I am happy that you shared your experience and happy to hear you are on a good path to recovery. I had the same surgery May 12 of this year (2020). I may make this video and share my recovery too :). My surgery went great. I was able to start walking short walks the first week. Week 1-3 my issues were, stiffness, leg pain and lower back pains; but there were more like muscle pains, not my original issue. I was unable to sit or lay in one place to long no more than 30 mins or more; long car trips were not good for me. I felt pain when I sneezed, so I hated sneezing...but as with time i got better every day. Some days I took longer walks, approximately 1.5 - 2 mile walks in the neighbor hood, and I would feel sore the next day, but It was a good feeling. I tried to do short jogs a few times, but painful and my lungs would get winded form 2 min light trot (not quite a jog). BTW, I was in good shape in 2019, so it is a bit of surprise to me that I am getting winded so fast. I just completed week 7 of my recovery. I am able to swim, and lift some dumbbells (25lbs). I am not able to Jog yet, but I plan to get on a bike and build my cardio. Lastly...I have not taken ANY pain meds since I left the hospital, my last pain med was May 12th and I am 49 years of age. So..... I would say my recover is nothing shore of awesome. Best advise I can give anyone is to walk every day for short distances, get of the pain meds asap, walk 2-3 times a day leading up to one long walk a day. Some light resistance training is helpful, but be careful on your limitations. Carrying a 10lb med ball from point A to B is a good start. Get plenty of rest, and eat good healthy meals along with drinking plenty of water!
Thank you for mentioning the nerve pain post-op. I'm 6 weeks post-op, and the nerve pain is no joke. You said it best when you described it as bee stings. That is exactly what it feels like. Thanks for your validation.
Thanks for your videos on your journey. I’m having the same L5-S1 surgery in 10 days. You’ve been super helpful in getting me mentally prepared for my recovery. I’m sure it will be bumpy, but it’s good to know what others have experienced! Hope you are well !!
Hi Matt! Thank you for making these videos and bringing everyone together. Nothing like getting personal testimonials from people who went through the same thing you are going through. I had the same procedure done a week ago and I am going thorough what you went through. I hope to make a short video as well when I feel well enough. I would like to thank everyone else for sharing their experience as well.
I just had a L5-S1 360 fusion, prior to the surgery I had severe sciatica pain in my right leg, I was struggling to walk even 20m at a time. The surgery was carried out on the 29th June 2022 (approx 2 weeks ago) I stayed in hospital for 5 days, following my return home the first 5 days or so were pretty tough. However now I am feeling great, the only medication I am taking is Panadol, I am now walking pain free 2.5km/30 mins twice per day, the previous sciatica pain issue has been resolved. I am due to start physio this coming week. Prior to the fusion I had tried multiple epidural injections, a select nerve root block injection & lumbar decompression surgery, all failed to resolve the issue.
Your faith and patience are such an incredible inspiration! Praying for complete healing in this recovery process. Love your joy over even 1% progress :) Thanks for sharing your journey!
Hey Matt. Thank you so much for sharing your story. I am having spinal fusion on my L4-S1 Aug 3. I have been listening to the seven worship moment song that you posted. Thank you and God bless. 🙌
I'm 7 weeks post L5 S1 and I'm feeling really great. I had 0 pain at stomach incision and on back since surgery. I do have numbness still on big toe, around ankle and shin that I didnt have pre-surgery but I have feeling if you touch them, so I'm sure it will come back, does not impede my walking at all. Go slow with walking. Keep your mind busy. It was hard for me to have family do everything so my recovery was more mental because I was very active. I'm still icing my back after being on my feet for periods, it just feels good. Still taking Tylenol 2x day. But all I really had was deep aching in back. Am taking short drives to stores and 2-20 min walks outside on flat areas. Doing very light housework if its waist high-no bending. Make sure to have a grabber! And my doctor didn't think I needed PT but have started because I was hobbling and had some weakness. Already seeing improvement with PT. Just take it day by day, let people help you and remember it's a process! If I can have both hips replaced in one year and fusion the following, you can do it!!!
