DECOMPRESSIVE

LUMBAR LAMINECTOMY
Page 1 of 4

The Purpose of this Information
This informaion is !eing "ro#i$e$ o %o& in or$er o "re"are %o& o ma'e $e(isions a!o& %o&r
o)n hea*h (are+ If %o& sho&*$ &*imae*% $e(i$e ha s&rger% is he !es reamen o"ion for %o&,
his se(ion )i** he*" %o& &n$ersan$ )ha ha""ens $&ring a decompressive lumbar laminectomy
an$ )i** he*" %o& "re"are for %o&r ro*e in he hea*ing an$ re(o#er% "ro(ess+ Rea$ i horo&gh*%
an$ ans)er he -&esions before ma'ing %o&r fina* $e(ision a!o& %o&r reamen o"ions+
The Health Care Team's Role
The $&% of %o&r hea*h (are eam is o.
1. e#a*&ae %o&r (on$iion/
2. esa!*ish a $iagnosis/
3. "resen he #ario&s reamen o"ions/
4. offer a s"e(ifi( reamen re(ommen$aion/
5. "ro#i$e %o& )ih he informaion %o& nee$ o ma'e a $e(ision/ an$ hen
6. s&""or %o& in he $e(ision %o& ma'e+
The Patient's Responsibilities
You are the only one who can decide to have surgery. I is im"oran ha %o& a'e ownership
of his $e(ision, re(ogni0ing he *imiaions %o&r "ari(&*ar "h%si(a* (on$iion "*a(es on he
"oenia* s&((ess of ea(h of he reamen o"ions+
If %o& (hoose o ha#e s&rger%, %o&r "h%si(a* (on$iion an$ %o&r mena* ai&$e )i** $eermine
%o&r !o$%1s a!i*i% o hea*+ Yo& m&s a""roa(h %o&r s&rger% )ih (onfi$en(e, a "osii#e ai&$e,
an$ a horo&gh &n$ersan$ing of he ani(i"ae$ o&(ome+ Yo& sho&*$ ha#e realistic goals 2 an$
)or' sea$i*% o a(hie#e hose goa*s+
The $e(ision o ha#e or no o ha#e s&rger% in(*&$es )eighing he ris's an$ !enefis in#o*#e$+
You )i** ma'e he fina* $e(ision, so as !uestions a!o& an%hing %o& $o no &n$ersan$+
"ince medical care is tailored to each person's needs and differences# not all information
presented here will apply to the patient's treatment or its outcome. "ee the advice of your
physician and other members of the health care team for specific information about the
patient's medical condition.
Ta!*e Of Conens
Table Of Contents
We encourage you to use this information to help you
make a ecision about !hich treatment option is best
for you. "fter reaing this information thoroughly
an ans!ering these #uestions$ you !ill ha%e the
information you nee to make a truly informe
ecision.
..." &ecision 'aking (uie
The operation
Why is a portion of the %ertebra remo%e)
*o! is pressure on the ner%e root relie%e)
The patient+s responsibilities
What is the health care team+s role)
Who !ill make the final ecision about
!hether or not to ha%e surgery)
The anatomy of the lumbar spine
What carries the ma,ority of your boy+s
!eight)
What is the role of the inter%ertebral iscs)
What is the role of the spinal ner%e roots)
The +aging+ spine
What happens !hen your iscs +ry out+)
*o! oes a spinal ner%e get pinche in the
foramen)
What are the symptoms of a compresse
isc)
Treatment options$ risks an benefits
What are the treatment options for a
compresse isk)
When is surgery not an option)
When is surgery recommene)
What are the risks of ha%ing surgery
What factors influence your chances for
success)
When oes healing begin)
What is the ifference bet!een healing an
reco%ery)
What to e-pect after surgery
What influences the spee at !hich you !ill
reco%er)
Why is it normal to ha%e some pain after
your surgery)
What must you o to commit to a healthy
lifestyle)
The reco%ery process
What !ill etermine !hen you lea%e the
hospital)
What e-ercise is best for your back after
surgery)
Why is a firm mattress important)
*o! can you reuce the meication you
take)
What helps pre%ent the recurrence of a
rupture isc)
The ecision.making process
What is the goal of collaboration)
Why shoul you make ecisions about your
health care)
Who !ill make the final ecision about
!hether or not to ha%e surgery)


$%T&' If there is anything you do not understand about the information provided on this
site# it is your responsibility to as a member of your health care team for assistance
(&)%R& you mae your final decision.
