Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D.

In order to increase your likelihood of having a successful spine surgery, you need to take a few steps before your procedure to improve your overall health. There are a number of aspects of your life that you’ll want to take a closer look at and possibly manage differently so that you can go into surgery as healthy as possible. Below, we spotlight five aspects of your life that you’ll want to closely manage in the weeks and days leading up to your spine surgery.

Things To Manage Before Back Surgery

A lot of people incorrectly assume that the success or failure of their operation lies solely in the hands of the surgeon. While they’ll provide the technical aspect during the procedure, how you prepare for the operation and the steps you take following the procedure will have a great impact on the operation’s success or failure. Here’s a look at five things you’ll want to work to manage before surgery to help improve your likelihood of a successful spine surgery and recovery.

1. Your Weight – You don’t need to go on a crash diet before spine surgery, but you will want to try and exercise more and eat a healthy diet to keep your weight in check or possibly shed a few pounds. Your spine helps to disperse your body weight, and the more you weigh, the more stress it has to handle, which can be problematic if your spine and its supportive structures are injured as a result of the trauma of surgery. Manage your weight and take a little strain off your spine.
2. Smoking/Drinking – You’ll also want to work on cutting back or eliminating tobacco and alcohol use leading up to the operation. These substances can inhibit healthy blood circulation and lead to disc degeneration, both of which can cause major issues for your spine. Alcohol can also cause problems if you are taking any medications to manage your discomfort. Try to stop smoking and drinking for a bit until your surgery and rehab are finished.
3. Medications – Speaking of medication, you’ll also want to safely manage your medications leading up to surgery and post-op. You’ll want to be very up front with your surgeon about any drugs you are taking prior to surgery, as they’ll tell you whether or not you need to stop prior to your operation. Certain drugs can cause problems when paired with anesthesia, so if you’ll receive a sedative during your operation, you will want to listen to your doctor’s instructions about any other medications you are currently taking.
4. Underlying Health Conditions – You probably strive to manage any underlying health conditions at all points of your life, but it’s especially important if you’ll be undergoing an operation in the near future. If you aren’t great at managing your diabetes or blood pressure, it may not be safe to proceed with an operation. Let your doctor know about any underlying health issues you have, and really work to manage them effectively leading up to your procedure.
5. General Sickness – Finally, you’ll also want to take stock of your health in the days leading up to your operation. Both seasonal flus and COVID-19 seem to be more prevalent these days, and your surgery can become higher risk if you have a cold or a virus on the day of your operation. A seasonal cold may not force  you to reschedule your operation, but your surgeon will want to evaluate your health to ensure that you are healthy enough for surgery and that you’re not a risk to spread your sickness to others. Do what you can to limit your exposure to potential flus and viruses in the days leading up to your spine surgery, and let your doctor know if you’re feeling under the weather.

If you need help managing any of these aspects, or you want to connect with a surgeon who will do everything in their power to ensure your procedure goes as expected, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.

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