Days 1-3 After Surgery Laminectomy & Microdiscectomy For Herniated Disc L4-L5

What to expect after days 1-3 post surgery laminectomy & microdiscectomy for herniated disc at L4-L5.
Dr. Eric Broadworth discusses what you need to do to prepare for surgery and gives his own account of surgery and what he experienced in the first 3 days after surgery for a hemilaminectomy and microdiscectomy at L4-L5 to relieve pain caused by a herniated disc.
Make sure you follow these rules after surgery to protect the spine:
No bending, No lifting, no twisting. Avoid these movements to allow the spine and muscles around the spine to heal properly. You will want to avoid these movements for 8-12 weeks depending on your surgeon's advice.
Use the log roll technique to get in and out of bed safely. Watch this video here for how to properly perform the log roll technique • Log Roll Technique To ...
Get a raised toilet seat after surgery. This will make it much easier to get on and off the toilet and avoid pain.
Take your pain medications as prescribed. Don't miss taking them for the first few days otherwise you will likely have an increase in pain.
Visit www.fuelhealthwellness.com for more information
Contact Dr. Eric Broadworth via email at [e-mail]
Comment below with any questions you may have.

[@KBradAdams]

Great Video by the way!

[@KBradAdams]

I love to see someone in the field realize MCKENZIE EXERCISES and COBRA poses wont fix "REAL" Sciatic pain. Most people have no idea what Sciatic pain is! One of the most painful pains ever! I had a discectomy that re-ruptured 2 years later. You think this one is painful... nothing like a re-ruptured disc, imagine the pain you had pre surgery times 2! Anyway I ended up with a fusion that did not fuse, then had a revision in April of 2023 and finally feel normal. My discectomy never felt normal almost like something was not right or I would injure it if I did anything but walk. I was right after sneezing. What is crazy is my wife has been having disc issues for a few months and having her Microdicectomy next week! I hope yours continues to heal and feel better.

[@davidjelinek1977]

I was one of first in mod Michigan on L4/L5 in 2005 . 19 yrs later still snot a single ache

[@Pete63]

I’m on day 5 post op. Agree with a couple of things you said: 1. The surgery is well worth it. If you have tried a conservative approach & that hasn’t worked don’t put off the surgery out of fear. 2. #2 is the challenge. Keeping regular & getting on & off that toilet seat.

[@Mernie9]

I've watched a ton of videos about people's experiences after a micodiscectomy but yours is particularly helpful, I think largely due to the your PT background and the fact that you were making practical suggestions. I've already bought the raised toilet seat (but need to put it on and test it). I just googled log roll and ankle pumps. I bought a few more things ... a grabber (to pick stuff up), a wand to help me wipe my butt, and a device that will allow me to watch things on my phone in bed. Already my clothes and shoes are at arms length. I live alone, but my sister volunteered to help the first week. So glad about that. I just hope I'll be OK on my own after a week. Really appreciate the suggestions!

[@ChristineGRoberts]

I'm having mine done in 2 weeks from today. I'll be in the hospital for 10 days. I already had back surgery for sciatica on Jan 16, 2022. Dr found my nerves so compressed they were bleeding out. I'm kinda concerned that will happen again.

[@veronicaweems6048]

I'm having a laminectomy in 3 days. This video is really helpful.....it answered most of my questions and calmed my nerves about the surgery

[@fuelhealthwellness]

I'm glad it helped you! I wish you well on your surgery and recovery!

[@mrglass3617]

I just had mine a few days ago and the sciatic is completely back. I know it happens but I'm absolutely terrified.

[@fuelhealthwellness]

@mrglass3617 I'm sorry to hear that but it's not uncommon. Try and stay calm and do things like meditation and rest to help calm your nervous system. You can always message and contact the surgeon with any concerns.

[@mrglass3617]

@@fuelhealthwellness thanks for the reply, it kind of eases my mind, knowing that it does happen. When I came out of surgery and the next day, I had minimal pain but there's a lot of swelling so I'm sure that puts a lot of pressure on everything. I keep telling myself It's not a sprint it's a marathon. Thanks for the reply.

[@amandagiam5027]

@@mrglass3617how are you now? Did it go away after the inflammation went down?

[@jamespozin]

I'm in the same situation, and I was wondering if you have a video where you talk about recovery after 4 weeks until now.

[@fuelhealthwellness]

I'll get this created shortly for you!

[@KBradAdams]

Did you have a recent surgery James?

[@NoahHerzeele]

what was the surgical pain like post surgery?

[@fuelhealthwellness]

My pain was much less post surgery than it was prior to surgery. I had pretty immediate relief. I had soreness from surgery but that was about it and I was off pain meds in about 3 days after surgery.

[@snip_king428]

Getting it dont today, been suffering almost a year

[@fuelhealthwellness]

I hope your recovery is going well!

[@snip_king428]

@fuelhealthwellness 3rd week in recovery, I'm 100% happy that I had it done!!!!! What slowed me down at first was I ended up with a mild infection, and antibiotics fixed that!

[@fuelhealthwellness]

@snip_king428 I'm glad you are doing so much better! Just be mindful to take it easy with all activities since your body is still healing.

[@snip_king428]

@@fuelhealthwellness Yeah, even after 4 weeks, I can't really tie shoes up still.....