Anaom% of he L&m!ar S"ine
The "pinal Column and *ertabrae
Yo&r s"ina* (o*&mn (onsiss of 34 se"arae !ones, (a**e$ vertebrae, "*&s he fi#e f&se$ !ones of
he sacrum an$ he fo&r f&se$ !ones of he coccyx 4ofen referre$ o as he 5ai* !one56 +)ig. ,-+
The #ere!rae are sa('e$ one on o" of anoher an$ (an !e $i#i$e$ ino.
1. he cervical 4ne('6 s"ine. he o" se#en #ere!rae/
2. he thoracic 4(hes6 s"ine. he mi$$*e 13 #ere!rae/ an$
3. he lumbar 4*o)er !a('6 s"ine. he !oom fi#e #ere!rae+
"upport for the *ertebral +"pinal- Column
Aa(he$ o he #ere!rae are m&s(*es, en$ons an$ a gro&" of srong !an$s, (a**e$ *igamens+
Togeher, he% s&""or he s"ina* (o*&mn an$ he*" o "roe( is $e*i(ae ner#es+
The Role of the *ertebral +"pinal- Column
Yo&r s"ina* (o*&mn ena!*es %o& o )a*' &"righ+ I is he (enra* s&""or for %o&r &""er !o$% an$
(arries he )eigh of %o&r hea$, (hes an$ arms+ The #ere!rae in he lumbar 4or *o)er !a('6
"orion of %o&r s"ine (arr% he ma7ori% of his )eigh+ The (onsan "ress&re from his )eigh,
e#en )hen %o& are sim"*% siing in a (hair, is )ha &s&a**% *ea$s o "ro!*ems asso(iae$ )ih he
*o)er !a('+
The Role of the Invertebral .iscs
The !on% #ere!rae of %o&r s"ina* (o*&mn are se"arae$ from one anoher !% "a$s of o&gh
(ari*age, (a**e$ intervertebral discs +)ig. /#above-+ These $is(s a( *i'e sho(' a!sor!ers $&ring
a(i#i%, "re#ening he in$i#i$&a* #ere!ra from r&!!ing agains one anoher+ 8ea*h% $is(s, )ih
heir ge*ain2*i'e inner (ore, a**o) he s"ine o mo#e free*% an$ "ro#i$e m&(h of he f*e9i!i*i%
fo&n$ in a %o&ng "erson1s s"ine+
The Invertebral .isc $ucleus
The ge*ain2*i'e (ener of ea(h iner#ere!ra* $is( 4(a**e$ he n&(*e&s6 is s&rro&n$e$ !% a o&gher,
fi!er2*i'e o&er *ining 4(a**e$ he ann&*&s6 +)ig. 0-+ As %o&r !o$% ages, he $is(1s n&(*e&s !egins o
5$r% &"5 an$ siffen, in(reasing he (han(es ha he (enra* !&n$*e of ner#es an$:or a s"ina*
ner#e ma% e#en&a**% !e(ome "in(he$+
The "pinal Canal
The spinal cord, )hi(h !egins a he !ase of he !rain an$ r&ns )ihin he spinal canal, en$s in
he *&m!ar s"ine area in a !&n$*e of ner#es 'no)n as he cauda equina +)ig. 0#above-+ The
spinal canal r&ns hro&gh he (ener of he s"ina* (o*&mn an$ "roe(s he s"ina* (or$ an$ oher
$e*i(ae s"ina* ner#es+
The "pinal $erve Roots and the )oramen
A ea(h #ere!ra* *e#e*, a "air of spinal nerve roots !ran(h off from he s"ina* (or$ or he (a&$a
e-&ina +)ig 0#above- an$ "ass hro&gh an o"ening in he #ere!ra (a**e$ he foramen +)igs.