Hi Matt thank you for sharing your update on your surgery. I had the same procedure done on July 6. And boy I understand what your going through. I'm on my month and one week, I'm not having pain on my right leg and my sciatic is not hurting anymore. Only thing i am having is cold toes, and my left foot hurting ALOT. It wakes me up at 2 am and with gabapentin, oxycodone and muscles relaxers and nothing helps. Doctor gave me patches and my God those worked. But when I take it off I feel like a truck driver hit me from front and back. Please let us updated on your recovery. Love that you are rushing your recovery, just like me. I just say let God heal me and let it take its course. It was best the we did what we did for our health and family.
So how are you doing now? Can you post a video of your movement after surgery? Like walking, bending, and twisting. I see the video is 11 months old. Very interested to see how your doing now. Hope to see another video soon. Thanks for the videos!
Hi Matt, I am also interested to know how you are now that it is over 1 year since your surgery. Since you have not posted anything since , I take that you are in a similar situation to me. If anyone else reads this, I am 10 weeks out since my L5/Si ALIF. This procedure absolutely DID NOT work for me. I am struggling to walk and stand. Probably having fusion posteriorly to remove the facets. I am 54 years old thin and fit. I am pretty pissed. Set your expectations low and pray for the best
Thanks again for all the videos. You gave me so good tips. I was hopeful that my nerve pain in my back and all the way down my leg would disappear after the surgery. i guess I will need to have patience. Pray you are doing well now. About the time of this video I had just had my hip replaced and was recovering from that. I was not counting on another surgery so soon But it is what it is.
I am happy that you shared your experience and happy to hear you are on a good path to recovery. I had the same surgery May 12 of this year (2020). I may make this video and share my recovery too :). My surgery went great. I was able to start walking short walks the first week. Week 1-3 my issues were, stiffness, leg pain and lower back pains; but there were more like muscle pains, not my original issue. I was unable to sit or lay in one place to long no more than 30 mins or more; long car trips were not good for me. I felt pain when I sneezed, so I hated sneezing...but as with time i got better every day. Some days I took longer walks, approximately 1.5 - 2 mile walks in the neighbor hood, and I would feel sore the next day, but It was a good feeling. I tried to do short jogs a few times, but painful and my lungs would get winded form 2 min light trot (not quite a jog). BTW, I was in good shape in 2019, so it is a bit of surprise to me that I am getting winded so fast. I just completed week 7 of my recovery. I am able to swim, and lift some dumbbells (25lbs). I am not able to Jog yet, but I plan to get on a bike and build my cardio. Lastly...I have not taken ANY pain meds since I left the hospital, my last pain med was May 12th and I am 49 years of age. So..... I would say my recover is nothing shore of awesome. Best advise I can give anyone is to walk every day for short distances, get of the pain meds asap, walk 2-3 times a day leading up to one long walk a day. Some light resistance training is helpful, but be careful on your limitations. Carrying a 10lb med ball from point A to B is a good start. Get plenty of rest, and eat good healthy meals along with drinking plenty of water!
I would be really grateful for an update if you can find time. Hope everything is well mate.
I just had this surgery about a month ago, I feel for you! You're doing amazing at staying positive, I truly respect that.
Thank you for mentioning the nerve pain post-op. I'm 6 weeks post-op, and the nerve pain is no joke. You said it best when you described it as bee stings. That is exactly what it feels like. Thanks for your validation.
Thanks for your videos on your journey. I’m having the same L5-S1 surgery in 10 days. You’ve been super helpful in getting me mentally prepared for my recovery. I’m sure it will be bumpy, but it’s good to know what others have experienced! Hope you are well !!
Hi Matt! Thank you for making these videos and bringing everyone together. Nothing like getting personal testimonials from people who went through the same thing you are going through. I had the same procedure done a week ago and I am going thorough what you went through. I hope to make a short video as well when I feel well enough. I would like to thank everyone else for sharing their experience as well.
