Has anyone ever had or know anyone who's had neck surgery (anterior cervical discectomy)? Aside from the standard risks/concerns, having this type of surgery would impact our plans for WDW in April/May 2011.
If anyone has any personal experience or opinions, I'd love to hear them.
How soon before the trip is the surgery?
I'd have the surgery in mid-January. We were planning a trip towards the end of April and into May.
Not sure, Jeff. I've been to WDW with someone who'd had a double mastectomy a few weeks before our trip and everything was fine, but when it comes to neck surgery, I'm sure some rides would be off limits.
Any specifics from the Doc regarding to-do and not-to-do?
Well, he said at around 3-4 months, you can generally be back to a somewhat normal routine. So of course, the first question I asked was "Sooo, suppose I wanted to plan a trip to Disney World in April/May - what would you think about that?".
He scowled.
He did say it really depends on how well and quickly you recover and heal, but he said he probably would not advise any "rough" rides.
Well, he said at around 3-4 months, you can generally be back to a somewhat normal routine. So of course, the first question I asked was "Sooo, suppose I wanted to plan a trip to Disney World in April/May - what would you think about that?".
He scowled.
He did say it really depends on how well and quickly you recover and heal, but he said he probably would not advise any "rough" rides.
I hate it when my doctor scowls about my WDW trips. 
I'd say plan the trip for mid-May and go to physical therapy a LOT! 
Wish I could help more, but for now, I'll just think happy thoughts and sprinkle pixie dust!
May 2008 CSR 
I don't have any personal experience but I would think the later you can schedule it the better. I'd hate for you to go and not enjoy yourself..or worse..damage your next somehow.
Bella
Well, I ended up having to schedule the surgery for Friday, Dec. 17, instead of January. I know, ho ho ho to me! Oh well, at least it's after our Christmas jaunt next week 
We've decided to err on the safe side and plan our next big trip in September of 2011 - another birthday visit! It's too risky to think about going in May.
Messing up Christmas is one thing, messing up a Disney trip is another! 
Boo for screwing up Christmas!!
But 
six days! I did NOT realize that your December trip was so close!!!!!!!!!
September in WDW is wonderful as I am sure you know! I think that's your best bet..make sure you are good and healthy!
Bella
No kidding! YAY! Now I am mad we are just going for a few days and not a week or more...stupid work. It interferes with everything! 
No kidding! YAY! Now I am mad we are just going for a few days and not a week or more...stupid work. It interferes with everything!
So true! Glad you're just getting it over with though, and you'll be healthy for the next WDW trip
Plus, this way Joe can just wait on you hand and foot throughout the Christmas holiday
No kidding! YAY! Now I am mad we are just going for a few days and not a week or more...stupid work. It interferes with everything!
No one seems to like work. I wonder why we all do it?
Glad to hear you guys have worked out a plan that makes sense, though I'm sorry you'll be laid up over the holidays 
I guess now's as good a time as any, especially if you're currently in pain or dealing with a health situation that needs to be fixed.
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2010 Beach Club Resort
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JeffC wrote:No kidding! YAY! Now I am mad we are just going for a few days and not a week or more...stupid work. It interferes with everything!
No one seems to like work. I wonder why we all do it?
Hey Brad don't include us old retired guys in that general statement "I wonder why we all do it" heck I am retired twice now.
Hey Brad don't include us old retired guys in that general statement "I wonder why we all do it"
Sure, rub our noses in it!
Three days!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Boo work..it so interferes with everything!
Bella
Oh, 3 days already? I didn't notice.... 
Oh, and I found an animated video of the procedure I'm having. Joe found a live version, but queasy-stomach here could not watch.
Weee!
Is there no sound or is my computer screwing up? I think the lack of sound makes it scarier!
Um.......I got freaked out just looking at the picture!!!
Bella
Brad - There's no sound to it. I'm not sure if that's better or worse. I imagine buzz-saw sounds when they do the rasping or whatever to clean out the disc area.
Definetely do not do Splash Mountain post-op.
I haven't been back on Splash mountain since a few years ago I got whiplash.
It was terrible. I was in pain for about a year after that and I felt it when it happened.