0#above 1 2-+ 5P*&m"5 an$ hea*h% $is(s he*" o (&shion he #ere!ra an$ 'ee" he o"ening of
he foramen )i$e eno&gh for he s"ina* ner#e roos o "ass hro&gh )iho& !eing "in(he$+
The (ody's 3&lectrical3 "ystem
The spinal nerve roots are "ar of he !o$%1s 5e*e(ri(a*5 s%sem, (arr%ing 5(&rren5 4for sensaion
an$ mo#emen6 o s"e(ifi( "ars of he !o$%+ These ner#es are "roe(e$ !% an 5ins&*ae$5
(o#ering in he same )a% a 5*i#e5 e*e(ri(a* *ine is (oae$ o "re#en (ona( )ih he !are )ire+
;hen a ner#e roo is $amage$, a** or "ar of is "roe(i#e (oaing ma% !e r&!!e$ off a he "oin
of in7&r%+ Prior o s&rger% here is no )a% of e**ing ho) m&(h of his 5ins&*aion5 has !een r&!!e$
off or ho) m&(h $amage has !een $one o he ner#e ise*f 4he !o$%1s 5*i#e e*e(ri(a* )ire56+
Ne9 Page
"pine4niverse &ditorial (oard Comment'
<This $is(&ssion ari(*e re"resens #er% so&n$ !asi( (on(e"s+ These ari(*es
as s&!mie$ !% Me$roni( Sofamor Dane' sho) goo$ "i(oria* an$ genera*
$es(ri"ions of he anaom%, "h%sio*og%, an$ (on(e"s of s"ina* f&sion an$
insr&menaion+=
8a**e 8+ Mahe)s, M+D+ 2 E$ioria* Boar$, S"ineUni#erse+(om
The 5Aging5 S"ine
The (ody's 5ging Process
Yo&r !o$% goes hro&gh man% (hanges as %o& ge o*$er+ Yo& ma% no see or hear as )e** as %o&
$i$ )hen %o& )ere %o&nger+ ;e re(ogni0e ha his is a natural "ro(ess, an$ )e *earn o a((e" i
or ma'e a$7&smens for i, s&(h as geing g*asses or a hearing ai$+
As %o&r s"ine ages, i a*so goes hro&gh some na&ra* (hanges+ In a (on$iion ofen referre$ o as
he Degenerai#e 4or 5Aging56 S"ine, he ge*ain2*i'e (eners of %o&r $is(s !egin o $r% o&,
(a&sing hem o !e(ome compressed or 5f*aene$5 4)ig.66+ This, in &rn, (a&ses he #ere!rae
o5se*e+5 I1s one of he reasons mos "eo"*e a(&a**% !e(ome shorer as he% gro) o*$er+
The "lowly Closing 7indow
As %o&r $is(s !egin o 5(om"ress5 an$ %o&r #ere!rae !egin o 5se*e5, he )in$o)2*i'e o"enings
of he foramen !e(ome sma**er an$ sma**er 4)igs. 6#above 1 8#below6+ E#en&a**%, he o"ening
(an !e(ome so sma** ha he ner#e is 5"in(he$5 agains a #ere!ra+ I1s simi*ar o *a%ing %o&r
han$ on a )in$o) si**+ As *ong as he )in$o) is o"en, here is no "ro!*em+ 8o)e#er, if someone
s*o)*% (*oses he )in$o), here )i** !e a "oin a )hi(h %o&r han$ !egins o fee* he "ress&re+
The more he )in$o) is (*ose$, he greaer he "ress&re an$ he greaer he "ain %o& )i** fee*+
The 9oss of Your "pine's 3"hoc 5bsorbers3
A he same ime, %o&r aging $is(s are $r%ing o& an$ *osing heir a!i*i% o a( as effe(i#e 5sho('
a!sor!ers+5 Yo&r #ere!rae !egin o !o&n(e agains one anoher an$ his 7arring a(ion a(&a**%
