TLIF Surgery - 6 weeks post-op **Pictures of x-rays and incision included**

Pictures of 6-week post-op x-rays and incision included - consider yourself warned. 😉

So I have reached the first big milestone in my TLIF surgery recovery - 6 weeks post-op.  Overall I've been doing well.  There have been a few bumps, but I suppose that's normal with a major surgery.

Last weekend our car club had our 8th Annual Car Show.  The day was beautiful and the show went well.  We were able to situate stuff so I could reach pretty much everything I needed to (meaning lots of stuff was on tables), and there were plenty of people on hand to help.  In addition to our members doing a fantastic job all day, my oldest daughter Ashlee was also on hand to help me out.  I'm very thankful for her helping out when she can.  Please check out the pictures from the show here: Florida Mopars

Work is still going well.  I've continued to be able to work full days most of the time.  The biggest problem with work continues to be the sitting.  Sitting puts so much pressure on the lower back, and is almost intolerable at times.  But thankfully, I'm able to walk around frequently.

My biggest complaint right now is still with my incision.  It is driving me crazy!!  If you have read my previous posts you know the incision has been an issue for me...well, it continues to be.  Before the staples were removed (at 2 weeks post-op) the incision looked pretty good.  It even looked good right after...but then things changed.  It started draining before the staples were removed, and is still draining!  It's now down to just a very small amount, but it's enough that I still have to keep a bandage on it.  Even though the drainage has lessened the incision itself just doesn't seem to want to heal...at least on the outside.  And it's very tender!!!  😧

The incision being so tender is causing a bigger issue - lack of sleep!!  It's extremely difficult to lean back on it because of the pain involved with that, so I do a lot of tossing and turning all night.  Initially after the surgery the most comfortable sleeping position was in the recliner on my back.  I'm still in the recliner but spend a good portion of the night trying to get pressure off of my incision.  Left side, right side, back again....repeat.  Uggg!  And then there's the issue with my right hip still hurting....makes being on the side next to impossible too.  I've tried sleeping on the couch...only made it through about an hour.  Same with the bed...it's just way too much pressure on my lower back.   Even though this part of the recovery has been rough, the overall experience honestly has not been horrible.  Overall I've been doing really well and am pretty pleased with my progress.

I had my 6 week check-up with the doc today.  I had x-rays done a few days ago so he could see if the fusion was working.  He said the x-rays looked perfect...woot woot!  At least the fusion is doing what it's supposed to do at this point.  More x-rays will be done in 6 more weeks to make sure it's still progressing.

He has no idea why my incision isn't healing quicker.  It's odd because I've always healed really quickly and there's no real reason for it to be taking so long (I don't smoke, I'm not diabetic, etc...). He said it's definitely healing from the inside, but for some reason the top portion is taking it's time. It even started bleeding some this week.  Why?  Who knows?  The options are we can keep waiting for it to heal on it's own...or he can open it up more and pack it. Ummm....I think I'll just keep waiting.  Hopefully it will heal soon...and stop being so tender.  

During this next 6 weeks I have the same restrictions as I have had: no bending, lifting, or twisting and still wear the brace.

Ok...so now for some pictures.

As I mentioned, I had x-rays done so the doc could see if the fusion was working.  I have no idea how he can tell if it's working or not (that's why he's paid the big bucks I guess)...but the x-rays look pretty cool anyway.  Here's a look at the hardware I now have in my back.  The hardware is located at L4-L5.  There are 2 pedicle screws on the right side with a connecting rod and 1 translaminar facet screw going diagonally.   There is also a cage placed where the disc was although you can only see the top and bottom of it highlighted on the x-ray.

And the incision....be warned it looks gross.  I've decided it looks like I have an oyster trying to come out of my back:

Man will I be glad when this stage of recovery is over!  Still staying positive though.  The pain I was having before the surgery is gone, so I consider it a success.  I just have to get through the long recovery and all the bumps that come with it.  Staying positive!

