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  • #1

    How long did you wait?

    I'm sure this has been posted a million times but I have done countless searches and can only find a handfull of answers.

    Anyhow, my main question is - How long did you have to wait to see a surgeon?

    I know it's different for everyone and it largely depends on where you live and how busy the surgeon is.

    I myself am in Manitoba, Canada and I've very recently been put on a 1-2 year waiting list just to meet the surgeon. Unfortunatley I have a feeling this is the result of a vague referral letter from my doctor, but I'm not entirely sure. (I've only been going to her for a year and she doesn't have much experience with scoliosis patients.)

    Did anyone else get put on a long waiting list for adult scoliosis surgery?
    Was there something you or your doctor did to get bumped up on the list? (or do you have any ideas for how someone might do that?

    I know my doctor didn't mention that I need/want surgery.
    And I know she didn't mention that I lose feeling in my legs after massage therapy.
    Is there any way I can write a letter to the surgeon myself to make him aware of these things or is it better to go through my doctor? And is it even possible for her to re-refer me?

    Sorry about the list of questions.. I only meant to ask one but I'm growing tired of trying to get answers from busy receptionists.

    Thanks so much to anyone who has any nuggets of wisdom to pass along.
    Age 28
    diagnosed at age 12
    wore a boston brace until age 14
    No surgery, was on "wait and watch" till recently. Got a SpineCor (Jan 27th) to help ease the pain.
    T-curve 73 degrees with severe rotation (curves to the right)
    L-curve 45 degrees with slightly less severe rotation than my T-curve (curves to the left)

    1994 - 5'10" - T-?/L-? (i forget what they really were)
    2006 - 5' 4" - T-56/L-40
    2008/09 - 5' 4" - T-73/L-45
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Um.. well, I'm not too sure.. All I did was complain of constant pain, and I was referred to a surgeon, who saw me ASAP. I think it all has to do with what you tell your doctor... I mean, you have pretty severe curves, so I'm not sure why you're on a waiting list... Then again, I'm in Rhode Island, and it could be that the reason I was able to see a surgeon so quickly is because of the size of my state.. (smallest state in the US)... maybe there aren't that many people who have to see the surgeon? I don't know.. try complaining CONSTANTLY... It's unfortunate that one has to resort to that, but I'm thinking it's a way to make yourself heard?
    27 Years Old
    Pre Surgery: 76 and 68 degrees
    Post Surgery: 15 degrees
    www.bentoutofshape.blogspot.com

    Comment

    • #3
      Kind of a squeeky wheel gets the grease thing?

      My doctor is getting anxious too.. she keeps asking if I heard from the surgeon yet, even though we just sent another letter last week.. one that kind of explains that I want to see him for surgery and not just to see what my curves are up to.

      Thanks so much for replying
      Age 28
      diagnosed at age 12
      wore a boston brace until age 14
      No surgery, was on "wait and watch" till recently. Got a SpineCor (Jan 27th) to help ease the pain.
      T-curve 73 degrees with severe rotation (curves to the right)
      L-curve 45 degrees with slightly less severe rotation than my T-curve (curves to the left)

      1994 - 5'10" - T-?/L-? (i forget what they really were)
      2006 - 5' 4" - T-56/L-40
      2008/09 - 5' 4" - T-73/L-45

      Comment

      • #4
        Anytime, carebear... I'm 27, and I have TONS of questions as well..
        27 Years Old
        Pre Surgery: 76 and 68 degrees
        Post Surgery: 15 degrees
        www.bentoutofshape.blogspot.com

        Comment

        • #5
          Probably has a lot to do with the health system in Canada vs the US. In the US, we don't have the public health care that you guys do (that is the case, right? Please correct me if I'm incorrect)- we have private health care that is only covered (or partially covered) by insurance or a couple very selective need related government programs. While it costs us more generally, we don't seem to have to jump through quite so many hoops or wait as long since not everybody can afford the health care that they need, so not everybody who really needs to see a specialist can afford to see one. That weeds out a lot of the consultations a surgeon would see, I believe. A friend of mine from British Columbia had a rather long waiting period, and over in England those who don't opt for private health care seem to have longish wait times as well
          Blair

          Dec 15th, 2003 @ age of 20
          Posterior Fusion and CD Horizon instrumentation T2-L1.
          Surgery by Dr. Herkowitz- Beaumont Hospital of Royal Oak, Michigan
          Excellent correction of 52 degree single left thoracolumbar curve. Slight curve remains in unfused lumbar region but seems stable.
          February 5, 2005- Failed Scar Revision Surgery
          September 17, 2005- 2nd Failed Scar Revision.

          Comment

          • #6
            You probably won't like what I think: I believe in Canada surgery is free, or at least very low cost compared to USA. Therefore, less surgeons practice there and a longer wait for care. Also, you curves have stayed the same for several years, so another year or two will not likely hurt to wait, and you are an adult, so increase in curvature is less likely if they wait. In my daughter's case, her curve increased about 20 degrees between February, 2005, and July, 2005, from 60 to almost 80. 90 degrees is where the doctor said other complications such as heart and lung difficulties begin, so we could not have handled a longer wait than we had. We waited 3 months after we chose the doctor to get surgery done. Hope this helps explain, if I am correct. Otherwise, my appologies for misinformation. Kris

            Comment

            • #7
              Kris: I do understand that.. I noticed that there aren't many specialists out here. Do the doctors in America get paid more? I never understood how that works. I thought the ones in Canada still got paid the same for it but someone else pays them, besides the patients. Oh, who knows!

              I would be very upset to find out that I was ahead of anyone on the list who needed to see this surgeon more than I do and I know it might be quite a while before the actual surgery takes place. The main thing I am worried about is that my curves did stay the same but I lost so much in my height and it looks like my spine has rotated so much. I would just like to talk to a doctor who has a clue of what might be going on. Like I said before, my regular doctor doesn't know much about scoliosis.

              Thanks to everyone for responding.
              Age 28
              diagnosed at age 12
              wore a boston brace until age 14
              No surgery, was on "wait and watch" till recently. Got a SpineCor (Jan 27th) to help ease the pain.
              T-curve 73 degrees with severe rotation (curves to the right)
              L-curve 45 degrees with slightly less severe rotation than my T-curve (curves to the left)

              1994 - 5'10" - T-?/L-? (i forget what they really were)
              2006 - 5' 4" - T-56/L-40
              2008/09 - 5' 4" - T-73/L-45

              Comment

              • #8
                Carebear...

                I can't even imagine how you could lose so much height without your curves increasing.

                --Linda
                Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
                ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
                Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

                Comment

                • #9
                  I know! I'm wondering if it has something to do with the radiologist that measured them this last time. Before that I had an orthopedic surgeon doing it. He even showed me how he was doing it..

                  I will bring this sugeon my new x-rays once I do see him. Maybe he can re-measure it and see what's what.
                  Age 28
                  diagnosed at age 12
                  wore a boston brace until age 14
                  No surgery, was on "wait and watch" till recently. Got a SpineCor (Jan 27th) to help ease the pain.
                  T-curve 73 degrees with severe rotation (curves to the right)
                  L-curve 45 degrees with slightly less severe rotation than my T-curve (curves to the left)

                  1994 - 5'10" - T-?/L-? (i forget what they really were)
                  2006 - 5' 4" - T-56/L-40
                  2008/09 - 5' 4" - T-73/L-45

                  Comment

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