Please remember to be patient during your recovery process. Proper healing takes time. Muscle stiffness and discomfort are normal for several weeks after your surgery. Any restrictions that you are asked to adhere to are made with your recovery and health in mind. We would like you to have the best possible outcome.
Q: What diet should I follow when I go home?
A: You may resume your regular diet after returning home from the hospital. Try to maintain a healthy well-balanced diet during the first 6 weeks. You may find that your appetite is decreased in the early postoperative period. It is not unusual to prefer softer foods during the first few weeks as they are easier to swallow when recovering from surgery.
Q: What activities will I be restricted from after surgery?
A: Do not life any objects over 5-10 pounds. Please keep in mind that a gallon of milk weighs about 8 pounds. Do not do any back exercises until you have seen for a follow up visit after your surgery. Please do not play any contact sports. Refrain from activities which require bending, twisting, lifting or straining of the back. No bending with hands below the knee caps for approximately 6 weeks following a lumbar fusion.
If you have had a lumbar fusion: limit sitting to periods of less than 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, get up and walk around for several minutes prior to sitting back down. Time intervals can be slowly increased too 45-60 minutes after the 3rd week of surgery as tolerated. When seated, sit in a straight back chair with armrests. Do not slouch. We advise wearing TED hose stocking provided during your hospital stay for 7 days post-operatively.
Otherwise, stay as active as possible. Walking is an excellent way to stay active and is crucial to a good recovery. Start with short, frequent walks and slowly increase the duration with each walk. You may do stairs as tolerated. You may use assistive devices (such as walkers, rollators and canes as tolerated). Home health physical therapy is a good guide and reference for ambulation restrictions.
Sexual activity is okay 3 weeks after your surgery, unless otherwise instructed. Position should be dependent (on your back).