For Jim
 

Walk a mile!!!! That one made me laugh!

I haven't had any issue walking post op. My MAFO is fairly easy to get on and I have my shoes opened wide so they just slip on over the mafo. Somehow I managed to get the mafo & shoes on ,at first I did need someone to tie the shoes. I really didn't go out,where I needed the mafo, until about 2 weeks after surgery. I manage to get around my house without the mafo.

I was able to eat a regular diet after surgery. I did have to cut the food into small pieces, made it easier to get into my mouth without dropping it down into the brace, plus I couldn't open my mouth all the way with the rigid brace ...for which my family has been thankful I'm sure!! Again long stringy pasta with sauces were a no-no. Right now I am dying for Fettucine Alfredo!

My throat was extremely sore post op but I did have respiratory issues in recovery room . I made sure to keep drinking fluids even though it hurt. The sore throat reminded me of when I had my tonsils removed as a child.
Ice cream was a welcome treat! {Or I just used it as a good excuse to eat ice cream!}

My neck muscles were sore for a few days but the pain meds took care of that. The muscles are still sore occasionally. My incision is totally healed now, so the itching has stopped.
I'm on the home stretch only 9 days more with the hard collar although now I can remove it for short periods of time.

Sorry this has turned into a mini-novel,but I hope I have answered your questions.

Thank you so much for all the information. Especially about the eating and the sore throat. I had my tonsils out when I was 24 and had a horrible time with it. I was on a liquid diet for about 2 months. I lost a lot of weight.

My biggest concern is sleeping! I am having problems sleeping now! I guess if you get tired enough, you will eventually sleep!

Thanks, Risby!

The "walk a mile" suggestion reminded me of that old joke:
"Doc, after my surgery, will I be able to play the violin?"
"Well, with rest and therapy, I don't see why not."
"Great! I never could before!"

My AFO -- what does the "M" stand for? -- lives in my right shoe so I need to get my foot into the shoe. (I bought cheap running shoes at Target because I needed to buy 2 pairs: one 10 and a half and one 13. The left foot goes in a 10.5 and the brace is so big it needs a size 13. When I drive, I walk to the car in the brace, change out of it into the right foot 10.5 since, of course, I can't drive in the brace. Then, at my destination, I change back into the brace.)

I might try walking around without the brace but I have pretty bad foot drop in that foot. Scuffing the toes has been the cause of many a fall over the past few years. So I may need to get into the hated brace each day.

Please don't apologize for the length of your response! I was hanging on every word. As the operation gets closer (and my anxiety increases accordingly), I appreciate all the info I can get.

Thanks again.

Have a good weekend.

PS
 

Having a good excuse to eat ice cream sure sounds like the best part of this whole deal.

Gotta stock up on my faves. . . .

JustJim
 

My MAFO [M]oulded ankle foot orthotic is a piece of plastic which was made from a mold of my lower leg/foot. It is not very big or thick and I didn't have to get different shoes in order to wear it. Although heels are out of the question!!

Yours sounds like it is much bigger and bulkier.
My advice would be to wear the AFO.
DO NOT RISK FALLING FOR ANY REASON!!!

Falling has been my biggest fear since the surgery. I didn't want to un-do everything, so I have been super careful!!

I can recommend peanut butter ripple ice cream with extra peanut butter topping post op. After all peanut butter is a good source of protein!!:D
Of course good old chocolate is always a good choice!!

Sleeping
 

Cheryl
Sleeping is challenging!!. I found my best spot was on the couch, where the arm helped hold the pillows in place.
It takes me a few minutes and sometimes some "&*^$#" to get everything "just right".
For the first few nights I didn't even attempt to sleep without first taking the pain med!
Stock up on your favorite ice cream. My favorite was peanut butter ripple with extra peanut butter sauce on top. As I told Jim, peanut butter is an excellent source of protein!:D

I will be thinking of you both on the 22nd

As always, thanks for the reply.

In fact, my AFO sounds like your MAFO. (And, since the orthotist took a plaster cast of my lower leg and foot and then used that as the mold for forming a piece of plastic that wraps around the back of my lower leg and the bottom of my foot, I guess mine is also a MAFO.)

It's not that big or bulky but, for some reason, when I first put it on, it wouldn't fit in my size 10.5 shoe so I had to get a pair of 13 and use the right shoe from it. I thought that was the way these things worked but I just looked at it and the sole doesn't extend any beyond the ends of my toes. So now, after my recovery, I'll need to ask her why. (Guess you just got a better orthotist than I...) <wink>

Of course, falling is my major fear. We have an 18 mos. old dog that I'll have to be extra careful around.....

Great ice cream suggestion! And, you're right -- extra peanut butter makes wonderful sense, dietetically speaking.

Thanks again.

Somebody -- the neurosurgeon? the ortho surgeon? somebody who's gone through this before? -- recommended sleeping in a recliner. So we're going to borrow one from a friend.

Can't imagine it will be terribly comfortable but, with the pain meds, it might not matter.

Jim

My NS suggested it to me but I think someone here recommended it.

Welcome and good luck!

:D

Recliner for sleeping
 

Cheryl & Jim

I think the recliner would probably work pretty well for sleeping, as long as you were reclined.
My post op instructions stated "minimal sitting", so I would try to 'recline' as much as possible.
I did find that lying down was most comfortable in the first couple of days at home.
Hope you both find something that is comfortable for you!

Jim. my MAFO is the same as yours. The plastic stops just before my toes, kind of at the end of the ball of my foot. I can't believe the difference it has made in helping me walk. I know what you mean about dogs, I have two bassets who are always underfoot!


FIVE [5] DAYS until I lose the HARD C-collar!! But who's counting???:D