Thanks for all the encuoraging words and advice. Now, my final decision to make us where to place the battery unit. I think there are to places to choose from. One is my love handle spot and the other is the side of my buttock.

I am leaning towards having it out in my love handle. That seems less likely to be bumped by wallet, cell phone, etc. it also means that the lead wire would not route through my waistline so there would be less possibility of discomfort.

Have any of got experiences that might help me choose?

It gives a place, where, if one is not female with the ever transitioning waistline of fashion designers, one can count on clothing not to interfere. Stick it in your love handles, and you may see a waist line of pants, a belt, a waist belt for a hiking pack providing you grief. I only point this out as a former avid backpacker, while also being a guy who can count on the waist being where the waist was anatomically placed.

Two Cents and this thought will buy you absolutely nothing, anywhere,
Mark56

Those are great points. I'm glad I asked! Doesn't a wallet in the back pocket put pressure on the battery?

Said wallet placed in the front pocket is both less likely a pickpocket target and does not press on a butt buzzer generator at all.

So says the sage, front pocket user,
Mark56

I recall this decision being a very big issue for me. I'm happy with the location it ended up, which is my left hip/butt area....far removed from waist line of clothing. It sits down lower, outta the way. However, not once did I ever consider the wallet issue. That's a good point!
Whichever side you wear your wallet, maybe go with the opposite side for the battery. Also keep in mind - are you right-handed or left? I'm right handed, so it works out good for me to have my battery on left side. When charging, I have my right hand free to operate the charger controller while my left hand keeps the charger over the battery until I get in a comfortable position in a chair/recliner. I usually watch a movie or something to pass the time.

While trying to decide, I even put some tape over the area I was considering having the battery placed. Then, I went about my business around the house to see if there would be any problems with having it there. It didn't interfere with the chairs I would sit in, or clothes that I wore, so that helped to give me an idea.

Plus, your doctor pretty well knows where the most practical place would be. You'll be good to go in no time!

Rae

So, here i sit in recovery bored. It is 8 hours post surgery and i feel better than inthiught i would. There is some noticeble pain in my back and buttock from the wire and battery (I went dwith the left buttock because i like to sleep on my righr. In between my shoulder blades has a sharp pulling sensation when i move but there is little pain unless i move around. So far so good.

The surgery, recovery, and initial pain are a fraaction of my fusion surgery years ago. I use the morphine but not much is needed.

I am a happy camper!

I had an ans (st Jude) eon implanted. It's really small. My dr. Picked mine. I didn't really have a say lol. I think they're all about the same. I love mine and they just switched it on this morning lol.

Go for the less pain...... that feeling between or just below the shoulder blades may be the entry point of your electrodes, whether percutaneous leads or paddles via laminectomy. It will abate over time.... one of my most significant pains was at t8/t9 where the laminectomy was done for the paddles, but I am SO glad I have them as they work quite well even now, two years plus later.

Prayin for all, and thrilled for TKaye too!
mark56

Hey Pizzaman,

So glad you sailed through the surgery and are now recovering! I pray that you will continue to get more and more pain relief and that you will heal quickly and completely from the surgery!

Take Care,
Jan

Okay, it has been 48 hours since my surgery completed so I thought I would give an update.

The overnight hospital stay was fairly typical. I didn't get much sleep with the frequent vitals checks and TBS (tiny bladder syndrome) 😊.

Actually, I had a real hard time urinating requiring that I push real hard to get a stream going and to keep it going. That has improved but is still far from normal. This is the strongest side effect I have had. Oh, and I know eventually I will have a bowel movement but not yet 😳.

My surgeon used glue and steri strips so I got to shower this morning. That was nice! The mid-back incision is quite small, less than an inch. The buttock incision is about 2 inches and has a swollen roll that some of you have described. I am icing that. If I press the path of the wires they are a little tender but not too bad.

I can be comfortable sitting straight up and lying down but my recliner causes my back iclncision to pull a bit when reclining or sitting back up.

The percocet seems to be doing its job.