(a&ses he !one maer of he #ere!rae o gro)+ This res&*s in he formaion of bone spurs+ The
7agge$ e$ges of his ne) gro)h (an (a&se !oh he s"ina* (ana* an$ he foramen o !e(ome
e#en sma**er+ ;hen his ha""ens, he res&* is ofen he "in(hing of he (a&$a e-&ina an$:or a
s"ina* ner#e roo+
"ymptoms
;hen a s"ina* ner#e is "in(he$ !% a narro)ing of he foramen, he (on$iion is referre$ o as
lateral recess stenosis+ S%m"oms in(*&$e inense "ain, n&m!ness an$:or )ea'ness in one *eg+
;hen he (a&$a e-&ina !e(omes (om"resse$ !% a narro)ing of he s"ina* (ana*, he (on$iion is
referre$ o as lumbar canal stenosis an$ he "ain, n&m!ness an$:or )ea'ness a""ears in both
*egs+
Individual Preferences
If he aging of he s"ine is a natural "ro(ess an$ ha""ens o e#er%one, )h% $oes one "erson en$
&" )ih lateral recess stenosis or lumbar canal stenosis )hi*e his:her neigh!or is seeming*%
&naffe(e$> The ans)er is ha everyone's spine is uni!ue+ Some "eo"*e are !orn )ih $is(s
)hi(h are na&ra**% more5"*&m"5 han ohers+ Some ha#e )i$e foramina* or s"ina* (ana*
o"enings, )hi*e ohers ha#e narro) ones+ These fa(ors as )e** as %o&r )eigh, "os&re an$ *e#e*
of "h%si(a* a(i#i% he*" o $eermine )ho )i** !e a$#erse*% affe(e$ !% he aging "ro(ess+
Re&rn o Conens
Treamen O"ions
Be(a&se he aging of he s"ina* $is(s is a na&ra* an$ irre#ersi!*e "ro(ess, reamen o"ions for
*aera* re(ess senosis or *&m!ar (ana* senosis are *imie$ o he fo**o)ing.
1. Taing :edication' ?or some, me$i(aion ma% he*" o ease he "ain in he affe(e$ area
an$ here!% "ro#i$e re*ief+
2. 4sing Physical Therapy' ?or hose )ih on*% *imie$ "in(hing of he s"ina* ner#es,
meas&res s&(h as "h%si(a* hera"% or gen*e e9er(ise ma% "ro#i$e re*ief
3. Having "urgery' ?or hose )ih se#ere (om"ression of he (a&$a e-&ina an$:or s"ina*
ner#es, a decompressive lumbar laminectomy ofen is he re(ommen$e$ reamen+
7hen "urgery is $%T an %ption'
The se#eri% of %o&r s%m"oms 4"ain, )ea'ness, n&m!ness6 an$ %o&r genera* hea*h an$
"h%si(a* (on$iion )i** "*a% an im"oran "ar in $eermining )hen s&rger% is no an o"ion for %o&+
In genera*, s&rger% is no an o"ion )hen.
1. %o& $o no ha#e *eg s%m"oms/
2. %o&r !a(' an$ *eg s%m"oms are no (a&se$ !% a "in(he$ ner#e/
3. here is a me$i(a* reason )hi(h "re#ens %o& from ha#ing s&rger%/
4. me$i(aion )hi(h re$&(es s)e**ing or re*ie#es "ain )o&*$ "ro#i$e %o& )ih a$e-&ae
re*ief/ or
5. "h%si(a* meas&res )o&*$ im"ro#e %o&r (on$iion+
7hen "urgery I" an %ption'
A decompressive lumbar laminectomy is &s&a**% re(ommen$e$ on*% )hen s"e(ifi( (on$iions are
me+ In genera*, s&rger% is re(ommen$e$ )hen a s"ina* ner#e roo4s6 is "in(he$ an$ %o& ha#e.
