Just had Discectomy on Monday

[ezra]

Hi everyone,



I am new to this site and just found it today while educating myself about post op discectomy questions. I must say, I am very concerned with most of you that post on here. I say that with respect and with no intention of hurting anyone's feelings. I am absolutely shocked and appalled by the care and treatment that you all have received before, during and after your discectomy procedures.





That being said, I am aware that this is a UK site, and I live here in the United States. I am not familiar with your health care system or the logistics for having these type of procedures/surgery. I can however tell you my story and then ask that you thoroughly educate yourselves and make the best possible decisions.





I have been dealing with herniated disc L4-5 and L5-S1 for over 10 years, now. I'm only 33 years old and this all started back when I was 21. Since I was so young, I wanted to do everything I could to avoid or prolong surgery. My healthcare does not require me to do this, though. I could have had surgery immediately. Instead, over the course of 10+ years, I did a multitude of things which included: Epidural steoid injections, trigger point injections, pain management (including exercise and medications), a Chiropractor, Hollistic Medication (natural anti-inflammatory), Yoga, Pilates, and I lost weight to try and decrease pressure.





A few months ago I sneezed and I immediately felt something in my back unhinge and then lock up. I could barely move and the pain kept progressing each day. My entire right leg had shooting nerve pain, numbing, tingling, cold sensation, etc. Some days I could barely walk. Injections and medication were no longer helping. My Pain Management doctor encouraged me to get a more recent MRI, which showed where my disc was slicing in to my spinal nerve. It was time to take serious action. My quality of life had been shot for so long and I was done going through the daily pain that I would entail. Not to mention the depression and loss of hair due to pain.





I met with my surgeon on Tues, Oct 4, 2011. He explained the discectomy surgery in detail, including what to do prior to surgery and what to expect post surgery. Less than two weeks later, I had the surgery - this past Monday, Oct 17th, 2011. It was an out-patient surgery; meaning, I was able to go home afterwards. My surgeon hasn't done an in-patient discectomy in over 15 years. I cannot believe that some of you spent days in the hospital. I physically walked out of the hospital, only 2 hours after my surgery was done. I felt great! No nerve pain in my leg at all. Normal soreness and aching that you would suspect from ANY type of surgery, but that's all.





It has now been 3 days since my surgery and I feel amazing. I'm not allowed to drive or sit, but I can walk (and I do, everywhere!) and lay down. I was walking up and down stairs the first day. Honestly though, I did not expect to be feeling this good and this soon. I truly thought that I would feel much much much worse. Don't get me wrong - I'm still sore. VERY SORE! I am still taking pain medication and an anti-inflammatory. I do think that I had been living in such horrendous pain, daily, for so long that anything would have felt better, than that.





Here is some advice to you all that haven't had surgery or are about to have surgery and don't know what to expect. Keep in mind - I am NOT a doctor, please seek care and instructions from your own doctor/nurse. This is just a guide to give you an idea of what to expect. Everyone is different. Also, please, please, please feel free to contact me for any questions you may have. Again, I'm not a doctor, but I can tell you about my own surgery and try and help you in any way I can to ease your concerns.





