Hello. I am 6 days post op for ACDF - C5 /C6, allogenic bone graft, screws / plate. I was discharged from the hospital 26 hours after surgery with a soft collar. The Dr. instructed me to wear the collar at all times except for a short shower once a day. I am taking Percocet 7.5/325 every 4 hours, Robaxin as needed and finishing up a Medrol dosepak. My throat is still sore but manageable. My pain is tolerable so long as I take the Percocet once every 4 hours. I am trying to stretch it out to 5 hours today. I am not having any complications. I am VERY weak. This is weird as I am only 50 years old and was active prior to the surgery. I am finding it quite difficult to lay around. I want to get up and do some work around the house. My husband keeps telling me I cannot. He thinks this was a serious surgery requiring complete rest for the first 2 weeks. What do you guys think? Can I get out of the house for an hour and walk around the mall? Do some light housework? Thanks for your voice of experience and encouragement.

Welcome TeresainTx.

Yes, I think most doctors would agree that the sooner you can get up and move around a little bit after surgery, the better! It will not only help you to heal, but will help to prevent scar tissue from forming around the surgical site, and is just better for your outlook. Just don't overdo it unnecessarily, and you should be OK.

If you are on any pain medication, be careful though, as that can mask your symptoms and make your body feel like it is up to doing more than it actually is able at this point in your recovery.

I think it's nice that your husband is concerned for you and wants you to take it easy. Wish I had someone like him at home, myself! But staying in bed will just make you stiff, bored and lonely at the end of the day. Take it easy… but take it! I guess that's what I'm trying to say here. Steady wins the race.

Hope your surgery is a rousing success and your recovery a smooth one!

Alison

Welcome to the group. I think that Sea Pines50 is right, you need to get up and move around for just a bit, but do not over do it and be careful with the medication, i have gone through it ALL with my low back fusion!
Good Luck!!

hello
i also had the same 5/6-6/7 donor
failed to fuse the first time around
surgery number 2 a do over
only things went very wrong
the second time around
point
was cleared to go back to work
two weeks with first surgery
clerk 1 POSITION
in hindsight i would have stayed out of work at least
six weeks i believe rest rest rest could possibly
have given me a positive outcome and could have
completely healed and could have successfully fused
avoiding not to have a second surgery
this all made very very sad and maimed me for life
nothing about my nurses do i respect
an oath is taken and not practiced
and all night workers slack off
BIG TIME

TAKE YOUR TIME
me