How do you know when it's time for surgery?

[Brendalee]

Hello everyone! This is my first time on, and here is my story. It may be a bit long.

I wore the milwaukee brace from age 14 to age 16. My doctor did not recommend surgery for me, he didn't think I was that bad at the time. So I got through having the brace. Then over the years my back didn't really bother me that much. I had my two children daughter 18 and son 21 who also has scoliosis not to bad. My back started to bother me about 10 years ago. I went to see my old Doctor and he said to take some muscle relaxers but didn't bring up surgery. So I dealt with pain on and off. Then I would say about five years ago it was my relatives that actually mentioned to my husband that it looked like my posture was getting worse. So I went to see a orthopedic surgeon my GP recommended. He told me I would need the surgery from front and back removing a rib. Two surgerys. They would have to fuse my spine from the neck down. Yikes!!
I guess I was a bit shocked, but figured the time had come. Although that Dr. did not do the surgery any longer. He made a list of hospitals he recommended for that type of surgery.

I didn't want to go out of state, I live in Michigan. I went to U of M Ann arbor and saw the specialist there. He recommended I (wait and see) and try therapy. He said I would be more disabled if I had the surgery and wouldn't even be able to tie my shoes. That frightened me and I have to say I was a bit disappointed since I went there thinking I needed the surgery. I thought I would finally be straight and could get the surgery done. I went to therapy which does help when my back hurts and I get that stiffness feeling.

I then decided I wanted another opinion and went to St. Joseph in Ypsilanti MI. to the Spine institute. That Doctor also recommended waiting. He said there are alot of risks to surgery. Recommended I work on losing weight (which I know I need to) and keep an eye on it. Ok,( but a bit disappointed
again.)

Am I too old?? at 44. Are they afraid to touch me? I have an upper curve in the 40's and a lower curve about 70 degrees. I lean quite a bit to the left. I guess deep inside I would like to get the surgery to straighten me out. I feel very uncomfortable at times. I hurt when shopping, standing etc. I also have been getting quite alot of heartburn. I don't know if thats associated with scoliosis or just the weight thing. I am about 40-50lbs overweight and just found out my thyroid is at a low level. Now taking medication. Maybe that will help.

I don't know if I should just (wait and see) or continue with another Doctor.

Anyone been in my position. I would love to hear from you.

When is the decision made to have surgery? I'm afraid of waiting to long. I feel my curves are quite severe. Sorry so long!

[Gail]

Hi BrendaLee,

I had my surgery at 42 1/2 yrs. old. I had a 47 degree curvature, pretty large rib hump on my back from the rotation of my spine, my vertabraes had started shifting off each other and my right hip stood out 4 inches further than my left. I'm glad I had my surgery, I had a wonderful outcome, but I have to admit, if I had found this forum b/4 surgery...I would have taken a harder look at my situation and the decision to have the surgery. This surgery is more serious than I had imagined and the recovery was longer than I had hoped. I think in hind sight there is a thin line between getting it done sooner rather than later.

Kindest Regards,
Gail

[LindaRacine]

Hi Brendalee...

I also had surgery at the age of 42. I was losing the ability to do the things I liked (shopping, going to museums, hiking, etc.). My curves were similar to yours (although my top curve was a little larger, and my bottom curve was a little smaller than yours). If you feel like you're going to eventually need the surgery, I would urge you to have it sooner rather than later. I'd also urge you to find a surgeon who does a lot of scoliosis surgeries on adults. You can find a list of specialists here:

http://www.srs.org/directory/directory.asp

Good luck with your decision.

Regards,
Linda

[blairf83]

Hi there Brenda! I'm a Michigander too... Flint area. Where are you from? Nothing really to add except to agree with sooner rather than later being optimal if you're going to have it done. You're not too old, but it is harder on you the older you get, generally speaking.
What surgeon were you referred to?
Finding a scoliosis surgeon who works on adults can be tricky, but they are out there. Another one is Dr. Montgomery at Beaumont in Royal Oak. A coworker of my aunt's had her scoliosis surgery done by him, and SpineWhine (another member on this forum) is having surgery by him this December

[monie]

Hi BrendaLee... I don't really have much to say or add to this, but I wanted to say good luck with your decision... Also, the people on here are phenomenal, and the support is great... I find that I'm on here numerous times a day...you will not regret joining this forum... I sure haven't... Well, that's that. I hope things work out well for you...

