My Spine - Lumbar
Discharge
You would normally be discharged at about five to ten days after surgery , depending on the degree of pain and disability you are experiencing and on the absence of any complicating wound factors or concern about your general health at the time .
The hospital staff will assist you in obtaining your follow-up consultation bookings , the prescribed analgesics to take home , the sick leave-certificate to be provided by your doctor and the instructions regarding wound care provisions in the post-operative period .
Rehabilitation
It is incredibly important to get a lot of rest and exercise following your surgery . Do not try to rush back to work . It is important to walk for exercise and also exercise in conjunction with the guidelines from your physiotherapist . You may perform activities only as prescribed by your specialist . You should refrain from exercises that involve impact for at least six to nine months . This would include jogging , mountain biking , speed boating , water skiing , volleyball , equestrian pursuits and other strenuous activities .
Follow-up
Routinely you will receive a date for your follow-up appointment with your specialist . This may vary from anything between two and six weeks , but you will be seen earlier if there are any complications .
It is important to realise that you will have to protect your back for the rest of your life and apply good back habits ( see the chapter Everyday Life ).
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