I have my discectomy booked and I go in tommorrow morning, I met the surgeon yesterday he seems really positive and he seems to have a good reputation, he said I won't need a laminectomy I thought everyone needed that... Don't they? Is he just trying to make me feel better! I was asking him about mega blood loss, spinal fluid leaks, staples and he was a bit like what have you been reading! I am so scared, he said they used to do a laminectomy but now they don't and I don't get a micro discectomy as they have sufficient lighting only difference is a microscope!
He said I'll be fine, I'm praying I am and he said complications are slim! But I'm Such an anxiety queen! Just so scared I've filled my head with horrible stories. 😞
Hi don't worry about this op had one 3 years ago on my lower back all went fine
Oh good I've read horrible things and it's made me stress was yours straight forwards?
Yes spent about 3 days in the hospital and was off work about 9 weeks still on the patches and pills was on before but I'd been on them about 2.5 years so was told would be hard to give them up but not been off work since
Hi think the laminectomy is when they remove bone as well. My surgeon only said they remove disc. I read about spinal fluid leaking but not the other. Suppose it's like if you have an epidural in childbirth that has risks but 1000's do it. The thought of something unknown is always worse than the reality. That's what I keep telling myself, I'll be the same in a couple of weeks when I have mine done!!! Its been brought forward from August. That it's self made me feel anxious😔
Yeah I was anxious about that as the waiting time was 12 weeks and it's getting done within ten days but I think if your young they like to prevent permanent nerve damage ... Yeah it is to remove bone but he said I wouldn't get that... He seemed very upbeat about it... I'm a nervous wreck ! So terrified ... X
Did you get a good vibe from your surgeon? The one I saw was ok initially not very forthcoming with information but lightened up by the end of the appt! He said the SE if your young git and not had problems for too long you have a good recovery. Anxiety is a frustrating annoying thing. It must be so nice to be chilled and horizontal about stuff! I've never been like that I worry when things are going well lol!
Glad your getting sorted so quick id been going round an round for nearly ten years trying pain relief instead of sorting the problem out and was 3months in between seeing doctors after trying dif pain relief hope all goes well for you after having my back prob for so long I now got probs with my hips hey that's what you get for being under 50
Lisa you sound like me I suffer awful anxiety, I'm worried about the anesthetic and my friends are like enjoy the sleep, I never think that way... Yeah I did and I got my fiancé to go back on thurs to see the surgeon to ask questions etc and he seems to not be worried at all! I am Ill u should email me and I can text you tommorrow and let you know how I am, my email is _____
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Sean have u had surgery x
Yes he was good and the one that did my op had trained all the younger doctors I was told if you asked 100 people it would be50/50 I just wanted to be pain free and love working so about 20 years working left at least
Yes I had it 3 years ago but took nearly 10 getting it done
Good, I'm glad you are ok now I'll keep u posted
Hi they've roved your address and said to use the private messaging syst on here but I'm not sure how to use that?
Lol ok. I'll just get you here on this then take care .. I'll never sleep tonight lol
Ok good luck positive thoughts fingers crossed for some sleep x
"I don't get a micro discectomy as they have sufficient lighting only difference is a microscope!"
There's an additional difference between a Microdiscectomy and a Discectomy: a much larger permanent surgical scar, which the surgeon should also have advised you of. A larger incision also means a longer recovery time and healing period. Has he told you about the alternative surgical procedure of an Endoscopic discectomy, which doesn't require cutting into the back and stripping away the muscles (which causes most of the post operative pain and recovery time ), but uses cameras and various modern gadgets and only requires a c.1cm insertion point? Recovery time is much less because you haven't cut into and damaged so much healthy tissue and future internal scar tissue becomes less of a problem.
Some surgeons prefer old fashioned discectomies because it's easier for them and some aren't interested in learning 'new tricks'. Some patients may actually need the more invasive older method. But it's your body and the hospital, in law, cannot properly obtain your consent without informing you of all the alternatives (so if it went ahead without you being informed of all the reasonable alternatives, you could sue them for lack of Informed Consent).
if you have already been fully informed of all the pros and cons, then that 's fine.
I'm just about to leave for surgery oh god now I'm terrified I'm sure there is a reason in getting the normal discectomy ... He said I wouldn't need laminectomy though I'm really terrified and I didn't even know about endoscopic one! Wish I wasn't going in shaking even tying this
Thinking of you, just think in a couple of weeks you could be saying the same to me😉
If the surgeon is good at what he's going to do then that's better to have that than an op he's okish at 😳
Hi lisa I got surgery about 10 was very nervous I feel fine though I'll see how I am when physio comes tomorrow but apparently all went well ... 👍