Back Surgery, when, how did it go, who?

[Dirtyd0g]

preparing myself for some back surgery, I'm sure there are some bangerz who have had this done. I'd like to hear from you.
When did you have it done?
How long did it take to recover?
What exactly was done?
Who did it?
Was it worth it?
Anything else you might want to mention.
Currently I am seeing Dr. Shanti Originally he wanted to fuse 3 discs, now he has decided I am too young and wants to do a surgery where he grinds a little of the bone out that is pinching the nerve then the radio surgery to make the nerves that are not pinched as bad relieve pressure or whatever it does.
I have been putting this off for about 3 years now and recently have decided to have it done. The idea of it healing on it's own has passed. Lifting tons of converters a day has taken it's toll on me.
Alan

[cstreu1026]

I've never had it done but the longer you wait the worse it will be.

[adragon72]

I had it done about nine years ago. If you want pm me your number.

[k062693w]

Mine was 10 years ago ... Caged fusion with screws and rods on 4 of them ... But I broke mine and had no choice unless I didn't want to walk again ... LOL

Good Luck, But I would think long and hard about it ...

[Dirtyd0g]

I've never had it done but the longer you wait the worse it will be.

The doctor is telling me the exact opposite of that. I'm sure it is case sensitive.
Alan

my number is not a secret so I will leave it here 513 898 fifteen eighty

[fordfan]

I had my back surgery two years ago. My Dr. told me if I let it go without surgery it could possibly pinch off the nerves in my leg and I would lose control of it. I only had one bad disk it was to the point when I walked my left leg would just give away and was numb from the knee down. And I had the pain in the lower back all the time too. I would go through it again if I had to. I used the Mayfield Clinic. I tried loading a pic but here is a link http://www.flickr.com/photos/11991651@N03/3365490549/in/photostream

[Dirtyd0g]

I went to mayfield first, they refuse to do mine because of damage on multiple levels. total 11 bad disks 3 that need surgery badly. My worst problem is muscle spasms that are unbelievable. My legs try to go ways they cannot and things like that, otherwise my right leg hurts low all the time and other pains float around. The worst part is that laying down seems to be the most uncomfortable position. Who did you see at Mayfield I saw Dr.Berger.
Alan

[RIXXX93GT]

You havent said which vertebra your talking about? I had c5-c6 cervical disectomy, basically cut out and fused. This is in the base of the neck area. They go through the front of your throat for this surgery, which has complications. I was sick and tired of being in constant pain so I had it done. Now I think I would have exhausted all other treatment options first. Loss of mobility is the biggest problem (20% side to side and vertical)along with the fused area tends to transmit the added stress to vertebra above and below fused area. So I have much less pain unless I do something active like oh say drag racing...LOL. Then I feel it for about 3 days.

[adragon72]

I was herniated between L4 and L5 I had dealt with the pain for about 5 year and had gotten to the point to were I couldn’t even tie my shoes.

It took 6 weeks to return to work on light duty and another 4 before I was completely released.

in that circumstance I would have done it again with out hesitation, that being said the surgery weakened my back and not even a year later I was injured again even using proper lifting technique and only lifted 50lbs.

So I have been dealing with back pain for about eight year now and they want to do another surgery lol.

Every ones pain tolerance is different, I have two numb legs to the point I burned my foot and didn’t know it.

Every injury is different as are people only you can decide if it will be worth it, but research your surgeon and the hospital and be dam sure that there is no other option.

Oh I don’t know if they told you this but you have a good chance of being impudent, if I remember its 30% on the first surgery.

[Dirtyd0g]

The one they are going to have to do first is either L3/L4 or L4/L5 the neck is a problem as well but I can deal with it. The pain to some extent I can deal with except when the muscles spasm. The biggest problem like that is my socks. I cannot put my socks on in the morning. Until I have been on my feet for an hour or so if I try to put my socks onmy legs and lower back cramp something fierce. Impotent would suck, I dunno about all that. Thanks for giving me something to think about guys. Most people I have met who have back surgery still hurt just as bad.
Alan

[fordfan]

My Dr. was Robert J. Bohinski. After I had started seeing him I found out a friend of mine had him for his surgery and he was happy with his results too. I was off work for three months but I couldn`t go back on light duty so that`s why it took so long for me to get back to work.

[smytty]

Just had 2 disk removed about 2 years ago. Was in the hospital 6 days and layed up for 11 months to make sure the fusion was good...

They took the bone out of my hip for the bone fusion... Not going to BS ya it sucks depending on what you have done.. Also when you have stuff worked on remember it puts even more stress on the other disk and working parts...
Goodluck

[Goldenpony]

I had a benign cyst removed from my spine by Dr. J. Borden. I had a minimal recovery time and I am very happy and satisfied with the result.

