Surgery with Dr Zeegers Tomorrow at 8am :)

henry4956 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-05-2014, 07:52 PM

Pain wise, sounds like you are doing waaaaaaaaaay better than me. I was still in severe pain till day 5 or so. taking 60-70mg of Percocet & 1800mg of ibuprofen daily. then again I was coming from 3 years of in-activity and I had 2 levels done, but who cares - I'm doing well now. it amazes me why more people don't choose Dr Zeegers, he's arguably the best spine surgeon in the world! now go have some pork & sauerkraut, topped off with some Becks

Jim M2 · #2 (**permalink**) 07-06-2014, 04:16 AM

That is most excellent. Dr. Z has been doing ADR for 25 or 30 years. He is the ADR master.

Karger · #3 (**permalink**) 07-06-2014, 09:15 AM

Don't get me wrong I still have a bit of back pain, but it's totally different pain. It feels more like muscular, like brused or something like that. All my old l5/s1 pain is gone along with no sciatica pain. I do think Dr z is the ADR master. At least most of the people who see him end up with amazing results. Henry is a awesome example he went from pretty much bed ridden to walking again!

I also think I have a few things going for me that helped with the success.

1. I never had any previous operations on my back. This was my first surgery ever! I have read on. Some fourms about where they trimmed the disc but end up butchering you instead.

2. I am only 35. That could help. Perhaps the younger you are the faster you heal.

3. I selected what I think is the best surgeon for the job.

I am happy none the less!

Karger

Karger · #4 (**permalink**) 07-09-2014, 08:26 PM

Day 7.

Well I survived the week. Today I feel great. Monday I walked a bit too much because Tuesday I felt like I did a marathon and was incredibly sore. I can't describe the soreness I felt. I guess I was getting cabin fever and needed to get out. Today I feel great. Didn't over do it!

It's a great feeling of progress ever day. Even if it's just a little. Makes me feel good my money was well spent.

Karger

mmglobal · #5 (**permalink**) 07-10-2014, 06:51 PM

andrew... great news!

Please ramp up your activities slowly... remember that just getting out of the hospital to the hotel is 1,000 times the activity you've had since the surgery... then the trip home is another 1,000 fold increase. Take it easy.. get home.... ramp up your activities very carefully!

Keep the good reports coming!!! All the best,

Mark

vnf · #6 (**permalink**) 07-12-2014, 04:17 AM

Andrew

One think my doc told me that I thought was great advice after my ADR surgery.

He said make small goals. Most people will say today, I will walk to this street and then the next day walk to the street after that one. Instead, tell yourself you will walk to a certain house and the next day, walk to the house after that one.

I thought that was a great way of saying take it slow but keep moving.
I really took that to heart and did not try to make myself go from years of barely moving to hey, I will walk a mile today!

Don't over do it. I still say the pool is your best friend.

Maria · #7 (**permalink**) 07-12-2014, 07:25 PM

I appreciate that input Vicki. I remember having a big open discectomy on L5S1 and being advised to recover slowly and at my pace which I did and things worked out pretty well (until disc later re bulged and after L4 bulged).

When I had what was then termed "bandaid" back surgery in '92 and was percutaneous discectomy at L4 I was basically told I could pretty much be on my feet right away and back to work in 2 weeks. In fact in the recovery room I got up to use the bathroom and my bed was given away and I had to sit in the waiting room post surgery for my ride which the nurses at the time said "that's fine."

I don't think it was nor do I think the lack of information regarding recovery was fine either and I had a failed back surgery which really was a nightmare in epic proportions.

Needless to say what I firmly believe is take it slow and easy re recovery because the idea is to go for the long haul not the short term recovery. I know ADR is different than discectomies and fusions but really the work is done in the same area and it is surgery of a significant magnitude. btw I had been working and working out (mildly but pretty much at least 3-5x/week prior to my 2nd spine surgery so I was not inactive by any means). While I think having a "virgin spine" is a definite attribute for surgery I do think sometimes it's just the way the ball bounces with how one responds to surgery. That is even counting a wonderful surgeon such as Dr. Zeegers. Pretty much however I'm talking about the patient's part in the recovery process.

Wishing Karger continued progressively great recovery

henry4956 · #8 (**permalink**) 07-15-2014, 06:05 PM

I agree with Vicki & Maria wholeheartedly. I wasn't sure how to interpret one of your early posts (it may have been on the other forum) but my 1st reaction was, take it easy - don't be anxious to declare victory too soon and fall into the trap that I've seen many others snared by. In my case for example I am 3 months out and sometimes I think I am not making progress. It's only because at this point it is very incremental and hard to notice unless you say to yourself 'Did I feel this good a month ago?' - that's when I realize I am making progress. The early gains for me after 1st week were huge because I was coming from such a low, I guess I thought I would continue to at that same pace. The other day after finishing some pool time, I was getting dressed in the locker room and I remembered how difficult/painful it used to be. A small thing, but just another measuring stick.

Have a great day.