[ChemistCat]

Your turn. Oh, and don't tell me to be brave. I think I've used up the entire monthly allotment of courage already. :-)

[spycatcher]

Using lasers it's not as bad as it used to be.

[Vicki]

My Aunt had surgery on her spine about a month ago. Quite a surgery. I don't the specifics, but she's doing fine.

[Hawkeye's Girl]

Um, I dunno anything about back surgery, but why did they say you need it? It doesn't hurt if you didn't go in for it, I assume, so is it pressing on a nerve or something?

[mountaineer]

My husband had back surgery a bit lower down than yours (around L-5/S-1), before which he could barely walk up and down stairs - and since then he has run four marathons nearly as fast as he ran 25 years ago.

[Ethrane]

What surgery are you having? A cervical fusion? Hemilaminectomy/Discectomy? What symptoms are you having? Are they operating due to "pain" or due to neurological impairment due to impingement/stenosis? How old are you? Have you tried other noninvasive or less invasive treatments such as Physical therapy and/or Epidural Steroid injections (if apllicable)?

It all makes a difference...and one cannot answer the question without the details...

[eureka!]

They've come a long way. I've heard stories good and bad. As to the bad, it usually has to do with not following through with rehab--i.e. doing too much too soon. As to the good, my best friend was in constant pain until the surgery, followed the doctor's orders and now is swinging a golf club with a passion, much to the chagrine of my wallet. Best of luck.....

[Dacus943]

Had C4 through C7 fused. Love the outcome! Little, or no pain one week after surgery.

[Jewels1091]

My husband had a vertebra fused about 5 years ago in his neck. They took a piece of his hip and went in through the front of his neck. It took about 3 or 4 weeks for him to be almost back to normal, but you would never know he had surgery today. In fact, the front of his neck has no scars! If you have a GOOD surgeon, feel safe!

[GROUCHOTWO]

Get a second opinion!!!!!!! C7 is at the base of your neck....What is wrong with it? Has it deteriorated? If so, why has it deteriorated? Is it pinching a nerve?

Remember that there is something wrong, many times there may be more than one way to solve the problem

[tet68]

As they say,a chance to cut is a chance to cure.

My sister had a plate and screw put in her neck to help with some kind of problem she was having with her arms.

Had absolutely no effect and now they can't remove it because one of the screws it too close to the spinal cord.

She is doing better with other less invasive treatment now.

Get a second opinion,then get a third one.

[VRWC_minion]

If your Trent Lott the operation probably won't help. If your not Trent Lott then follow your doctors opinion and get a second opinion to ease your fears.

[vetvetdoug]

Get a second opinion. Get a third if you are still uncomfortable.

[a_federalist]

You have freepmail.

[RJCogburn]

One cannot comment without diagnosis and the planned procedure.

Perhaps it will be comforting to recall Joe Montana had spinal surgery and retured to play at a high level. I'd guess that whatever you do will not be so physically demanding as his profession at the time.

[parsifal]

I popped or bulged a disk several years ago. My doc said I could either get surgery or wait about a year and be in the same shape as I would with surgery. I still hurt. So, ny suggestion is get a few opinions. parsy.

[Renatus]

My niece had a very large tumor that had grown around her spine removed. Took a little while i.e. three or four months of therapy to get the full use of one of her arms back but she's doing fine. ------ Have a friend who had a steel rod put in her spine. She's doing fine. Travels and is meaner than ever.

[abigail2]

I used to do worker's compensation negotiating. So I'm not a doctor. But we used to see alot of back surgery cases go wrong. I would get it only if you need it and definitly get a 2nd opinion. Once you make up you mind, relax and let go. Sounds like alot of sucessful surguries here.

[lelio]

Why do they want to operate? I had some problems with my neck (arms going numb when sleeping) and went to a chiropractor. He loosened it up by cracking it left and right (major popping sounds) and put me in a comtraption that tilted my head back. Cleared up most problems.
Course my problem was pretty light -- just stooping over and looking down. Did you have an accident? I would suggest going to a chiropractor just to see what he thinks.
At least in Washington state chiros aren't considered quacks, dunno about others.

[Redcloak]

As with any surgery, get a 2nd opinion. However, these procedures are pretty commonplace. My sister has a rod installed in her back to correct scoliosis. That was years ago and she's had no problems. My mom, grandma, and several aunts have all had vertebrae fused; again, no problems.

[WIladyconservative]

Not about me, but my 73 year old father had L4/L5 fusion about 4 years ago. My best advice to you is FIRST get a second opinion (consult your insurance about that) and then if it IS a fusion, follow the post-op instructions TO THE LETTER. Dear old dad didn't like the brace he had to wear and thus didn't wear it. Had to have the operation RE-DONE a month later, and this time they put two 8 inch rods and 6 large screws in his back . . . he listened better the second time around ;~)

He's walking better (could barely walk before) and still going - FWIW.

Best of luck in your decision.