@@denisereichart5272 thank you. It is such a personal choice with so many considerations. I'll toss one up for you when I hit my knees that you may receive inspiration and clarity. You will know what's best for you. Good luck.

I'm just seeing some of these comments. I hope your surgery went well. How are you?

@@FusedandFit Thanks… That means a lot. Surgery went well. I’m actually in the waiting room for a post op appointment.

@@Dominus_Maximus awesome, so glad to hear it went well. Keep on keepin' on, all the best and blessed to you!

Good luck on January 3rd! I keep meaning to do an update video, and I started recording stuff for it, I just haven't gotten to doing anything with it yet. I just had my toe fused on the 10th. My neck is doing amazing. 99% of the time I don't even think about it. It's been two years and all is well with the neck.

Good luck on the 3rd. I’m having mine on the 2nd. This will be my second one. My first was 15 years ago 4-5. Now going to be 5-6.

Thanks for chiming in, Gary. Glad this has helped some. All the best to you, and keep us posted on your progress. Take care!

You're welcome. I'm very happy I did mine. It's been almost two years and I'm doing great. I'll make an update video in the near future.

Didn't mention that as soon as healing is far enough along then I need to have lambar fusion.@@FusedandFit

Do you feel better after fusing the spine? 😊

complicated situation - i had 3 lumbar and 3 cervical disc problems. they told me i had to fix the cervical before i could fix the lumbar. cervical is 3 months past now and i feel fine but i still can't walk for more than 9 minutes because of lumbar. stil needs to be done.@@imveryhungry112

@@AnshuAnand2020 good luck! Everything you are dealing with is quite normal, and it sounds like things are going in the right direction. Keep me posted please.

@@FusedandFit sure sir, and one more thing to say, your scar and my scar are almost the same, mine would be a little bigger in length!!! 😊

Sorry to hear of your struggle, hoping that improves for you! I never experienced that. My scar is basically invisible now, and I never treated it with anything. I'm amazed how it faded over the past two years.

Thanks for chiming in. I hope your healing is going well. Take care!

I am very sorry to hear this. I wish you could have my surgeon work on you. When they revised it, sis they go through the front again or the back of the neck? I've always been told that a proper revision would have to be done through the back of the neck. Good luck. Hang in there. I'm a praying kind of dude, I will definitely pray for you.

NO ! Be your own advocate. Keep trying to get the help you need.

Maybe you need a more newer modern spine fusion? 😊

Hey there, sorry to hear about the pain. There is a lot of inflammation in that area, they tough it up pretty good. Inflammation will help heal the area because it causes more blood flow to the area. The bad news is, it causes the pain you're feeling. All the pain you are feeling I felt too. I do not recall how long it lasted, but I'm quite sure it was more than a couple weeks. Everyone improves at different speeds, so yes, keep being patient. It will improve. Good luck, and all the best and blessed to you.

I have no issues anymore, even swallowing is good. If I don't chew almonds slowly and thoroughly, I can choke on them, but that's almost never an issue. I was at that same pain level as you, but all is well now. Good luck, and keep me posted.

Sorry to hear that. I had swallowing issues prior to my surgery as well. As bad as my swallowing issues became after the surgery, I would say they are 98% better now, at least. I occasionally struggle with almonds, not sure why, and sometimes mashed potatoes. It's not a concern to me anymore and I literally never think about it. I'll do another video update soon. Take care of yourself!

@@FusedandFit hey, thank you so much for the feed back, it helps me with my confidence that I can get this done! 👍

@@Leenailsalon How was it??