1. *eg "ain )hi(h *imis %o&r norma* $ai*% a(i#iies/ or
2. )ea'ness in %o&r *eg4s6 or fee/ or
3. n&m!ness in %o&r *egs/ or
4. $iffi(&*% in )a*'ing or san$ing+
The Riss of Having "urgery'
Some of he more (ommon ris's of ha#ing an% s&rger% in(*&$e e9(essi#e !*ee$ing, infe(ion, or a
negai#e rea(ion o aneshesia+ Cerain &nforeseen (ir(&msan(es (o&*$ e#en *ea$ o $eah+
C*ini(a* e9"erien(e an$ s(ienifi( (a*(&*aion in$i(ae ha hese ris's are *o), !& s&rger% is si** a
h&man effor+ Yo& sho&*$ fee* free o as' an% -&esions %o& ha#e a!o& %o&r s"e(ifi( ris' fa(ors+
"ince a decompressive lumbar laminectomy involves surgery in and around the spine#
further nerve damage is a possibility. In some (ases, he ner#e is a*rea$% so $amage$ ha he
s&rgi(a* "ro(e$&re re-&ire$ o sim"*% a'e he "ress&re off he ner#e (o&*$ !e he 5sra) ha
!rea's he (ame*1s !a('+5 The en$ res&* (o&*$ !e n&m!ness, "ara*%sis or a *oss of !o)e* an$
!*a$$er (onro*+
The Riss of $ot Having "urgery
;iho& s&rger%, sim"*e e#er%$a% a(i#iies a*so (o&*$ *ea$ o f&rher ner#e $amage+ The
(onse-&en(es (o&*$ !e m&(h he same as hose asso(iae$ )ih s&rger%, in(*&$ing n&m!ness,
"ara*%sis or a *oss of !o)e* an$ !*a$$er (onro*+
The (enefits of Having "urgery
Yo& (an hin' of s&rger% as he first step in he hea*ing an$ re(o#er% "ro(ess+ I (an he*" re*ie#e
"ress&re on %o&r s"ina* ner#e4s6 an$, here!%, he*" re*ie#e %o&r *eg s%m"oms+ I a*so ma% he*"
%o& !egin he "ro(ess of regaining more norma* f&n(ion in %o&r *egs+
Your Chances for "uccess
Yo&r *e#e* of hea*ing )i** !e $eermine$ !% %o&r age, %o&r genera* hea*h an$ he se#eri% of he
$amage o %o&r s"ina* ner#e4s6+ Yo&r ai&$e an$ %o&r )i**ingness o work a re(o#er% a*so )i**
"*a% an im"oran "ar in %o&r re(o#er% "ro(ess+
:aing Your .ecision
;hen %o& (onsi$er %o&r o"ions, 'ee" in min$ he im"a( %o&r (on$iion
has on %o&r )a% of *ife an$ (aref&**% )eigh he ris's an$ !enefis of
ha#ing s&rger% agains he ris's an$ !enefis of no ha#ing s&rger%+ The
decision is yours;
If You .ecide to Have "urgery
A""roa(h %o&r s&rger% )ih a "osii#e mena* ai&$e an$ )ih f&** (onfi$en(e ha %o& ha#e
ma$e he righ $e(ision+ ;hi*e he s&rgeon (on(enraes on fin$ing an$ remo#ing he (a&se of
%o&r "in(he$ ner#e, you must concentrate on the recovery process+ Coo"erae f&**% )ih %o&r
s&rgeon an$ fo(&s on he im"ro#emens %o& )i** ma'e in he f&&re 2 no on he "ro!*ems of he
"as+
The O"eraion
The "urgeon's Role
Yo&r s&rgeon )i**.