PRE OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS:
You should make arrangements for transportation to and from the hospital or surgery center. If general anesthesia is administered, please make arrangements for someone to stay with you for at least 24 hours following outpatient surgery.DO NOT eat or drink anything after 1200 midnight the night before your surgery.DO NOT consume alcoholic beverages 24 hours before your surgery.On the evening before and the morning of your surgery, take a thorough shower and wash your body using an anti-bacterial soap like Dial or Safeguard. Thoroughly lather particularly in the area of the planned surgery. It is recommended that you do not shave the area around your surgical site 3 days prior to your surgery. Please do not apply lotions, creams, perfumes, baby oil, etc on your body, especially on the surgical area.DISCONTINUE Aspirin or any aspirin-like products such as Ecotrin, Aleve, Advil, Motrin, Naprosyn, Naproxen, Ibuprofen, Indocin, Relafin, Daypro, Lodine, Mobic, Meloxican, Celebrex, Piroxicam, Arthrotec and Fish Oil at least 7 days prior to surgery. If this is not followed, your surgery could be cancelled.If you are taking any blood thinners, (ie. Coumadin or Plavix), it is very important to inform your medical doctor or cardiologist if applicable (whichever doctor has prescribed this for you)since this medicine will need to be stopped prior to surgery.If you take aspirin and have a cardiac history, contact your cardiologist to confirm that it is safe for you to discontinue aspirin.You may take Tylenol products until the day before your surgeryIn addition, Vitamin E and certain diet medications and herbal supplements must be discontinued at least 2 weeks prior to your surgery. (I have a list of specific herbal supplements, if anyone needs it)You may need to take your blood pressure and/or cardiac medications on the morning of your surgery. Please discuss this with your family physician or your surgeon as soon as possible.If you are taking the medication Evista, and having lower extremity surgery, please notify your surgeon, as soon as possible.DO NOT chew gum or eat hard candy the day of surgery, it causes an increase in gastric juice production.DO NOT smoke the day of your surgery.You must call the surgical office within 3 days prior to your surgery if you have a cold or fever. Also, please inform them of any cut or scrape in area of the proposed incision.Please notify the surgical office if you have a Latex Allergy.General information for the day of your surgery:
Wear loose, comfortable clothing that is big enough to accommocate a large bandage after surgery. (My bandage is very small on my lower back, so this wasn't really a big deal.) Wear comfortable shoes. No high heels.You will need to change into a surgical gown. Only cotton underwear can be worn. (I had to be completely naked under my gown.)Do not wear any jewelry (including body piercings), make up, cologne, or nail polish. They encourage the removal of artificial nails.Wearing contact lenses is NOT advised. They provide containers for removable dentures and bridgework.Females will need to give a urine sample for a pregnancy test on your day of surgery.POST-OPERATIVE DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS FOR LUMBAR DISCECTOMY:
You may resume your regular diet as soon as you are able.NO SITTING, LIFTING, OR BENDING! You may sit for the ride home from the hospital. You may also sit to go to the bathroom.Rest today, increase activity tomorrow as tolerated. We encourage you to walk inside and outside, including climbing stairs as much as you can tolerate.No driving for 2 weeks or until your follow-up appointment with the doctor and he has given you permission.No alcoholic beverages for the next 24 hours or while you are taking pain medication.Resume all previous medicationsTake prescribed medication as needed. Excercise caution when walking or climbing stairs.You may take over the counter medications for relief and/or discomfort.You may remove dressing in 2-3 days, then shower. The steri-strips may be washed over and will eventually fall off. Keep the wound clean and dry.Follow-up care: See your doctor in 10-14 days.If you have persistent or increasing pain, call your physician.
I know this is very long-winded, but I hope that you took the time to read it all and I hope some of this has helped you.




Good luck to you all! I truly hope that your surgery will be successful, like mine and that you will soon be pain free!



-Amy

 

[Pompal 09.]

Hi Amy,

This is the same as I was told when I was offered an op in the US, it sounds marvellous, it makes the UK seem barbaric butchers doesn't it?

So glad you are doing well and thanks for posting this

 

[George Bush]

Hi Amy and Cascara

This is pretty much the leaflet I was given before my op. Your op sounds text book to mine too. Im glad you are feeling so great following your op Amy. I hope your recovery goes well but please done rush things, you will prob take up to a year to feel 100% normal but it will happen!

Take care
Fitbird
xx

 

[Super Hot Brazilian Girl!]

Yes, Cassie, it sure does. Barbaric is quite the right word. I read many more threads last night and it made me so upset. It is shocking, really.

Hi fitbird - I am certainly not going to rush things. Today is Day 4 after op and I am still feeling great. I was able to shower last night and take off the wound dressing. The wound is less than 3 inches long and it appears that I have 3-4 staples. I am shocked to hear that some people have 14-15 staples and have had the same surgery as I. I have virtually no pain from the incision and it is already itching, so it is well on its way to healing. I have been walking and climbing stairs since the first day and by looking at me, you would never know that I had this op if I hadn't told you.

 

[yaervutpidciereyb]

Hi,

I wish you would tell us more about your operation , who did it and where, was it done privately or nhs, as so far the rest of us have drawn a blank and every time we ask for more details you seem to miss the post. It would be fantastic to know that somewhere in the UK this operation was being offered rather than like some of us we have to save up for years to go to the US, so please tell us.

