When you prepare for a spine surgery, it is important to discuss the details of the procedure with your surgeon and to follow any pre-operative instructions, such as stopping certain medications or fasting for a certain period of time. It is also helpful to arrange for someone to drive you home after the surgery and to have any necessary medical equipment, such as a walker or crutches, ready at home to aid in your recovery.
Spine surgery is a major medical procedure that is used to treat a variety of conditions affecting the spine, including degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and spinal deformities. Here is a bullet list of what you can expect during a spine surgery:
You will have a CT scan and an MRI. These are tests that show the structure and condition of your spine. Blood tests will be done to check your blood count, kidney function, liver function, and blood clotting ability. You may need to stop taking certain medicines before having these tests done. Your doctor may ask you to stop taking aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs a week before while you prepare for a spine surgery.
A physical exam will be done by your surgeon’s assistants who will check for any problems like nerve damage or cancerous tumors in the area of surgery. They may also take X-rays of your chest and upper body to see if there are any problems with ribs or lungs that could affect what type of surgical approach is best for you.
A preoperative appointment with your surgeon is important because it gives them time to explain what needs to happen before surgery day so they can answer any questions you might have about how long recovery might take or how much pain medication will be needed after surgery (if any). It’s also when they’ll give instructions about things like diet restrictions before surgery as well as information about where family members/friends can stay during hospitalization if needed (usually 24 hours).
You will have some pain after the operation, but it should not be severe and can be controlled with medication. If you have nausea, we will give you medications for that as well. The length of time you stay in the hospital depends on your condition, but most people go home within one to five days of surgery.
When you go home after surgery, you will need to take it easy and get plenty of rest.
It’s important to know what to expect before your surgery. Ask your doctor and surgeon plenty of questions, and be sure they give you a good idea of the recovery period. Make sure they explain the risks and complications that may occur during or after surgery, so you can plan ahead for them as much as possible.
You’ll want to make sure you have all the equipment you need before the operation—and possibly even practice using it beforehand!
Your family and friends will want to help out with care-taking duties while you’re recovering from spine surgery. They can do things like grocery shop, do laundry, prepare meals at home (or bring food over) and pick up prescriptions from the pharmacy for pain medication or other drugs that might be necessary during this time. This can help take some pressure off of both yourself and any caregivers who may be present in your home during recovery time. If there are no formal caregivers available at home, consider hiring an agency like Home Helpers or Elder Care Resources; these companies provide trained professionals who will come into your house once a week for an hour or two apiece throughout post-op recovery time (typically 6–8 weeks).
If you have any questions about your spine surgery or neurosurgery needs, please don’t hesitate to call Long Island Neuroscience Specialists and schedule your first consultation. Our team of experienced professionals will be happy to assist you and address any concerns you may have while you prepare for a spine surgery. We look forward to helping you on your journey to better health and well-being.
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285 Sills Road
Building 5-6, Suite E
East Patchogue, NY 11772
(631) 475-5511
184 N. Belle Mead Road
East Setauket, NY 11733
(631) 675-6226
GET IN TOUCH +
285 Sills Road
Building 5-6, Suite E
East Patchogue, NY 11772
(631) 475-5511
184 N. Belle Mead Road
East Setauket, NY 11733
(631) 675-6226
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