1. re#ie) %o&r ne&ro*ogi(a* hisor% an$ e9aminaion/
2. re#ie) %o&r $iagnosi( ess/
3. "*an a s&rgi(a* a""roa(h/ an$
4. re#ie) he "ro(e$&re )ih %o&+
Your Role
Yo& m&s ha#e a horo&gh &n$ersan$ing of he $iagnosis 4)ha is (a&sing %o&r !a(' or *eg
s%m"oms6 an$ he ris's an$ !enefis of he "ro"ose$ s&rger%+ On(e %o& are (onfi$en ha
s&rger% is he (orre( o"ion for %o&, &rn %o&r ho&ghs o he f&&re an$ he re(o#er% "ro(ess+
(eginning the %peration
In he o"eraing room, a $e(om"ressi#e *&m!ar *amine(om% !egins )ih an in(ision in %o&r *o)er
!a(' +)ig. 8-+ Thro&gh his o"ening, %o&r s&rgeon )i** rea(h he area )here %o&r (a&$a e-&ina
an$:or s"ina* ner#e4s6 are !eing "in(he$+
Reaching the Pinched $erve
Afer he in(ision is ma$e, he s&rgeon )i** &se a rera(or o "&** asi$e fa an$ m&s(*e &ni* he
#ere!ra is e9"ose$+ A fine $ri** is hen &se$ o remo#e a se(ion of he #ere!ra +dotted lines in
)igs. <#above 1 =-+ Ne9, an o"ening is (& in he ligamentum flavum hro&gh )hi(h he s"ina*
(ana* (an !e rea(he$+
Removing the Cause of Pressure
On(e he s"ina* ner#e roo4s6 an$ (a&$a e-&ina ha#e !een e9"ose$, he s&rgeon )i** &se a fine
$ri** o remo#e !one s"&rs or ro&gh e$ges of he iner#ere!ra* $is( +)ig.>-+ This )i** ma'e he
o"enings of he foramen an$ he s"ina* (ana* *arger an$ he*" o re*ie#e "ress&re on %o&r s"ina*
ner#es +)ig.,?#ne@t page-+
)usion 5nd Instrumentation
On some o((asions i ma% !e ne(essar% o so" he mo#emen !e)een )o a$7a(en #ere!rae+
This is (a**e$ a f&sion+ Yo&r s&rgeon )i** "*a(e !one graf (hi"s !e)een he #ere!rae o (reae a
so*i$ se(ion of !one )hi(h "re#ens he moion+ The s&rgeon ma% a*so e*e( o &se mea*
im"*ans +)ig.,,- o "re#en an% moion )hi*e he !one graf har$ens+
Closing the Incision
The o"eraion is (om"*ee$ )hen ea(h *a%er of he in(ision is (*ose$ )ih s&&re maeria*
4si(hes6 or s&rgi(a* sa"*es+ If he o&er in(ision is (*ose$ )ih sa"*es or non2a!sor!a!*e
s&&res, he% )i** ha#e o !e remo#e$ afer he in(ision has hea*e$+
;ha o E9"e( Afer S&rger%
The Healing and Recovery Process
The hea*ing "ro(ess (an !egin as soon as he foramen or s"ina* (ana* o"enings ha#e !een
en*arge$ an$ he s"ina* ner#es are no *onger !eing "in(he$ +)ig,?-+ Healing is he !o$%1s na&ra*
"ro(ess of resoring is $amage$ iss&es o a norma*, or near*% norma*, (on$iion+ 8ea*ing o((&rs
on is o)n, !& is inf*&en(e$ !% s&(h fa(ors as genera* goo$ hea*h, "h%si(a* finess, n&riion an$
res+ Recovery is he "ro(ess $&ring )hi(h %o& )or' a !e(oming )e**+ Yo& m&s (ommi %o&rse*f
o sa%ing in goo$ hea*h 4)hi(h means exercising6, mainaining a "osii#e mena* ai&$e an$
fo**o)ing %o&r "h%si(ian1s insr&(ions+
Have Realistic &@pectations
Re(ogni0e ha hea*ing an$ re(o#er% )i** no ha""en o#ernigh+ I is a process+ Yo& ma% fin$ ha
m&(h of %o&r "rogress )i** !e *i'e a'ing )o se"s for)ar$ an$ one se" 5!a('+ 5A((e" i@ An$
hen $o a** ha %o& (an o ma'e s&re %o&r se"s5for)ar$5 are *arge ones an$ %o&r se"s
5!a(')ar$5 are sma** ones+
(e Patient and Persistent
D&ring he re(o#er% "erio$ in he hos"ia* an$ a home, r% o re!&i*$ %o&r srengh gra$&a**%+ Res
