I spoke to my neurosurgeon today for my pre-op meeting. For those who aren’t following along… I’m scheduled for a L4-L5 spinal fusion on Monday morning.

Apparently, there’s been a change in plans, and he’s now going to be coming in from the back rather than going in from the side. This means that I need to wear a brace during the healing process.

We had to rush downtown to the company that makes the braces so that I could get measured from every direction. Everything from the height of my nipples to how far my stomach sticks out had to be written down. Great fun!

I also got the full skinny on what they’re going to do. It basically involves deck screws and wedges.

Here are some pictures:

Wedges (well… they’re called “cages”), filled with a synthetic auger and my own bone marrow

Oh yeah… I’m gonna get screwed! These damn things are long!!

And finally… a picture from the back side. I’m gonna be built with Kenex! (ignore the “bone graft” they show in this image… I don’t get that)

I’ll be in the hospital for 3 – 4 days. Don’t forget to send flowers and/or beer (lots of the latter please!!)

I did ask if they could video tape the procedure but was told that they wouldn’t. Apparently, some woman who had taped her surgery sued because she found the conversation between her neurosurgeon and his assistant durring her surger offensive (hell… she was under at the time… and they weren’t even talking about her). They just don’t do it at my office.