Thanks, Phil, I can hopefully put my projects and clients off for 6-8 weeks on the heavy stuff. I'll just have to play it by ear... or back. :-) I just found out my neighbor had a similar surgery about a decade ago, went full tilt too early, and ended up back on the operating table to fix the re-herniation he created. I have lots of reading and education to get caught up on (along with taxes!) so I'm hoping to make my downtime as productive as possible. 6-8 weeks is not much time in the long run. Thanks again for your insight. It's most helpful. Regards, Rob McCall McCall Piano Service, LLC Murrieta, CA rob at mccallpiano.com www.mccallpiano.com 951-698-1875 On Jan 10, 2010, at 17:14 , phil at emvkeys.ca wrote: > Rob > > I underwent L5 laminectomy/discotomy in '87. I can tell you the lower back pain I had suffered with for over 10 years and the excrusciating sciatica was obviously gone the moment I came to following surgery. Pain was till absent after the anesthesia had worn off. I now have limited lower back motion, but nothing like being fused. I was working in heavy construction at the time and returned to light duties after 6 weeks. At one point, obviously too early in my recovery, I foolishly tried some heavier lifting and ended up on my back for a week again. I wasn't tuning at the time but I don't think it would be a problem during recovery. Carrying heavy tool cases, lots of stairs, lifting or pushing a piano would have been out of the question though.. 23 years later I still regularly move and play a Hammond console with Leslie cabinet and PA system as well as move my own pianos with proper equipment and help. > > Based on my own experience, I'd suggest laying low for the recommended 6-8 weeks. > > best wishes for full recovery. > > Phil
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC