Anterior Lumbar Fusion on L5 S1

[Garfield2009]

I am getting this surgery done next week.  I just wanted to get an idea of the people who had this surgery done and how long they were out of work for.  Please tell me if you are a blue or white collar worker.  Thank you for your help

[Ginger077]

I had an ALIF and have never been able to return to work after it. This was my 3 rd lumbar surgery and it failed to alleviate my pain. I'm now considered permanently disabled. I hope you have a better outcome then I did. I had the same surgeon do all three of my surgeries. the only one that was successful was my initial one. You will need help for a while. I was in my very early 30's when I had this done and I was in the hospital for 3 days. My husband was off work a week to take care of me.
Good luck to you!
Ginger

[Caryopteris]

Ask your surgeon questions like this also.  Make sure there is somebody to take care of you when you get home.  I remember hearing of a guy who had surgery.  He lived alone and thought he was set up with a home health care nurse, but she never showed up.  It was a disaster, and his mom had to drive 2 days to get there to his rescue.