Advice prior to microdiscectmy

If you do not have a recliner-GET ONE it was so awkward for me to move around in the first 48 hours and the recliner is great because I found it so hard to get in and out of bed , I got one on Kijiji for $40 I also used the patio bistro table beside the recliner so I had EVERYTHING at my finger tips such as coffee, tv remote, book, wii remote, xbox remote, chap stick, water, and munchies along with medicine

Sleep when you can...you won’t always have the opportunity power naps are wonderful and I recommend having plenty pillows for your back stomach legs etc

Don’t plan on getting more than an hour or two in a row of sleep...it’s very hard to get comfortable for a few days after surgery and it is completely normal to feel tired all the time it's the med's!!!

Have someone stay with you for the first week-trust me you will need to rely on them for things you can't do, even the little things like getting the pots and pans to be able to cook something. You will not be able to drive for at least 2-3 weeks because of the med's but more than anything the incision pain of getting in and out of the car as well as all the bumps on the road. You will not be able to dress yourself below your waist for the first couple days.

Stock up on food and have EVERYTHING at your waist level or higher and have everything on the first shelf of your fridge. FRUITS AND VEGGIES, CRACKERS quick and easy foods

Be sure to ask the nurse for warm blankets when you are in the recovery room, it's freezing!!!

Your throat will hurt (from breathing tube) in the recovery room...I found that having chicken noodle soup and jello for the first two days after helped a lot

DRINK LOTS OF WATER

Be prepared to be constipated after surgery...start taking a stool softener/laxative when you get home and have a bottle of prune juice just in case it's needed eat lots of veggies and fruits it helps stay away from foods like pasta and red meats once you "go" you will feel like a million bux!

Hardest thing to do after surgery...change positions in bed...laying on side and back became the most comfortable sleep however you can, I sometimes slept in my recliner because it was the only thing that kept the pressure off my incision

Have activities to do while you are at home for me within the first week it was mostly XBOX and Wii :)

Don't be shy to take your medicine, for the first couple of days take it every 4 hours it will help then after the first week try and cut back but don't stop completely

Get plenty of slip on shoes ie) runners, flip flops, slippers or my fav crocs :) You will not be able to put socks on or tie shoes for several weeks.

Wear loose clothing big baggy tee-shirts and pajama pants were my best friend for the first week after that you can get into track/yoga pants but just keep everything low rise or draw string and loose shirts.

Get some Polysporin to apply to the incision as needed I used it about three times a day sometimes more whenever it felt tight also use ice after all your walks to take any swelling and inflammation down

The first 3 weeks are the hardest just remember that!!! Your incision is healing

Walk even if two minutes every hour, every little bit helps and it will build your tolerance up, after about 3-4 days you will be able to walk 200-500 feet DON'T OVER DO IT LISTEN TO YOUR BODY 
 
Even when you feel back to your normal self do not attempt to clean your house or do laundry have your family help you trust me your back thank you!!!