ALIF PLIF SPINE SURGERY - RECOVERY AT 6 MONTHS

What is life after spinal fusion? In this video, I will address what it is like living with a spinal fusion at (and after) the 6 month mark. What is an ALIF PLIF spine surgery? I will also introduce myself in the hope to continue providing content for what is...
Bionic Living - Life After Major Surgery.
#spondylolisthesis #lumbarfusion #spinalfusion #alif

[@marlenenash8115]

Thanks for sharing. This information was very helpful and informative. I'm 6 weeks POST-OP ALIF Fusion Surgery. This is my 3rd Back Surgery.

[@bionic_living]

Thanks for sharing. How are you feeling now??

[@martiehicks8359]

Excellent video! You provided info that I’ve been searching for and your explanations are spot on.

[@bionic_living]

Great! I hope you have/had a successful surgery and speedy recovery.

[@paulperez5496]

Thanks! I am here because I'm having the same on my right side.

[@bionic_living]

Welcome! How are you doing now? Any updates?

[@RMSx3-hx3po]

Awesome thank you. I’ve got upcoming 360 degree fusion of L4-S1, so this gives me hope as it seems you don’t regret surgery. Your description of walking is exactly why I’m having surgery. I have no back pain but incredible leg pain in both legs and a weird weakness/buzzing feeling. It sucks lol.

[@bionic_living]

Good luck. It’s a rough recovery and you wonder if the nerve pain will ever go away. It will. I could barely walk the dog. It was so bad that when the pandemic hit and work slowed, I was somewhat grateful because I could barely get through a full work day because of the pain.

[@RMSx3-hx3po]

@@bionic_living thank you for reply. Interesting point on when covid hit; prior I was on a plane/traveling a ton but moving around lessened the pain. Once I was locked home? It all went downhill! Appreciate the encouragement!!

[@maalru]

Getting ready to have alif in 4 days. Thank you for your video. Helpful.

[@bionic_living]

I hope the procedure went well. How are you feeling post-op? What is your biggest struggle currently? Godspeed to a smooth recovery my bionic friend.

[@theseventh5204]

Have you read 'Healing back pain' by Dr John Sarno, give it a read if you havent. An important book for those with back issues.

[@andrewbastien5763]

I had the same surgery both front and back! We are lucky because we have extra hardware which means extra stability ! Im about two months post op feeling okay just some rough patches here and there

[@bionic_living]

Glad to here your doing great! And yes. We are lucky! I hope the rest of your recovery is smooth sailing.

[@rong...5837]

I've had mild pain and numbness for 10 years down my left leg and just horrible pain in my lower back at first it was mainly on the left side. In the past year the pain got 10× worse. Seems like after having covid the pain multiplied. S1 to L5 disk was shot and L5 to L4 has degeneration. My surgeon only fused S1 to L5.

[@bionic_living]

Wow. That is a lot of pain. Sounds like you are a warrior and inspiration. How are you feeling now?

[@HappyLife-vh2ey]

I am 68 and on June 20th i am having L2 S1 ATP surgery minimal invasive . Nuerosuregon said it will be very painful for a few days . But he will keep my comfortable . Its not that the pain is that bad its that i cannot walk . Its like the dynamics of my back are all messed up . Dr did say my back is extremely bad . The wait is the worse dr is that busy . Bob M .

[@bionic_living]

Good luck friend. You’ll do great. Be patient. Rest. And ask for all the help during your recovery.

[@HappyLife-vh2ey]

@@bionic_living I thank u !

[@TheHenni76]

3 weeks since alif L4 and 5. A lot of pain and nerve in one fot. Horrible. Crying..really bad day. Hope better days are coming soon 😅😅

[@bionic_living]

The better days are on their way!!! Trust. 💙👍

[@HappyLife-vh2ey]

So sorry to hear that . Hope you are doing better these days !

[@TheGmtcomm]

On the next video please lower the background music. Nice explanation. Getting same surgery soon.

[@bionic_living]

Thanks for the tip. Check my later videos and let me know if the music improved. Godspeed with your procedure my bionic friend. Will you be having an ALIF?

[@shunserayhansbrough4855]

I just had ALIF L5S1 fusion done June 9,2021.I’m 2 weeks post op. At first I was not coping very well, but I’m ok now. I just have a question. Did your entire back start cracking and popping all the time, even if you were sitting or standing still? Mine does and it’s bugging me out.

[@bionic_living]

It’s a marathon for recovery. There will be many up and downs. At 9 months, I am pretty active but still feel like I am in a state of recovery. Stay strong, you got this! My back did not crack and pop as you described. I recommend to message your surgeon with this question.

[@janetrivera4470]

Dear God 6months😢 I’m only 6 weeks PO I feel like I felt before my surgery and am very slowly getting better. My surgery was on 12/7. How soon were you able to drive and go back to work w/o restrictions

[@bionic_living]

I didn’t drive closer to three months but that was mainly due to the pain I was still having and the fear I would hurt myself. How are you feeling now?

[@jeremys5904]

Good to see you recovering! Getting ready for an ALIF myself soon. Are you going to be able to run, jump and twist again? Iv not been able to bend forward for almost a year. No pain at all in my leg as that went away after two weeks after the twisting event that flared up my pain...severe degeneration of my l4l5.

