As some may have seen on here I had been dealing with a some neck issues over time.
I am in my mid 30s, 6’0”, 189lbs in the best physical health I’ve ever been in. No clue what caused this issue.
Ultimately ended up having an MRI showing a severe herniation of my C5-C6 disc causing weakness, numbness, and even some atrophy in my right limb, bicep, tricep, forearm, hand, and shoulder.
After PT, consult for pain, and neurosurgeon consult, best plan of action was Anterior Cervical Decompression & Fusion (ACDF).
Dr. Derrick Sun in Sugar Land Spine at Sugar Land Methodist is who did the procedure this pst Wednesday November 16th.
Today I am currently about 96 hours post op.
I stayed overnight after the 1pm procedure Wednesday.
Surgery Day Post Op - coming out of anesthesia in post op I was HANGRY!!!
After about an hour in post op and waking up well they allowed me to have yogurt, water, and some chicken broth.
I noticed immediate relief of any pain and all feeling back to my right side.
Once checked in to my private room for the overnight stay, I ordered an omelet with turkey sausage, mushrooms, onions, and tomatoes.
Also had two cups of ice cream. Took small bites and got everything down pretty well.
Five hours post op - Up and walking to and from the bathroom just fine through the nightly 90 min checks.
Morning after surgery, I was pretty sore and stiff. Didn’t turn down any meds and felt ok but pain would get to about a 5-6 when they would wear off.
Most pain was in the throat when swallowing and in the lower neck between shoulders due to the spacer they added.
Had eggs, yogurt, grapes, and strawberry’s plus coffee.
Went ahead and walked around the floor I was staying on for about 15 min with OT and PT.
After reviewing X-ray with Dr Sun and his PA the cleared me for discharge.
He finally put me in a c-collar but outside of that I had not been put in a collar yet at all.
He was very pleased with the bone density and how well the screws set on the fusion.
The drive to Victoria from Sugar Land was very uncomfortable.
Got home around 1pm and rested until about 4pm.
4pm I felt pretty good. Talked my wife in to going a walk down our street. Put my c-collar on and we took it nice and easy but got in 1.4 miles.
Sleeping was interesting but made it through the night ok and I did sleep with a soft collar on.
Friday Day 2 - Woke up pretty stiff but pain not as terrible but still around a 3-4.
Had a shake and coffee for breakfast as much throat swelling made it uncomfortable to swallow food. Pretty much a liquid soft diet all day.
Pain was manageable and decided to only take the muscle relaxer at night but still on the Norco. Definitely do not like the way the meds make me feel.
Wife had to go to school thanksgiving lunch so I took that time to stuff xmas cards, walk them down to mail box and hand deliver the people in our street. Strapped on my c-collar and went on my way. Got 2.25 miles of easy walking in.
Friday afternoon just rested and relaxed. Couple of short naps.
Friday Dinner has venison chili and it hit the spot.
Supplementing protein in shakes to have a high protein diet for recovery.
Friday night slept well with pain meds and muscle relaxer. No neck brace. Lots of pillow support to keep from turning my head and body.
Day 3 Post Op Saturday AM - woke up rested and pain down to a 2-3 decided to not take the Norco. Just went for Regular Tylenol.
Had a sausage and egg omelet and coffee.
Feeling surprisingly good.
Still stiff in the same lower neck/upper shoulders area. A lot of that due to probably just being overly cautious and tense.
Started heating pad throughout the day to alleviate some of that tension.
Had two solid bowel movements - thank you Jesus [emoji38].
Between the rain I managed 2.25 miles of walking again with the c-collar on.
Saturday PM we drove to LaVernia to my in-laws since we planned to be here all day today for my father in laws 60th birthday and retirement.
Slept ok last night and officially 24 hours on just Tylenol three times a day and muscle relaxer at bed time.
Got in 3 miles walking this morning with the c-collar.
Still following not lifting anything over 10lbs.
Feeling stiff and sore and doing my best to alleviate that with heating pad.
I want to note I have a had a shower without wetting my incision every day. It’s been nice to feel clean and refreshed.
I’ll update every couple of days as my post op appt isn’t until November 30th.
Technically not cleared to drive or work.
I will work remote from home thanksgiving week.