)hen %o& fee* faig&e$ !& be persistent in %o&r effors+
I is im"oran for %o& o re(ogni0e ha )e a** hea* a a $ifferen rae+ The s"ee$ a )hi(h you )i**
re(o#er $e"en$s in "ar on %o&r age, %o&r genera* *e#e* of hea*h, %o&r o#era** "h%si(a* finess
an$ %o&r mena* ai&$e+ Aenera**%, %o& )i** hea* more s*o)*% if %o& are o#er)eigh, o& of sha"e
or smo'e, or if %o& are a $ia!ei( or ha#e oher "re2e9ising me$i(a* "ro!*ems+
&@pect "ome Pain 5fter "urgery
I is norma* o ha#e some "ain afer an% o"eraion+ Afer a $e(om"ressi#e *&m!ar *amine(om%,
here ma% !e some *eg 5a(hing5 )hi(h o((&rs as he ner#e4s6 aem"s o hea*+ Yo& a*so ma% fee*
some m&s(*e s"asms a(ross %o&r !a(' an$ $o)n %o&r *egs+ An$ if here )as inf*ammaion in he
ner#e roo, %o& ma% (onin&e o fee* some "ain &ni* his inf*ammaion $iminishes+ Yo& )i** !e
gi#en a""ro"riae me$i(aion o (onro* %o&r "ain, re*ie#e !a(' s"asms an$ re$&(e inf*ammaion+
(e Prepared for "ome &motional Changes
I is no &n&s&a* o fee* ire$ an$ $is(o&rage$ for se#era* $a%s fo**o)ing s&rger%+ These fee*ings
ma% !e %o&r !o$%1s na&ra* rea(ion o he (&!a(' of e9ra hormones i generae$ $&ring s&rger%+
A*ho&gh some emoiona* *e$o)n (an !e e9"e(e$, %o& m&s no *e i ge in he )a% of %o&r
re(o#er%+ Don1 *oo' !a(' a "as "ro!*ems+ I is im"oran for %o& o *oo' a e#en he sma**es
"osii#e se"s %o& ma'e as "rogress o)ar$s %o&r re(o#er% goa*+
.evelop a Positive :ental 5ttitude
Yo& sho&*$ !egin o )or' on a "osii#e mena* ai&$e e#en before he s&rger% is "erforme$+
Dire( %o&r energies o)ar$ he solution of %o&r "ro!*em, raher han )orr%ing a!o& )ha (a&se$
%o&r "ro!*em+ Don1 !e $is(o&rage$ !% minor se!a('s $&ring he re(o#er% "ro(ess+ Concentrate
on the progress you mae and will continue to mae in the future.
Re&rn o Conens
The Re(o#er% Pro(ess
Commit to a Healthy 9ifestyle
No) is he ime o (ommi %o&rse*f o a hea*hier *ifes%*e+ Yo& (an !egin !% a'ing hese
im"oran se"s.
7atch your weight' If %o& are o#er)eigh, %o& m&s gra$&a**% re&rn o %o&r "ro"er )eigh+
Crash $ies rare*% )or'+ Commi %o&rse*f o !eer eaing ha!is an$ sa% )ih hem for he res of
%o&r *ife+
(ecome more active' Yo&r "h%si(ian )i** e** %o& )hen %o& )hen %o& (an res&me norma*
"h%si(a* a(i#iies afer s&rger%+ Ma'e &" %o&r min$ no) ha %o& )i** $e#e*o" a reg&*ar aero!i(
e9er(ise ro&ine, s&(h as )a*'ing, s)imming or ri$ing a !i'e+ 8o)e#er, always chec with your
physician before starting any e@ercise program.
Aoing Home from the Hospital
In genera*, hos"ia* sa%s are !e(oming shorer, an$ e#en ho&gh %o& ma% fee* some)ha
&n(omfora!*e a he ime %o& are re*ease$, %o&r "h%si(ian &s&a**% )i** a**o) %o& o go home
)hen.
1. %o&r #ia* signs are sa!*e/
2. %o& (an )a*' on %o&r o)n/
3. %o& (an ea )iho& ha#ing na&sea/
4. %o& ha#e res&me$ norma* !*a$$er a(i#i%/ an$
5. %o&r )o&n$ is hea*ing+
Recovering at Home
On(e %o& are a home an$ %o& !egin o res&me %o&r norma* a(i#iies, fo**o) he g&i$e*ines *ise$
!e*o) 4an$ (ona( %o&r "h%si(ian1s offi(e if %o& ha#e an% -&esions6.
