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Update on LaurieAnne nearly 4 Weeks Post Op with Pics

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  • Update on LaurieAnne nearly 4 Weeks Post Op with Pics

    Hi all,

    I must apologize for not posting much since surgery. I was in the hospital for 7 days and then a few days after getting home everyone in my family got the flu. Thank God for anti-nausea meds!!! Surgery went very well and my prior curves of T-68 & L-80 are now both around 10 degrees! I also have grown 3 inches to now stand at 5'9. I knew there was a good reason for my big feet Anyway, I am recovering slowly and have stopped taking the percoset now and am trying to wean off the oxycotin. I am still taking valium and a muscle relaxer but am starting to alternate these instead of being on both. I really cant say I have any pain muscles just get tight and ache. I think one of if not the hardest part of recovery is being cooped up and unable to much or get out. Seems any activity wears me out so it's hard to accept and pace myself but I know it will be worth it to follow Dr's orders. Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers and responses to my many many questions. For those of you who are thinking about surgery and have questions please feel free to contact me. For those who have had surgery how much were you walking and how soon after surgery? I'm kinda worried I'm not walking enough.
    Laurie Anne
    Age 30
    Pre-Op Curves T68, L80, Kyphosis 48 degrees
    Post-Op Curves both around 10 degrees
    Surgery with Dr. Lenke & Dr. Kelly 12/13/10
    Gained 2.5 inches now 5'9
    PRE-OP Photos: http://s1080.photobucket.com/albums/...urieScoliosis/
    5 Mos Post Op: http://s1080.photobucket.com/albums/...s%20Post%20Op/
    1-Year Post Op: http://s1080.photobucket.com/albums/...r%20Post%20Op/

  • #2
    Hi LaurieAnne - I had surgery Aug 31. Dr Bridwell wanted me walking 1 mile daily at 4 weeks post op; 2 miles daily at 2 months post op, and 3 miles daily at 3 months post op and keep at the 3 miles thereafter. That first month I just took little walks to work up to it. The first time on my treadmill it took me 35 minutes to walk a mile. Now I'm doing 3 miles most days. (I don't get it in every single day if I have lots going on but I do get it in qt least 5 days a week.) if the weather is good I will try to mostly walk outside, but winter in Indiana can be cold and snowy/icy and I'm deathly afraid of falling right now. Good luck with your recovery. Sounds like it is going well.
    Age 56
    Wore a Milwaukee Brace for 3 years in hs
    Fused L4-S1 for high grade spondylolisthesis Jan '09 in Indy
    Thoracic 68
    Surgery Aug 31, 2010 T3 to L1
    Dr Bridwell St Louis
    http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...1&d=1289881696

    Comment


    • #3
      Laurie Ann

      Apology accepted. lol I am surprised that many post when they do. There was no way I could post for quite some time...

      I would say that the walking parameters are dependent on how you feel. If you have a bad day, I would let it get to you. Try to do a little each day...

      Get yourself some ski poles, and take it slow. You will get there.

      Good to hear everything’s ok.
      Ed
      49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
      Pre surgery curves T70,L70
      ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
      Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

      Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

      My x-rays
      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

      Comment


      • #4
        Hi Laurie, you sound good! Welcome to *this* side!

        Regarding walking, I was doing probably half what Lisa was doing at the same point. But my surgeon was happy with what I was doing because I did some walking every day. I kept increasing it and I kept feeling stronger for it. My opinion only, but I think that walking helps to return you to a feeling of normalcy. It makes you feel stronger, creates an appetite, not that I needed help with that, and helps with the constipation. I still walk.

        It's great that your pain has gone so early. You're doing great!
        Surgery March 3, 2009 at almost 58, now 63.
        Dr. Askin, Brisbane, Australia
        T4-Pelvis, Posterior only
        Osteotomies and Laminectomies
        Was 68 degrees, now 22 and pain free

        Comment


        • #5
          It sounds like you are doing great! I had a real hard time with the walking for weeks and weeks. I could get to the end of the block and then be in pain and couldn't go on. Eventually it was OK though. Just so you know how different all the recoveries are. Janet
          Janet

          61 years old--57 for surgery

          Diagnosed in 1965 at age of 13--no brace
          Thoracic Curve: 96 degrees to 35 degrees
          Lumbar Curve: 63 degrees to 5 degrees
          Surgery with Dr. Lenke in St. Louis--March 30, 2009
          T-2 to Pelvis, and hopefully all posterior procedure.

          All was posterior along with 2 cages and 6 osteotomies.

          Comment


          • #6
            I'm so glad to hear from you. You sound like you are doing amazing with your pain control. Awesome! Just what we wish for those undergoing surgery... quick recovery and no complications. I sure wish we all lived within driving distance so we could have a walking club!
            Jenee'-52
            Bend, Oregon

            Braced 3 years in high school
            Lumbar 70'+ Thoracic 70'+
            I had 3" shrinkage in 6 months...

            Surgery Jan 10, 2011
            9 hours
            T3 to S1 with pelvic fixation
            Both curves now 35'

            Possible revison for Flatback Syndrome
            Non-fusion
            Loose/broken hardware-awaiting CT results

            Here is the link to my before and after pics..
            http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt......&highlight=

            Comment


            • #7
              You sound as though you're doing really well and that's great. I can see the before pics but for some reason I can't see the after ones. Do you need a password to view them?
              Son 14 y/o diagnosed January 20th. 2011 with 110* Curve
              Halo Traction & 1st. surgery on March 22nd. 2011
              Spinal Fusion on April 19th. 2011

              Dr. Krajbich @ Shriners Childrens Hospital, Portland Oregon



              http://tinyurl.com/Elias-Before
              http://tinyurl.com/Elias-After

              Comment


              • #8
                Elisa,

                I had the same thing happen. But if you go to her original set of pics and then click on her profile, both "albums" are there. I really wanted to see her pictures since she got such a complete correction...

