how big is your anterior scar

[slprncess]

I was just curious if anyone could tell me how big their scar is. I am going to have anterior/posterior surgery but not like most of you think. it will to be only fusing from L4 to my sacrum. they said that the scar in the front will only be about a inch long and be right under my belly button. Does that sound like anyones scar? then they will open me in the back and do their thing back there. They have told me that i will have a vascular surgeon do the incision in the front?
I am planning on a one inch scar and dont want to wake up with a huge scar instead. also did anyone have alot of pain from the incision site on their stomach. they havent told me if they have to go through muscle or move my organs around. i am having the apt with the vascular surgeon on friday.

[BackTalk]

I have a whooper. Some where around 10" long. However look at my signiture below to see what was fused.

[LindaRacine]

I'm really surprised to hear that they can do a discectomy with just a 1" incision. Are you sure they're not going to do it through a scope (which would require at least two incisions)?

--Linda

[slprncess]

Ya im pretty sure. I specifically asked them how large the scar was going to be and they said one inch just below my belly button. I was very shocked b/c i thought my scar would wrap around my body. My surgeon said this wasnt the type of procedure i was having.
I am having my apt with the vascular surgeon on friday so i will specifically ask him how big the incision will be.
Was there alot of associated pain with the incision in front? I just dont know what to expect.
The paper work that my dr sent me said the procedure is called "Adominal retroperitoneal approach to anterior interbody lumbar fusion with allograft bone, bmp followed by posterior microdecompression with autologus fusion and stabilization instrumentation." whatever that means???

[katblack]

My anterior scar is 12 inches and my posterior is 26 inches.
Biggies.

[slprncess]

visit with vascular surgeon

I went to my vascular surgeon yesterday. The visit was good. He said that he will make a insision about one inch long just below my belly button. He said that it will be in between my belly button and my bikini line. He said this incision is only for the fusion of L5-S1. For my fusion of L4-L5 will be the incision on my back. I was very happy to hear this. He also said that he had to move some organs around but refered to it as he would put all them back!
I asked him if he was going to use a scope and he said no. He said it is to risky b/c of the major blood vessels. He said it runs a risk of rupturing them.
All in all it was a good visit. I guess i will just have to see how everything goes after surgery.