Lumbar Laminectomy; Recovery at Home

Mary, I read your post from over a year ago. I would like to know the outcome of your surgery. I am going to have to have either a laminectomy or fusion. I am scared. I have read all kinds of things that aren't particularly good. I am a 66 yr. old woman with a herniated disc and spinal stenosis down to 5%. Any info you could give me would be so greatly appreciated. 

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I just completed a bilateral laminectomy and microdiscectomy on Tuesday. I came home 2 hours after the surgery. The spinal stenosis was almost 100%. I had sciatica and parathesia in both legs and numbness from the toes thru the balls of both feet.

Select a good ortho surgeon, trust them and don't wait. Follow the after care religiously and you will do fine. I would do it all over again. The pain is tolerable with the medications.

Good luck

How are you today?

On Feb 20th ,2014 I had double Laminectomy of L4 and L5 and double Fusion of L5-S1

Severe Arthritis and had worn a 3/4 inch  lift(all shoes built p) for 18 years. I did 2 months aqua PT- star patient but it nevr left the pool, lost 55 pounds, and had 3 epidural's. I could not stand or walk for more then 10-15 minutes without sever leg/mostly calf pain. I'm 59 and decided I could not live that way. After 3 very different opinions(1 Dr blowing me off, the 2nd wanting to do an 8 hr surgery accessing spine from front and rear, and 3rd local surgeon telling me to never let anyone move organs and go to the spine from the front) my head was spinning. The 8 hr approach from a Neuro Surgeon at the famous Thomas Jefferson University Medical Center, was out of the question! I don't live anywhere near Philly, and that Dr scared the c**p out of me. My focus was on ease of recovery and attitude.I had a 3 hr surgery done by the local surgeon. I was in the hospital 4 nights. Today, less then a month, I can walk 45 minutes with minimal pain, and the back brace. Having almost fallen when my toe hit a piece of elevated concrete, I decided to return to my beloved Schwinn Airdyne, which  BTW I could ride 20 minutes with no pain before the surgery. Go figure- must be the leaning over. In any case, 2 days in a row I have rode my Airdyne for 20 minutes at about half the normal pre surgery workout. I have minimal pain, and a very positive attitude. I don't know the future, and this was the hardest decision of my life, even harder then getting divorced, I strongly urge those to make a decision and never look back. When nothing else works, and your surgeon has not pushed the surgery, it just makes sense to move forward and DO IT! I may be one of the lucky ones, may not, but I'm going to enjoy every pain free day, for as long as I can

My father had this surgery a few months ago, and is talking about buying a motorcycle, i am in search of long term limitations or restrictions that he may have, i don't want him to hurt himself more., please is it alright if he is on a motorcycle? Meaning long term and short term, is their a problem?

go to a Neurosurgeon,I had a leminectomy descectomy on L4 and L5 back in November. best decision I EVER made!! Recovery Sucks pretty bad but after its all over its so worth it,

I had surgery on L4L5 in April, 2014. Laminectomy, formanectomy, interbody fusion and a discectomy. Woke up from surgery in less pain than I had been in the day before in my classroom teaching. I have a six inch scar. I still feel the rods, screws, and cages when I am on my back. I followed the home care plan to the letter while being cared for by my daughter. This daughter worked for the hospital where my surgery was done, and received intense training by my doc in post-op care for his patients. She was strict with what I was allowed to do. I log rolled from side to side. She assisted me in getting out of bed. I wore my back brace as directed. Absolutely NO BENDING DOWN!! I was on my back in my bed 90% of the day. She maintained a drug schedule for 3 weeks before allowing me to decrease any meds. That being said, my husband and I bought bikes for Christmas, 2014, and we have resumed hiking. There is no PT scheduled for me.

I am a 77 year old female. Had a hemi laminectomy last April. Still have pain and now leg pain and burning every waking hour. I do have adult scoliosis.

Wow! Thank you so much! I am 70 and will have my operation on May 3rd at the Cedars-Sinai Spine Center in Los Angeles. I am also just a "little" nervous as to what I can expect. He did tell me that I would have PAIN. big time, as he just underwent a similar surgery two months prior. He mentioned a "Cold Blanket" for sleeping, which is supposed to relieve the pain during sleep time. My operation is on the L-4 Vertebrae, and he is going to take the "Roof Off" of the L-3, L4 and L5 Vertegraes. Holy Cow, I am not looking forward to this at all, but it is one of those things that just has to be done!

I am to in the construction business and am wanting to know if there were any words of advice as to going back to business and sports thanks

Neurosurgeon did my surgery

The doctor didn't give you the right information. It takes 4 to 6 weeks at a minimum to heal. Some people will do good in that time frame and for some others it will take even longer.
I am now at my 5th week post op from a laminectomy and finally my body got quite enough to attempt longer walks.
The first 2 weeks I had to combat with the additional inflammation caused by the surgery, and the 2nd two weeks I had to deal with the insane muscles spasm in my back.
Don't over do it- let time heal to avoid further complications, and make sure you'll start phisical therapy 6 weeks post- op.
It is crucial to wake up the muscles in a slow and gentle way.
Best wishes to you

I had the same inOct of 16 and I mowed yesterday on a rider and I had drop foot and a really hurting back . Been walking 2 miles a day. Just don't know.

Just had the surgery, nursing staff and physio will recommend how to get out of bed

I am having surgery on L4 and 5. Is there much pain in the recovery?How is getting in and out of bed. The dr said 2 week recovery. Is this true to your dr also?