Im sorry I haven't been on reddit and only just saw this! They took the metal out and put new metal in. They just put new bone graft on to where it didn't initially fuse. My pain is worse now than after the inital surgery which doesn't make sense as the surgery has worked this time around.

I wish, its still my favourite series to this day! I always re read it

Mine said i wouldnt need another then i ended up needing another! You never know. I also want a tattoo but to decorate it. Thinking of a vine of flowers wrapped around my scar

It's in herbie if that helps?

we are wondering the same thing, did you ever find out? We agree its from some weird old movie!

I would ask for a revision. Advocate for yourself. They look great but if you're not happy it's your body and your money so go back

It's an S curve, one is at 38 and the other is at 42 and in New Zealand I believe they don't operate until 43 degrees so i'm being monitered for that last degree but i'm thinking if i'm in this much pain anyway should I just get the fusion anyways?

That's hopeful for me after my surgery! Thanks :)

Yea, you're right, I think I will have to advocate for myself for my pain to be taken seriously and maybe get another surgery if need be! Thankyou for that message that's all really thoughtful and helpful.

That sounds so hard. It is nice to know i'm not alone in going through this but i'm still so sorry you have to go through it too. I might talk to my surgeon about some of those things you mentioned as I haven't been offered anything like that. Good luck to you too!

I'm sorry to hear that, I hope you can find a new surgeon and get to the bottom of it!

They took out the metal from the first fusion which was L4-S1 fusion and then put new metal back in with new bone graft. Basically just the exact same surgery as the first one because the graft didn't 'take' the first time around.

did your waist grow longer? As in taller/slimmer? I've always felt like my tummy and bellybutton look squished and compacted and wondered if my spine was straight if it would all slim out a bit?

did your waist grow longer? As in taller/slimmer? I've always felt like my tummy and bellybutton look squished and compacted and wondered if my spine was straight if it would all slim out a bit?

did your waist grow longer? As in taller/slimmer? I've always felt like my tummy and bellybutton look squished and compacted and wondered if my spine was straight if it would all slim out a bit?

did your waist grow longer? As in taller/slimmer? I've always felt like my tummy and bellybutton look squished and compacted and wondered if my spine was straight if it would all slim out a bit?

I'm female 21, you think I should do it now or is some time in the next few years the same idea?

Hey, i'm 12 months post my second L4-S1 fusion and i'm in constant pain and discomfort all day every day. I stretch, take pain relief, and try to deal with it as best as I can. It's hard when no one understands but it really is chronic pain. I'd say for me personally most of my pain comes from sitting down all day as i am a university student so am studying at a desk all day. It might just be a case of figuring out any specific triggers for your pain and either removing them or modifying them. So if sitting hurts, make sure to set a timer or a reminder every 5 minutes to stand up for a stretch or go for a small walk. Things like that. I don't know, it's a really hard one. I hope you find comfort in the fact you're not alone in going through this and I hope you can figure out how to minimise the pain. To be honest if it's really bad I would go back to your surgeon and tell them.

I'm one year out and still take tramadol once or twice a week because of the pain

I've had 2 spinal fusions (the 2nd cause the 1st didn't work) and i'm still in so much pain. Everything is different for everyone noones experience is the same

Yes I had a re-do surgery. I was going to get a tattoo of a flower wrapping around my scar and i'm SO glad I didn't because my first fusion didn't work so they had to cut down the scar line again and re-do it. If youre in your 20s you will be fine, they knew mine failed a year after it so if your xrays dont show a failure now then you're fine

I have 2 tattoos after 2 spinal fusions and it's fine, sounds like your Mum doesn't want you to get them and lied hahah

plastic bag on the seat, passenger seat with it put back quite far, lots of pillows, steady drivng. Done it twice after 2 spinal fusions and it sucks but you'll also be on lots of painkillers and will barely remember it