Well, yeah, scarring may prove to be problematic since that part of the spine is right behind your pouch. Would it be possible for your spine surgeon to confer with your pouch surgeon prior to surgery, so that he is 100% up to speed about your inner anatomy and any pitfalls that may present? I understand the reluctance for a posterior approach, as there is greater risk to the spinal cord that way.

I am not sure where you get the idea that you will be bedridden for a week or two. My understanding is that they get you up the day of or the day after surgery. Sure, you'll need help and you probably will be in the ICU the first couple of days, so there will be someone close at hand to help at first. But, you may have a sleepy gut after all the manipulation, so that may work in your favor. These are good questions to ask the surgeon so that you know what to expect.

Meds you get should be fine. Narcotics will slow your gut (see above) and that will be helpful when you are not completely independent getting in and out of bed. Everything else, you need to take as suggested, antibiotics and all. Remember, whatever you take should have only a temporary effect, so try not to obsess too much about that stuff.

Good luck with it!

Jan

Thanks Jan. Great advice.

Yeah, not like the "good ole days" when you were kept in bed, immobile, for weeks.

Jan