Preparing for Lumbar Fusion: What To Expect Before Surgery

To repair a disc, correct a deformity, or provide strength and stability, Dr. Craig Callewart provides Dallas, Rockwall, & Forney, TX, and the nearby regions, with the option of lumbar fusion. If you're already scheduled for your procedure, this is what you should know about preparing for your operation.

General Information

A lumbar fusion is a procedure that Dr. Craig Callewart, serving Dallas, Rockwall, & Forney, TX, performs to fuse two or more discs together. During the procedure, your surgeon will add donor bone or a bone-like material between the discs. They then heal together, and the material or bone fuses with your natural discs. We should note that our surgeon may use screws, rods, or plates to hold the bone together so the bones remain in place and heal properly.

What To Expect Before

What to expect includes the changes and visits you need to make, primarily.

Doctor's Appointments

You can expect to have one or more appointments prior to your lumbar fusion. For one, you'll need to have your initial appointment, where we'll discuss your problem and have you undergo imaging. 

Once we have the results, we'll map out the appropriate course of action for you. 

We'll then order any testing or examinations you'll need to complete to ensure you can safely undergo the procedure. 

Making Lifestyle Changes

We'll ask you what prescription and non-prescription medications and supplements you take. We'll then make any recommendations regarding any you need to stop before your procedure. We'll give you a specific length of time.to ensure it's adequately out of your system. For instance, with Coumadin, you may need to stop the drug five to seven days prior to the surgery.

Another change we'll ask you to make is to quit smoking because smoking can affect your immune system and slow the healing process. Generally, we ask patients to stop four weeks before the procedure.

Getting Your Home Ready

Besides the changes you'll need to make, you'll also want to prepare your home for after the procedure.

This may consist of preparing a space to sleep downstairs so you don't need to use the steps. You might also want to get the items you use commonly and place them close to where you'll spend most of your time. 

Especially if you live alone or are the one who cooks, you may want to make dinners in advance and freeze them.

Dr. Craig Callewart, serving Dallas, Rockwall, & Forney, TX, and the general vicinity, can perform a lumbar fusion. You'll need to take a few steps to adequately prepare for the procedure, like stopping certain medications.

Call us at (214) 271-4585 for an appointment.