Driving is generally not recommended for the first 3-4 weeks. However, you can get the opinion of your doctor for special cases. Avoid long car trips and car trips that require frequent stops for the first 3 weeks. If your long-term car trip is mandatory, stop the car frequently and go out for a walk.
Go out for walks every day. With each passing day, increase the duration and distance of your walk. Remember that walking is the only exercise you can do in the first 3-4 weeks. You are allowed to go up and down stairs, and you can get support by holding on to the stair rail, if available. Continue your walking and activities as long as you are comfortable in the lumbar region (ie, act by listening to your waist and legs).
Sexual activities are not allowed for the first 3-4 weeks.
Housework (such as ironing, vacuuming, loading or unloading the washing machine and dishwasher) is PROHIBITED for 3-4 weeks. You can get information and advice from your doctor for special cases.
Avoid bending your waist back and forth frequently and suddenly, and avoid doing work that requires these movements. Do the things you need to bend over by crouching. If you are going to bend over compulsively, bend your knees slightly. Do not lift or carry things heavier than 2.5 kg (including a child). Sit upright, and make sure your knees are higher than your hips. (Put height under your feet).
If you have been given a waist corset, ask your doctor how and when to wear it. Unless recommended otherwise, wear your corset while standing, walking or traveling in the car.
You can normally take a bath or shower 4 days after surgery. While washing, water may touch your wound, but do not clean your wound by rubbing it with anything. If you have stitches, contact your doctor to have them removed (usually 6-7 days after the surgery).
If you are constantly taking pain relievers for your pain, you may experience constipation. To prevent this, you can take medicines or natural constipation remedies (such as prune juice).
During the first few weeks, it is normal to have low back pain, temporary pain and numbness in the leg, and discomfort, don’t worry. However, if you have excessive redness, swelling, tenderness or discharge in your wound, contact your doctor. Because your wound may be infected. If a clear liquid comes out of your wound, be sure to call your doctor and inform. If this is ignored, it can lead to meningitis.
There are no restrictions on the foods you take (unless another doctor imposes restrictions – salt-free for hypertension, fat-free diets for high cholesterol), you can eat anything.
If fusion was performed using bone graft and screw-rod (rod) in your surgery, avoid anti-inflammatory painkillers and smoking in the first 6-8 weeks after the surgery. Because these are factors that delay the union of bones.
Meet your toilet needs with a European style toilet. If you don’t have a flush toilet, you can make a similar seat by removing the middle of a chair.
On the first day after the operation, your wound is controlled by dressing. After that, it is unnecessary to make a new dressing unless your wound is bleeding-drained and your dressing is opened by itself. However, it is sufficient to change your dressing in 6-7 days when your stitches will be removed.
