Post-Op Instructions

Clear instructions make the process of spine surgery smoother. Discover our detailed post-operative guidelines to feel more confident and safe during your recovery. If you have any questions, contact us.

Activity Guidelines

• Rest: Rest for the first 24–48 hours post-surgery.
• Bending, Lifting, Twisting: Avoid bending, lifting, or twisting motions for 4–6 weeks. Limit lifting to no more than 5 kg during this period.
• Sitting: Limit sitting to 20 minutes initially, gradually increasing as tolerated. Stand and move every 30–40 minutes.
• Walking: Begin with short distances, 5–10 minutes, 3–5 times daily, progressing as tolerated.
• Driving: Avoid driving for the first 2 weeks. After 2–4 weeks, drive only short distances and consult your doctor before resuming.
• Return to Work: You can work, but you may be restricted for up to 6 weeks or even 3 months after surgery, depending on what your surgeon tells you at your one-month follow-up visit.
• Sports & Exercise: Consult your surgeon for specific timelines based on your surgery and recovery progress.

Wound & Incision Care

• Dressings: Change dressings daily with sterile gauze until the wound is dry.
• Showers: Once the wound is dry (approximately 3–5 days), you may shower. Avoid submerging the incision in water (e.g., baths, pools) until fully healed (about 2 weeks).
• Steri-Strips/Dermabond: Allow Steri-Strips to fall off naturally. Dermabond will peel off on its own within 1–2 weeks.
• Ice Application: Apply an ice pack to the surgery site for 20 minutes, 3 times a day, to reduce swelling.

Check your incision every day for symptoms of infection. If you have any of the listed symptoms, call your doctor ASAP:

• Redness and/or edema at the opening of the incision
• Flu-like symptoms (body aches, chills, etc.)
• Fever above 101°F

Medications & Pain Management

• Pain Medications: Take as prescribed. Avoid alcohol while on these medications. If you experience side effects like itching or a rash, contact our office.
• Weaning Off: As pain decreases, reduce the use of narcotic medications and consider over-the-counter options like Tylenol.
• Anti-Inflammatories: Avoid NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen) for 6 months if you had a fusion surgery, as they can interfere with bone healing.
• Constipation: Pain medications can cause constipation. Increase fiber intake, stay hydrated, and consider over-the-counter stool softeners if needed.

Diet & Supplements

Resume your regular diet as tolerated, and try eating more high-fiber foods and drinking 6-8 glasses of water daily to prevent constipation and improve your recovery.

• Vitamin C: (500 mg twice daily) for 3 months to support wound healing.
• Calcium: (1,000–1,500 mg daily) if you had a fusion surgery, to aid bone healing.

Avoid BLT (Bending, Lifting, Twisting)

If you had spine surgery extending to your lower back, avoid bending and twisting motions! Turn your whole body in the same direction. Avoid lifting something weighing more than 10 pounds.

If you have any questions or concerns, call our Premier Brain & Spine office at (866) 590-0601. We are always here to help and guide you!