[@bionic_living]

Thanks for the kind words. And you will do great with your ALIF and most likely return to all activity. Most doctors say within 6-12months. Everyone recovers so differently. I unfortunately have had two hip replacements (on the same side, it had to be completely revised) so I am precluded to never run or jump again. But if you’re back is your only physical problem. You. Will. Do. Amazing!

[@jeremys5904]

@@bionic_living Thanks so much for the reply brother! Was thinking i was going to do really good with my recovery as i have been working out strengthening at the gym for a solid 3 months and lost 55-60 lbs before that just walking around town before i joined the gym. This last week one of my knees has fluid on it...lucky no pain and the other knee is popping. Thinking i just worked my legs too hard at the gym but its a terrible feeling thinking one of your major joints has problems. Its been a heck of a struggle for me dealing with the back pain and i have talked with people who have gone thru worse than i am going thru and i know it takes every single ounce of energy one has to deal with these type of problems. Survival mode!! I hope you can stay strong and you will be in my thoughts!

[@jimt7758]

Hey Chris , I’m 45 days out with my ALIF. How much leg pain did you have at two months and how much walking could you do?

[@bionic_living]

Leg pain was killer!! It’s gone now. 2 yrs later. Lol. How are you??

[@tolerance79]

I have the same diagnosis and grade of injury. Mine is on the left side and I have surgery in December. I am scared to death man that this is not going to fix it.

[@bionic_living]

I am definitely glad I had the surgery. But I still suffer nerve pain down my right leg into my foot. Over a year out. Check my latest video. I am definitely stronger and much better then before the surgery.

[@CoachLori2024]

Thank you, video was just fine.... I am having AILF/PILF in 3 days, separately. AILF on Thursday, then PILD on Saturday - was your surgery done in 2 phases or 1? I am scared but extremely hopeful that this will fix me and I can get my life back 🙏

[@bionic_living]

Hello. I think you’ll do great. It will be two years now since my surgery. My leg feels like my own again! And my quality of life is wonderful. My surgery was done in one phase. That took 7hrs. Eeek. My recovery was really difficult because of being under anesthesia for so long. Maybe breaking it up will be easier on your body. You got this!

[@CoachLori2024]

@@bionic_living Thank you so much! I believe you are correct. Originally supposed to be 10 hrs for me and a dual case (spine & vascular doctors) for L-3 to S-1. He did mention it wolill be too hard on my body but didn't explain anesthesia so that males a lot of sense! I appreciate the prompt response & I'm going in as positive as possible. Funny you call it Bionic Living, I've been saying I will be Wonder Woman after this! Blessings!

[@sofia_giannakopoulou]

Hi there! I'm close to a six month point mark myself at the moment and I wanted to ask you; how was the nerve pain at that point for you? I'm still having leg pain and my doctor keeps telling me it will pass but I'm in serious doubt. From month 3 till 4,5 I saw a big improvement but then all of the sudden all the improvement was gone. It's been three weeks now. Did your leg pain ever go away?

[@bionic_living]

I know this feeing well!! The pain eventually did go away. It took almost 2 years post-op for that nerve pain to go away. It was amazing when it did!! Good luck. I hope it happens quicker for you.

[@sofia_giannakopoulou]

@@bionic_living I'm very happy for you. All that time in between did your doctor insisted that the pain will pass for you too? Also how long the flare ups were lasting? Thank you for answering!

[@rong...5837]

Thanks for the video. I had an ALIF on June 16th 2021 and looking for advice and any information I can get from someone who has been through this

[@bionic_living]

Good luck to your recovery! It’s not easy. Stay strong. Stay well!

[@rajeevr2581]

How long did it take you to start lifting I'm going to have a ALIF surgery and am a UPS driver so wanted to see how long it would take to actually recover and work 12 hours shifts

[@bionic_living]

After 6 months all my restrictions were lifted, fusion looked great. Surgeon recommended to avoid running and use pain as my guide. My pain does return often so I avoid heavy lifting all together. I was hoping at the year mark to begin a moderate weightlifting routine but right now all my right leg radiculopathy has returned and my right foot goes numb, like before surgery. I see my doctor in a few wks for my year f/u. I will keep u posted. I hope this helps.

[@lojoinpoho]

I'm going to be needing this surgery as well. Will I ever get back to my old life? Do you regret the surgery? Do you feel better?

[@bionic_living]

I feel great!! I definitely needed the surgery. What decision did you make?

[@anitahendrix7573]

Very good explanation of the surgery. I have DDD and stenosis. Have tried therapy, shots etc. Not sure what surgery I need. Where did you have your surgery and who did it???

[@bionic_living]

Hi again. I put info on my last response to you. How are you feeling now? Did you have surgery ??

[@cherryli7525]

Thank you so much for your video. How long takes for the entire procedure for the front ALIF plus the screws at back.

[@bionic_living]

It took my surgeon almost 7hrs if I can recall.

[@cherryli7525]

@@bionic_living I did it on Aug 31 and it took my surgeon 6 hours

[@bionic_living]

@@cherryli7525 how are you feeling?

[@cherryli7525]

@@bionic_living I am feeling well. Started PT after 2 weeks of surgery, so far so good. The most painful time are the first thing get up from the bed and roll over in bed during the night. It still need more time to healing. I am keeping myself an hour walking daily to speed up the recovery. Thank you asking.

[@manub3348]

How long back pain take time to gone ?

[@bionic_living]

About 2 years in my case. Please watch my more recent videos for more information.