I went snowboarding!!!

[jesscv]

Hey everyone. I'll be 2 years post-op this spring, and this past weekend I went snowboarding for the first time since my surgery (T2-L1 posterior fusion)!!! It was very exciting. I was a pretty avid snowboarder for 8 years before the operation and honestly didn't know if/when I'd ever try the sport again. My doc finally gave me the OK, though, and I went for it. During my first run, I was a nervous wreck and kept falling because I let my nerves get the best of me. But, after realizing my fusion didn't fracture and I didn't dislodge any screws with my falls, I got braver and by my second run I was back into the swing of things!! Not QUITE the level I was at pre-op (the body mechanics are a little different, and I have to be more careful/conscious), but I was so happy just to be on the mountain again. Hopefully, I will be doing jumps in no time. Oh, and my back didn't hurt at all afterward...another plus!

I hope this was an encouraging post for all you snowboarders/skiers out there!

[mgs]

It IS an encouraging post!!! And, I'm so happy for you that you got to get back to an activity you love!

(Doesn't recovery from this surgery have A LOT of red letter days, that seem to still keep coming well after the 1 year mark?!?!?!!)

[jesscv]

definitely. my surgeon originally told me 1.5-2 years post-op for snowboarding, and that's when I went! my only 'lifetime' restrictions are trampolines, sky diving and bungee jumping.

[titaniumed]

Jess

Great news! and where did you go?

Ed

[jesscv]

I went to Keystone (in Summit County, Colorado)

[titaniumed]

I skied there years ago......nice area.

You be careful, crashes can cause problems. Better to play it safe and go slower. I came to that conclusion one day last spring when I realized I was moving along at about 40mph.... I have to constantly remind myself to slow down. My surgeon would kill me if I screw up my back.
Ed

[golfnut]

That's exciting. I just had my surgery and won't get the okay to play golf for at least a year,but I will be there and keep trying to improve to my pre surgery level which probably isn't realistic but all be with ny friends.

[backissues]

Congratulations!! That's great news. Enjpy it!

I look forward to getting back to the sports I love and don't know exactly when that will be, such as cross-country skiing, biking, kayaking. I would love to learn to play golf, which I could not do pre-surgery because of the original pain.

[jeneemohler]

That is AWESOME!!!!!! That is one of my major goals-to go skiiing next spring. My surgery was January 10th, and I am doing phenomenal. I want to meet Ed and ski at Tahoe again!!! I am very happy for you. It is always inspiring and exciting to see people getting on with their lives and things they love to do.

[rich1752]

just curious! why can't we do skydivig? I understand trampoline and bungee jumping, but skydiving doesn't seem to risky on our back. If we can do snowboarding or golf, it would seem we could skydive. Just asking, because it's on my BUCKET LIST.

rich

[hdugger]

I believe the caution against skydiving isn't because of the landing. It's because of the sudden yank upwards by your shoulders when the chute inflates. I've heard the same caution against bungee jumping, and I assume it's for the same reason. Basically, they don't want one part of your spine yanked upwards while the other part is being pulled down.

But, I've never talked to a doctor about this.

[titaniumed]

Jenee

Maybe next year...I went at 14 months post. Yes, it was different. It also took me awhile to get over the g-force issues. Putting on the boots is a test. I cannot buckle them unless I get down on the ground and it helps to have someone buckle them for you. Other than that, its ok.

Another interesting thing is that I cannot attach a lift ticket to my pants. I cannot see my belt as I cannot bend anymore and the old man is getting heavy. Damn.

I was warned by my surgeon about a rotational force cracking a fusion. He also knew I was unable to turn off the “chicken” area of my brain....I have crashed, and it does scare the heck out of you. He told me “no velocity”, no air, and no more slammin the nar nar at 50mph!
Ed

[jesscv]

yeah, i caught myself going pretty fast at some points and then i realized "oh yeah, i have a fusion and it would really suck if i were to cut an edge right now" so i slowed down. it was very exciting and scary! sometimes, i also caught myself twisting a bit too much on my board. gotta be careful with that. like ed said, after this surgery, you probably won't be quite at the level you were pre-op, but it feels amazing just to be doing it!!

[Radiogirl]

I am so excited to hear that skiing will still be a possibility for me! I am 10 months post op now. I am thinking I will try next winter, when I will be about a year and a half post by then. I do yoga now with lots of twisting and bending and am amazed I can do that stuff!!! Looking forward to skiing though!

[Doodles]

I am so amazed at all these things people can do! Yoga so soon?? I finally got a personal trainer for 13 sessions so I could do the Pilates reformer. I've now gone 5 times and we still haven't found the abs when I do any exercise lying down! (I want an ab transplant!) I think the trainer thinks I'm crazy that I have so much trouble. Breathing right and feeling "the bracing burn" feeling just is not there.
I have always exercised, still do, and do the classes I can--no way could I do yoga--I used to. Pre-surgery several years ago I had a personal trainer too so I'm not totally new to this. Did others have more luck with the reformer? It's way too expensive to do if it's not that helpful. I practice at home all the time too to find my abs! Age makes a difference too, I'm sure. Janet