How my surgery went and almost didn't go

Well to set the seen 2yrs ago I had a surgery for OPLL ostification of the postier longitual ligaments. This is called an orential desease and only about 1 1/100 of none orentials ever get this. Things grow in toward the spinal cord crushing it like mushrooms for the front. So they have to do a lamioplasty which is entirely different then the more common laminectomy. My sight started at C2 through C7. Very close to the brain stem. So I went to Case Western Univ. Hospital in Cleveland. They open the back of the spine and leave it propped open so the spinal cord can move back when pushed by the mushrooms. So my neck will not move now I can't flex it up or down or turn my head from side to side but thank God the pain is gone. Back to WLS surgery one of the steps is he has to go down the throat to do something. He being Dr. Brian Gluck couldn't get the instrument down my throat to do what he had to do. So he comes out of surgery and tells my wife the problem and is it ok if he tries something different or he will have to scrub the surgery and if what ever he tries if it doesn't work he will scrub the surgery. So he managed to go in a different way. But then the instrument misfired and he had to find the stapel which took a while. So instead of staple's he wound up sewing everything by hand. He said the operation takes about 1&1/2hours and mine took 3 hours. Heck that beats the neck surgery I was in there for 13 hours straight. So that's the neck story guys. I feel great and would have this done again in a New York minute. Thanks again for all your prayers. bp

Hey Bill Welcome back!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am happy to hear that you are home and doing great. Wow I can just imagine how frighten your wife must have been at the thought that the surgery might not take place. Instrument misfired oh geez. Well, keep us up to date with your journey and goodluck!

Wow Bill - good to hear from you. Your story actually answered a question I had in regard to the procedure I saw on-line that was performed on the former football star. His doctor stapled the anastomis of the small bowel to the pouch - the instrument seemed to some out of the pouch and then take the small bowel and staple the two together. I was thinking this instrument must have been down through the mouth. So I guess I'm right. The other surgery I saw the doctor hand sewed the anastomis. This they said is better because it is more precise but does take more time. Also saw this on-line as well. (its amazing how they work) From what I've been told that is how my doc does it. We were supposed to have the same surgery date but mine was delayed and I'm supposed to go in tomorrow. I'm getting a little nervous but I'm sure everything will be ok. Good to hear you would do it all over again. How are things now. Are you able to take your fluids ok. Was there much pain. From what I've heard when done lap it's not too bad?? Take care Carolyn

Hi Carolyn the pain is really nothing more than feeling like someone kicked you in the stomach and then that pain does not last all that long. They will give you pain medicine that will hand your pain. I wish you all the best and will say a prayer for a successful surgery. I can take fluids in ok. Will be thinking of you tomorrow. bp

;clap: glad your back ...

Wow, Bill. Your a real trooper!! Cindee

Welcome back..And hope everyting is going well for you now..Hang tough Marianne

Welcome back, Bill. Mine was on the 13th and two doctors tested my neck movement before I went in. At the time I just thought it was for the vent placement. I learn something new every day.... Mine also lasted 3 - 3 1/2 hours because they discovered once they were in there that my gall bladder needed to come out and I think maybe he had trouble seeing everything because I have eight incisions and was expecting 3 or 4. I'm glad your pain is good. I feel like I've been kicked in the stomach and had swords pushed through my whole torso in several places. If I don't take pain medicine for too long, I can't get back to a comfortable place for hours. I'm with you on the decision, though. Even though I feel pretty lousy right now, I would have this done again in a New York minute. I am more hopeful than I have been in ages. Dotsie

Hey Bill - glad to hear that you were able to have your surgery! How disappointing it would have been for you had things not worked out. I'm so very happy for you! Bonnie

hey Bill, glad that your surgery went through. seems like it was a little rough goin.The best feeling for me was waking up and knowing that I made it through the surgery!THANK GOD FOR PAIN MEDICATION!!!! I'm 8 days post-op now and trying to only take them at night. Everyday it gets better! In a NEW YORK MINUTE DONNA