 

[Gabrielle Shiffman]

Hi everyone,
I am new to this site and just found it today while educating myself about post op discectomy questions. I must say, I am very concerned with most of you that post on here. I say that with respect and with no intention of hurting anyone's feelings. I am absolutely shocked and appalled by the care and treatment that you all have received before, during and after your discectomy procedures.

That being said, I am aware that this is a UK site, and I live here in the United States. I am not familiar with your health care system or the logistics for having these type of procedures/surgery. I can however tell you my story and then ask that you thoroughly educate yourselves and make the best possible decisions. (End quote)

---------------------------------

Hiya Amybt, and welcome.

The big difference between our 'spinal health care systems' is that the USA has seen a '200 fold increse' in Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery Clinics (similar to bonati, laser spine, micro spine and so on) having been set up and operated in the USA over the last 6 years!

The minimally destructive and endoscopic surgical procedures carried out at these (MISS) clinics, allow for 'minimal to no' destruction of tendons, nerves, muscles tissue and bone as the Surgeon approaches the target area. This is in direct contrast to traditional what we call 'open back' spine surgery. In addition, these 'open procedures' usually incise an opening of beteen 3 - 6 inches to start, (MISS) requires less than 'one half an inch', so the advantages are obvious from the start.

Less damage, less complications!!

Also, the increasing pressure from these 'day surgery (MISS) clinics' on standard US spine surgeons, is considerable, because outcomes are so much better. The 'better' of the standard procedure spine surgeons therefore have to then 'up their game' in order to compete within US 'open market' health care systems.

These Surgeons can create 'good clinical outcomes' for thier patients, but it does require the Surgeon to respond positively to this pressure, I would suggest that these Surgeons are in the minority, in USA as well as the UK!

There 'are also' good standard spine surgeons in the UK who are also creating these positive clinical outcomes for thier patients using these outdated methods, as you will see detailed from members of the HP forum, but I would still suggest that these induviduals are few and far between and getting information on them and their apparently succesfull procedures,
is almost totally imposible!

This is because, I believe,
1) That there is less compitition in the UK.
2) That the 'old boys network' discourages British Spine Surgeons from moving into
the (MISS) area of superior surgery, because this would require extensive retraining.
3) Existing 'standard procedure' Spine Surgeons would lose work.
4) The closed NHS system discouges expperimental dynamism.

Best wishes

SPINELF

 

[axegauhyijkimzemm]

Hello Amy,
My discectomy took place in the US too. Like you I walked out just a few hours after my surgery and I felt a lot better. That was 16 months ago. Now the pain is back but it is a different pain. It is more wide spread and worse. I had the same post op instructions you posted and I did all the exercises that the Dr. asked me to do. I hope you have better success than I had. Just be careful. If you are having numbness and pain on the side of your left leg after your surgery demand another MRI just to see if more of that disk has moved onto that nerve again. Good luck.
Darrin

 

[voinlybob]

Think I would be tempted to copy AMYBT's info and post it to all surgeons of this nature in the UK.

 

[Jason HCK]

Ok I had my surgery in June 2009 at Weston General Hospital. It was done on the NHS by Mr Ian Harding. Mr Harding does both NHS and Private operations and has a website which you can look at if you wish. Just type Ian harding into Google and you will find his pages.

I had a microdiscectomy and my incision site is less than 1 inch. The op took less than an hour and was up walking to the toilet an hour later.. I had an overnight stay as my op was not done til 2.30pm with a general anaesthetic. It is done under a day case but only if surgery done before 12pm.

I saw physio the next morning to ensure I could walk unaided and manage stairs and was sent home that afternoon. I was given what appears to be the same leaflet as Amy and was given a follow up appointment for 6 weeks with Mr Harding.

I had a physio appointment at 6 weeks also but they discharged me with no further appts as I didnt need them. I was back teaching my exercise classes at 4 weeks and have never looked back since. I will say it did take a year to feel completely normal but have had no pain in legs or back since the op.

Hope this gives you the info you want, if not let me know.

Regards
Firbird

 

[Del-dom]

Thanks for the info Fitbird.

