ACDF C6-7..Does anyone do well after this surgery

Dumby · Newbie Joined: 17 Jun 2008 Posts: 1 Location: Alabama

I have been reading this site and now am scared to death. My surgery is scheduled for July 10th.

I started having pain in my left arm sometimes severe but most times just very painful and bothersome. My arm goes numb and tingling ofter.

I had an MRI and have a severly herniated disc at C6-7. I was offered steriod injections but the doctor said that would just be a temporary fix and that I would have to have surgery eventually so went ahead and scheduled it.

So a few questions:

1. Does anyone have any good results?
2. Am I dreaming thinking I will be able to go back to my office job after two weeks? The doctor seems to think it is possible.
3. How soon after surgery will I be able to use my laptop or desktop?
4. Is it possible to sleep in my bed.....do I need a wedge?
5. What suggestions do you have for food to eat after surgery?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Feeling good · Newbie Joined: 21 Jul 2008 Posts: 1

I am 3 1/2 weeks post op from a C6-7 ACDF and i feel great! To answer your questions:
1.Immediately after surgery i felt great! No more pain in my right shoulder and arm along with the numbness in my fingers.There is some discomfort when swallowing afterwards from the retracting of the esophagus & that goes the same with coughing being that they also retract the trachea.That seemed to go away 6 days after surgery.
2.I did not have to wear a collar at all and was back to work 2 weeks later!!
3.you can use your computer immediatly after....dont see why this should be a problem.
4.sleeping in my bed was a breeze...better to not lay flat. use a couple of pillows and you'll be fine.
5.fortunatly for me 4 hours sfter surgery i ate 2 chicken breats,rice,soup, and a smoothie! Basicly my doc said if i could tolerate swallowing than to go for it.

So with all of that said....i feel great and would not hesitate 1 minute if i had to do it all over again!

Best of luck to ya!!

ACDF C6-7..Does anyone do well after this surgery

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