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Back and Neck Pain Exchange

What are the best treatments for back and neck pain? Who are the best doctors? ... more

Last Reply:

neck surgery what to expect

karenavon posted:

what should I expect if I have cervical neck surgery? Will they cut my hair? It's really long and I want it cut because it would be a big bother during recovery but do they cut it or do I? is the rehab long? can you work?

2 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:neck surgery what to expectwhat should I expect if I have cervical neck surgery? Will they cut my hair? It's really long and I want it cut because it would be a big bother during recovery but do they cut it or do I? is the rehab long? can you work?

dsparksnorwood responded:

Hello ~ I had neck surgery a year & 1/2 ago. They did a cervical decompression fusion on c3 & c4 they cut me in the front. But 3 months later they did a decompression by c6 & 7 they cut me in the back of my neck. They only cut the under layer of my hair as mine is long too. You couldn't even tell it was cut. I don't have very thick hair. This didn't bother me at all as I was healing. If you love your hair leave it alone

I went home a day later ~ yes it is painful. don't go home without pain medication you will need it. I'm not sure what they are doing to you of what levels in your neck but i do know you won't be lifting anything greater than 10lbs for two weeks. you won't be driving for awhile . they will want you to walk as much as you can tolerate. if you smoke please stop it will take longer to heal. Best Wishes I hope it will work out for you.

Report This| Share this:neck surgery what to expectHello ~ I had neck surgery a year & 1/2 ago. They did a cervical decompression fusion on c3 & c4 they cut me in the front. But 3 months later they did a decompression by c6 & 7 they cut me in the back of my neck. They only cut the under layer of my hair as mine is long too. You couldn't even tell it was cut. I don't have very thick hair. This didn't bother me at all as I was healing. If you love your hair leave it alone <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif" align="top" border="0"> I went home a day later ~ yes it is painful. don't go home without pain medication you will need it. I'm not sure what they are doing to you of what levels in your neck but i do know you won't be lifting anything greater than 10lbs for two weeks. you won't be driving for awhile . they will want you to walk as much as you can tolerate. if you smoke please stop it will take longer to heal. Best Wishes I hope it will work out for you.

karenavon replied to dsparksnorwood's response:

That helps a lot. I still don't know what they will do. But I missed a couple days of exercising around christmas and when I laid in the floor to do my weights, I had shocks go through my neck and arms and then my arms felt powerless for a few seconds. I'll probably have to have something done soon. I'm dreading it but it has to be done. I hope I don't end up on disability, I owe too many bills for that!

Report This| Share this:neck surgery what to expectThat helps a lot. I still don't know what they will do. But I missed a couple days of exercising around christmas and when I laid in the floor to do my weights, I had shocks go through my neck and arms and then my arms felt powerless for a few seconds. I'll probably have to have something done soon. I'm dreading it but it has to be done. I hope I don't end up on disability, I owe too many bills for that! <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif" align="top" border="0">

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Back and Neck Pain Exchange

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