I have researched Mr. Ian Harding previously, along with his colleagues Mr. John Hutchinson and Ian Nelson. These Guys are 'great examples' of the 'better' standard procedure Spinal Surgeons I mentioned. Bristol is certainly one of the Spinal Centres of Excelence in the UK with a good reputation, and as I understand it, any English patient can 'elect' to be referred to the Bristol Spine Units as of right.

Sadly for those of us who live in Wales, Bristol is classed as an 'out of area' location, and unless I am considered to be somehow who would benefit 'more' than an average spinal pain sufferer (what ever an average sufferer is!), I will not be allowed to gain funding nor a referral to any Bristol NHS Spine Surgeon for treatment on the NHS.

I do however have these Surgeons on my radar, with a view to getting a referral to them
for 'private' treatment, although I am still 'unclear' as to what procedure they carry out that does not require a 'vertibral window' on the approach throught the vertibrae.
I have previously written to him asking about the procedures being carried out there, to see if they are worth paying for privately, but I did not hear back come to think of it,
I'll try again. Thanks for the reminder!

The other block to treatment from my point of view, is that the L5/S1 level pains and inflamation that I have complained about for 7 years, have been ignored or played down
by 6 Surgeons. They do not consider this level 'a target area' in spite of 'overwhelming indicators' in support. Therefore, any NHS based Surgeon will also refuse to operate on issus at this level, if they base their decisions on recent 'inconclusive' NHS MRI scans.

I think I will need to get better quality non-NHS MRI scans done, to try and make them take these symptoms seriously.

Thank again Fitbird.

Spinelf

 

[Maggie W.]

Thanks Fitbird


Elfie, I have had private MRI's done twice now both times at MK's request. I paid extra for a copy of the scan on cd. We read the report and then he showed me on the cd what other substantial pain causes and problems with my spine and discs that had been left out. It was amazing and very, very sad and scarey.

 

[KatieVee]

I know what you mean Cassie, I had the same experience with Mr. Knight myself.

I had complained about head and neck pains to NHS Consultants for years, they always told me that my long standing 'lumber spine pains' and my 'head & neck' issues were 'unrelated' and that it was very difficult to diagnose! This was in spite of the fact, that after I have received an NHS 'nerve root block injection' at my L4/5 lumbar level that 'completely cleared' all of my lumber spine pains,
all of my head pains went as well.

These head pains only came back after the 'block injection' had worn off, the same time that my lumber spine pains came back!! coincedence? I don't think so!!
Because the same thing happened during my 'second' injection as well!!!

Mr. Knight never desputed the conection from the get go, and ordered a 'load bearing'
X-ray which confirmed the vertibral imbalance causing the transfer of stress to my upper body, and thereby creating 'T' & 'C' spinal misalignments, right up to the sub-occipital muscles under the skull.

I think the standard and quality of MRI and X-ray scans (and reporting) needs to improve, if we in the UK are to see a significant improvement in spinal care.
Look up 'IN MOTION X-RAYS' and Dynamic X-ray (DMX) and view the videos to see where we 'truely should be' in terms of superior and modern diagnostics!

All the best Cassie.

SPINELF

 

[Just Mee]

I can't belive I'm still reading stuff on this site and reading the same old bleak and repetitive things. MISS this and MISS that . Mr Kinght and bla bla .
I had a L5 S1 or what ever it was hernia . Had the MRI was given the lowdown by the surgeon . I was informed . I made the choice and had a surgery and it was all good . But then I found this site and started reading posts . God it's scary some of the doom and gloom on here . I was worried because of what I was reading . I had a chat with my surgeon and he said " All that stuff you read is mainly BS , don't pay attention . Trust me and your PT. "
I'm at the 3 month stage now and was sacked by the surgeon . He said that I was a legend and wished me all the best. I have a small scar 1" I have a bit of pain in the mornings that goes in 5 mins . I follow my training plan and I'm enjoying life.
I now feel this way. If you need the surgery , roll the dice and get it done . You might get hit by a bus tomorrow . DONT sit round pooping on other folks parades on a forum where we might ju st want some POSITIVE posts.


Hummmmmm haaaa . That's off the chest now.

