My L1 had an A4 burst fracture following a tandem crash doing a paragliding tour last week. I had to have an emergency fusion done in the Colombian hospital. I think they fused T12 to L2 and used some sort of adhesive to reassemble L1. Everything went really, really well. I was able stand up and do a few steps day after surgery.

I was stuck there alone as family had traveled back the day before. I managed to fly back 4 days after surgery, but it was a little rough because of a heavy backpack, bag, and multiple layovers.

I'm now 7 days post op and I'm starting to feel like almost entirely normal? I never experienced anything like this before. I've been off opioids and virtually pain free for a couple days now. Walked 3 miles yesterday and today. I feel around 80-85% back to normal.

I have a follow up with a local neurosurgeon, but not for another week. The translation issues at the Colombian hospital didn't allow for much in terms of complex descriptions. What exactly am I not allowed to do right now and for how long? I assume no squats and deadlifts for a while, what about bench pressing and pull ups? I want to stay active and get back to my life. No interest in reinjuring or crippling myself, but I'm not interested in excessive caution either. What non pain causing activities do I have to strictly avoid?

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