[Justin]

Hey all of you lumbar patients, got some questions for you....
1. Did you have lots of butt and leg pain after surgery? My left leg (same side as my incision) is still very stiff and I don't have the motion in it that I had prior.
Yes, I was very stiff for a few months. It's mainly your muscles "guarding" after significant trauma. It will get better.

2. Did you have a soft or hard brace? I was given a soft brace and I am terrified that I am going to do something to jack up my new back. Am I just paranoid?
I had a soft brace. I only wore it while traveling in the car for appointments and when I was sightseeing post-op in Vienna.

3. Did you swell badly? My stomach and ankles (now cankles) are severly swollen.
Yes, this is normal. Try to ambulate often to encourage your lymphatics.

4. How long until your incision healed? When did you get to take a bath? I miss my hot baths so bad!
It's been so long that I can't remember...but I think it was around 6 weeks to completely heal. They have waterproof bandages that you can take a bath in.

5. Were you told to not use heat; but ice only? My dr. said no heat, which I will admit, I have not completely obeyed...
Ice makes the most sense because of the acute inflammation post-op (heat will makes this worse). However, I found that alternating ice and my heating pad worked best for me.

6. My dr. has already cut my post-op meds in half, saying that my natural endorphins will kick in, anyone else told this? It is hard for me to get up and move without the pain relief from meds. I feel like the moving around will heal me quicker than not being on medication.
Wow, that is a significant cut in meds. However, your doctor is right--our bodies naturally make our own "opiates." I think it might be rough in the short term, but to unmask these natural pathways without oral meds will allow the body to heal better in the long run.

7. How long until you drove? Just walking for 6 weeks?
I waited until 6 weeks to drive. I took short walks outside when I felt up to it and I only did what I felt comfortable with--now is not the time to "push your body into healing"--the body heals on it's own timeframe.
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Make sure to eat well (limit junk food / fast food / EtOH) and stay well hydrated with water. Take vitamin C daily--it helps restore the collagen cross-links in your skin and will help the incision site heal.

Most importantly--don't gauge how you're doing post-op on other people's recoveries--our bodies are very unique and one size does not fit all.

Keep us posted!