I just had a L5-S1 360 fusion, prior to the surgery I had severe sciatica pain in my right leg, I was struggling to walk even 20m at a time. The surgery was carried out on the 29th June 2022 (approx 2 weeks ago) I stayed in hospital for 5 days, following my return home the first 5 days or so were pretty tough. However now I am feeling great, the only medication I am taking is Panadol, I am now walking pain free 2.5km/30 mins twice per day, the previous sciatica pain issue has been resolved. I am due to start physio this coming week. Prior to the fusion I had tried multiple epidural injections, a select nerve root block injection & lumbar decompression surgery, all failed to resolve the issue.
This information was very helpful. I'm 6 weeks POST-OP ALIF L5-S1 Spinal Fusion
Your faith and patience are such an incredible inspiration! Praying for complete healing in this recovery process. Love your joy over even 1% progress :) Thanks for sharing your journey!
Hey Matt. Thank you so much for sharing your story. I am having spinal fusion on my L4-S1 Aug 3. I have been listening to the seven worship moment song that you posted. Thank you and God bless. 🙌
I'm 7 weeks post L5 S1 and I'm feeling really great. I had 0 pain at stomach incision and on back since surgery. I do have numbness still on big toe, around ankle and shin that I didnt have pre-surgery but I have feeling if you touch them, so I'm sure it will come back, does not impede my walking at all. Go slow with walking. Keep your mind busy. It was hard for me to have family do everything so my recovery was more mental because I was very active. I'm still icing my back after being on my feet for periods, it just feels good. Still taking Tylenol 2x day. But all I really had was deep aching in back. Am taking short drives to stores and 2-20 min walks outside on flat areas. Doing very light housework if its waist high-no bending. Make sure to have a grabber! And my doctor didn't think I needed PT but have started because I was hobbling and had some weakness. Already seeing improvement with PT. Just take it day by day, let people help you and remember it's a process! If I can have both hips replaced in one year and fusion the following, you can do it!!!
Hi Matt thank you for sharing your update on your surgery. I had the same procedure done on July 6. And boy I understand what your going through. I'm on my month and one week, I'm not having pain on my right leg and my sciatic is not hurting anymore. Only thing i am having is cold toes, and my left foot hurting ALOT. It wakes me up at 2 am and with gabapentin, oxycodone and muscles relaxers and nothing helps. Doctor gave me patches and my God those worked. But when I take it off I feel like a truck driver hit me from front and back. Please let us updated on your recovery. Love that you are rushing your recovery, just like me. I just say let God heal me and let it take its course. It was best the we did what we did for our health and family.
Thank you. I'm having Alif November 23 2021. So here very soon. Your videos are very helpful. Thank you
It would be a nice to get a 1 year update. I wonder how you're feeling after a few years?
So how are you doing now? Can you post a video of your movement after surgery? Like walking, bending, and twisting. I see the video is 11 months old. Very interested to see how your doing now. Hope to see another video soon. Thanks for the videos!
Going to be having this surgery next week. Really enjoyed watching your videos. Giving me a heads up on the whole process
Hi Matt, I am also interested to know how you are now that it is over 1 year since your surgery. Since you have not posted anything since , I take that you are in a similar situation to me. If anyone else reads this, I am 10 weeks out since my L5/Si ALIF. This procedure absolutely DID NOT work for me. I am struggling to walk and stand. Probably having fusion posteriorly to remove the facets. I am 54 years old thin and fit. I am pretty pissed. Set your expectations low and pray for the best
Thanks again for all the videos. You gave me so good tips. I was hopeful that my nerve pain in my back and all the way down my leg would disappear after the surgery. i guess I will need to have patience. Pray you are doing well now. About the time of this video I had just had my hip replaced and was recovering from that. I was not counting on another surgery so soon But it is what it is.
How are you doing 3 years out?
Hi Matt, how you're doing now.