1. &@ercise' r% o $o as m&(h as %o& (an+ Dai*% )a*'ing is he !es e9er(ise+ Se
reasona!*e goa*s, !& gra$&a**% in(rease he $isan(e %o& )a*' ea(h $a%+ Che(' )ih
%o&r "h%si(ian !efore saring an% e9er(ise "rogram+
2. "itting and standing' $o no si or san$ for *ong "erio$s of ime+ If %o& ha#e m&s(*e
s"asms in %o&r !a(' or "ain in %o&r *eg4s6, (hanging "osiions fre-&en*% sho&*$ he*"+
3. "leeping' res )hen %o& fee* faig&e$, !& $o no s"en$ a** of %o&r ime in !e$+ P*ease
noe ha )a'ing &" )ih a 5siff5 !a(' is no &n(ommon+ ?or re*ief, r% a'ing a shor )a*'
or a )arm sho)er+ If %o& $o no ha#e a firm maress, in#es in one 2 i is im"oran for
"ro"er !a(' s&""or+
4. Caring for your incision' )ash %o&r in(ision gen*% an$ "a i $r%+ If %o& see an%
in(rease$ re$ness, s)e**ing or $rainage, noif% %o&r "h%si(ian+
:edication
Yo& sho&*$ gra$&a**% re$&(e he amo&n of "ain me$i(aion %o& a'e+ Begin !% in(reasing he
amo&n of ime !e)een "i**s, an$ hen re$&(e he n&m!er of "i**s a'en ea(h ime+ A (erain
amo&n of $is(omfor (an !e e9"e(e$ &ni* he s)e**ing goes $o)n an$ he ner#e sensii#i%
$e(reases+ S&!si&e mois hea, gen*e e9er(ise an$ shor res "erio$s for "ain me$i(aion
)hene#er "ossi!*e+
Prevenitive :easures
The !es )a% o minimi0e f&&re "ro!*ems )ih %o&r s"ine is o mainain a hea*h% *ifes%*e+ I is
im"oran ha %o&.
1. ea a )e**2!a*an(e$ $ie in or$er o ai$ "ro"er hea*ing 4a#oi$ foo$s high in (a*ories an$ fa
(onen6/
2. (onin&e o ea a hea*h% $ie in he f&&re o rea(h an$ mainain %o&r "ro"er !o$% )eigh/
3. ge he "ro"er amo&n of s*ee"/
4. "ari(i"ae in some form of regular aero!i( e9er(ise 4s&(h as )a*'ing, s)imming, or
ri$ing a !i'e+6
5. Ta'e e9ra (are )hen *ifing, !en$ing or )ising/ an$
6. Ta'e (are of oher hea*h "ro!*ems 4s&(h as hear $isease or $ia!ees+6
Re&rn o Conens
The De(ision2Ma'ing Pro(ess
5 PatientBCentered 5pproach
This !oo' is "ro#i$e$ o he*" %o& ma'e an informed decision a!o& %o&r hea*h (are+ I is an
essenia* "ar of a "aien2(enere$ a""roa(h o me$i(ine, (a**e$ collaboration, in )hi(h he
health care team 4"h%si(ians, n&rses an$ e(hni(ians6, he health care institutions 4hos"ia*s,
ins&ran(e (om"anies, e(+6 an$ he patient's family a** )or' o)ar$s a(hie#ing he !es "ossi!*e
re(o#er% for he "aien+
7hy the Patient is at the Center
E9"erien(e has sho)n ha "aiens )ho are gi#en he o""or&ni% o ma'e $e(isions a!o& heir
o)n hea*h (are ha#e *ess an9ie% !efore heir s&rger% an$ re(o#er more -&i('*% afer heir
s&rger%+ Re(ogni0e ha %o& ha#e a right an$ a responsibility o "ari(i"ae in he $e(isions
in#o*#ing %o&r hea*h (are+
The human body is an intricate networ of interrelated systems. &ach system functions on
its own but is also influenced by and dependent upon the others. 7hen illness or inCury
occurs# it disrupts the function of one or more of these systems.
"urgery is a human effort made to correct one system's malfunction# but it will affect all
others. (ecause of this comple@ interrelationship# surgical outcomes cannot be predicted.
7hen recovery is possible# it occurs as a combination of the surgeon's effort# the patient's
faith# and a positive acceptance of the outcome.