Slipped Disc - recovery from surgery

[Snash]

Has anyone had surgery for a slipped disc (Primary Lumber Decompression)?

I go in for it tomorrow - bring it on, as it has been 10 weeks of pain and annoyance . At first GP thought I has pulled my hamstring as there was no (and never has been any) pain in my back just in my leg. Physio soon put that right with the magic question - does it hurt if you sneeze or cough? - too right it does. Well that ain't a hamstring - get an MRI scan.

Anyway, question is if you have had surgery for a slipped disc what was your recovery period like and how long before you went back to diving.

The real bummer of the situation is that I am also on Gardening leave, so thought I would be diving all the time (and I mean all the time) instead of hobbling round like an old man . By the time I am sorted enough to dive I am sure that the wife will kick me out of the hosue to go and find a job.

Thnaks for any input. I know I will be getting adive from my consultant etc but would wish to hear from other folks' experience in relation to diving.

Cheers

Simon

[Jim Shaw]

I had surgery for 1 of my 3 slipped discs, (Micro distectomy of disc L4) 5 years ago, mine went very well, I got out of surgery and left the hospital the next day, and was back at work ( Plastering ) 28 days later, and playing 5-a-side and diving 3 months later.

but a friend of mine who had the same op, was not allowed to sit down for 6 weeks after surgery , but he too got back to playing football in about 8-10 months

pm me for my number if you want to chat about it, as it does get fairly involved,

but Don't worry about the operation, it's not too bad, the one thing that I remember was getting out of surgery and waking up to no pain at all, for the first time in 4 months, it was heaven

I had to have my op done privatly as the NHS could'nt do it for 2 years, and I could'nt work, so it cost me £4,000 cash to the surgeon, + MRI scans, + £550 for an Epidural injection, + £150 * 3 for consultancy of Surgeons, and I was off work for a total of 5 months from begining to end.

[Snash]

Jim

Thanks for that - much appreciated.

I was kinda planning on a 3 month recovery (ie non diving period) but wanted to see if that was realistic.

I am not too bothered about the op - I just want to get my back sorted. It is just sooooooooo frustrating.

Cheers

Simon

[jorawley]

no advice to give, but best of luck with the surgery.

[Ratfink]

Hope you get back to normality quickly. Bet you are glad you don't live in Northumberland - my sister, we think, needs a similar op. She had an NHS MRI in November 2006 (following a car accident last April) - and her appointment with the specialist to discuss the results is in November 2007!!! His preliminary report diagnosed a bulging disc pressing on the spinal column.

In the meantime, she can barely walk, can't drive, struggles to sit for more than half and hour - work is a nightmare but as she's the main breadwinner, she has no choice. Her physio (£3k and counting) interpreted the inital findings from the MRI as she needs an op but until she can get an appointment with the specialist, she is in limbo.

We are even having trouble getting her a private appointment with the specialist to confirm the position (we are prepared to pay for the op so she spends less time in pain). The physio has written to the specialist, the lawyers have written to him, we've made numerous phone calls. Whatever you do, don't get a back injury in Northumberland!!!

[Jim Shaw]

When I had my probs, I found Physio was a waste of time, but my Chiropractor was brilliant, he'd often click me back into shape

Originally Posted by Ratfink

Hope you get back to normality quickly. Bet you are glad you don't live in Northumberland - my sister, we think, needs a similar op. She had an NHS MRI in November 2006 (following a car accident last April) - and her appointment with the specialist to discuss the results is in November 2007!!! His preliminary report diagnosed a bulging disc pressing on the spinal column.

In the meantime, she can barely walk, can't drive, struggles to sit for more than half and hour - work is a nightmare but as she's the main breadwinner, she has no choice. Her physio (£3k and counting) interpreted the inital findings from the MRI as she needs an op but until she can get an appointment with the specialist, she is in limbo.

We are even having trouble getting her a private appointment with the specialist to confirm the position (we are prepared to pay for the op so she spends less time in pain). The physio has written to the specialist, the lawyers have written to him, we've made numerous phone calls. Whatever you do, don't get a back injury in Northumberland!!!

[jorawley]

any news / update on how the op has gone? did it go ahead?
hope your on th mend

[Snash]

Cheers Jo - thanks for that.

Went very well - am now back at home in front of the pc and can claim that time spent on YD is "therapy".... not sure what for though....


The kind Mr Shaw also posted on this thread as well.

Good Luck to Snash, who is having a back operation today

I am taking it very slowly - might have overdone it yesterday with a walk to the library in the village but the sun is shining and the sea will be warmer when I am back in harness (as it were)

Thanks for the concern.

Simon

PS - are you still Lossie way? My Dad lives in Elgin and we had a great Easter up there (me hobbling on the mega beach at Lossie eating large ice cream cones). Havent dived out of Lossie but aim to knock that off next year.

[JAG]

In Sep 06 I had a compression op on my spine, number 5 vertebrae had gotten mashed up, splintered and was compressing against number 6. I had been in quite a bit of discomfort for a loooooong time and the op was a complete success. I can lift my own kit now instead of feabily asking for help I was off work for three months and dived about another month after that. Talk about bored! Take things easy and good luck with the recovery.

Cheers,

Ian

[Garf]

Originally Posted by JAG

. I can lift my own kit now instead of feabily asking for help

"can" is very different indeed from "does", unless they removed your "lazy twat" gland at the same time


actually, in seriousness you post lightly of your operation. I find it hard to believe you've forgotten the pain and misery of recovery though, you suffered to be fair.