TLIF Lumbar Spinal Fusion Back Surgery in Dubai: 3 weeks post op

Today is exactly three weeks since I had my MIS-TLIF surgery. The quick update is I am feeling better every day, my pain at the incisions sites has reduced a lot, I feel less tired and exhausted, I have no sciatic pain, tingling, numbness that I had pre-surgery, so overall – I am doing just fine.

So, yes, my surgery related pain is actually much less than say, the first two weeks. I am sleeping better, am on medication, my tummy seems to have settled (somewhat – meaning less constipation), I am walking around comfortably – clocking around 3 kms every day at a fairly good pace, and I am going up and down the stairs easily.

Wearing the brace

Overall, my mobility is a lot better, but I wear my brace most of the time. I was given two different braces. One is fairly large, it is stiff and it is the one I wear when I go walking, or am in the car. The other light one, I wear at home, going up and down the stairs, sitting etc. My doctors are very clear – I need to wear the brace for three months.

Walking, Physiotherapy

First things first. I have to attend 15 sessions of physiotherapy post surgery. This is part of the recovery process and mandated by the doctors who operated on my spine. In fact, these sessions are part and parcel of the surgery. I have had three sessions so far – and each 40 minute session is conducted at the Wooridul Spine Centre here in Dubai. The sessions so far have been a mix of light core strengthening exercises using special machines (not like what you see in a gym), and of pain healing therapies including electro stimulation, infrared and ultrasound.

I have also been told to walk. I walk every morning at a pace of around 4kms/hr for around 2 or 3 kms depending on how tired I feel. It's pretty easy to feel tired quickly after the surgery, so its a good idea to walk close to home rather than go off to unmanageable distances on your own. I walk around the block. 

I also go up and down the stairs in my home around 12-15 times a day. I have to do it slowly, and sometimes, I do it one single step at a time, then the other, but I am in no discomfort at all doing the stairs. I have also checked with my physiotherapist who thinks I am fine doing it as long as I on't get pain or discomfort.

Sleeping, Sitting, Driving

Over the last three or four days and nights, I am now able to sleep on either of my sides. It feels a lot more comfortable having a pillow between m legs when I am on my side or under my knees when I am lying flat on my back. I must admit, sleeping on my back is a lot less painful than it was, say, even a week ago, so it is getting better by the day.

Sitting, I hardly do. I have been told by the doctors and by the physiotherapist that I should not sit in one position for more than 1/2 an hour. I hardly do that, unless I forget. It is not comfortable any way, and I have been told to wear the light brace when sitting.

Yes, I have driven on a couple of occasions. A couple of them were short drives, and I was extremely careful going over bumps and turning corners. You have to be very careful, because you can't really do 'shoulder checks' when changing lanes, so you are totally dependent on your rear view and side mirrors. Getting in to the car is quite painful, getting out seems easier. But wearing the large clamshell brace and driving is a painful experience.

On one occasion I drove my son to school and back. This was a 1/2 hour up and 45 minutes down trip, and it absolutely took the mickey out of me. I was exhausted, and in pain. Wouldn't do that long trip again in a hurry.

Medication and Supplements

I am not taking any medication at all. Not even like a tylenol or panadol (acitomenophen). Yes, occasionally, and particularly in the evenings, I do feel bouts of pain around my surgery site, and my legs feel tired, but I have not resorted to popping a pain killer.

Just to help the healing process along, the following are supplements that I have ordered from Amazon...

Nature's Way Alive Calcium Bone Formula Tablets, 120 Count
Alive Calcium Bone Formula by Nature's Way 120 Tablet Alive Calcium Bone Formula 120 Tablet 100 whole food calcium vitamin C plus vitamin D3 vitamin K2 magnesium boron and synergistic minerals. All of the calcium in Alive Calcium is from plant sources Lithothamnion (calcified red algae seaweed) sustainably harvested from pristine Icelandic waters plus organic kale spinach and collard greens.

NOW Foods Vitamin D3 5000 Iu, 240 Softgels,

NOW® Vitamin D softgels supply this key vitamin in a highly absorbable liquid softgel form.  Vitamin D is normally obtained from the diet or produced by the skin from the ultraviolet energy of the sun.  However, it is not abundant in food.  As more people avoid sun exposure, Vitamin D supplementation becomes even more necessary to ensure that your body receives an adequate supply.

Now Foods B-12 2000mcg, 100-Count

Nervous System Health 3 Forms of B-12 including Co-enzyme Forms Essential for DNA Synthesis* Vegetarian Formula Vitamin B-12 (Cyanocobalamin) is a water soluble vitamin necessary for the maintenance of a healthy nervous system and for the metabolic utilization of fats and proteins. Vitamin B-12 is also essential for the synthesis of DNA during cell division and therefore is especially important for rapidly multiplying cells, such as blood cells.