I have been told by other doctors and hospital nurses Dr. Borden is the best back doctor in town. They say he is the one other doctors go to for back surgery. His office is in the medical center next to Bethesda North Hospital.

Good luck.

[rpppaprp]

I had the C5 C6 fusion 6 years ago and have very little loss of movement and virtually no pain. H.Paul Lewis did my surgery at Bethesda North and i was out of the hospital in 2 days. I had to wear the cervical collar for 30 days and also a bone growth enhancer for 45 minutes per day. I was cleared to go back to work in 90 days on light duty. The office i had my initial visits at was on Montgomery road in front of the hospital.

[Pops Fun]

Hi
Dr Tobler (http://www.mayfieldclinic.com/MC_bios/bio_Tobler.htm) Mayfield did my neck and it has been great. Fused with a rod in it!!

[Dirtyd0g]

Thanks for the input guys, I just learned about a new procedure they are doign called the x-stop. Looks liek a very simple operation and makes sense that it woudl do the job. Anybody here ever have it done? I need to get something done quickly.
Alan

[Blackballed]

Had surgery on L5 S1 this time last year. Was back to work in 3 months and I am a Firefighter/Medic. I still get a little stiff but nothing like I had before the surgery. It was def a life changing event for me. Mine was also emergency surgery and I could not walk.... at all. Dr. Asghar from UC orthopedics did mine and I feel great.

[Stangman]

I hope I never need any of this, just saw the dr about my back today since I was off. No xrays yet, but they gave me an anti inflamitory, steroid/cortizone pill and muscle relaxers if I need em. Got a feeling its not going to fix it. Had trouble with it for years, just getting worse now. My sciatic nerve had a bad pinch for about 3 weeks. I could barely move. It would hurt sooo bad at the end of the day sometimes it would make me randomly scream bloody murder and even start to cry if I moved wrong. It sucked! Then it went away! Idk....

[Dirtyd0g]

Had radio frequency procedure today. Doc says it will be 3-4 weeks before I notice if it helps or not. Them are some big needles they use. I feel like I got shot in the back with a 12 gauge loaded with buck shot.
Alan

[mad max]

That would suck , hope it helps you feel better alan.

[Dirtyd0g]

I just hope it works, gotta wait 3 weeks and see. Right now it feels like my leg is broke in half and my back feels like it had 30 big freakin nails run into it. I'm taking the day off and going to lay down.
Alan

[chris91]

Are you still seeing Shanti? My wife has been seeing him for the past three to four months for her neck problems. She has c5-7 disc deterioration, stenosis with a bunch of nerve damage. They have done two transforaminal injections where they go through the side of her neck. She goes back later this month to discuss surgery options. He seems to know his shit. I've researched a lot and he has gotten a lot of praise for his minimal access surgeries.

[Dirtyd0g]

Right now I am seeing tayeb in his group under Shanti's watch or whatever. Trying to avoid surgery at this point. They are all part of the cast group and I have to agree I think they know what they are doing compared to the jokers I saw before. All Kahn wanted to do was blindly poke needles in my back. From the very first time tayeb did an injection I realized Tayeb knows what he is doing and Kahn doesn't.
Alan

[chris91]

Very similar situation my wife is in currently. She has lower back problems also and was seeing Kahn(In Anderson) at first. He doesnt do the Transforaminal Injections for the Neck and referred her to CAST. She is WAY happier with them than Kahn. She actually had good results with Kahn's injections but we have heard a lot of people not having a good experience with him. Kahn's office staff is a f**king JOKE though. Bitches sitting on Facebook all day not worrying about the Patients and their needs. Standing there for almost 10 minutes waiting to schedule your next appointment while they converse with their b/f's or whatever is bullshit. Good luck with yours.

[TurboNG]

preparing myself for some back surgery, I'm sure there are some bangerz who have had this done. I'd like to hear from you.
When did you have it done?
How long did it take to recover?
What exactly was done?
Who did it?
Was it worth it?
Anything else you might want to mention.
Currently I am seeing Dr. Shanti Originally he wanted to fuse 3 discs, now he has decided I am too young and wants to do a surgery where he grinds a little of the bone out that is pinching the nerve then the radio surgery to make the nerves that are not pinched as bad relieve pressure or whatever it does.
I have been putting this off for about 3 years now and recently have decided to have it done. The idea of it healing on it's own has passed. Lifting tons of converters a day has taken it's toll on me.
Alan


Man go to another Doc and get a second opinion, also see a physical therapist to get their opinion..... Im gonna call you, ive been going through the same shit kinda...

[Dirtyd0g]

I did a year and a half of PT and it seemed to make me worse. Dr.Shanti seems to be pretty good as surgery is the last option. last we discussed doing an aspen if the radio frequency thing doesn't do it.
Alan