Sept 9 - additional surgery

[mabeckoff]

I might be having an additional surgery on September 9. Dr Bederman wants to go in thru my front and reinforce my spine to ensure fusion. Much as I do not want more surgery, I certainly do not want surgery next year to repair a broken rod. Has anyone had this surgery ? He says that I will only be in the hospital 5 days and then home - no rehab

Melissa

[titaniumed]

Hi Melissa

The anterior surgeries do help with guaranteeing fusion. I had spacers installed before my posterior and have a vertical scar right down the front. It has covered up quite a bit and isn’t too bad over my 12 pack abs. 12 pack of beer that is! lol

There are many different types of anterior methods and entry locations. You might ask him exactly how he will proceed on this next one. Horizontal, vertical, off to one side, multiple smaller incisions????? Ask him on your next visit. Will he flip to the posterior on your lowest levels?

I know what you mean about not wanting another surgery. It does grow old, but you have a really talented surgeon and this really is the way you are going to be fixed. Fixed for good. Its something to stay exited about.

Ed

[kennedy]

melissa good luck with your surgery

[mabeckoff]

melissa good luck with your surgery

Thank you Kennedy and I hope you are enjoying your summer

Melissa

[mabeckoff]

Hi Melissa

The anterior surgeries do help with guaranteeing fusion. I had spacers installed before my posterior and have a vertical scar right down the front. It has covered up quite a bit and isn’t too bad over my 12 pack abs. 12 pack of beer that is! lol

There are many different types of anterior methods and entry locations. You might ask him exactly how he will proceed on this next one. Horizontal, vertical, off to one side, multiple smaller incisions????? Ask him on your next visit. Will he flip to the posterior on your lowest levels?

I know what you mean about not wanting another surgery. It does grow old, but you have a really talented surgeon and this really is the way you are going to be fixed. Fixed for good. Its something to stay exited about.

Ed

Do you mean excited or exited?

What kind of recuperation are we talking about here? Is it really only 5 days in the hospital and then home?

Melissa

[Doreen1]

Hi Melissa,

I was supposed to have posterior/anterior surgery. Surgeon explained she does the anterior to provide a strong base for the long fusion. She said her patients are usually in the hospital one or two evenings.

I'll continue to pray for you too.

Warmly,
Doreen

[titaniumed]

Excited of course!

Recovery time depends on age and procedure.....I would imagine having 3 or 4 levels is much easier than having the whole thing done in one bang. My recovery was horrendous for the first 6 weeks.

You have done well.

Ed

[mabeckoff]

Thanks for saying that I have done well

I feel really great. I believe that he is only talking about my lower levels


Melissa

[LindaRacine]

Hi Melissa...

I had the anterior part of my surgery done on the same day as the posterior part. But, you had so much surgery in one day that they couldn't possibly have done it all at one time. We leave a lot of patients with the anterior part undone, and some actually end up being able to go without it. But, most "older" patients with fusions into the lower lumbar levels require circumfrential fusions.

Hope your surgery is a walk in the park!

Regards,
Linda

[mabeckoff]

Hi Melissa...

I had the anterior part of my surgery done on the same day as the posterior part. But, you had so much surgery in one day that they couldn't possibly have done it all at one time. We leave a lot of patients with the anterior part undone, and some actually end up being able to go without it. But, most "older" patients with fusions into the lower lumbar levels require circumfrential fusions.

Hope your surgery is a walk in the park!

Regards,
Linda

Thanks Linda for your advice. I am going to have the surgery

Melissa

[JenniferG]

I know it must be a little daunting to go through yet another surgery, but given what a great job your surgeon has done so far, I would go along with whatever he recommends at the time. If you're very lucky, he might say you don't need it. But if you do, you know that he's doing it to ensure the best possible result, and he knows what he's doing. At least, by the end of September, you'll have this surgery journey over with and all you will have to do is heal and look forward to a much brighter future.

So happy you're doing so well Melissa. You must be incredibly excited for your future.

[mabeckoff]

I know it must be a little daunting to go through yet another surgery, but given what a great job your surgeon has done so far, I would go along with whatever he recommends at the time. If you're very lucky, he might say you don't need it. But if you do, you know that he's doing it to ensure the best possible result, and he knows what he's doing. At least, by the end of September, you'll have this surgery journey over with and all you will have to do is heal and look forward to a much brighter future.

So happy you're doing so well Melissa. You must be incredibly excited for your future.

I am going to have the surgery . I trust Dr Bederman so much and I want to get better and stay that way

Melissa

[loves to skate]

I had anterior surgery about 16 days after the posterior surgery and went straight home from the hospital in five days. I was almost 68 at the time so maybe you will be home before five days. Being older, I was not recovered from the posterior surgery yet, so it took me awhile at home before I could do much else besides eat a little and sleep a lot. But, I was good to go back to roller skating in 10 months because of the anterior surgery, so it is definitely worth it. BTW, I am amazed at your recovery this time. God is good, but so are you and your doctor.
Sally

[mabeckoff]

I had anterior surgery about 16 days after the posterior surgery and went straight home from the hospital in five days. I was almost 68 at the time so maybe you will be home before five days. Being older, I was not recovered from the posterior surgery yet, so it took me awhile at home before I could do much else besides eat a little and sleep a lot. But, I was good to go back to roller skating in 10 months because of the anterior surgery, so it is definitely worth it. BTW, I am amazed at your recovery this time. God is good, but so are you and your doctor.
Sally

You are right. God is great but so is my doctor. I am amazed at my recuperation this time as well

Melissa