A few questions.

In order of ACTUAL importance...

#1 Have sex as soon as you can.

Everything else comes after that...like...

- How long are you supposed to spend on bedrest?  After I got out of the hospital with my brace on and I was out of bed the next day.  Just had to be in that brace for a few months.

- When could you drive again?  The next day...with the brace on.

- When can you take the dogs out for a walk?  The next day...with the brace on.

- When are you able to have sex again?   That night...with the brace on...not very sexy, though...

Is this getting repetitive?  Unless you have other conditions or under strict doctor's orders, just put your brace on and resume your life.  PT will take at least a month or two to regain your strength and range of motion but I killed that in a few weeks.  Leg pressing 230 pounds.  OK...so I was 67 at the time...should have done 250.  Fused L3-S1.

Hi just to understand.  Is your back going to be fused with hardware and screws.  If so you will not be able to drive for at least 2 mos.  You will need to wear a back brace.  No bedrest.  But you will for awhile not be able to do any heavy lifting or cleaning.  Waling is advisabel but slowly.  The dog not right away.  I can see you last question.  Trust me you won't must feel  like it till the back heals.  So if you can tell me what an instrumental fusion is, these answers I gave might not even apply to you.

Good luck.

I had l4/5 fussion with titanium screws, plates and artificial bone 14 years ago, firstly bed rest isn't good for you but the nurses will have you up and about as soon as they can, once you get home please take it easy tho, housework can wait your fussion needs time to heal.

it was 8 weeks for me to be able to drive, not sure if that has changed.

make sure you get physio with a specialist that deals with this kind of surgery, they will also advise you on walking, listen to your body, you know it better than anyone.

ask for a back brace or walking AIDS just to help in the beginning, I didn't get them or physio and really believe that I would of had a quicker recovery if I'd had more help.

with sex I don't think you can put a time on it it will happen naturally and probably sooner than you thinks so don't worry about it.

i would recommend swimming as soon as you can but again be careful and build up slowly.

i wish you well and a speedy recovery, please let me know how you get on once you up to it, if there's anymore questions please don't hesitate to ask, good luck and take care 😊

I am not sure what your sx entails but I had a fusion and discectomy l3-s1. I was in the hospital for 6 days, I walked the day after sx with physical therapy using walker in hospital. Walked each day a bit more with assistance while in hospital. Didn't shower on my own until I got home. Bed rest for at least 1-2 weeks at home, no housework at all, no lifting, nothing. I drove 4 weeks after sx and started pt 3xs a week, 5 weeks after sx. I never wore a brace, I used a grabber to reach things for me if I needed assistance. I found that keeping a log for medications and setting an alarm for meds was helpful, sitting in a recliner or with supportive pillows in bed made things comfortable. Walking is always good, not sure about dogs, my dogs are big and can pull so I walked on my own. Short, frequent walks are better than a single long walk. Rest when you need to rest, don't feel like you need to be superman/woman. Intimate relations are going to depend on you and how you feel. Everyone is different, if you feel up to it give it a try, just take things slow and be deliberate with your actions and body mechanics. I wish you a successful sx and speedy recovery.