Am having back surgery on May 29, wish me luck!!

[The Survivor]

I had threaded here earlier, I fell on ice 2 yrs ago and have 2 bulging disks, C 5 and C 6, IIRC correctly. A lot of atrophy in left arm due to nerve impingement plus considerable weakness in left arm. Hoping this will restore all this back to normal so I can compete in 2016.

Dr called and will be doing cervical fusion level 2 this Friday and 1=2 night stay in hospital, then wear neck brace for 4-6 wks, limiting weight limit to one gallon milk, which is what about 7 lbs??.....be off entire month of June and July, maybe even parts of August if not all of.....I hear horror stories but this Dr peforms lots of these and in my case, this is low risk with pretty good recovery rates.....not looking forword to neck brace and sleeping on my back for 6 wks, the nurse said I shoulnt even drive w/that on, although I probably will have to as I live alone but have friends who can help

So I'm kinda scrared about all this, its an invasive surgery and I will have stitches that wont leave a scar. Its less risk upper back as opposed to low back, but I do expect some pain for a few days, but I hope to be back running the gym by day 5....will cut calories due to not training, hoping BF wont increase huge amount. Ok enough ranting, will post re my progress when I can!!

 

[Mountain_Man]

Best of luck bro the wife and I will pray for u.

 

[Masher59]

Wishing you the best prayers here as well.

 

[studmuffin]

Hope all goes well Brother!

 

[Alex San]

Best of luck Bro .prayers 4 u

 

[The Survivor]

Thanks to everyone, its much appreciated. Its always concerning having incissions in your neck, then welding your disks. I really think that BB and weight training for 34 yrs will pay handsome dividends via shorter recovery times than yr average couch potato. I had hernia surgery 11 yrs ago and first couple days were rough but past that, it was manageable (the pain) and 2 wks later I was back at the gym doing anything I wanted

 

[charliebigspuds]

Hope all goes well mate. Going to be hard on your own at first let's hope you got some family/friends close at hand.

 

[Presser]

Good luck Brutha!!! You'll be bionic once healed!!

 

[MUCH BIGGER]

wish you the best. keep us informed and stay on the boards to keep your spirits up sound mind sound body.stay strong.

 

[akn]

hope all goes well and may u have quick recovery

 

[The Survivor]

OK surgery got postpond until June 9th, so will actually be 2 week tommorrow that I had 2 discs replaced with screws and plates. First night was roughest, couldn't breath real well in the hopsital. Got sent home next day with meds in hand.....I did rest a lot but was up many times walking around my house. The pain could get bad at times but was manageable. Wearing this frikcing ASPEN neck brace takes getting used to.

Hardest thing is not driving but I have been sneaking around very verty carefully, turing my head is very limited. At times pain is almost zero other times it does hurt, I'm thinking thats pretty normal. No infection and am healing very strong per my Dr

In 3 wks get neck brace off. I went back of 200mg Test per week to help recovery plus Gluatamine 2 times a day....been eating small meals, some of lean beef, plenty of oats, chicken and salads.

Thanks to all who wished me well, for the first time in 27 months I can extend my left arm fully. RIght now it looks simply pathetic, much smaller due to nerve impingement. Once I get the clear from the Dr, (in a couple of months) I intend to bring it back 100%, it may take at least 6 full months to do.

On the comback trail, bloodied but unbowed. I will be back to hard training with a vengance!!

 

[Presser]

man that doesn't sound fun lol, I am sure you'll make a speedy recovery brutha

 

[BEASTZ6]

Survivor. I have the same problem you do. Left arm atrophy due to cervical nerve impingement. I will be going in for MRI and consultation as to how to remedy the situation. Your MC brothers will be thinking of you and I will be praying that your procedure will be successful, and that you have a swift and complete recovery. There's a lot of love for you here bro.

 

[freight train]

Survivor. I have the same problem you do. Left arm atrophy due to cervical nerve impingement. I will be going in for MRI and consultation as to how to remedy the situation. Your MC brothers will be thinking of you and I will be praying that your procedure will be successful, and that you have a swift and complete recovery. There's a lot of love for you here bro.

Beast i had the same thing sent me to physical therapist who did shit for me,i researched a therapy called ART(active release technique) in 3 months was back in the weight room look into this bro before you let them cut on you or you waste money on lame ass physical therapist!!!!

 

[dorian123]

hope you have a good recovery-sounds like the operation worked

 

[The Survivor]

Survivor. I have the same problem you do. Left arm atrophy due to cervical nerve impingement. I will be going in for MRI and consultation as to how to remedy the situation. Your MC brothers will be thinking of you and I will be praying that your procedure will be successful, and that you have a swift and complete recovery. There's a lot of love for you here bro.

Thanks Beast for the well wishes, its a BITCH not being able to train until late August....Freight Train left you message, I agree, I also explored all options as invasive surgery is last thing I wanted. After getting other opinions, at least in my case, i decided to go with a very experienced surgeon, one who can perform these in his sleep as hes done a ton of them, it was low risk for me. Although I cant judge the outcome for another 6 months or so, all seems to be headed in right direction.

The atrophy in my left arm is significant. In fact, almost deformed. Scarny. Have a bicep but very little tricep.....I had tightness in it since my fall over 2 yrs ago, now I have full extension and hardly any tightness. But I had no pain at all other than that.....Dr said I could do nothing and be fine, but my competition days would be over...so really this is borderline cosmetic.....with some cost out of my pocket

Yes its really strange how pinched nerves cut off the blood supply, starving yr muscles in that area. I never would have thought

Keep us posted on whatever you decide Bro, and good luck regardless of whatever path you take.

BTW what cervical numbers is yr impingement? IIRC mine were C5 and C6 so mine was a level 2 disc replacement, with H plate and screws

 

[The Survivor]

hope you have a good recovery-sounds like the operation worked

Yes going good, I'm driving albeit very carefully and slowly, only about a mile from my house to work. Thanks for all yr input, it was very helpful