Tweet
This forum has been of great help and inspiration. I have had Scoliosis since teens and finally got my Surgery done on March 6, 2009 at the age of 31. I am a mother of 2 boys(7 yr and 2yr).Me and my husband had prepared ourselves for a long and difficult recovery. But the recovery has been much easier than what we expected. I just passed the 2 month period and am walking 2 miles weather permitting everyday. My doctor has been amazing and I attribute all of this to his experience and diligence. I would recommend him 100% for anyone going through Scoliosis/Spinal Fusion.
It was a 7 hr surgery from 11 am to 6 pm. I came to the room around 8 pm awake enough to see my nervous husband and hold his hands. I was all bloated for 2 days(enough to scare my kids away). The two complications during surgery were lots of blood loss(I needed 6 pints) and as per the neurologist the doctors couldnt get my hands moving when they stimulated my nerves before stitching me up. Hence they brought me back up from my anesthesia faster to make sure I am all ok. I needed 2 more pints the next day. Started walking with the therapist and a walker on Day 3, walked with no walker and climbed stairs on Day 4. Got discharged Day 5.
At home first week was painful in particular late evenings. Went through all post-surgery symptoms like, constipation, difficulty staying in one position for more than 20 mins. Two weeks later got my staples removed and my wound had healed pretty well. Continued on Percocet and Oxycontin. My first post-op appointment with my doc was at 5 wks after surgery. Things looked good on my X-Ray. A correction from 66 to 34(yeaaaaa). My back looks great!!! Since then apart from pains off and on its been steady progress, no big alarms and I pray god that it remains that way.
For anyone who is going to or is thinking about Spinal Fusion I would definitely say that it is worth the pain. I had a very difficult decision to make since I had NO pain whatsoever pre-surgery. I had a normal lifestyle. But still I went through this just because of my 66 degree and progressive curve. I realized I had to do it at some point. And looking back I have no regrets. I understand everyone is different but atleast I hope my experience could help in making the right decision.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Radhika
Spinal Fusion (T4-L4) and Thoracoplasty on March 6, 2009 at age 31
by Dr Lauerman at Georgetown Univ, DC
Pre Surgery - 66 degrees
Post Surgery - 34 degrees
and feeling good
It was a 7 hr surgery from 11 am to 6 pm. I came to the room around 8 pm awake enough to see my nervous husband and hold his hands. I was all bloated for 2 days(enough to scare my kids away). The two complications during surgery were lots of blood loss(I needed 6 pints) and as per the neurologist the doctors couldnt get my hands moving when they stimulated my nerves before stitching me up. Hence they brought me back up from my anesthesia faster to make sure I am all ok. I needed 2 more pints the next day. Started walking with the therapist and a walker on Day 3, walked with no walker and climbed stairs on Day 4. Got discharged Day 5.
At home first week was painful in particular late evenings. Went through all post-surgery symptoms like, constipation, difficulty staying in one position for more than 20 mins. Two weeks later got my staples removed and my wound had healed pretty well. Continued on Percocet and Oxycontin. My first post-op appointment with my doc was at 5 wks after surgery. Things looked good on my X-Ray. A correction from 66 to 34(yeaaaaa). My back looks great!!! Since then apart from pains off and on its been steady progress, no big alarms and I pray god that it remains that way.
For anyone who is going to or is thinking about Spinal Fusion I would definitely say that it is worth the pain. I had a very difficult decision to make since I had NO pain whatsoever pre-surgery. I had a normal lifestyle. But still I went through this just because of my 66 degree and progressive curve. I realized I had to do it at some point. And looking back I have no regrets. I understand everyone is different but atleast I hope my experience could help in making the right decision.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Radhika
Spinal Fusion (T4-L4) and Thoracoplasty on March 6, 2009 at age 31
by Dr Lauerman at Georgetown Univ, DC
Pre Surgery - 66 degrees
Post Surgery - 34 degrees
and feeling good
Comment