Today the doctor informed me I have a 2 herinated discs in my lower
back. They are badly damaged and the doctor surgery is my only viable
option. (this is the third opinion)

Has anyone in the group had a back operation? If so, I would like to
hear about your experience(s), both good and bad.

Thanks,

Capt. Frank

"Capt. Frank Hopkins" wrote in message
k.net...
Today the doctor informed me I have a 2 herinated discs in my lower
back. They are badly damaged and the doctor surgery is my only viable
option. (this is the third opinion)

Has anyone in the group had a back operation? If so, I would like to
hear about your experience(s), both good and bad.

Thanks,

Capt. Frank


You might want to get a second opinion. I think there are some non
surgical options as well.
If it was me I would get it checked out at the Mayo Clinic.
Of course, that's because they are both good and right down the road.
:-)

Del Cecchi

Hi Del,
This is the third doctor that has told me this. He is one of the most
renowned orthopedists in North FLorida.
But thanks,

C.F.

del cecchi wrote:

"Capt. Frank Hopkins" wrote in message
k.net...

Today the doctor informed me I have a 2 herinated discs in my lower
back. They are badly damaged and the doctor surgery is my only viable
option. (this is the third opinion)

Has anyone in the group had a back operation? If so, I would like to
hear about your experience(s), both good and bad.

Thanks,

Capt. Frank



You might want to get a second opinion. I think there are some non
surgical options as well.
If it was me I would get it checked out at the Mayo Clinic.
Of course, that's because they are both good and right down the road.
:-)

Del Cecchi

"Capt. Frank Hopkins" wrote in message
nk.net...
Hi Del,
This is the third doctor that has told me this. He is one of the most
renowned orthopedists in North FLorida.
But thanks,

C.F.

del cecchi wrote:

"Capt. Frank Hopkins" wrote in message
k.net...

Today the doctor informed me I have a 2 herinated discs in my lower
back. They are badly damaged and the doctor surgery is my only viable
option. (this is the third opinion)

Has anyone in the group had a back operation? If so, I would like to
hear about your experience(s), both good and bad.

Thanks,

Capt. Frank



You might want to get a second opinion. I think there are some non
surgical options as well.
If it was me I would get it checked out at the Mayo Clinic.
Of course, that's because they are both good and right down the road.
:-)

Del Cecchi




My 27 year old daughter had surgery for 2 herniated disks 2 years ago. She
is very much better, but still has some problems. 6' tall does not help.
They did not fuse the vertebrae, but trimmed the bulging parts and cleaned
up the area. Send me an email, and I will get her in touch with you.
Bill

"Capt. Frank Hopkins" wrote in message
nk.net...
Hi Del,
This is the third doctor that has told me this. He is one of the most
renowned orthopedists in North FLorida.
But thanks,

C.F.

sounds like you have it covered. I think the operation where they just
clean stuff up is a Laminectomy. (I am sure that is spelled wrong) I hope
everything goes well. You sounded a little uncertain.

The Mayo Clinic has a branch in Jacksonville. :-)
No, I don't get a commission. :-(

del

A little worried to be sure. The thing that really bothers me is not
waking up from the operation The doctor hinted at this possibility, with
his "not a prime candidate" remark. Oh well, I suppose I will have to go
through it.

Damn the Sea Cows, Full speed ahead!

Capt. Frank

Del Cecchi wrote:

"Capt. Frank Hopkins" wrote in message
nk.net...

Hi Del,
This is the third doctor that has told me this. He is one of the most
renowned orthopedists in North FLorida.
But thanks,

C.F.


sounds like you have it covered. I think the operation where they just
clean stuff up is a Laminectomy. (I am sure that is spelled wrong) I hope
everything goes well. You sounded a little uncertain.

The Mayo Clinic has a branch in Jacksonville. :-)
No, I don't get a commission. :-(

del

Capt. Frank Hopkins:

I had a laminectomy(?) about 5 years ago. There were complications in
that the injury was quite old and had attached itself to the spinal cord
membrane which necessitated some added cutting and stitching. Net net,
I went in on Saturday morning, had the surgery and was home Monday. I
would have been able to on Sunday had it not been for the added stuff.

It was uncomfortable as you have to lay flat on your back (strapped down
the first day) BUT - the little push button they give you to give a shot
of some marvelous drugs keeps you aware but in a state you could care
less.

Hope this helps - by the way, I was stooped over due to the pain.
Sunday morning when the doc said "stand up", I stood straight for the
first time in almost a year.

Best of luck in your surgery.

Cheers,
Ed

"Capt. Frank Hopkins" wrote:

Hi Del,
This is the third doctor that has told me this. He is one of the most
renowned orthopedists in North FLorida.
But thanks,

Try going to a chiropractor or an osteopath.

If all you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail. Surgeons tend
to recommend surgery for everything. Back surgery is not at all a guarantee
of a god outcome, in fact, it is a guarantee of limited mobility and a very
high likelihood of long term dependence on pain killers.

I know of several people with upper & lower spine problems that have avoided
surgery with a variety of PT and home therapy regimes. Not an absolute cure,
but it keeps them off drugs and keeps them active. Surgery is final.

I'm not saying don't do it, I am just saying explore other options before
doing it.

Good luck- Doug King

Hi Doug, Thanks for the input. I have already exhausted the alternative
therapies. Surgery scares me more than a fire in the engine room.

Thanks,
Capt. Frank

DSK wrote:

"Capt. Frank Hopkins" wrote:


Hi Del,
This is the third doctor that has told me this. He is one of the most
renowned orthopedists in North FLorida.
But thanks,


Try going to a chiropractor or an osteopath.

If all you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail. Surgeons tend
to recommend surgery for everything. Back surgery is not at all a guarantee
of a god outcome, in fact, it is a guarantee of limited mobility and a very
high likelihood of long term dependence on pain killers.

I know of several people with upper & lower spine problems that have avoided
surgery with a variety of PT and home therapy regimes. Not an absolute cure,
but it keeps them off drugs and keeps them active. Surgery is final.

I'm not saying don't do it, I am just saying explore other options before
doing it.

Good luck- Doug King

Today the doctor informed me I have a 2 herinated discs in my lower
back. They are badly damaged and the doctor surgery is my only viable
option. (this is the third opinion)

Ouch!

Not a back surgery veteran, but pullin' for you anyway. Hope you get
successfully treated and recover completely.