What Patients Wish They Knew Before Spine Surgery
Lauren Eskuchen, APN, Director of Nursing at Atlantic Brain and Spine, shares what patients should know before spine surgery, from diagnosis and preparation to recovery and long-term support.
Lauren Eskuchen, APN
Director of Nursing, Atlantic Brain and Spine
A board-certified Advanced Practice Nurse who works closely with ABS spine surgeons and patients throughout preparation, surgery and recovery.
By the time most patients arrive at a spine specialist, they’ve already been through a lot. Months or years of pain. Multiple opinions. Treatments that helped partially, temporarily, or not at all. The feeling of navigating something complex, alone.
Lauren Eskuchen’s role, in many ways, is to change that experience. As a board-certified Advanced Practice Nurse and the Director of Nursing at Atlantic Brain and Spine (ABS), she works closely with spine surgeons, helps patients prepare for surgery, and guides them through recovery.
“We’re here for our patients from the moment they make their first appointment, during the operation, and recovery, even after they go home,” she said. “Patients who feel informed and understood at every stage approach surgery with greater confidence and have better results because of it.”
That continuity of care can be one of the most meaningful parts of the patient experience.
5 things patients should know
From finding the right diagnosis to knowing what recovery really looks like, understanding the process can make the entire experience feel more manageable.
The Right Diagnosis Is the First Step Toward Relief
Many patients live with back or neck pain for years, having tried various treatments without lasting relief. One of the most important things Eskuchen and her colleagues help their patients understand is the biggest turning point in spine care isn’t always the surgery itself. It’s finally getting an accurate diagnosis.
A thorough evaluation, including imaging and a detailed understanding of symptoms, helps pinpoint the structural issue at the root of the pain. Common causes include herniated discs, spinal stenosis, disc degeneration, or nerve compression.
Once the diagnosis is clear, treatment becomes more focused and more effective. Just as importantly, patients begin to understand what has been happening in their body. That understanding often brings a sense of relief before any procedure takes place.
Nurse practitioners and advanced practice providers play a key role at this stage, connecting the dots between the patient’s diagnosis, what they’ve been feeling, and what to expect from their treatment.
Modern Spine Surgery Exceeds Expectations
A persistent misconception Eskuchen encounters is that spine surgery means large incisions, long hospital stays, and grueling recoveries. For many patients today, that idea is outdated.
Minimally invasive techniques have transformed what spine surgery looks like in practice. Smaller incisions, less disruption to surrounding tissue, and greater surgical precision have made recovery faster and more manageable for a significant number of patients. Robotic-assisted approaches have advanced the field further still, with surgeons at Atlantic Brain and Spine not only performing these procedures but training other surgeons in them.
Even with these advances, it is common for patients to feel apprehensive. This is where the care team steps in to help patients understand what modern spine surgery involves and reassure them about the process.
We’re here for our patients from the moment they make their first appointment, during the operation, and recovery, even after they go home.
Lauren Eskuchen, APN • Director of NursingSpine Surgery Is a Deliberate, Thoughtful Decision
Patients sometimes wonder whether surgery is recommended too quickly. At ABS, the decision to operate – or not – is made with care and intention.
Cases are reviewed during multidisciplinary spine conferences where neurosurgeons and orthopedic spine surgeons evaluate imaging and treatment plans together. Surgery is recommended when it offers a clear path to relieving pressure, stabilizing the spine, or restoring function. Factors like symptom severity, duration, functional limitations, nerve compression, instability, and previous treatments are all carefully considered.
For patients weighing their options, the care team provides continuity through the decision process, explaining how recommendations are made and why, so patients can make informed choices about their treatment.
That patient-centered approach resonated with Howard Zagorin, who spent decades searching for relief from chronic back pain before finally finding the right diagnosis and treatment plan.
“They’re great doctors, but they’re also nice people.”
— Howard Zagorin • Read Howard’s story
Preparation and Support Shape the Surgical Experience
Spine care is, by its nature, a team effort. Surgeons, advanced practice nurses, physician assistants, physical and occupational therapists, and case managers all contribute to a patient’s experience and recovery. At ABS, that collaborative team is designed to provide continuity from the first visit through rehabilitation. For patients in the hospital, that includes 24/7 coverage from our advanced practice provider team, so a member of the ABS clinical team is available around the clock to support the patient, coordinate care and communicate with the surgeon when needed.
Preparation begins well before the procedure, with clear, structured guidance about what to expect at every stage. And patients are never left wondering what comes next. There is always someone available to answer questions, clarify instructions, and coordinate the next step.
“Our patients have enough to worry about,” Eskuchen said. “Our job is to take care of the administrative details so they can focus on healing.”
Hospitalized ABS spine patients have access to our advanced practice provider team 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
APPs work alongside our surgeons to monitor recovery, answer questions, coordinate care and respond when a patient’s needs change.
That consistency shows up in how patients describe their experience. For Ari Venezia-Zahemski, who underwent revision spine surgery after years of persistent neck pain and multiple unsuccessful procedures, the relationship she built with her surgeon became one of the most meaningful parts of her recovery.
“She’s so focused on her patients and helping you live your best life.”
— Ari Venezia-Zahemski • Read Ari’s story
Recovery Is More Manageable Than Ever
Patients often worry about long, painful recoveries, but modern techniques have changed that reality considerably.
“Patients are surprised to find the pain from surgery is so much more manageable – and temporary – compared to what they were experiencing before,” Eskuchen noted.
Early movement is encouraged to support healing, and in many cases patients can walk shortly after surgery with assistance from nurses and physical therapists. Care doesn’t end at discharge. Patients receive detailed guidance on activity, wound care, and medications, and follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor progress and address any concerns.
For Glynis Watson, whose spinal tumor was diagnosed after years of unresolved pain, that support continued after surgery.
“After my surgery, they made sure all my needs were met,” said Glynis Watson. “Even after I went home, I could let them know if I needed anything and they were there for me.”
Confidence Comes From Clarity and Care
Spine surgery can feel overwhelming, especially when the diagnosis is new and the path forward is unclear. But patients who understand their condition, know what to expect, and feel genuinely supported by a coordinated team approach enter that experience with far greater confidence.
The procedure may be the turning point. But as Eskuchen sees it, what makes the journey feel manageable is everything that surrounds it.
“The most rewarding part of my job is seeing patients wake up from surgery and realize that the pain they carried with them for so long is gone. They get their lives back.”
— Lauren Eskuchen, APN
Considering Spine Surgery?
If you’re considering spine surgery but want to know more about the process, the team at Atlantic Brain and Spine can help you understand what to expect. Contact us to schedule a consultation and feel more confident about your care.
About Lauren Eskuchen, APN
Director of Nursing, Atlantic Brain and Spine
Lauren is a board-certified Advanced Practice Nurse and Director of Nursing at Atlantic Brain and Spine. She works closely with spine surgeons and patients throughout diagnosis, preparation, surgery and recovery.
