Hi Cabo, I had my L5S1 fusion with hardware in 95. I was working as a heavy equipment field mechanic for 20 years. Surgery was my only option left, as I was too young to retire that soon.
Years later,,,
I been living in Wyoming for 40yrs n flew to NYC Beth Israel in Manhattan for surgery. As at that time he was the best surgeon n that IDF covered more. The pain associated with the fusion was pretty severe imho. An I had originally hurt it in a nighttime combat jump n just lived with it for 23 yrs. I did well n walked allot afterwards every day n night. I think I honestly went back to work wayyy to soon at 6 weeks. Or you lose your job kinda deal.
Then in 2004 I was once again forced into doing something again. I took a chance with surgery n got a artificial disc replacement done at L4L5. It definitely took my leg n butt pain away, but ended up being forced into retirement. As I was taking longer to complete my field work at times. Oh, I think humans age some, but I worked for a arrogant narcissist n we hooked horns allot.
2008. I retired an took Fentanyl patches for 5yrs, an about at 2-3 years the medication didn't last a patch every 72 hours. I started going through withdrawal symptoms every other day n it destroyed my entire life. Lost my career, wife n best friend n my home, marriage of 25yrs n church family Haha. Divorce costs me 600k plus the house, but hey I was retired now. Laughing
I think you have the right idea of retirement if you're able. As these specific operations take much longer to heal vs when we were younger. You've probably had the operation by now 05Sept2019. Every body is different n try to walk as much as you can each day. Sleeping with a pillow between my legs also relieves the stress imho. Wish I knew that earlier.
I would have loved to swim but Wyoming is few. If I had to do over again. I probably wouldn't done the fusion itself as I have bone chips against nerves. This past July 11th, I fell 5ft from my bed onto my bathroom cement n tile floor n compound fractures n crushed vertebraes of T12 n T11. I have had some injuries in my life, shoulder dislocated for 8 hrs snowboarding 2x. Gun shot n frags, cut n TBIs 2x traumatic n acquired n 6 heart stents. This broken back injury was all those put together. I can't even describe the hell I went through for 6 longgg days of no sleep. Muscle spasms came in waves after waves. I am so thankful to be able to get around n be home. Hope my story makes you feel better. lol My apologies for so long of reply. I went flying
M2P yesterday n it was great. Pray your surgery went well n you're up n kicking butt. With Prayers, Ty,,, FlySafe