 

[Peachy Perfect]

Hope you feel better for that now?

A 1 inch scar would be a result for most people here. We aren't moaning for no reason or making up stories, we are real people with real experiences.

 

[mariettascheer]

Talk about missing the point!

The reason why I and others talk about Mr. Martin Knight, ELFD and MISS in general,
is because he is the only Spine Surgeon in the UK who is 'openly practicing' a modern ‘minimally invasive’ surgical procedure that is ‘specifically designed’ to attempt spinal decompression surgery 'whilst minimizing' the amount of the 'collateral damage' to nerves, tissue, muscle and vertebrae that is a common feature with 'so called' gold standard spinal surgery. There are loads of world wide trial results and peer reviewed papers for these MISS procedures available online. Did your Surgeon give you this type of evidence for you to research, before you became so completely informed?

Don't get me wrong, we are all glad that you are benefiting from your procedure at this time and are pleased that you are looking forward with a positive outlook. However, you must understand, that many forum members who have suffered with long term chronic back pain (10-20 years +) sometimes already have failed surgical procedures behind them, and have not been as lucky as you were. Remember, all the positivity in the world, is 'never' going to decompress an osteophyte impingement of a nerve root!

These fellow sufferers of ours, have sometimes already 'rolled the dice and got it done' as you say, perhaps more than once, only to find that all the 'flannel and ego boosting' in the world, has not made a blind bit of difference 'at all' to their suffering. Some ‘other legends' may have found that their conditions, to have greatly deteriorated at 1, 3, and 5 years post op.

It is these fellow sufferers, as well as the fortunate ones, that we wish to support, help and give guidance to allow them to make the right choice, NOT FOR US, but for them and their families!

We understand that there are Great Spinal Surgeons out there, who are giving their patients very good and long term clinical outcomes, even though they use standard or traditional procedures (as Fitbird would attest), and we don't dispute that fact for a minute, but as you intimated yourself Ex pom,it is a 'dice rolling' lottery!!
We want to change this hit and miss approach and encourage Spine Surgeons to make improvements in what ever the procedures they use!

I have to say though, once again, members attacking our attempts to inform and enlighten fellow sufferers are offering little in the way of facts and figures to entice us 'non-believers' to 'roll the dice'. For example, I note that you say that your 'scar' is 1 inch long, good, I’m glad for you, but you have not disclosed what the 'incision' size was during the operation, or what the procedure type you had!
Potential patients who are looking for information and who read this forum, need this detailed information to make an informed and calculated choice!

I don’t really understand your view point, perhaps you (and possibly others):

Think that sufferers should suffer in silence.
Think that, we have had our chance, been unlucky and should except our lot.
Believe that we should let sleeping dogs lay.
Think that we should not ask for detailed information, facts and figures from Surgeons.
Believe that only forum members with 'positive outcomes' should be allowed to post.

Sorry Ex pom, none of this is not going to happen any time soon!

Also, there are many positive outcome stories, as well as non invasive therapy improvements stories being posted on this site, so please read them, as you will find that we are right there, in support, and right behind our fellow sufferers!

So even though we have clearly offended your sensitivities Ex Pom,
we will not be 'brow beaten' in to silence, So stop trying to shoot the messengers!


SPINELF

 

[Sniper Reconnoiter]

Ok what ever dude.
I'd rather be a lion for a day than a sheep or ever !
I see your point . But still what ever . I think my scar was the same size from when the blade went in till it came
My medical note said . Simple micro discectomy .

 

[notagain]

What ever dude? Really??

 

[yeayea]

it's nice to see that you DON'T always have over long winded replys . I wonder if you suffer finger and wrist pain from all the typing you do. AND looking at he amount of time you have bein a member if you saved a couple of quid a day you could go and have Knight poke around in your back untill he heals your pain !
So taff chill out dude. Ha ha ha . Hold your chin up

 

[Lat123]

Expom do you have to be quite so rude?
This is a forum where people come to offer help, support and discuss their own experiences. Not somewhere to be insulting to a fellow member. If you dont like or agree with something another member says, there are better ways of saying so.

You have been lucky with your surgery but not everybody has.

Fitbird

 

[Sami]

Shame there isn't a 'dislike' post button! Hmmmph.