Lumbar Laminectomy; Recovery at Home

For those awaiting surgery and maybe for you too Hope, some little things I had to figure out by myself. I was appalled by the lack of occupational therapy / take home instructions I received after being released. I realize it is geared mostly for ladies, that's how it goes. But I think guys can benefit from some of these things too.

Plan on not being able to bend at the waist or reach high for 6-8 weeks. Before surgery, pay attention to activities where you are bending. Below are a few suggestions to get you started.

You will likely be told not to shower for 7 days. You will not be able to bend forward or backwards to wash your hair in the sink or tub so consider trying a spray-on no-rinse shampoo. You might be able to get free samples.

Dig out lots of comfortable clothes, esp pants easy to get on and off.

Put everything you'll be using in the upper drawers of your dresser, cabinets, etc.  

Check the kitchen for common items you have to stretch even a little for.

Clean off your headboard.

Get out spare pillows and have ready to prop up in the bed and on the couch.

You will find it more comfortable to sit on hard surfaces. If your couch is soft, sit on a firm pillow.

Arrange to have your house cleaned right before surgery then arrange to have it cleaned again a few weeks after or however long you can stand it. You're going to be in your house a lot and you won't be bending to clean for at least 8 weeks so treat yourself and feel good that the house is clean and avoid temptation to try to clean. A real friend will clean your house. If you have to go commercial, many companies offer discounts on new business.

Once you are home, don't bend over the sink to wash your face (use a washcloth) or brush your teeth (use a cup if you must spit). It might not be painful to bend but you still shouldn't do it. Put pants, socks and shoes on by lying flat on your back on the bed or couch or by leaning against a wall.

Walk as much as you can. There are tremendous physical and mental benefits to walking post-op.

Most of all, accept the help that is offered to you as far as running errands, meals, etc. You'll be better soon.

List turned out longer than I planned. Hope it is useful.

maddog wrote:

i have a l4 l5 s1 laminectomy 4 days ago but i never seen a crying baby like all of you in this site, i can tell you guys have nothing better to do, stop complainning and take the pain like a real man or a real woman have some respect to your self,

Maddog, You're obviously very lucky so, for two reasons, firstly to be pain free post surgery & secondly to be so perfect you don't have to feel down or complain ever... My understanding was this was a support site, not somewhere you could vent your anger & lack of empathy, silly me.

Thanks for useful tips i m home now and in the first week of recovery, doctor to change dressing tomorrow or day after, my wife is helping me alot and i just rest walk and eat, i m off from work for next two weeks lets hope i join soon.

i must appreciate ur support and taking time out for sharing such useful information with all of us. thanks once again

How are you after 2nd surgery?

thank you for all your useful tips i will certainly keep them in mind. I hoping to ave my surgery next month so all advice is a plus

Thank you for your list of helpful hints. I had a laminectomy2 weeks ago and I'm having pain and numbness in my foot and pain in lower back. I was concerned it may be caused by doing some of the things on your list-twisting most of all. I'm much more guarded about it now. I was wondering if you know whether the setback I'm having will repair itself or is the damage done. It seems I'm still in the healing process and it will fix itself it's just going to take longer. Anyway I appreciate your helpful hints. Good luck to you.

Mike

 

More for my list :)
- Start drinking pear juice as soon as you get home and keep drinking it while on pain meds to minimize constipation. Very gentle on your system. Find it in the baby aisle.
- The first few weeks I was told to lay/sleep flat on my back with knees supported with pillows. I found it much easier to sleep on the couch than the bed where I could rest my knees against the back of the couch with pillows in between to keep my legs straight and back from twisting.

Mike - First I would say alert your doctor esp for pain at the incision site. I had numbness for over 3 weeks and have read lots of post of temporary numbness down the leg post-op so I would say that is not unusual. I continue to have sciatic pain same as before surgery 9wks post-op. Doc says not to worry. He has me wear a chairback brace for which I am glad. It doesn't provide support, just serves as a reminder not to twist or bend. I am more confident in my movement when I wear it.

Deb C wrote:

Mike wrote:

Thank you for your list of helpful hints. I had a laminectomy2 weeks ago and I'm having pain and numbness in my foot and pain in lower back. I was concerned it may be caused by doing some of the things on your list-twisting most of all. I'm much more guarded about it now. I was wondering if you know whether the setback I'm having will repair itself or is the damage done. It seems I'm still in the healing process and it will fix itself it's just going to take longer. Anyway I appreciate your helpful hints. Good luck to you.

Mike

 

Mike - First I would say alert your doctor esp for pain at the incision site. I had numbness for over 3 weeks and have read lots of post of temporary numbness down the leg post-op so I would say that is not unusual. I continue to have sciatic pain same as before surgery 9wks post-op. Doc says not to worry. He has me wear a chairback brace for which I am glad. It doesn't provide support, just serves as a reminder not to twist or bend. I am more confident in my movement when I wear it.

Thanks very much for taking the time to reply I wsih you the best of health

I had a laminectomy,L3-L4/L4-L5 almost two years ago feb 2011

Exasterbated at work had a fall plus I climb water towers,herniated , WC.

Was able to use my legs after surgery .

Through working again , maybe , things are going south again.

Cramping , electrifying zingers , in legs plus my feet R getting numb

. I was 50 now 52. No answers. How R you?

DebC - your advice is helping and I m recovering no pain in legs. Just using a support while getting up from bed and going to washroom. Rest I m

Yes , the couch is playing a big roll in my recovery.

Restricts my movements during the night.

I was thinking on designing a sleep couch for

People to recover / or every day/night use.

My surgery was feb 2011 and still love my couch.

Rather sleep in a bed , but you know.

Still in pain every day. Sucks.

Keep an eye on your temperature .

Try sleeping on the couch facing the cushion /back of couch.

I can tell they operated on the wrong part
of your body , you poor thing.
This is a page regarding lumbar back surgery and recovery, not frontal lobotomy,
that's on a different site.

Some medications will do this.
I had to change my
gabapinatin / neurantans.