Postprocedure:
You should plan to spend the first few days you are home resting and allowing your back to heal. After this initial period you should start exercising by walking. Start with short walks and gradually increase your distance each day. You should avoid any lifting or bending activity as well as any exercise that involves twisting (tennis or golf). You may not drive for approximately four weeks, or as otherwise specified by Dr. Phookan. You can take a sponge bath from a sink to maintain personal cleanliness for the first 3 days. On the fourth day, you may take a shower and let the water run over the incision 72 hours (3 days) after surgery. However, you should not scrub the incision while you are showering. Do not soak the incision in the bathtub. Your staples or sutures need to be removed in 10 days.