Spine surgery can be at least a little easier with these first-hand tips

29.04.2022.

Spinal surgery, that is, the procedure of preparation for it, is described in this text based on personal experience. You will find information on control and examination before surgery, types and procedures of anesthesia, advice on what to bring to the hospital and which drugs you should avoid before and after surgery.

Before the surgery, the doctor will arrange an appointment with you for control and examination.

To check-up and examination, you may need some or all of the following:

a review of medical history and your current state of health
anesthesia interview
blood and urine test results
electrocardiogram
X-ray of the spine and chest.

Optionally, you can also donate blood for the needs of your own surgery. As a rule, the tests and investigations you need to do should not be older than 30 days from the agreed date of the surgery.

All these tests and checks are done so that the doctors are sure that you are healthy enough and ready for spine surgery.

Spine surgery is a procedure for which you also need anesthesia, so I'll tell you a little more about it now.

Anesthesia and anesthesiology examination

Today, anesthesia is a safe procedure that allows you to undergo surgery with minimal pain and discomfort. During anesthesia, the doctor regularly monitors all your vital functions (blood pressure and pulse, heart rate, breathing, blood oxygen saturation, temperature...) and really takes care of you.

General anesthesia is a state similar to deep sleep.

Medicines (anesthetics) are given through a vein or are inhaled during surgery through a mask or a breathing tube placed in the trachea.
Medicines (anesthetics) are given through a vein or are inhaled during surgery through a mask or a breathing tube placed in the trachea.

Before the actual surgery and anesthesia, it is necessary to make an anesthesiology examination. You should bring to the examination:

required laboratory findings
search results not older than 30 days
completed and signed anesthesiology questionnaire, which you will receive from your doctor or at the hospital
a list of all medicines you use, including inhalers and drops, and all over-the-counter products such as vitamins, herbal preparations and various dietary supplements

Based on the findings and test results, your doctor will assess whether you are ready for anesthesia.

OK! Now we move on to the final preparations regarding the things that should be taken to the hospital.

What to bring to the hospital when you are going to have spine surgery

You should bring two comfortable cotton pajamas or nightgowns, preferably with buttons.

Dressing over the head after surgery can be difficult and usually painful. For the lower part, also bring pajamas or comfortable sweatpants, never pants with a belt because they will be very uncomfortable for you to wear, especially if you have operated on the lumbar part of the spine.

For your comfort and hygiene, it is best to bring your own toiletries to the hospital. Also bring underwear, socks (preferably some with a non-slip base), toothbrush and toothpaste and, just in case, toilet paper.

You'll also need a shorter robe that doesn't reach the floor and open-toed slippers that you can put on without having to bend down.

Spine surgery, more precisely lumbar spine surgery, also means the use of an orthosis. If your spine operation is lumbar, a t-shirt under the orthosis will come in handy, so bring two or three t-shirts for this purpose.

As an extra, you can bring a book, if you usually read.

You will definitely need a cell phone, headphones and a cell phone charger while you are awaiting spine surgery.
You will definitely need a cell phone, headphones and a cell phone charger while you are awaiting spine surgery.

If you have trouble sleeping due to noise, it is recommended to bring earplugs so that you can sleep peacefully at night. Peaceful sleep will be very important to you!

You should not take valuable belongings to the hospital. If you absolutely have to, it will be best if someone brings them to your room after surgery.

For going home from the hospital, bring a comfortable tracksuit and possibly an extra layer of clothing, if necessary.

So far, I've already pointed it out several times, but I'll repeat it once again, absolutely all the clothes you will use in the hospital and after returning home - must primarily be comfortable and convenient.

And now briefly about the drugs that should be avoided before surgery.

Medications to avoid before spine surgery

Tell your doctor what medications you are currently taking so that he can give you instructions on which medications you will need to stop taking, reduce, or switch to other medications before and after surgery.

Based on the results of the tests, your health condition and the medications you are taking, the doctor will be able to accurately determine your further therapy.

As a rule, you should reduce or completely stop taking medicines for pain and muscle relaxation before spine surgery.
Medicines that you take by prescription, for example, blood pressure medicines, continue to take them according to the prescribed therapy with a check and agreement with your doctor.
Medicines to be avoided 7-14 days before surgery are all herbal medicines and medicines that prevent blood clotting.

In addition to the above mentioned, in the period of 3 months after the surgery, you will probably need to avoid medicines containing Aspirin.
In addition to the above mentioned, in the period of 3 months after the surgery, you will probably need to avoid medicines containing Aspirin.

Namely, such drugs disrupt the fusion of the spine, so be sure to check this with your doctor.

If you find these tips helpful, download the MySpine app.

Inside the application, you will find, among other things: