ACDF Recovery + 13 Months

[@Blessemm-c26]

Thank you so much!

[@v8monster186]

I'm so happy to see you happy and health . take care and enjoy

[@careditor]

Thanks because I want to be able to go back to the gym so your recovery helps me understand a year out. Thanks you so much again.

[@evanm9844]

I certainly agree with you that there's little that can be done save for living a healthy life, hoping for the best (and not worrying about what has yet to happen)...all the same, here's hoping that "if" we need another operation for'a herniated, adjacent disc that either artificial discs have been perfected and/or (ideally) that stem cell treatments have become the norm, that the disc itself can be healed. Anywho...again, best wishes to you and many happy, healthy years. Do keep us updated! :)

[@evanm9844]

Hey Cassie :) Thanks for your update and, I'm so glad to hear (and see!) that you're doing well at the one year+ mark. My question to you, is regarding your thoughts about the long-term post-ACDF. I'm sure you've heard the term "adjacent segment disease" - the thought that fusion causes adjacent discs to take on additional pressure/stress and, over time, degenerate and herniate. Did your surgeon talk to you about this theory, and what are your thoughts?

[@kimberlymckenzie3305]

I'm set to undergo acdf in 2 weeks and I so very much appreciate your videos. Your honesty and detail were such a relief to me!! I feel much better going into this now. I'm wondering, how are you feeling today?! March 26, 2015 thank you again!

[@evanm9844]

Sounds like you're doing everything that can be reasonably done - both physically and psychologically (i.e. not worrying about it). I'm frankly scared as all giddyup about the possibility. My surgeon didn't mention the possibility either (my fault for not doing more research prior to agreeing to my ACDF between C5/C6 four+ months ago) and, at discovering that a surgery intended to relieve pain/numbness/weakness may actually "cause" these symptoms...well, it's sent me spinning to say the least...

[@seanmcenaney7116]

Hi Cassie it's 11months since my surgery still have arm (triceps)weakness.although it is improving its very slow

[@fiercekitten13]

I still have the tiniest bit of weakness in my right arm 8 years later. I never notice it unless I am lifting weights and I can see the the right arm lags a bit behind the left. It took a while for it to become unnoticeable in every day life. I wish you continued healing and health.

[@jacobtorbellino460]

How are you feeling now?

[@fiercekitten13]

I am fully recovered from this surgery. No problems at all.

[@thatjlyn]

So I quit my job....lol love it.

[@pilycali73]

What’s the name of the cream?

[@fiercekitten13]

It was called Kelo-cote. Any Silicone based scar cream or patch will work well too.

[@pilycali73]

@@fiercekitten13 thanks so much I found it on Amazon and bought it 😀 let’s hope this works with my scar

[@fiercekitten13]

Hi Evan, Actually, my surgeon hasn't said anything about that to me but I know I've heard other people talk about it. I kinda figure that if it's gonna happen it's gonna happen and it's not something I can spend too much time being worried about now. I am still doing deep tissue massage and ART and will continue to. I'm exercising 4-5 times per week and being as active as I can be. Obviously I don't want to have another ACDF but I'm not sure what else to be doing. What's your view on it?

[@1991siddhant]

hi !! your videos are really motivational . are you suffering from spondylolysis of cervical ? has this surgery reduced your mobility and could you also share the surgeon and hospital name

[@fiercekitten13]

Hi. Thanks for watching. I did not have any spondylolysis. In fact, I had to Google what that is! My mobility is unaffected. If I need to turn my head to the left for a long period of time for any reason it gets a little sore but other than that there is no noticeable change in my range of motion. My surgeon was Dr. Vikram Talwar and he did the operation at the San Ramon Regional Medical Center. His office was in Oakland, California but I think he has a new practice somewhere else now.

[@1991siddhant]

thank you so much for quick response ! wish you great health and happiness in your life .

[@Marriedtothat]

I'm going to have my surgery in about a month and I am so thankful for your videos!!!!! I was completely terrified of the surgery and now I'm not. So thank you!!!!!!

[@fiercekitten13]

Lisa Remo I wish you the very best of luck and a speedy and full recovery. It's really not so bad!

[@ashleyrose8634]

I had my surgery this October and am still in pain!! Is that normal?! I really want to return back to work as a dental assistant but I don’t know if I can because the pain

[@fiercekitten13]

You're still in pain from the surgery or you still have the pain that you had before the surgery? I would definitely talk to your surgeon about that. I did not have pain that many months after the operation. It must be so frustrating not to be able to go back to work but your job would be so hard if you were in pain. I wish you all the best.

[@ashleyrose8634]

Cassie Destino the pain is not as severe as before the surgery but it’s still here when looking down and doing even nothing.... maybe it’s the muscles and nerves settling in but it’s been 8 months and the surgeon who did the surgery is gone I can’t talk to anyone so my family dr is ordering a mri to see...

[@love4mykids03]

thank you for your video im very scared and have been considering not doing it but living in pain and numbness is hard, i've seen a few videos and some people say horrible things like they're symptoms came back or recovery was very hard, but i guess everyone is different , God bless and may you continue to do well.

[@fiercekitten13]

+odalis lugo Thank you for your comment. I will say that the vast majority of people I've spoken to say that the worst part of the surgery is the anticipation of it. That is completely my experience too. The fear of the operation was way worse than the actual operation and recovery. Of course I can't make you any promises, but chances are in your favor to have a quick, easy recovery and put the pain and numbness behind you. Best of luck to you!

[@love4mykids03]

thank you for your answer, i have faith that God will help me through it ! Thanks for giving me hope