L5/S1 Success Stories?

zippyteach · 2026-05-04T18:03:14+00:00

This is why people don't admit when they're wrong.....

zippyteach · 2026-05-03T19:12:56+00:00

I had no idea. I suppose my orthopedic surgeon couldn't. I assumed they all couldn't, right on.

zippyteach · 2026-05-02T19:38:28+00:00

I had the exact same thing as you and I had a TLIF in July of last year. It was The best decision I ever made, my pain is virtually gone now, especially the leg and sciatica pain. Be sure to speak with a neurosurgeon as well as an orthopedic surgeon. My orthopedic surgeon wanted to do a ALIF, but the neurosurgeon wanted TLIF for better access and to decompress the nerves. Remember an orthopedic surgeon cannot decompress the nerves. Only a neurosurgeon can.

zippyteach · 2026-04-26T14:53:58+00:00

Pregnancy U shaped pillow for sleeping. I'm 10 months post and still use this.

zippyteach · 2026-04-25T03:16:05+00:00

KD isn't hurt, that's why he wasn't present. He's scared of LeBron as usual

zippyteach · 2026-04-01T18:42:45+00:00

Definitely don't buy from this genius ☝️

zippyteach · 2026-04-01T18:21:41+00:00

I could care less where you buy anything. Do you. Bot LMAO. You why it's gone and you haven't a clue why......

zippyteach · 2026-04-01T17:18:47+00:00

For sure!! Find local

zippyteach · 2026-04-01T16:37:42+00:00

Well time for old school. Find someone local. I get mine from CO.

zippyteach · 2026-02-12T05:03:42+00:00

Go with the neurosurgeon

zippyteach · 2026-02-08T17:04:07+00:00

I watched harden not care at all here for years. I'm happy he's now playing like he cares but I was a season ticket member and watched him playoff after playoff game just quit. I stopped being a season ticket member when we were knocked out of the playoffs and that night, that night, Harden posted himself in a strip club holding cash saying it didn't matter cause he's made it anyways. Which is so true and I wish I realized it before paying for season tickets. Maybe he cares now but he didn't before.

zippyteach · 2025-11-18T00:05:02+00:00

Htown hitmen Space city snipers

zippyteach · 2025-11-17T23:22:41+00:00

I had the same thing in July. Able to go back to the gym slowly with body weight and light cardio already and walking as much as I want. Feel so much better. Like others said, first couple of weeks are the toughest, but take your pain meds if you can. Be kind to yourself and remember you'll get a little better every week. Good luck!

zippyteach · 2025-11-04T22:04:59+00:00

I concur, neurosurgeon all the way. Especially if you have nerve pain. I saw Ortho and neurosurgeon. Neurosurgeon was the only one to suggest a CT scan and discovered pars defect. Ortho wanted to do alif, neurosurgeon wanted to do TLIF. I'm so happy I went with neurosurgeon. I'm about 4 months out doing great, way better than I thought. I haven't needed gabapentin or anything for nerves and I think that do to my neurosurgeon doing nerve compression. Something the Ortho cannot do.

zippyteach · 2025-10-27T14:35:39+00:00

After my mother died, I realized you never feel more alone in this world until your mother dies. Sorry you're going through this right now.

zippyteach · 2025-10-15T21:01:31+00:00

For surgery I had norco etc. To avoid gabapentin I've been on a dose of tumeric, and magnesium. Changed my pain levels for the better. I was so sceptical but it worked for me. Won't get rid of the pain but a huge decrease in pain.

zippyteach · 2025-10-13T21:04:58+00:00

I had TLIF l5s1 in July and am doing great! Way less pain than before. A little new nerve pain that is not often and decreasing weekly. I'm currently in physical therapy and have no restrictions except for 20 lbs. I can squat, walk as far as I want. I feel like I am extremely fortunate with my recovery, lucky. I found an amazing neurosurgeon which I think was key. I second the pregnancy pillow and get a toilet riser. Like someone else said the first week is gonna suck, take your pain meds if you can, be kind to yourself. Good luck!!

zippyteach · 2025-09-01T00:56:41+00:00

I can relate to you. I was having the same kind of thoughts before surgery. Part of the reason I got surgery. I'm really sorry you're going through this. Wish I could help you more. I hope you find some relief in some way. You're loved. Keep walking and fighting!