Hope this recovery post helps someone in the future looking in to this procedure.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I am in my mid 30s, 6’0”, 189lbs in the best physical health I’ve ever been in. No clue what caused this issue.
Ultimately ended up having an MRI showing a severe herniation of my C5-C6 disc causing weakness, numbness, and even some atrophy in my right limb, bicep, tricep, forearm, hand, and shoulder.
After PT, consult for pain, and neurosurgeon consult, best plan of action was Anterior Cervical Decompression & Fusion (ACDF).
Dr. Derrick Sun in Sugar Land Spine at Sugar Land Methodist is who did the procedure this pst Wednesday November 16th.
Today I am currently about 96 hours post op.
I stayed overnight after the 1pm procedure Wednesday.
Surgery Day Post Op - coming out of anesthesia in post op I was HANGRY!!!
After about an hour in post op and waking up well they allowed me to have yogurt, water, and some chicken broth.
I noticed immediate relief of any pain and all feeling back to my right side.
Once checked in to my private room for the overnight stay, I ordered an omelet with turkey sausage, mushrooms, onions, and tomatoes.
Also had two cups of ice cream. Took small bites and got everything down pretty well.
Five hours post op - Up and walking to and from the bathroom just fine through the nightly 90 min checks.
Morning after surgery, I was pretty sore and stiff. Didn’t turn down any meds and felt ok but pain would get to about a 5-6 when they would wear off.
Most pain was in the throat when swallowing and in the lower neck between shoulders due to the spacer they added.
Had eggs, yogurt, grapes, and strawberry’s plus coffee.
Went ahead and walked around the floor I was staying on for about 15 min with OT and PT.
After reviewing X-ray with Dr Sun and his PA the cleared me for discharge.
He finally put me in a c-collar but outside of that I had not been put in a collar yet at all.
He was very pleased with the bone density and how well the screws set on the fusion.
The drive to Victoria from Sugar Land was very uncomfortable.
Got home around 1pm and rested until about 4pm.
4pm I felt pretty good. Talked my wife in to going a walk down our street. Put my c-collar on and we took it nice and easy but got in 1.4 miles.
Sleeping was interesting but made it through the night ok and I did sleep with a soft collar on.
Friday Day 2 - Woke up pretty stiff but pain not as terrible but still around a 3-4.
Had a shake and coffee for breakfast as much throat swelling made it uncomfortable to swallow food. Pretty much a liquid soft diet all day.
Pain was manageable and decided to only take the muscle relaxer at night but still on the Norco. Definitely do not like the way the meds make me feel.
Wife had to go to school thanksgiving lunch so I took that time to stuff xmas cards, walk them down to mail box and hand deliver the people in our street. Strapped on my c-collar and went on my way. Got 2.25 miles of easy walking in.
Friday afternoon just rested and relaxed. Couple of short naps.
Friday Dinner has venison chili and it hit the spot.
Supplementing protein in shakes to have a high protein diet for recovery.
Friday night slept well with pain meds and muscle relaxer. No neck brace. Lots of pillow support to keep from turning my head and body.
Day 3 Post Op Saturday AM - woke up rested and pain down to a 2-3 decided to not take the Norco. Just went for Regular Tylenol.
Had a sausage and egg omelet and coffee.
Feeling surprisingly good.
Still stiff in the same lower neck/upper shoulders area. A lot of that due to probably just being overly cautious and tense.
Started heating pad throughout the day to alleviate some of that tension.
Had two solid bowel movements - thank you Jesus [emoji38].
Between the rain I managed 2.25 miles of walking again with the c-collar on.
Saturday PM we drove to LaVernia to my in-laws since we planned to be here all day today for my father in laws 60th birthday and retirement.
Slept ok last night and officially 24 hours on just Tylenol three times a day and muscle relaxer at bed time.
Got in 3 miles walking this morning with the c-collar.
Still following not lifting anything over 10lbs.
Feeling stiff and sore and doing my best to alleviate that with heating pad.
I want to note I have a had a shower without wetting my incision every day. It’s been nice to feel clean and refreshed.
I’ll update every couple of days as my post op appt isn’t until November 30th.
Technically not cleared to drive or work.
I will work remote from home thanksgiving week.
Hope this recovery post helps someone in the future looking in to this procedure.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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