Aging parent having major surgery

Found out today that my 78 year old mom will need another back surgery. This will make 3. Her first was in 2001 which was a fusion with hardware I think. I do know that her back had been broken for years but not found. Now this hardware will be removed, disc and bone removed and all repaired above the last one. He called it TLIF (i think). He showed us how the spine was clearly out at one level above the hardware. He will use the bone he takes out to graph. If he needs more he will get from lab. He will use artificial disc. This all sounds very major for a her age and other health issues but she is so ready. She has suffered for a while. He said she def needs. She is very tough but wondering if anyone has thoughts on recovery. They will keep for 3 days.

The surgery is set for August 20th. We had to wait on some issues with my sister. My mom is tough. She has had 10 -12 surgeries. 3 of which have been heart related. But her heart is bad. I want her to go to a swing bed for around the clock care. I am going to call and see about that next week. Just to make sure she is getting around well.

When I had my fusion, the orthotist came to the hospital to fit me for the brace prior to surgery so I had it to go home. I didnt even know it was happening the dr took care of it all. I would call first thing Monday to see if this is a possibility. She may be ordered a standard one size fits all thing or a custom fit brace, I dont know. Being fit after surgery is going to be painfull if she is getting a custom brace. She will need this ASAP to keep her stabilized too. Mine was a "clamshell" that went from under the breast over my hips, TLSO, I think it was called, thorasic lumbar sacral orthosis or something like that. It can go up to the neck too depending on the levels. My instructions were to wear my brace for the first few weeks, 100% of the time when sitting up or walking, I cluld only take it off briefly while laying completely flat, but all drs have different instructions. Sometimes drastically different!!!

Have you arranged for extended rehab? You mentioned a swing bed, but I have never heard that term, and I worked in rehab for many years. My drs were considering sending me, I just didnt bounce back as quickly as they had hoped. Some facilities have acute and sub acute rehab, just depends how much a therapy a person can tolorate whats is best. An assisted living is an idea but those people generally are not trained in helping appropriately in transfers and whatnot. Its a good place once you are able to get up and down independently but typically not immedietely post op.

I wish your Mom well, and a quick recovery!

That sounds like acute or subacute rehab then. Its really all a billing thing. If someone can tolorate 3 hours a day of rehab they can go to a standard rehab, 1-2 they can do sub acute. Its been a while since I worked in rehab, so those times have probably changed with medicare billing.

I had a one level and couldnt get up on my own for almost a week, I was in the hospital for 5 days. I had particulary bad muscle spasms. Other people I know have bounced back much quicker.