Keeping in shape after surgery

[Radiogirl]

Ryy, you will have to ask your surgeon for specifics, but in my case now, I wouldn't be able to do it but I'm only 5 months post op. Maybe in a year or so. I have gotten back to yoga, however, and don't underestimate the muscle you can build doing that! Also, I walk fast on an incline on treadmill, or do hills in the park. I used to run, but there is no way I would do that now at 5 months post op. I'm glad I had the surgery done, that's for sure!

[golfnut]

Aweiker,
I am going to be very unhappy if I can't play golf after surgery. I have a decent swing which as you know involves twisting. I am just hoping to somehow compensate. Did you play golf before your surgery? I play 6 days a week and will be crushed if I can't play well enough to be able to tolerate it. However, I will miss my golfing friends if I give it up totally. Stacy Lewis is an LPGA profression with scoliosis who has had surgery, however, it didn't involve the lumbar area.

[jsully]

I'm fused T2-L5. I don't see that there would be too much problem swinging. I do miss dancing though so far and hope I can loosen up sometime soon
Janet

[JenniferG]

I think I could play golf, though my whole trunk would move whereas pre-op I would probably twist from the waist. (If that sounds odd Karen, it's because I'm not a player!) Debbei does Zumba and wriggles with the best of them, though differently!

As a competitive player, you might find you drop back but with practice, I honestly believe you will play again, and if not as well as you do now, I think you will play well enough to enjoy the game.

It will be different, but I can't see why you won't be able to play golf again, and enjoy it.

What I've learned, fused to pelvis, is that nothing's impossible, just different.

[LisaB]

During my spondylolisthesis surgery Januar '09 I was fused from L4- S1 and started playing golf after 4 months. I don't have any trouble swinging a club. Just played my last round of golf with my Wednesday morning group, probably for a year; very sad. Dr B says that I will have to wait a year after my surgery to play since this is a much longer fusion. I am hopeful, though, that after 9 or 10 months he may just let me go out and chip and putt. I could probably use a whole season of chipping and putting anyway.