Microdiscectomy Recovery Day 1, L4 - L5 (I just got home from hospital!)

I want to add my voice of information and hope to others out there. I had an L4 - L5 Lumbar Microdosctectomy to clean out the spinal canal from a herniated disc. This is a day 1 recovery vlog.

[@arthurturner9398]

Glad your surgery went well! I just have my surgery done on 4-26-24. L4 L5 bulge. I could walk as soon as I got home. 2 days after surgery stopped pain meds. Felt great no pills finally for first time in 6 months. Today is day 9 after and I feel great . I walk many times during the day and make sure I don't twist my body. For those in back pain have a MRI done asap and do your research on a doctor. My Dr, I couldn't find a negative thing about him just positives. I went to the John Hopkins one of the best hospitals in US.

[@United-till-i-die]

I’ve had mine yesterday! I’m still in hospital as I a leak from my spine. 43 years old fit and healthy with a L4/L5 disc bulge. Also had a ferminotomy. A little sore but I’m alive

[@Jacob-rp5ip]

It's nice to know somebody can relate to my pain makes life horrible hope you're doing better now

[@janetaro]

Thank you for this. My turn next week. This is just what I needed to hear!

[@jasonquinones8707]

Thanks for that Taylor! I'm having that exact surgery next Thursday and I'm scared for my life. I'm considered obese, suffer from moderate sleep apnea, and I'm currently being treated for hypertension, so my risk is probably a bit higher than the average person, which adds to my fear. However, hearing you has calmed me some, thank you for taking the time right after surgery to do this for people like myself! This is also going to be my first surgical procedure, so the thought of going under anesthesia and losing control is quite frightening...

[@allenramirez2778]

Just had the surgery 2 weeks ago brotha, best decision I made in the journey of my lower back pain.

[@andrescardenas2827]

i wish people were more comfortable with adding their stats. it'll give us a better idea of what to do. What i mean is there is a very different prognosis for a fit healthy person who is young than a fit healthy person who is in their 50's 60's. Also it shows lifestyle and fitness which is the number 1 indicator of a reinjury and/or possibility of recovery

[@jasonquinones8707]

I agree - for example, I'm 36, but considered obese, and I have several comorbidities being managed. I will post my experience next week as well to share.

[@annm8680]

Hi from North Georgia. I want you to know that your videos have been the most helpful of all the recovery videos I have watched. I feel you most closely followed the post operation instructions. I am a 70 year old woman who fortunately knew almost immediately what was going on since my sister had the same surgery 20 years ago. My symtoms are almost exactly the same as yours were being concentrated down the outside of my left leg, into my ankle and foot. An MRI shows a large bulge at the L4/L5. I was diagnosed 2 months after I couldn’t walk more than the steps to the bathroom and back. I will be sceduling surgery as soon as I can get my blood pressure lowered through meds. Did you ice your back regularly? I am reluctant to take the strong painkillers but you’ve outlined what to expect. Thanks so much.

[@tiborzkarate1]

I spent two nights in the hospital after my surgery everything went well accordingly to my doctor. I came out of anesthesia easily and after about two hours I was able to get up and start walking around the hallway no pain and all. That changed dramatically by late afternoon I start feeling extreme pain and I need it pain killer. The nurse expected that and administered through IV. after that I need it every six hours. Next day the doctor wanted me to go home but I refused because I wasn't stable enough so I stayed another night and after two nights I was able to manage to go home since then every day getting I'm feeling better. I still have some sciatic pain but it's not sharp rather dull pain much tolerable. The pain on the incision is the strongest but that will be gone after a week I'm not worry about it. What I worry about is re-herniation or the sciatic pain wont go away entirely because the nerve damage. I'm good with walking and exercise and I'm five day out of hospital I'm kind of weak and I have to walk slow but I fully function, seating down on toilet etc. I can't bend over brushing teeth but I can put on socks and tie my sneakers is not a problem. The surgery lasted exactly two hours doctors call it a routine surgery but I think the word routine lost its meaning long time ago. I'm hopeful for full recovery.

[@allenramirez2778]

Nerves grow very slowly

[@ruvimzaytsev4812]

Such a good information!!

[@lelandlucia7231]

Thanks for sharing.

[@angeyates]

How are you doing now?! I’m scheduled to have this done in one week.

[@user-zd9ud2jg2o]

I had this surgery on May 7th on my right side from a bulge from L4L5/L5 S1 doing great except still having trouble with my right foot and back of my calf . This is week 5 of recovery. Also having trouble putting on my sock on my right foot . I was out in minutes from leaving the post opp room . Woke up from surgery with a lot of pain from the sight they had to give me 2 different meds in the recovery room . Went for my 2 week doctors visit and they said since they had to clean out alot from where it was pressing on my nerve then it will take awhile for my foot to recover and I may have to do thepry for it . Go back for my 2nd visit June 21 to see what they say . Make sure you get up and walk and follow what they tell to do .

[@miriamkramer9006]

How are you doing now? I have a large L5/S1 herniation. Doctor recommended disectomy. Repeatedly said I'm a good candidate. I have numbness on the outside of my left foot. I have not had surgery. I've been doing physical therapy since 7/11/2024. I'm walking.. it's been 2 months. I get tired easily..and I wake up with stiffness in the back of my thigh/ hamstring. Just really scared to go through with surgery? I heard that some herniation get reabsorbed?

[@user-zd9ud2jg2o]

@@miriamkramer9006 Just now getting to have physical therapy should of already been done had to wait on workman's comp . Last visit with the doctor said it may be a permanent just have to see how PT goes. Other than that doing great no back pain . If your doctor said you were a good candidate then I would go for it and have it done.

[@jlit6428]

Was epidural injections an option. Or was the condition to far for it. I wonder how they get the patient from the operating table to the bed? Do they have ten Hercules gently pick up and lay one on the bed. I have sciatica on the right and am terrified of the surgery, mostly a getting re herniated. I threw my back out in March, though it was a usual like many other years. Unable to fully recover, In May developed sciatica, terrible thing was sleeping 20 mins -30 mins Totaling 2hrs. A night. I was unable to lay down or up.. finally got pain got really bad leg was getting so stiff after 50ft. Got an epidural, finally able to sleep, got calf and glute atrophy, numbness on the right toe, and still scared to get a surgery.

[@taylorswan9802]

My doctor never recommended an epidural to me. He saw my MRI and pretty much told me that this needed to be done now to prevent more damage being done as I get older. It was a good time for me to do it now so I took the opportunity. I feel you on the fear of surgery, I was super anxious leading up to it and didn't sleep very well. I hope your situation gets better, though. Stay strong!

[@amitsheoran2788]

Hi taylor how is recovery going

[@freestylebully4849]

@@taylorswan9802 I'm 10 months in of back pain. I found out I have a disc buldge at L5 s1 I've tried physical therapy, chiropractor, decompression exercises, deep tissue massages, medicine, etc nothing helps. I got a steroid injection 1 week ago I'm waiting to see if it will kick in within the next week to relieve me of pain. My doc said if it helps with the pain surgery will help the pain go away. I have back pain on my left side when I sit not when I walk or stand I have no leg pain (Sciatica). Has your pain went all the way away after surgery? Also did u have leg or back pain b4 surgery or both 🤔

[@lokeshmeenadausarj]

My spine l4/5/S1 disc bulge problem sir

[@lokeshmeenadausarj]

Microdiscectomy Surgery ya Endoscopic surgery in Billetral Nurve Roots problem