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On May 10, 2012 i had my surgery on C-4 & C-5, with no complications.
Was told i had to quit smoking 2 weeks after the surgery, and tried but had very bad results with Chantix.
The surgeon suggested taking a vitamin supplement that had D-3, K-2, and calcium at my 20 week x-ray/check-up. I started taking the supplement that day, with my next x-ray/check-up in six weeks.
On Nov 15, 2012 at my 26 week x-ray/ check-up, the surgeon informed me i was fused, but like a little tree, that needs to grow.
Because i smoke, i took my body 6 MONTHS to completely fuse bone to bone, while the non-smoker takes an average of 6 to 12 WEEKS.
I was so scared to have this surgery, i had nightmares, cried about it, even made out my Will! When i woke up in the recovery room, i felt great, had a muffin, a Coke, went pee, and was half dressed when they came in to take my i.v. out. When i got home, i took it easy for about a week(as directed), and with the exception of roller-skating, and hiking, my daily activities went back to normal.
If i had to give any words of advise to anyone about to have an ACDF, those words would be; Quit smoking! Quit smoking! Quit smoking!View Thread

On May 10th, 2012(4 days ago), i had an ACDF with an allograft and titanium plating on C-5 and C-6. This is what i have learned, and how i am feeling.
I've learned that an ACDF is the removal of cervical disc/disc's, and replacing that area with bone. An allograft is bone grafting with another humans bone tissue, and titanium is a very light weight silver non-ferromagnetic ,metal.
I was terrified to have such invasive surgery, absolutely terrified! I was not well informed, as most of the information i read, was on the internet.
I went to the Hospital at 6:30am, went into the O.R. at 7:30am, woke up with my husband right beside me, and as soon as i could eat a muffin, and pee, they took my i.v. out, and i was home by noon.
I don't have to wear a collar, because of the titanium, and i have no stitches on the outside, i have Dermabond(superglue!). I have a bit of a sore throat, so i get all the ice cream i want, and i can't lift anything over 5 pounds for the next 6 weeks. I do have some pain, primarily from inflammation of the previously compressed nerve, but that will get better as the nerve continues to heal. I get tired easy, but am told that is normal. I feel great, and sleep like a baby. I no longer wake up in pain, and have the feeling back in my fingers, and left arm.
Before all this happened, i was an avid hiker, and roller skater, but as the pain, and numbness got worst, my balance started to go, so i had to stay off the mountains, and roller skates. My recovery time is 12 weeks, and i'll be so happy to be hiking in the beautiful New England colors, and roller skating throughout the winter...the things i would never be able to do again, if i didn't have this surgery.View Thread

Just got a phone call this morning...not good news, i'm a smoker, and the surgeon told me i had to be nicotine free for 12 weeks for the fusion to take! NO ONE told me this, prior to surgery, so i've been smoking. IF i do not stop smoking, the fusion will not take, and i will have to have another surgery!View Thread
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