                Laurieanne....wow! Look at that beautiful long back of yours! I can't believe it. What a change. Gorgeous. Congratulations and keep healing.

                Amy
                Amy
                58 yrs old, diagnosed at 31, never braced
                Measured T-64, L-65 in 2009
                Measured T-57, L-56 in 2010, different doc
                2 lumbar levels spondylolisthesis
                Exercising to correct

                Comment


                • #9
                  We both had 68 degree left curves and our pre-op backs looked very similar. I was never told what my lumbar curve was. You've gained more height than me, I gained 2 inches.

                  Fantastic, isn't it?!
                  Surgery March 3, 2009 at almost 58, now 63.
                  Dr. Askin, Brisbane, Australia
                  T4-Pelvis, Posterior only
                  Osteotomies and Laminectomies
                  Was 68 degrees, now 22 and pain free

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Okay, I found the 'after' pics and they look awesome! Thanks foofer.
                    Son 14 y/o diagnosed January 20th. 2011 with 110* Curve
                    Halo Traction & 1st. surgery on March 22nd. 2011
                    Spinal Fusion on April 19th. 2011

                    Dr. Krajbich @ Shriners Childrens Hospital, Portland Oregon



                    http://tinyurl.com/Elias-Before
                    http://tinyurl.com/Elias-After

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Laurie Anne,

                      Congratulations on such an amazing correction, a safe surgery and so far a very great recovery!!! It must feel like such a relief. You will only improve from here!

                      At about 4 weeks I improved my walking distance every day. I used a pedometer to track how much I walked, and over 2 or 3 walks in a day I got up to 1.5, 1.75, 2 miles, etc per day. Eventually I was able to walk about 2 or 2.5 miles all at once, which felt great. I was up to 3 miles a day around 6 or 7 weeks.

                      Keep up walking every day and go with whatever your body is telling you.

                      Keep us posted on your progress!

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Feelig soooo behind...

                        Wow, that's amazing that so many of you are able to walk so far by 4-6 weeks post-op. I feel so behind, yesterday I first got on the treadmill and took me nearly 15 minutes to walk .25 miles. I walk around my house throughout the day but it's not continuous walking. I'm feeling a little discouraged because it is so hard to walk for an extended period. I really feel like I should be able to do more by now...guess I didn't start soon enough, although the over New Years we had the flu so I was totally bedridden for two days. I know everyone is different but I wish I had known that I should've been getting on the treadmill sooner. Any advice? Do any of you find it harder to breath too while sitting up straight and walking?
                        Laurie Anne
                        Age 30
                        Pre-Op Curves T68, L80, Kyphosis 48 degrees
                        Post-Op Curves both around 10 degrees
                        Surgery with Dr. Lenke & Dr. Kelly 12/13/10
                        Gained 2.5 inches now 5'9
                        PRE-OP Photos: http://s1080.photobucket.com/albums/...urieScoliosis/
                        5 Mos Post Op: http://s1080.photobucket.com/albums/...s%20Post%20Op/
                        1-Year Post Op: http://s1080.photobucket.com/albums/...r%20Post%20Op/

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Don't get discouraged LaurieAnne. The flu can take a lot out of you in addition to what the surgery does. Your body needs all of its energy to heal. Do what you can and rest a lot. It will get better and remember, we don't all heal at the same rate. I remember starting out at one mile per hour on my treadmill and could only walk for about 10 minutes. You will get there.
                          Sally
                          Diagnosed with severe lumbar scoliosis at age 65.
                          Posterior Fusion L2-S1 on 12/4/2007. age 67
                          Anterior Fusion L3-L4,L4-L5,L5-S1 on 12/19/2007
                          Additional bone removed to decompress right side of L3-L4 & L4-L5 on 4/19/2010
                          New England Baptist Hospital, Boston, MA
                          Dr. Frank F. Rands735.photobucket.com/albums/ww360/butterflyfive/

                          "In God We Trust" Happy moments, praise God. Difficult moments, seek God. Quiet moments, worship God. Painful moments, trust God. Every moment, thank God.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Absolutely Sally. Laurie, you're not even a month post op yet. Don't beat yourself up, you have many months of healing ahead of you. I think walking for 10 minutes is fine. Just try to do it every day. If you can build up from that, fine, but don't expect too much of yourself this early out.
                            Surgery March 3, 2009 at almost 58, now 63.
                            Dr. Askin, Brisbane, Australia
                            T4-Pelvis, Posterior only
                            Osteotomies and Laminectomies
                            Was 68 degrees, now 22 and pain free

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Hi, Laurie,

                              Amazing Post op pic! your back looks beautiful and even! I have similar curves and humps like yours. That gives me a great encouragement with the surgery decision.

                              Did dr. lenke say that if you would need another surgery in the future since you are not fused to S1? What kind of incision closure dr. lenke use? do you have to take the stitches out or it dissolved? if you have x ray, would love to see it as well.

                              What do you do for work? how long are you taking it off and when are you planning to go back to work?


                              much love, hugs
                              62/75 (T4-T9 68 degree & T11 - L4 80 degree) 10/19/2010
                              45/50 year 2000
                              36 yrs old
                              Considering, researching surgery for the first time
                              S. California
                              http://s1210.photobucket.com/albums/...ashionista889/

                              Comment

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