I think it was because I was in the back of the car and for some reason got jerked harder than I should have.
Anyway, just don't think it's worth the risk for you.
We don't want you to end up in one of these. 
Living Close to the Mouses house.
My second home is SSR.
Brad - There's no sound to it. I'm not sure if that's better or worse. I imagine buzz-saw sounds when they do the rasping or whatever to clean out the disc area.
I didn't want to say anything because I don't want to make you more nervous, but that video does not make me envy your surgery.
JeffC wrote:Brad - There's no sound to it. I'm not sure if that's better or worse. I imagine buzz-saw sounds when they do the rasping or whatever to clean out the disc area.
I didn't want to say anything because I don't want to make you more nervous, but that video does not make me envy your surgery.
lol, do people typically envy another's surgery?
Bella
Hi Jeff,
I don't envy your surgery. Even animated that looks nasty, and the metal plate and screws used to secure the fusion site will probably cause problems at airport security.
I registered on Youtube just to see the video of Saddam Hussein's hanging. My screen name there is Jimbodisfan.
I'm also having surgery, but not nearly as severe as yours. On January 7 I will have my gall bladder removed in an outpatient procedure. There's a stone sitting in it, because I eat too much of the tasty fattening foods and very few fruits and vegetables (particularly green veggies, but I like broccoli. Go figure). I'll be able to return to work within 7 to 10 days after surgery. I have to admit that I am scared, well, the word rhymes with spitless; but a Christian isn't supposed to say such things, right? Anyway, I'll just put myself in the Lord's hands.
Jim
You can also put me in the scared spitless camp, Jim.....5 more days! I really have no idea what to expect for recovery - I've read so many forums and recovery times are all over the board. I think I'll take the faith approach as well.
Hope yours goes well. We can compare war stories afterwards. I hope I have a cool scar.
You can also put me in the scared spitless camp, Jim.....5 more days! I really have no idea what to expect for recovery - I've read so many forums and recovery times are all over the board. I think I'll take the faith approach as well.
Hope yours goes well. We can compare war stories afterwards. I hope I have a cool scar.
To both of you - prayers for a speedy recovery. And thank you both for helping me to put the wisdom tooth extraction that I'm dreading later this month into its proper perspective.
We look forward to being on the other side of all of these procedures. And don't forget my motto...when pain is necessary, treats are IMPERATIVE.
I have a calcified mass behind my c2 vertabrae which is slowly getting bigger. Neurosurgeon says if it comes out it'll be about 3 months until i can drive by myself let alone go on a wdw ride. I'd talk to your dr. What exactly is your surgery? i'm wondering if it's similar to what I'm going through. He never gave me the technical name for the surgery.
Wishin' I was at WDW!
I have a calcified mass behind my c2 vertabrae which is slowly getting bigger. Neurosurgeon says if it comes out it'll be about 3 months until i can drive by myself let alone go on a wdw ride. I'd talk to your dr. What exactly is your surgery? i'm wondering if it's similar to what I'm going through. He never gave me the technical name for the surgery.
That doesn't sound fun at all. Does it hurt?
Yes, it does hurt, though the doctor isn't convinced my pain is related to the mass since it's not touching any nerves. It is stretching out the neck muscle though, so he said it could be causing some pain. He thinks it's probably more related to my fibromyalgia which can cause very similar pain. I think it's the mass though. If you run your hand along the back of my neck you can feel a bump. Even if it's just psychological, it doesn't seem to me that it can be a good thing that it's there. The surgery to remove it is risky and painful though, so I'm not moving too quickly to have it removed either.
Wishin' I was at WDW!
You can also put me in the scared spitless camp, Jim.....5 more days! I really have no idea what to expect for recovery - I've read so many forums and recovery times are all over the board. I think I'll take the faith approach as well.
Hope yours goes well. We can compare war stories afterwards. I hope I have a cool scar.
I hope you have a cool scar, too!
I'm sure you'll come through this just fine, and a few weeks of Joe taking care of you can't be bad
Prayers and good thoughts going out for all of you, Jim, Lizzy, Jeff, and Katrina. Keep us updated and let us know if you need anything.