1. What to Expect Before, During &
After Laser Spine Surgery

2. If you are about to undergo laser spine surgery,
once you have found the right surgical center, and
enlisted a surgeon whose skill, experience, and
bedside manner all meet your requirements, you
will be pleased to know that two of the most
important and challenging steps are behind you.
Almost everything that comes after these decisions
are made will be influenced by what facility and
surgeon you chose to trust with your procedure.
There’s still a big challenge ahead, of course. In
general, here’s what you can expect before, during,
and after your surgery.

3. The Week Before
In the week or so leading up to your laser spine surgery,
you can expect to undergo several preoperative
procedures and tests. You might need to have a new MRI
or CT scan in order to discover any last-minute changes in
your condition. You also will need to fill out a lot of
paperwork for things like insurance verification, medical
clearance, and more. Chances are, you’ll meet with the
surgical team who will perform your operation. This is the
time to learn as much as possible about the surgery itself,
anesthesia, and recovery.

4. In Surgery
Once you’ve been given final clearance to undergo your laser spine surgery,
your surgical order will be reviewed by your surgeon, and an anesthesia
review will also be conducted. Every precaution will be taken to ensure a
successful outcome.
While many laser spine procedures are performed under what many people
call “twilight sedation,” this does not mean that you will be conscious
during the operation. In fact, there’s
virtually no chance that you’ll
remember much from the moment
the anesthesia is put into effect until
you wake up 1-2 hours later. In most
cases, you will be given very similar
medications as someone who undergoes
general anesthesia, only your dosage will
be smaller.

5. Immediate Aftermath
Just as you won’t remember anything from the operation
itself, there’s a very good chance that you will be a bit groggy
when you come to. This period, too, might remain hazy in
your memory as you look back on it years from now. What
you will remember from the immediate aftermath of laser
spine surgery, though, is that the symptoms that forced you
into the operating room to begin with are either eradicated,
or still with you. If they are still with you, it does not
necessarily mean the surgery was unsuccessful. But you will
be asked to describe how you’re feeling as soon as you’re
able, and that answer could very well determine your course
of action going forward.

6. In Recovery
No matter what type of laser spine surgery you
underwent, you will require at least a few hours to rest
and recover. Surgery, even minimally invasive surgery,
takes an immediate toll on the body. Depending on your
doctor’s orders, you might be asked to try to walk around
your recovery room, or down a hallway. This will give you
and your doctor a chance to find out if the same
symptoms still bother you, or if new symptoms have
arisen. It also could be your first experience in a long time
of moving around without pain and other symptoms
related to spinal nerve compression. Enjoy the feeling!

7. The Days and Weeks That Follow
Because most laser spine surgery is performed on an
outpatient basis, you will likely be discharged to go home
or to a nearby hotel the same day your procedure is
performed. In the days and weeks that follow, you will be
expected to adhere to the care instructions given by the
surgeon. You also can expect to receive follow up
communication from the spine center’s patient relations
department. And finally, stay in communication with your
personal physician and report any major changes to your
physical condition.