Most commonly performed to treat ruptured or herniated discs, laser spine surgery is a minimally invasive procedure in which surgeons utilize a focused beam of light to remove soft tissue over a spine through a small incision. Although this type of procedure often comes with a quicker recovery and less pain than more intrusive surgeries, laser spine surgery will still require some preparation.
The surgical team that will be taking care of you should provide you with a list of what you will need to do before the procedure, but you’ll also need to speak with your doctor about what to expect from the surgery and ask questions about what they expect for your personal experience. For everything else, consult our list of expert tips on how you can better prepare for laser surgery.
Medical Preparations for Laser Spine Surgery
To promote a smooth recovery and reduce complications, there are a few lifestyle habits that your doctor may recommend you take up prior to the operation. Don’t be surprised if your doctor suggests that you:
- Refrain from smoking
- Eat a healthy diet
- Stay active
- Lose weight if you are overweight
- Minimize stress
Your doctor may also recommend that you stop taking certain medications beforehand to prevent a reaction with the anesthesia or excessive bleeding. Make sure to consult with your doctor about all other medications or supplements that you are taking.
Laser spine surgery is commonly performed as an outpatient surgical procedure. This means that you probably won’t have to stay the night at a hospital and that you should be able to sleep in your own bed, so make sure that you have arranged for a friend or family member to take you home. You won’t be able to drive yourself after waking up from anesthesia, so this is an important step.
Getting Your Home Ready for Laser Spine Surgery Recovery
When recovering from surgery, your capabilities will be limited for a while. To set yourself up for the best recovery, we recommend that you prepare your home before the procedure. Here are a few changes you can make to set yourself up for a smooth recovery:
- Put frequently used items in easy-to-reach areas: This will help to prevent stretching.
- Secure loose rugs: Doing so will prevent tripping and falling.
- Arrange for someone to help with chores: You’ll need to avoid strenuous activities like housework and yard work.
- Raise your bed: If your bed isn’t at hip-level, you may want to raise it to keep from shifting yourself too much.
- Order precooked meals: Having food made will allow you more time to focus on rest and recovery.
Luckily, the recovery period won’t last as long as it would with conventional spine surgery, but having these precautions in place will help to ensure that you don’t overexert yourself and can look forward to a speedy recovery.
Interested in Receiving Laser Spine Surgery? NJ Spine & Orthopedic Can Help
If you’re experiencing pain in your back or spine and are located near any of our locations in New Jersey, Florida, Pennsylvania, or New York, NJ Spine & Orthopedic may be able to help. Our specialists are highly skilled in laser spine surgery and other healthcare services.
Ready to start living a more pain-free life? Speak with our board-certified doctors about laser spine surgery and other pain relief methods. Call us today for a free consultation at (866) 272-9271 or fill out our online contact form.