Hi , I'm new here. I had spinal fusion sugery 3 1/2 months ago. The surgery was very successful, and my surgeon said I could surf in 6 to 8 months, but he was pretty vague, and not a surfer. I was interested in hearing anybody elses experience. Were you still able to shortboard? How long did you wait?
I
'm
a
shortboarder and I'm not ready to give that up.
thanks
Welcome to the Breeze. I am not sure on your scenario there but hope you get back into the water soon. Good luck with your recovery and keep those pics coming.
yes you will shortboard again
i had to go through the sup first then longboard....now today i pick up my first shorty in 8years
so you sound like you are in a better position than i was,so stay focussed and work on your core strength. good luck with everything and hope you get wet sooner than later welcome to the breeze
Welcome 
I had back surgery in Jan 07 but wasnt a fusion, I was out of action for about eight months.
I didnt have fusion, my lowest disc had burst through my spine and was crushing the ciatic<<spelling nerve. I couldnt walk for longer than 50m at a time and I didnt sleep for longer than an hour at a time 
I hit the pools every day after my operation (had to wait six weeks) walking and swimming. I think this helped alot, also beach walking is excelent for lower back.
You will get back in the water and dont give up on shortboarding, just focus on what you want and you will get there. I did, Im not as flexible and I dont go out in surf that Im not comfortable in.
Hope that help
I think you will...
I crushed L2 in a cycling accident. As doggies says, lots of swimming - it's the best thing you can do... I went from not being able to string two laps together to swimming 2km non stop (wish I still could 
)
I was out for 10 months.... then a very apprehensive return. That was 13yrs ago.
Just take it easy and listen to your body and don't over do it.
Get a good physio , these people are worth their weight in gold, I'd be fully ****ed if it wasn't for mine, he was more knowledgable than half the doctors I saw.
But sure you'll be back, injuries heal, just do all the rhab and don't over extend yourself on the way back.
Keep us updated on your progress.. 
I actually have a bad back also. Snapped my Cock-sick of and has re joined my spine when i was very young. My issue is muscle works over time to keep it all in alignment and when out it hurts like hell.
I find that when i surf regularly my back is better than ever. Working my neck and shoulders down through lower back.
Good luck getting back in the water
had my c3 and 4 fused over 20 years ago i think i was third person to have this operation done in australia , surfed after 3 months in small surf took it easy , after a year or two i never even think about it , never been to a physio ever , never had a problem , get on with life like it didnt happen and stay fit , cheers
Thanks for all the encouraging words. I went out today and paddled around on my 6'5". It was tiring, but felt so good to be back in the water
i had the same OP as doggie and i was packing it for my first 10 or so surfs and it took time to regain confidence.
only advice i can give is just take baby steps.
I had a discectomy 20 years ago which relieved sciatic pain in my legs, the result was a change in the quality of my life that left me wondering why I didn't have the surgery earlier.
Unfortunately 12 months later, due to a rare enzyme imbalance, the disc peeled of the vertebrae and I again had to go under the knife to have a fusion L5 S1
After both surgeries I swam and walked daily, did not surf for 6 months which allowed the spine to properly fuse in the latter case. This I think is most important, going back too early may risk green stick fracture, allow time for the vertebrae to fuse together and be careful during this period.
Within a year I was surfing well again, probably had some of the biggest waves and worst wipeouts of my life post surgery.