Right after surgery I had regular food and a pretty good appetite. As the day went on it got more difficult. By the second day I was just eating soft food like yogurt and jello. I was one of the very rare cases where swallowing became difficult. It took several months for that to improve for me. Again, that is very rare, just my bad luck. Two years later and the only thing I consistently struggle with is almonds for some reason. I've adapted and don't care. I never did physical therapy after the surgery. Everyday kind of activities just eventually became possible. Therapy wasn't needed. PT is usually to restore movement to an area, which is opposite of why we even have fusions, so no PT. I couldn't drive for a few weeks. You're not supposed to turn your head side to side for awhile, so that makes driving dangerous. Comfortable sleep was a challenge for the first two weeks. I kept waking up on my stomach with my head turned all the way to one side or the other and that was pretty painful and worried me. I needed to be propped up in a recliner or with multiple pillows in my bed. I slept with my soft neck brace on to help. The hardest part with any of these fusions (twice with my back, once with my neck, and now my toe last week) is being patient and doing what the doctor says to do. Do what they tell you to do. I do not have any regrets with my neck fusion...none. I would have preferred to have not needed the surgery, but I did need it so I got it done. My neck feels great now. Good luck with yours...it will be ok.

I don't have a great answer for this. I just waited it out. I don't handle any of the pain meds well, so there was none of that. Mostly ice, heat, massage. I just had to grin and bear it. Sorry for such a lame answer. I had been dealing with back issues before that and actually have a high pain tolerance. It was more the numbing sensations all over that caused me to get surgery.

Epidurals for me. Every 3 months.

I'm going through so much pain I can't stand it wish I could hurry and get it done

My ACDF surgery is in 2 days, but I finally found a pillow that gave me relief from pain while lying flat on my back.

@@suzannedube7075which one ? I’ve tried several

Did you fuse your neck into a stick yet? 😊

@@imveryhungry112 NO! I'm trying to find other options shots, P/T , medications. I already had one fused yrs ago ,but afraid thinking of my entire neck being Fused at 75. Cathy

@@MadeByTriniLena Nope, not with the neck fusion. That was a bigger worry with my back fusions, but no issues there either. Pain meds can make you constipated, but I didn't have that issue because I don't take pain meds, I can't stand them. Good luck with your procedure, keep me posted.

@@FusedandFit ok thanks much, appreciate you

You are welcome, hopefully it was helpful while you deal with your circumstances. I'll record another update in the near future.

@@FusedandFit I would really appreciated it a lot if you did 🙏🏼I’m dealing with spinal stenosis c5 c6 I’m only 31 it’s very scary I didn’t wana go through surgery but I made the decision to go through with it due to the compression on my spinal cord🥲I have upcoming surgery date and I’m so scared 😱 and these vids really help and the fact that you guys take the time to make them it’s very informative and great appreciation for ppl like myself searching for answers

The same disc with me I’m scared as well my surgery date was September 6th , but it got pushed back

@@Beachboy22 wow! That’s why I’m so scared let them operate in me and nothing changes and on top of all the risk that comes with it such as later down the line having issues with other disc

@@Beachboy22 you telling me this makes me feel a whole lot better because I’ve been thinking the worst and they doctors tell you all this risks that can happen during and after surgery … I was kind of happy my date got pushed backed lol , but I have to get fusion on my c5 - c6 I’m 32 and I thought this kinda stuff only happened to old ppl lol , but I sure was wrong… anywho vids like this really helps you out and I appreciate you replying because your words will be an extra push and a lot of comfort for me

@@nas235 thanks for chiming in. Sorry to hear you need the surgery, but it sounds like you're a classic candidate. I have a little lack of mobility, but not bad. In one of my more recent videos I demonstrate a little bit. Hardest is looking up at airplanes, fireworks, or things like that. Rotation is still really good. Pinning my ear to my shoulder on either side is challenging, so I can't hold a phone like the old days that way. Sometimes ducking to get into a really low car is a challenge, but that's as much due to my back fusions as it is my neck. Overall I'm pleasantly surprised. When are you planning on doing this?

@@yotyme second opinions are never a bad thing. I saw the MRI and felt good about how quickly I needed to get mine done, and he had already operated on my back so I fully trusted him. He was the second person to fuse my back, so I guess he was my second opinion on back fusion.

Thanks for chiming in. Yes, I did have problems with my gait at times before the surgery. I wasn't sure if it was due to my neck or the fact I'd had back issues too (five back surgeries, two fusions there) but my gait improved. Everything is pretty normal now, 18 months later. Do you have back issues that you know of? Good luck!

