Thread: Back Surgery

I'm a sales rep that goes in spine surgeries for a living. I know what you're going through, and I wish you a speedy recovery. If you have any issues and would like an objective opinion, feel free to PM me. I'm not nearly as accepting of surgeons advice/opinions as I was prior to getting into this industry.

Best,

I also have been involved with orthopedics on the patient care side for over 22 yrs. I would also be willing to discuss with anyone who has had or is planning to have any type of orthopedic procedure.
Just give me a PM.
Bill W

I hope all goes well Joscobo and you're back shaving soon. Best of luck to you.

I broke my arm about a year ago and required surgery to put it back together. Physical therapy lasted a few months and in the beginning I couldn't even bend my arm to touch my face. I ended up growing a beard, but when it got too annoying and I needed a shave, I got my wife to assist with skin stretching and I used my double edge and just one hand to shave. I echo what others have said here - be sure to do all the exercises that are prescribed to you and work through the discomfort. A little pain now (or even a lot) is worth it to not feel any in the future. I hope you have a speedy recovery.

Originally Posted by richmondesi

I'm a sales rep that goes in spine surgeries for a living. I know what you're going through, and I wish you a speedy recovery. If you have any issues and would like an objective opinion, feel free to PM me. I'm not nearly as accepting of surgeons advice/opinions as I was prior to getting into this industry.

Best,

Originally Posted by turbine712

I also have been involved with orthopedics on the patient care side for over 22 yrs. I would also be willing to discuss with anyone who has had or is planning to have any type of orthopedic procedure.
Just give me a PM.
Bill W

Wish I had known you guys 16 months ago. I had a fall from about 9 ft. onto pavement. New ACL and both menisci "cleaned up". Minor fractures of the tibial head and femur.

Then there was the 78,000 white blood cell count infection surgery and i.v. antibiotics for a few weeks. I didn't learn until later just how sick I was. I guess I was pretty bad. The doctor said I was a surgeons worst nightmare because I didn't indicate any symptoms of infection.

Then there was the impacted scar tissue removal fr. the knee.

I still can't stand up or walk without a lot of discomfort an/or pain. Lumbar MRI showed nothing exceptional for a 50 y.o. some bulges and arthritis. The doctor was afraid I may have had a major disk blow out, causing the numbness and lack of progress. But apparently not.

Boy, this stuff gets old. I can't get released to go back to work since my leg is too unstable and I've exceeded my company's light duty limit.

Well, anyway, I know who else I can ask a question if I want an informal, outside opinion. Thank-you for the offer.

Good shaving,

Kev

Originally Posted by fritz

I had a ruptured disk removed also, some years ago, and I hope yours works out as well as mine did. After putting up with the problem for a few years, the surgery was pretty much no choice. But now at least it's FIXED!!!
It took a few weeks to get to where I could raise my hands straight up, because the nerve sheaths have been abraded and have to heal. You might see if your wife is willing to (literally) lend you a hand. No, not with the shaving, just the stretching!

I'm glad you said that about the nerve sheaths needing time to heal. The issue cause pain down my right leg and it's not changed and that was a concern. What you say makes sense.

Hopefully the nerve sheaths have not sustained any permanent damage and will heal. I know when I go in and have the nerve root ablated ( burned with low freq radio waves) they will not flare up for about 1 yr. Then I have to go back for routine nerve blasting to keep them from getting out of hand. Good Luck and speedy recovery.

Good news!! I felt well enough to shave with my straight this morning. I have been shaving with my DE, sitting down at the kitchen table with a mirror and a bowl. But no stretching of the skin so the straight was out.

Well this morning I got to strop the old razor up and get back to not knowing what I'm doing yet. I'm learning a little every day.

I had a better shave than before since I've had more time to think about it. How to stretch the skin here, the angle of the blade there.

Thanks for all of your encouraging sentiments. It was good hearing from people who have had the operation since, it seems like I feel worse than before. But I think I'll be ok in the long run. Just some work and rest.

Good News, It's all down hill now. Glad you could get a shave in.

Glad to hear things are going well!

Kev