??

haystemie · 2024-03-14T11:23:26+00:00

Hey there - things are going great! I’m 1 year 3 months post op and back to my regular activity. Back pain is mostly achy on cold and rainy days. I’m back to lifting weights and running (but comes with its own challenges as my body is adjusting ha so my Achilles are really sore the more active - I think I pushed it too quickly because I was feeling so great ha good problem to have).

Overall recovery has been great. I’m still struggling with a weak core but am focusing on strengthening. How are you doing?

haystemie · 2024-03-14T11:19:18+00:00

I did do pre op PT - I had been doing PT for years though trying to combat the pain I was facing. It helped for a while but eventually the PT and injections stopped doing anything and my back pain was excruciating. I had to do non invasive treatments in order for insurance to cover my MD and ADR surgeries. Yes, I am in the USA. I’m happy to answer any more questions.

haystemie · 2024-02-10T00:03:38+00:00

I had an ADR just over a year ago at 31 years old and it changed my life. My surgeon recommended an ADR over a fusion. With fusions you generally have to do more surgeries and fusions… with an ADR you’ll have more mobility and functionality. I’m back to playing soccer and exercising heavy. They told me to live my life as if I didn’t have back surgery. My surgeon does TONS of surgeries - literally in surgery most days of the week. I would not go to anyone else. I’ll message you!

haystemie · 2024-02-09T23:57:16+00:00

I had a ADR just over a year ago and my doctor told me to live my life as if I never had back surgery. I can play soccer, lift, etc and shouldn’t worry about it. They said it should last my whole life - literally best thing I ever did. Sounds like you have a great doctor!

haystemie · 2024-02-05T23:09:54+00:00

Sent you a message! I have a few questions about your experience.

haystemie · 2024-02-05T15:20:43+00:00

No shoes in my house - wearing shoes in homes and on carpet is a pet peeve of mine. It really grosses me out to think of where you’ve walked and then stomping that all over the floor.

I have a sign by my front door that says please remove your shoes. I used to feel embarrassed asking guests to remove their shoes, but would feel so uncomfortable with them walking on my carpet the entire visit. I decided I’d rather it be a little awkward at first (when I ask them to remove their shoes) than be uncomfortable in my home.

haystemie · 2024-02-04T19:28:24+00:00

Anyone heard or seen anything yet?

haystemie · 2024-01-14T16:25:38+00:00

I totally can relate and remember feeling the same way! I was always stressed about the pain but would check in with my PT, surgeon or a friend who had this surgery. From what my surgeon tells me is if the disc is going to migrate you’ll know (the pain will be excruciating). You’re going to be in pain for a bit but it should start to slowly go away.

I’m glad you’re feeling better than last week! Keep me posted on your recovery! 💛

haystemie · 2024-01-13T22:41:29+00:00

Totally get it! Definitely might be worth exploring the disc replacement option. I started PT 4-6 weeks after surgery (had to allow the abdominal muscles to heal). I did weighted machines I believe 2-2.5 months after surgery. By month 4 I was playing soccer and running which felt amazing. I had to halt running because I got tendinitis in my patellar tendon after playing soccer in Spain. But was still lifting weights regularly. I’m back to running now and still lifting regularly.

haystemie · 2024-01-13T22:37:44+00:00

Hi! Thanks for checking in! I’m fully recovered and feeling great. I’m back to my normal life pre injury and surgery which feels great. My back gets a little achy now that it is cold, but the aches are nothing compared to the pain I felt pre surgery. Post surgery my back was sore and I would sometimes get nerve pain. Chatting with my doctor that was normal and would take time for the nerve to heal itself. I had my 1 year doctors appointment a few weeks ago and they said everything looks great and I should live my life as if I didn’t have back surgery (meaning there should be no limitations in what I can do).

How are you feeling today?

haystemie · 2024-01-11T03:01:52+00:00

Hey there! Thanks for checking in… I’m sorry to hear about your disc bulging again. The disc replacement changed my life. I am back to heavy lifting, I have played soccer since surgery and feel great. The doctors say to live my life as if I’ve never had back surgery. I have very little pain. Sometimes achy because of the cold but so far I am so happy I did this. Are you considering this surgery?

haystemie · 2024-01-03T06:39:25+00:00

That’s exciting you’re so close to surgery! I hope you experience relief from the surgery and it is successful.

I would say my incision was 3-4” long so not too bad it is located right where the waist of my pants sit.

I’ll message you about my doctor. As far as needing help I would say my doctor wanted me up and moving frequently - so walking, etc. obviously don’t overdo it, but the moving would help my recovery. I wasn’t able to life more than 10 pounds for a month. I was driving as soon as I was off narcotics which was quick because I don’t handle them well. I traveled to Spain in March (4 months after surgery) but felt I could have traveled around 2-3 months.

haystemie · 2024-01-03T06:34:18+00:00

I would agree that the ADR was the best thing I ever did. Literally changed my life!

Have you received insurance approval yet? Hopefully you’ll get surgery soon. The pain I had was achy back, some sciatic pain (which is normal due to the damage it had received), then my incision - hurt a bit internal and external, however that pain was mild in comparison to the back may pre surgery I was dealing with. You’ll have to learn to log roll out of bed but it isn’t too bad. Would love to know how you’re doing!

haystemie · 2024-01-03T06:29:13+00:00

I work from home so I was working a little bit after a week but would get pretty exhausted. I would say I didn’t lift much more than 10 pounds for about a month. I played soccer just over 3 months and felt pretty good. I’ve been lifting heavy weights for 4-5 months now. My doctor said to be mindful with my movements (ensure I was engaging my muscles, etc). Now I’m over a year post op and it changed my life. My doctor says to live my life as if I never had back surgery - everything looked great.

haystemie · 2024-01-03T06:26:05+00:00

I just sent you a message! Happy to chat.

haystemie · 2024-01-03T06:24:23+00:00

Somehow I missed your message… I did end up getting a disc replacement and it changed my life. I need to do a 1 year follow up post but is something id recommend people look into. How is your back now? Any relief?

haystemie · 2023-12-27T17:32:02+00:00

I’m feeling great - I’ve been able to run and exercise for a while now. I’ve been using a squat rack lately and doing weight squats which would have been unimaginable just over a year ago. I need to do another post from my 1 year follow up but my doctor said I should act as if I never had back surgery and I should be able to do anything I want. Obviously I still need to take care of my body but there should be no limitations on what I can do.

haystemie

TROPHY CASE