I saw three scoliosis surgeons in NYC in March for my first ever "back consults" exclusively about my scoliosis/surgery. I've known I had scoliosis since my early twenties, but for most of the time since (I'm 64), it's been forgettable until the last decade. That period marked major deterioration - more pain and deformity, much reduced function and at least 4 " height lost. All travel became so hard I wasn't even able to go for consults until my older son donated his Spring Break to take me. Living in a "remote rural area" to quote one surgeon's notes, made/makes it harder to get places too.
I was very stressed out on that trip. One result was I didn't have my thoughts collected. I've since gotten their reports including an operative plan. This helps, but it's not the same thing as being there in person and able to engage in a fruitful give and take to really understand what each particular surgeon "stands for". As I prepare to see a few more surgeons, I'm resolving to do better in that precious interview time - especially since I know return trips will be almost impossible. I don't even really know how I'm going to make these trips...
Please help me prepare for the consults. My goals (always good to define) are: to get a sense of the man and his approach to aid me in choosing a surgeon, and -- what? How does he define my problems (numbers would help - grades of spondylolisthesis, kyphosis, Cobbs), what would he plan for my surgery and - within reason - why? How many "like me" has he done (and how many adult back deformity cases does he do annually)? What does he think would happen to me without surgery? What does he see in my future if he operates on me - likelihood of success, odds of needing more surgery, correction obtainable (including cosmetic), special risks and/or advantages he sees in my presentation (e.g., osteopenia)?
I'd like to ask more detail questions (such as, his use of braces and rehab - they matter a lot to me as I try to picture coping, under my unique circumstances). Maybe in the interests of time I should relegate such inquiries for the future, though (emails, via his P.A.). What should I make sure to ask and what do you see as the most important issues I should address while I'm there with him, face to face? What are the most important understandings we should reach, before I leave? I feel I flubbed my chances before and want to come with a good list and better focus, this time.
I was very stressed out on that trip. One result was I didn't have my thoughts collected. I've since gotten their reports including an operative plan. This helps, but it's not the same thing as being there in person and able to engage in a fruitful give and take to really understand what each particular surgeon "stands for". As I prepare to see a few more surgeons, I'm resolving to do better in that precious interview time - especially since I know return trips will be almost impossible. I don't even really know how I'm going to make these trips...
Please help me prepare for the consults. My goals (always good to define) are: to get a sense of the man and his approach to aid me in choosing a surgeon, and -- what? How does he define my problems (numbers would help - grades of spondylolisthesis, kyphosis, Cobbs), what would he plan for my surgery and - within reason - why? How many "like me" has he done (and how many adult back deformity cases does he do annually)? What does he think would happen to me without surgery? What does he see in my future if he operates on me - likelihood of success, odds of needing more surgery, correction obtainable (including cosmetic), special risks and/or advantages he sees in my presentation (e.g., osteopenia)?
I'd like to ask more detail questions (such as, his use of braces and rehab - they matter a lot to me as I try to picture coping, under my unique circumstances). Maybe in the interests of time I should relegate such inquiries for the future, though (emails, via his P.A.). What should I make sure to ask and what do you see as the most important issues I should address while I'm there with him, face to face? What are the most important understandings we should reach, before I leave? I feel I flubbed my chances before and want to come with a good list and better focus, this time.
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