L5-S1 Spinal Fusion Surgery TLIF Recovery (Pars Defect) - 43 Days Out, 6 Weeks Post-Op

Made it to week 6. Two more to go before I return to work but I wanted to share some of my thoughts. Let me know if you have any questions!

[@nancyd5576]

Just found your videos. Today makes 20 days post surgery for me with a L5-S1 fusion and I am in my 60s. Feeling better every day and your posts are encouraging to me. I have not taken any pain meds since leaving the hospital....just 2 extra strength tylenol when needed. Mine was done both through the abdomen then finishing up with the hardware through the back. My only issue is hip discomfort during the night. I can already feel that I have come a long ways since day after surgery. I agree with you.....see what you are doing well instead of trying to be Superman/woman. Love the view behind you!

[@donyalerice7970]

I also she is recovering from the same surgery L5 S1 still experiencing some pain. I am also taking Tylenol. My only concerned that I have my toes on my right foot are num

[@dylanandersen2159]

Hip discomfort is no joke! Side sleeping, hurts. Back sleeping, hurts. It is a real problem. Hang in there! Hope things are easier for you each day. You're amazing!

[@samanthadutoit1247]

Thank you for sharing I am 2 weeks post opp and the muscle spasms is kicking in. This really helped.❤

[@andrewbastien5763]

I’m around 6 weeks as well. Funny I’m experiencing that new left Leg nerve pain. Stay strong brother !

[@dylanandersen2159]

What do you think it is? I'm convinced maybe it's scar tissue kind of aggravating it. But I may be wrong. I don't know! Very frustrating. My surgeon said it has nothing to do with the fusion so just keep an eye on it. Ok? Haha.

[@valeriepayne301]

Glad to see you posted another video. I’ve been wondering how you were. I had my fusion 3/26 so I’m 8 days out today. Trying to walk. Do you know how much you were walking at day 8?

[@dylanandersen2159]

@@valeriepayne301 I was out with the walker for like 0.15 miles. Just don't overdo it. Walk around the house as much as you can. If not, move your legs constantly in bed. Try to squeeze your butt cheeks and that will help build core strength. Think calf health though too. Try to find a way to work out those muscles while lying down. Hang in there and be patient. Your goal should be 0.5 miles without the walker by 15 to 20 days for sure. You'll get there. Take it easy though!

[@sandramurkerson9041]

After surgery....2 wk. Felt useless....lost interest in reading...tv...but better today....I've lost 15.lbs....my doctor said no nasids. ..3 months....thanks for info

[@samippudke]

@@sandramurkerson9041 how u now ?

[@sandramurkerson9041]

Thankyou....I'm 5 weeks out.....L4 L5 Tlif fusion....I'm experiencing pain in buttocks hips / slight burn.....ache in rt. Leg.....so far so good😊

[@danbalkey2580]

Thanks for video. Glad i found it. Iam 65 now and just had l5 s1 fused this also my 3 Surgrey this by far has been the hardest one all other i was back at work in 3 months. iam retired now which is good. funny how Doctor are different i was in Hospital over night back home and seen him 30 after with Xray in hand everything look great he said and i cant walk much at all he said normal. The only thing ice and ice and more ice best drug you can have. thanks and take care you way to young for back surgrey At 34 my first was 50 yrs old.

[@khawlaelayyan4942]

hi Dylan I hope you're doing well now .I was wondering if you had heavy leg or limp before the surgery and if so how are you feeling now. Thanks your videos are very helpful

[@dondierinzo5582]

I've had fusions from T9 down to l4 am I surgeon on the second surgery I had on my lung and 5s one he did laminectomies with no fusion so now I have severe SI joint pain from fusions if you're having pain in your buttocks and your legs get an x-ray of your SI joint just a warning

[@pvallarta1166]

Right! I had a l2S1 fusion. Sacro iliaques are excruciating as my sacrum moves with the rest of my spine. I had a scanner to check, well, the sacrum has been screwed tilted as I had a vertebrae fracture, discopathies and spondilolistesis …I had no choice but the surgery….though I know I will be in biiiig pain forever…. 😢

[@beelou832]

Thanks for sharing Dylan and hope your doing well. I’m curious, did you have the option for disc replacement surgery ? If not , why? You seem young enough as younger people like yourself are candidates for it. Please let us know thx.

[@samiullahqalandari5975]

Hey hope you have recovered well .Have you felt pressure on your L-5 while walking six weeks after your surgury?

[@williamsmith-tj9dx]

I went through a lumbar laminectomy w/discectomy L5 S1 back in 2010 now will be going through a fusion

[@dylanandersen2159]

Hang in there man! I was told I could do the former but the fusion was the end game, so I went straight there.

[@samippudke]

I have same L5 S1 grade 1 slipped disc with sars defect, no harniate nerve back I have stiffness pain . Dr. Suggesting same surgery . M scared , plz reply

[@dylanandersen2159]

I'm incredible. I feel "normal" again and it's only at the end of the day when I lay in bed that I remember I had surgery. I make sure to never stop moving even though I work an office job and sit down for 10 hours a day.

[@hopewithcte4571]

I’m going in for my l5 s1 on may 3rd

[@dylanandersen2159]

I wish you luck man. Just be ready for a lengthy recovery and be patient. It'll be mentally tough but hang in there!

[@hopewithcte4571]

@@dylanandersen2159 thanks I have a brain injury so I’m used to being mentally tough . I guess the hardest thing for me is going to be not being able to help out around the house and just focus on healing . So yea that will be very difficult for me . Hope your doing well with your recovery

[@dylanandersen2159]

@@hopewithcte4571 you've got the right mindset. I am hopeful you'll get through this. Relying on others for help isn't fun but you cannot do it on your own. I learned that the hard way haha.

[@hopewithcte4571]

@@dylanandersen2159 hopefully I keep that mindset next week after I wake up abs realize dam this shit hurts 😂

[@dylanandersen2159]

@@hopewithcte4571 don't worry! Plenty of us felt that way. Just stay positive. You'll need that mental toughness my friend!

[@jamescaliendo1030]

Why are the waves not moving in the backround???

[@dylanandersen2159]

Rough day on the waters! 😂

[@jimwest1967]

I have a complete disk collapse on L5 S1 and need surgery. im 56 and not looking foward to it

[@dylanandersen2159]

Hope you are ok!

[@knight3131]

Do you still have pain even after two years? Do you regret anything ?

[@dylanandersen2159]

No regrets. Only 'pain' is discomfort after laying flat on a firm surface (beds are fine) for a while and standing for 4 hours can be very tiresome on my back.

[@Polecat-qz5om]

I got one :(

[@pvallarta1166]

Indeed, having a hot shower is not the solution, it increases inflammation…

[@yorstidilonex9005]

Why is hot shower bad for sciatica?

[@dylanandersen2159]

I felt like, for me, it agitated everything. Hard to say the science behind it though? I may be nuts lol.

[@danbalkey2580]

ps have you dont another video yet

[@dylanandersen2159]

I am almost 2 years out and am feeling fantastic. Just get tight at night and take an NSAID before bed 3 out of 7 nights a week - other than that, I am back to normal. Video coming soon - subscribe for that!

[@Polecat-qz5om]

Medical bills