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A few post surgery questions
I have a few questions based on some articles I've read about surgery suggestions. I know some of these questions vary by person but I would appreciate your experience.
1. How important is a button up top rather than a pull over and for how long? I hate button up shirts so I don't have any and having a hard time finding ones I like (and it's another expense)
2. Is the Chiari pillow just a regular pillow sewed all the way up the middle? My mother said she will try to make me one but first we need to know if you sew it all the way. And is it sewn up the short side?
3. I'll be going right to rehab, will I be able to put all my weight on my arms to try and use a walker? (I can't walk right now and they are going to help me relearn, but because of insurance I have to go straight from the hospital)
4. Usually how long after surgery do the staples come out and how often does the NS want to see you after? (I live 4 hours from him)
5. I've heard this is a very painful surgery. How long does that last?
1. How important is a button up top rather than a pull over and for how long? I hate button up shirts so I don't have any and having a hard time finding ones I like (and it's another expense)
2. Is the Chiari pillow just a regular pillow sewed all the way up the middle? My mother said she will try to make me one but first we need to know if you sew it all the way. And is it sewn up the short side?
3. I'll be going right to rehab, will I be able to put all my weight on my arms to try and use a walker? (I can't walk right now and they are going to help me relearn, but because of insurance I have to go straight from the hospital)
4. Usually how long after surgery do the staples come out and how often does the NS want to see you after? (I live 4 hours from him)
5. I've heard this is a very painful surgery. How long does that last?
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi...well u r right we r all diff and even from what the NS may expect b4 may be diff when he goes in..,.we, my DH and I were told 3 to 4 hrs, I went in at 7:30 am...and was taken to recovery at 4:30 pm It was more like 7 1/2 to 8 hrs....
As for the shirts, if u have a deep V neck u should be ok....I had a night shirt I worn at the hospital once in a reg room and it had a V neck and was much more comfy than the hospital gown.
I was not allowed on my stomach...but rather was instructed to lie on my side....
Pillows r a personal thing...find one that is comfy for u...the chiari pillow is expensive in my opinion....and I have heard both sides good and bad on it...and would not risk the cost or shipping to find out if I would like it.....I did have a small lumbar pillow that was great for me as only part of my head fit on it and it was very soft and I was pleased...it was a home- edics pillow with memory foam.
I also did not have staples to be removed...I have EDS so I also had glue or derma bond...with sterri strips.But I did go back to my Dr for him to look at at 6 weeks post op, then 2 more times...one being for a MRI to check it all .....
I was in the hospital for 5 1/2 days....ICU for 2 1/2 .....I had a issue with morphine and was getting sick from it.....so, do ask for something to help with meds if u have this issue.
Good luck
"selma"
I was eating popsicles the night of surgery. I was walking the next day. I also had no issues with pull over gowns/shirts. I think a special is a good idea. I bought mine from IKEA. It is very soft but supportive. One of my friends has a Chiari pillow that has large pieces of stuffing in it and a zipper so you can remove some to make it less stuffed. My doc uses dermabond so there was no stitches or staples to remove. I had to see him at 6 weeks and then again at 6 months. I hope this helps. Alot does depend on your doctor. My pain was alot less after surgery than before.
Pam
Pam
I didn't know about that ahead of time, which is a good thing. I was pretty sedated
I think the rationale is it reduces the pressure on the new dura patch, I also had a lumbar drain to reduce the csf pressure. My NS told me they have done research and this has reduced the number of cfs leaks from the duraplasty.
I think the rationale is it reduces the pressure on the new dura patch, I also had a lumbar drain to reduce the csf pressure. My NS told me they have done research and this has reduced the number of cfs leaks from the duraplasty.
It does help, thank you. The laying on your stomach, is that normal? I'm not sure I could do that as I have breathing problems.
I am 4 weeks post-op, I can answer some of your questions but not all. I think we all have different experiences depending on our surgeons, procedures etc. I had PFD with duraplasty, laminectomy with the amazing Dr. Barth Green in Miami.
I brought button up shirts with me, but chose to wear a pull over shirt for the ride home. I had no problem raising my arms. I brought tons of jammies and clothes and didn't wear any of them until I left the hospital.
I didn't bring a special pillow, although I have heard of the "chiari" pillow. I had to lie on my stomach for 5 days without sitting up or lying on my back at all. I can honestly say this was the worst part for me but thankfully I was pretty heavily medicated for the first 3-4 days.
On the fifth day I was allowed to sit up slowly then PT came and walked me around. I needed a walker because I was very shaky from being immobile for so long. I went home later that day. 3 things had to happen before I could go home.
1. Pee
2. BM
3. Walk
I am also 4-5 hours away from my surgeon but I talked with my primary doctor ahead of time and she agreed to see me at 10days post-op and remove my sutures (My NS was fine with this)
I will need to go back to Miami at 8weeks post-op then 12 weeks post-op.
The majority of my pain was from the stiffness in my neck and the wound drain. My incision and scalp have been numb since the surgery. My scalp is starting to itch quite a bit, probably from the nerves regenerating.
This is my own experience so far, I am doing pretty good. Much better than I thought at this point. I still have a lot of neck stiffness. I hope this helps!
I brought button up shirts with me, but chose to wear a pull over shirt for the ride home. I had no problem raising my arms. I brought tons of jammies and clothes and didn't wear any of them until I left the hospital.
I didn't bring a special pillow, although I have heard of the "chiari" pillow. I had to lie on my stomach for 5 days without sitting up or lying on my back at all. I can honestly say this was the worst part for me but thankfully I was pretty heavily medicated for the first 3-4 days.
On the fifth day I was allowed to sit up slowly then PT came and walked me around. I needed a walker because I was very shaky from being immobile for so long. I went home later that day. 3 things had to happen before I could go home.
1. Pee
2. BM
3. Walk
I am also 4-5 hours away from my surgeon but I talked with my primary doctor ahead of time and she agreed to see me at 10days post-op and remove my sutures (My NS was fine with this)
I will need to go back to Miami at 8weeks post-op then 12 weeks post-op.
The majority of my pain was from the stiffness in my neck and the wound drain. My incision and scalp have been numb since the surgery. My scalp is starting to itch quite a bit, probably from the nerves regenerating.
This is my own experience so far, I am doing pretty good. Much better than I thought at this point. I still have a lot of neck stiffness. I hope this helps!
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