Laser spine surgery is a procedure that is now widely used to treat a number of back conditions, including sciatica, radiculopathy, annular tears, lumbar disc herniations and several more. It is particularly popular with patients as it is a minimally invasive procedure, and only local anaesthetic is required, differentiating it from other types of back surgery.
As there are several different types of surgery and treatment available for the conditions listed above, it is necessary for each patient to talk about whether laser spine surgery is the right treatment option for them with their physician. Normally, a doctor will be able to fully answer all questions regarding preparing for and undergoing this type of treatment.
There are several tips, however, that you will need to bear in mind when you are preparing for such a procedure. These will aid your recovery and help you go into the surgery with complete peace of mind.
The first tip is to make sure that you make a detailed list of your anxieties and questions to speak about with your doctor or surgeon before undergoing the procedure. As with all surgeries, there are risks, and you should take the time to discuss them with your physician to put your mind at ease.
Although laser surgery actually is less invasive than other options, there are still risks, and being aware of them and what the medical team is doing to minimize them can help you feel greatly reassured. Issues to talk about include the risk of infection, the duration of the surgery, what you can expect to feel during surgery and other topics that concern you.
After talking at length with your physician about the risks and the details of surgery, you will want to ask specifically about the estimated recovery time, as this will affect how you go about your day after your return from the hospital. Somme patients can take up to six weeks to recover, whereas others will take significantly less.
This can affect you if you are hoping to return to work, social activities or physical activities such as gentle or moderate exercise. Make sure that you have detailed information about what you can and cannot do immediately after and in the short-term after your laser spine surgery in order to be fully prepared.
There are some changes that your physician may ask you to make before going in for your surgery. Although laser spine surgery is generally a very short procedure under local anaesthetic – and a hospital stay is often not required – your surgeon will likely ask you not to eat or drink before surgery. You may also be advised against consuming food after surgery for a certain period of time.
You will also need to prepare your home and transport options for after you have undergone the procedure. Although results can be rapid, it is oftentimes impossible to drive after surgery, so you will need transportation back from the hospital if it is an outpatient procedure.
You will also need to take pain medication as required, so make sure that you have enough available and that you put in place a regular schedule for taking your prescribed medicine in order to reduce pain and speed up your recovery.
It is also a wise idea to make preparations at home. As your body will need to rest and recover after surgery, preparing several healthy meals in advance of your surgery and storing them in the freezer will mean that you do not have to go through the effort of cooking from scratch in the period of time immediately following the surgery.
It is also wise to take care of other major household chores – such as ironing, cleaning and doing the laundry – immediately before your operation. This will allow you the time and comfortable environment you need to make a speedy recovery after your laser spine surgery.