Stephen Said:

I am suppose to have a fusion back surgery this week...?

We Answered:

Hello, Des. I had a fusion in my neck a few years ago after a bad injury. I was scared to death before I went it, but it turned out to be no big deal. A nose job I had years ago was worse. You'll have some pain and be uncomfortable for awhile, but you'll do fine.

Carrie Said:

I am suppose to have lower back fusion surgery this week?

We Answered:

no i have not had one but my cousin did and she was scared just like you... She broke her foot and had to get a metal plate and scwers in her foot.. yea it was painful after she got out of surgery but they gave her medicine to make the pain go away.... and after the plate was in for a while i think it was 2 years but her bones got back to how they was supposed to be they took the plate and scwers out... but dnt worry u seem like u will be strong enough to over power the pain..

really hope i help surgery can be scary

Kay Said:

What insurance covers X Stop Procedure(invasive back surgery)?

We Answered:

Very few insurance companies will list all procedures they will or won't cover. If BC/BS refused to cover the procedure, it may be because they believe your mother won't benefit from it, or that she needs to try less risky procedures first. I'd fully investigate and/or appeal their response prior to searching for different insurance. Even if your mom got new insurance, this procedure wouldn't be likely covered because she has a pre-existing condition.

Jerry Said:

I'd like to know more about results from back surgery procedure called TLIF?

We Answered:

Not a Dr here, but I understand that it is the method of choice for people in good general health and young. I know my father looked into this but due to his age they did not think it was a great idea.

You can prob. do a search online for tons of articles in order to gather a decent thought about it. Of course we know that not everything you read online is true...lol

Melanie Said:

Has anyone had back surgery for a herniated disk?

We Answered:

I have a prolapsed disc that does whatever it does, hit the nerve roots and down I go. Pain, well last time I passed out cold for three hours on the floor. I also have Arthritis, so unless I loose my bowel and bladder function they are NOT going to operate. The concern is that at 49 and with the Rheumatoid Arthritis I will probably build up scar tissue which will be more painful in years to come than the original disc problem. Therefore no pills but I am on the Fentanyl Transdermal Patches. Fentanyl is 80 times stronger than morphine. This was rough at first because my stomach and head reeled but eventually I got their and now no side effects TG. This enables me to be active and I took up Nine Months of Pilates to strengthen my back, tighten up the tummy to hold the back and now do Pilates at home, keep my muscles taught. I also do Aqua Jogging once a week as you have a belt to wear so that means zero gravity while jogging. Then Sauna and Steam. No like you I am not into popping pills and pain medication can make you constipated, another reason not to take the pills but the Patch is excellent. While they do operate on Discs, they do not like to, because of the risks involved and this scar tissue build up, let alone the sucess over pain control. Lets be honest, do you really want to take the RISK? Initially I assumed they would operate and was really upset when the Physician said NO! Since then and I am being honest I am so glad he said 'NO', because for me the RISKS were too high. I do worry when I get this nerve root pain that I will loose my bowel and bladder function, but it seems that is a emergency operation to restore nerve function. My worry is not so much the loss of bowel and bladder function, but the fact they will be poking and prodding my spine, spinal cord. I really do not like that idea whatsoever, one slip and I could be Paralyzed, the risk is too high for me.

Rachel Said:

What kind of back surgery is done for compressed and fractured discs?

We Answered:

I don't have any personal experience, but spine surgery is much less invasive now. They might remove all or part of a disk and/or do bone grafting for repair or replacement of the disk. They insert an implant that looks like a tiny birdcage, and pack bone graft around it. The graft then grows in to help stabilize the disks. If a disk is compressed, they can insert a small balloon into the space, and then inflate it to move the disk into place. I think your family member should shop around for different opinons and to find surgeons who have plenty of experience with newer, minimally invasive procedures and who have a hish success rate.

Andrew Said:

I'd like to know more about results from back surgery procedure called TLIF?

We Answered:

TLIF back surgery indications
Lumbar spine fusion may be recommended for disabling low back and leg symptoms that have not improved with non-surgical forms of treatment.

Conditions such as spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc disease or recurrent disc herniations are known to produce mechanical pain and may be indications for a spinal fusion. TLIF is designed to eliminate the disc as the source of mechanical back pain.

TLIF spinal fusion operation is a salvage procedure. For patients with disabling back pain and leg pain significant benefits can be obtained with a successful spinal fusion.

Success rates for TLIF back surgery

Studies indicate that the patient’s pain is improved 60% to 70% after TLIF spinal fusion surgery and approximately 80% of patients undergoing TLIF spinal fusion surgery are satisfied with the surgical result.
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