I had surgery StALIF L5/S1 Activ-L L4/L5 Zeegers, Alphaklinik

[fuzzy]

Maria, take a look at Suzuki Savage LS 650. Low rider, good for small rider (my wife) low weight, bullet proof and fun. Reasonably priced, bargain used. Only down side, not as comfortable as a larger touring bike on long trips. Trust me I know as I had many bikes and this one is the one I keep for the better days... and for the first attempts to see if my back likes to ride.

[fuzzy]

Mark, the meeting was great. I really enjoyed that rare opportunity to meet you all just before I left back home!

[joemonfl]

Hi Fuzzy,

Heard you were already back, sorry I missed you. I had a flight get cancelled which put me a day behind.

How are you feeling back in the states?

I ran into Mark yesterday during my pre op session with Dr Z.
Wating now in one of those rooms for my turn, a 3 level Ativ-L.

Dr Z is as nice in person as on the phone and the staff is very helpful.

If you are an American in Germany, I do suggest learning some German. first it is polite and second you won't have a total vacant look on your face when others are speaking in German.

I'll copy this into a clean thread and update as i go.

[fuzzy]

Good luck, Joe! I am feeling very very good, considering I am only 5 weeks out. I made the trip back to the states ok and I forgive Zeegers and crew all the pain and discomfort I am still in as it is getting better by the day.

Yesterday I felt a warm comfy right foot the first time. I layed down and my foot warmed right up. The funny stuff in my feet is getting less and less and the leg pain is an ache unless I push it. Stopping the activity the pain drops down quick.

I had to know so I stopped taking the ibuprofens 2 days ago, even at night. I have one sore body but no PAINNNn. Lying still in bed (good nights sleep) the pains drop to 0 but quickly come up when I start wiggling arround. I might stay with the ibuprofens at night for a while but after 2 days I got an idea where my body is at. It still needs to heal.

[Maria]

For the bike recommendation~ will check this model out~ I like to window shop even if I'm not buying

[fuzzy]

Its been 7 weeks since the surgery.

I am doing very well. There is no pain to speak of in my back. I am more flexible then before surgery *even though* there is a fusion in my back. I am sill relearning new posture. Sitting I can tell things are different down there especially sitting in cars. The leg pain has steadily improved to were it is very low now. The strengh in my left leg is improving. What I am still struggling with is lots of fizzle and sizzle and buzzing in my feet. When I angle my legs, like sitting, folding my legs in bed etc it causes buzzing in my feet. After having been on my feet a while and then lying down there is a lot of spasms in my left leg. Toes twitch. My right foot still goes cronically cold. This starts as soon as I get on my feet and take a while to go away when I lie down. Warming the foot up once lying down will speed up the "recovery a little" Hope this goes away one day. Anyone have this kind of thing?

Iboprofen sometimes, thats it for meds. I am so glad I a not on anything else. My back feels great! I really have to make sure I dont overdo it as it feels that good.

[joemonfl]

Hey Congrats, you hit that magic number for us, 6 wks and the implant and bone should be permanent now.

I had my knees scoped and a lateraly release done where they change the way the patella tracks and it took a good year for the muscles, nerves etc to adjust to the new weight bearing. That is what I think we have ahead of us.

I did my first long walk yesterday but boy did I feel it last night in my muscles.

Still sorry we didn't get the chance to toss a beer or two.
Joe