TLIF Surgery - Post-op 4 weeks (incision picture included)

First thing - Tomorrow is our car club's 8th Annual Car Show.  Come out and join us for some fun.  Enter your show vehicle or just come look at all the great rides and hang out with some great people.

Check us out here: Florida Mopars

So today makes 4 weeks since I had my TLIF surgery.  It's been a very interesting journey for sure.  For those that have followed my posts you know how I've been doing for the most part - especially in the beginning when I was posting daily.

I've been doing pretty good...so much better than I was worried I would be.  I've been back to work with "hours as tolerated" for 2 weeks now.  I've been able to work the entire work day most days because I have some flexibility with my work.  I work from home so I don't have to commute (which eliminates the driving issue) and I'm able to get up and walk around as much as needed (which is quite often).  Sitting is still the worst part of this whole ordeal.  Sitting puts a lot of pressure on the lower back...so imagine how it feels with an insicion, not to mention the items used for the fusion which I'm sure are causing some of the pressure.

I don't think I really feel any of the items used for the fusion (screws, rods...), and I hope that I don't.  I have no idea how much the fusion will affect the mobility in that area (L4-L5).  I know that the whole purpose is to stop movement there, but what I'm referring to is the mobility used with daily tasks.  As of what I'm allowed to do right now I don't think it will be much of an issue.

The issues I'm having right now are still mostly with the incision.  It is still draining, although it's far less than it has been in the past.  Now it's at a level where it's just enough that I have to keep a bandage on it...so at the aggravating stage.  The incision itself still looks crazy to me.  As you can see from this picture there is still a crazy section in the middle, but it's coming together.  The doc assures me that this is normal, in fact his words were that "it looks good".  Ummm, ok...

I'm assuming the yellowish section is scar tissue pulling the incision together...maybe?  It's very interesting because you can clearly see where the cut was made.  You can also see at the bottom where the tiny opening is - that's where the drainage keeps coming out.  While it is annoying, I would still rather it keep draining until there's nothing left.  Better out than in!

I'm still having the burning and occasional pain in the right hip and right leg.  I think it's just nerve pain but I will definitely be monitoring it.  Really hoping I don't have an entirely new issue.

I'm still sleeping in the recliner because it's still the most comfortable.  This week I've had a difficult time getting comfortable at night.  Since the surgery I've only been comfortable sleeping on my back propped up.  This week I've not been able to be on my back for long periods...not even when sitting...because when I lean back it causes a burning, primarily in the incision area. Being uncomfortable while trying to sleep makes for difficult days to follow, which is why I missed some work this week.  Wednesday morning I just simply could not get up when it was time for work because I had such an uncomfortable night.  Having issues being on my back meant that this week is the first time I've slept on my side for any length of time.  That's an ordeal in itself.  I have to "log roll to get into position.  Whoever said that was easy obviously hadn't had back surgery.  The good thing about getting on my side though is I can do it in the bed. So I've slept for a few hours this week actually in my bed.  Not ready to give up the recliner yet though.

I take very few of the narcotics now...only an occasional one at night when I am extremely uncomfortable.  Tylenol has been taking care of any pain that my happen.  There hasn't been too much pain (thankfully).  This week I've had more muscle cramps, but they seem to be alleviated by the muscle relaxer.

I'm still adapting to doing things differently.  I'm a pretty independent person so depending on others, even my hubby, is hard sometimes.  Tomorrow our car club is having it's 8th Annual Car Show.  Typically I do a lot of stuff during it.  I've had to really think about how to do things...or even what I will be doing.  I think I have it all figured out...and I know that there will be plenty of people to help out (and help keep from over doing it).  But it is odd to have to depend on others.

I'm still staying positive about my recovery and the outcome of it.  While it is a long recovery, I am doing my best to follow all the rules.  One thing is for certain...I had no idea how much stuff I dropped before this surgery!  Thank goodness for that handy grabber tool! 😄