It started out like sciatica, and it was the only pain I had throughout the whole ordeal. It would flare up, and I would hobble for a day or two then it would die down. It threw me off, and at first I never suspected a disk problem let alone in my neck. Then it progressed to the arms and hands, and left me barely able to shuffle around. I went in for imagery in anticipation of seeing the chiropractor, and in no time had a doctor in my room telling me they were shipping me up north for surgery! Today makes one month post op, and my hands are pretty much as they were with a slight burning/tingling in my fingers. My legs have greatly improved, but I'm still a little wobbly. Hopefully with time I will sturdy up, and can resume coaching. Thank you for the reply, and I hope all is well on your end!

Thanks for chiming in, and good luck! Yes, I had leg and arm weakness before surgery. Facial numbness too. And other problems. Keep me posted please. Take care.

@@RickSutherland-e3n email me at snappmi@gmail.com and we can set up a call. Happy to chat with you.

Buena suerte con tu cirugia. Hágame saber como va por favor.

Ah, lo olvidaba, saludos desde Utah, USA. Espero visitar PR algún día.

Thanks for chiming in. I hope all the best for you and your recovery. You can email me at snappmi@gmail.com.

Hey, thanks for the question. Stay tuned, I'll post an update in the next three weeks, but yes, pain is gone. All of it. I can still get a slight flare up now and then, but not bad at all.

Yep, I live in Springville. His name is Peter Maughan, his number is 801-507-9555. His main office is in the IHC (now IH) hospital just off the freeway on about 5300 south in Sandy. Good luck, and keep me posted.

@@FusedandFit Have you heard of John Edwards in Lehi? At the very least I think I'll get a 2nd opinion from Dr. Maughan.

@@kelliday4850 I have not heard of Edwards. Second opinions are typically good to get when you can. Good luck and keep me posted.

My surgeon does both, but convinced me fusion was best for me given the levels, the height he was trying to regain in my neck, and the long-term stability. They all have drawbacks, but given my situation fusion was best. Fortunately it still seems to be the case.

Nope. Soft collar for a couple weeks and that was it. Seems like I wore it longer when in a car and sleeping.

@@autumn3035 I'm sorry to hear all that you are dealing with, that's very difficult. I had vertigo that cleared up greatly after my fusion. Have they discussed disc replacement surgery with you? Is your doctor a neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon? Also, does your MRI show extensive bulging and pressure on the nerves and spinal column?

@@FusedandFit see I suffer with sever dizziness I can’t even stand up and I fell like ima pass out and he telling me it’s not my neck that he believes it my ears wants me to see a specialist but it weird cause when I go and turn my head I automatically go dizzy my neck feels like it flimsy and my head fells like it weighs a ton and he is a neurosurgeon I’ve only seen him 2 times after I had my mri he told me that my neck looks about the same he said I have a slipped disc in c6-7 he said I have spurs I have mylophy which is compression of the spine he told me I narrowing of the spine in c3-4 he told me I did have budlging disc he told me from the first time I seen him until this last time I seen him I have a 4 out of 5 weekness in my arms he said when I walk I do walk lobsided and he said my left leg is stiffer then the other but it’s also been messing with my eyes also they been going blurry on me and I never got to look at my mri I’m just going off what he said he only sent me written is there a way that I can see the mri my self

Every time I go and just slightly move my head I’m dizzy and my neck fills flimsy did your fell like that ?

@@autumn3035 Hey there, sorry my last reply to get posted (to your message yesterday). I typed it on my phone...I have no idea what happened. First, you doctor has to give you copies of the MRI imaging if you request it, not just the report. Second, yes, I would get dizzy pretty easily, even just turning my head quickly to one side or the other would do it to me. It still does a little, so that could be our inner ear plus neck issues. I'm not sure what you mean by your neck feeling "flimsy" actually. Mine did feel week at times, but I always felt like I had control of it. What do you mean by flimsy?