What is the Expected Laser Back Surgery Recovery Time

Laser back surgery has a number of benefits over traditional back surgery. Notably, patients enjoy a lower risk of certain side effects, and an outpatient procedure that requires no general anesthesia. One of the biggeest benefits is that the laser back surgery recovery time is much shorter than that associated with traditional back surgery, at about 1/4 of the length. Below, we will explore more about what to expect after laser back surgery.

Timeline

There is often some variation in terms of the course of recovery, with some patients experiencing a smoother, more timely recovery than others. Laser back surgery patients can expect to:

• Return home the same day
  
• Begin physical therapy, if recommended, within several days
  
• Return to jobs that are not physically strenuous within a week
  
• Return to physically strenuous jobs and heavy exercise after at least 6 weeks
  

As you can see, the time away from work following laser back surgery is minimal. If you are concerned about the length of time away from work, you can take steps such as scheduling the surgery for a time when no major projects are due, or scheduling the surgery so that the recovery time will fall in part over a long weekend. In addition, some people with physically strenuous jobs are able to return to work with partial duties after several weeks.

Minimizing Recovery Time

Some factors that influence the recovery time, such as age and the presence of preexisting conditions, cannot be controlled for. However, having healthy habits and adhering to your physicians' recommendations can help to reduce laser back surgery recovery time. After surgery, patients should be sure to eat a healthy diet, follow recommendations regarding the avoidance of certain activities and participation in physical therapy, and get plenty of rest.

To learn more about laser back surgery, please click below and enter your information or call the Datta Endoscopic Back Surgery and Pain Center at (646) 374-1799.