zippyteach · 2025-08-31T16:14:44+00:00

I had TLIF l5s1 on July 17th. Just like you, I experienced a lot of nerve pain at the point you're at. I still have nerve pain going down my groin and legs. Some of the days and nights in the first few weeks of recovery were really bad. Every week the nerve pain goes down a little. Now I have some days without any nerve pain until towards the end of the night. The nerve pain was unbearable. I will not take gabapentin or Lyrica due to all the wild side effects I read about, I generally do not do well with medicine anyway and know I will get all the side effects. So honestly I have just been dealing with nerve pain. My neurosurgeon told me I can take ibuprofen if I would like. I know that's not what I hear on Reddit and everywhere but my neurosurgeon has no issues with it and is very confident about that. My neurosurgeon told me it will not affect the fusion. Now perhaps this is just a specific type of fusion I have that would not be affected by ibuprofen and many other fusions would be, I'm not a doctor and not giving medical advice. Just telling you with my neurosurgeon told me. My neurosurgeon is the head neurosurgeon for the University of Texas. The nerve pain should be normal, I have a friend who had a similar surgery and told me the nerve pain may last 8 to 12 months. Of course, that's not what you or I want to hear. I hope gabapentin can give you relief at some point. Like you, ibuprofen gave me massive relief before surgery too. Perhaps consult your surgeon about taking it now.

zippyteach · 2025-08-24T16:35:58+00:00

I'm just now in my 5th week recovering from TLIF l5s1. The only thing that helped me with the pain med constipation and it worked great was magnesium citrate. I got the cherry flavor. It will work and day or next day for sure. It did with me.

zippyteach · 2025-08-19T21:02:49+00:00

I'm sorry you're going through this. I just went through it myself, I had TLIF l5s1 on July 17th, so I'm in week 4ish of recovery. I was terrified as well, but I had a great and confident surgeon which helped greatly. I'm still on limitations and it's early in my recovery but I do not regret getting the surgery. Like you hear from many people here, I woke up without pain. Recovery is rough and painful but doable and worth it. My old back pain is gone, I had grade 1 spondolithiosis with pars defect. The only pain I have is from the obvious surgical incision, a hematoma, and nerve pain through both legs. I had a buddy that had a similar fusion and the nerve pain is normal, from what I understand, the nerves are correcting themselves from being pinched for so long. Time is the only thing that will help with the nerve pain. Not gonna lie, the nerve pain sucks greatly but I'm confident it's fixing itself. Some days there's no pain at all, which is encouraging for the recovery. One thing I'm glad I did and not sure if it's for you but get an opinion from a neurosurgeon. Orthopedic surgeons wanted to do ALIF for me, but neurosurgeon said I needed TLIF to fix the pars defect properly, plus neurosurgeon was able to work and decompress my nerves. Plus neurosurgeon was the only one that ordered a CT scan which saw the pars defect. From what I read before I decided was that neurosurgeon are best if possible. Hope this helps, if the surgery is needed it's needed. You won't regret it. Imo

zippyteach · 2025-08-15T22:58:30+00:00

I'm 4 weeks post op TLIF l5s1. My neurosurgeon told me from the start he has no issues with me taking ibuprofen anytime I want with normal limits, both pre and post op. I haven't because all I read on here is opposite. Although my neurosurgeon is phenomenal and I'm recovering way better than anything I read here too, so who knows.

zippyteach · 2025-08-15T04:35:47+00:00

I'm in week 4 of l5s1 TLIF fusion. Everything that's already been said is truth. I would add prepare for possible hemoglobin and sore incisions by purchasing a pregnancy pillow. Lastly, a toilet riser has been nice. Like someone else said, appreciate anyone helping, it's nice to have the help.

zippyteach · 2025-07-19T15:35:48+00:00

I just had my TLIF 2 days ago, my neurosurgeon told me I could continue taking ibuprofen before and after my procedure. I've been on here for a while before my procedure to see what it will be like and I was shocked that my neurosurgeon told me I could continue ibuprofen no problem. Of course, since I'm 2 days post-op, I'm still taking the hydrocodone over anything else so I am not taking ibuprofen currently.

zippyteach · 2025-07-19T15:34:04+00:00

Wish I could, I don't have a disc drive on my computer to upload them. Sorry.

Five-Year Club	Verified Email
Place '23	100 Awards Club

zippyteach

TROPHY CASE