One of the major benefits of minimally invasive laser spine surgery is that the recovery period is substantially shorter than with older methods of surgery. A smaller incision not only reduces the risk of infection and bleeding, it also means that less muscle and other tissue is disturbed as a result of the procedure. It’s important to remember, however, that a shorter recovery doesn’t mean the same thing as no recovery time — you’re going to have a period where you’ll need to take it easy and restrict your activities in order to allow your back to heal. Here are the five key things you need to know about recovering from minimally invasive spine surgery.
Take Your Time
It’s natural that having finally taken a major step to relieve your pain and get back your life, you want to take advantage and get back into the swing of things as soon as possible. But in order to be sure that you allow your body to heal properly and to maximize your chances of getting the best outcome, it’s important that you stick to your post-treatment protocol. It can be frustrating to feel inhibited, but you may need to discipline yourself. Ease into your activities, and pause or even stop if you feel that you’re overdoing it. It’s also a good idea to remind family, friends, and coworkers that you’ll need their patience — and you’re grateful for it — as you make transition back toward your regular activities.
Keep Yourself Occupied
Though you won’t be bedridden, your activities will be restricted enough (especially at first) that you may start to feel a little stir crazy. Instead of obsessing about the things you can’t do, take advantage of this time to tackle things that you finally can do. That new TV show you keep meaning to check out, those books you’ve always wanted to read, or even little tasks from work that you haven’t gotten around to — like organizing those travel receipts — now might be just the time to do them. Not only will it help the time pass more quickly, you’ll also feel more satisfied and less frustrated that you aren’t up and about.
Snack Smart
When you’re recovering at home from an outpatient procedure like laser spine surgery, it can be mighty tempting to indulge yourself with sweet or salty snacks. That might give you a momentary boost, but it’s much more beneficial to eat healthfully while you’re recovering. Regularly eating balanced meals and healthy snacks — like fruits, veggies, and nuts — will help you to maintain your weight, prevent any “hangry” mood swings, and encourage your body’s healing. Don’t feel much like cooking right now? You’ve got a legitimate excuse to ask family members or friends for some help around the kitchen or to try one of the many new fresh food delivery options that have been popping up.
Think About Your Whole Body Health
An important aspect of your post-treatment protocol: You need to be protective of your back, but you also need to be aware of the rest of your body. Staying mobile with light activities like walking or (if you’re working with a trainer back home) physical therapy is important, because even while your back heals you need to ensure that other parts of your body are neither overtaxed nor given the chance to decondition. We’ll give you guidelines, but if you have any questions — whether it’s the best position for sleeping, how long you can sit at a desk, or whether you can drink alcohol — we’re here to answer them.
Be Realistic — and Focus on the Big Picture
You’re definitely going to be out of commission for a little while, and there may be some activities that you won’t be able to pursue with the same zeal you did in your younger years. That impact on lifestyle — even when it’s temporary — can have a real effect on your mindset. It’s important to understand what you can expect throughout the recovery process. If you find that you’re frustrated or pessimistic, it’s important to have a support network — people with whom you can share how you’re feeling, and who can help give you a reality check. In addition to turning to the guidelines we’ll give you about what to expect during your recovery, it’s also vital to keep the big picture in mind. You might not be at work right now, or able to engage in all your regular family activities, but by getting minimally invasive spine surgery you’ve taken a huge step to getting back a normal, pain-free life. It’s easier to find a little bit of patience today when you know you’re looking at a lifetime of better tomorrows.
Are you ready to start your journey to becoming free from chronic pain? Want to find out if you could be a candidate for laser spine surgery? Get started now with a free MRI or CT Scan review. Call the Spine Institute Northwest at 888-712-0318 today to learn more.