[sue821]

Hi Brenda,

It sounds like the normal progression and very much like myself. I am 48 years old, wore the Milwaukee Brace and surgery was not recommended for me...just a "wait and see." Two children later, on thyroid medication for hypothroidism and about five years ago it all started going down hill for me as well. Shopping, biking, hiking, standing, just plain not being able to do at all what I used to do without thinking about it.

I too am scared to death not to do and scared to death to make the leap. I am fearful of the future without it and of course going through with such a surgery at any age, let alone 48.

I am headed to St. Louis this Friday to see a wonderful surgeon for a second opinion, so I will let you know what I find out since we're kind of in the same boat!

Sue

[Brendalee]

Thanks for your reply. It does make me feel better to know I'm not the only one with all these decisions to make. Dr. Graziano at U of M
Ann Arbor, and Dr. Geiger at St. Joseph Spine Institute. Those are the Doctor's I consulted with.

[Brendalee]

Sue,
I would like to hear how your second opinion goes. Hope it goes well for you.
What was your first Doctor's opinion? Brenda

[jimangel1960]

I would vote for sooner rather than later on the time for surgery. As you get older, it gets harder to straighten everything out. I went from a 76 lumbar curve to a 45 degree curve at the age of 45. If I was 20 years younger, they thought I could have knocked off another 20 degrees or more. Still, I'm extremely pleased with the results - much reduced rib hump (w/o removing any ribs), no shoulder drop, much less pain, and over an inch taller than before the surgery.

BTW, I'm six months out from surgery by Dr. Bridwell (St. Louis) and I have no regrets at all about doing it. In fact, the results exceeded my expectations. My back was giving me all kinds of trouble beforehand but I was already better off three months out from the surgery.

[Irene]

Sue ~ Which doctor are you going to see on Friday?

[SpineWhine]

I am also going with sooner than later. Where do you live in Michigan? I have had three opinions (from specialist surgeons). One with Minster who is out of St. JOhns in Macomb COunty (who I liked), and two Drs. out of Royal Oak Beaumont. I am going to be having surgery on Dec. 13 with Dr. Montgomery, at Beaumont - he is part of the Scoliosis Research society that Linda Racine mentioned, I liked him, although some think he is gruff. I have heard bad things about Dr. Lee at U of M, but no little of the other Drs that are in that specialty there.

[sue821]

To answer your question as to the first doctor: To make a long story short...I had seen Dr. Ronald DeWald for 33 years (Yikes!), he recently retired and I met last year at this time with his son Christopher DeWald. He said "sooner than later" and said he wouldn't let me progress. I was sent home to get together all my questions regarding surgery, make a plan, have some PT and come back in 2 months. I had a mess with insurance, they denied me continuing care under DeWald and was then referred to Dr. Bridwell, otherwise I would have probably never had a second opinion since I highly respected Rondal DeWald (and son). Surgery has always been a footstep away with age, but it was basically a wait and see.

Sue

[sue821]

I go to see Keith Bridwell. I see that you had Dr. Lenke. How did it all turn out for you?
Sue

[CHRIS WBS]

Hi Brendalee,

I'm facing the same dilemma. I'm even older than you...I'm 56. Just this year I was diagnosed with a 74 degree thoracolumbar curve. Some pain I was having prompted me to seek advice from a spine specialiast since I thought it might be related to my scoliosis. However, I have never had any pain or discomfort prior to several months ago. Right now, I'm experiencing no pain of any sort and can do anything I want. I'm balanced and have good posture. I've always kept my weight down and am quite slim. Never having had xrays taken of my back until this year, I don't know the rate of progression I have been experiencing over the years. The only visible sign I can see of it has been over the past seven or eight years. I've lost two inches in height and my trunk looks more compressed. I think menopause can hasten progression. On the other hand, I hear over and over again of people who were previously treated with fusions and are years later experiencing the same problem of height loss because of discs degenerating below the fusion. I had a follow-up appointment last week with the surgeon who diagnosed me back in July and he told me to not even think about surgery if I am not experiencing pain. I mentioned to him that I am concerned about further progression and what it can lead to. He said my curve may or may not progress any further. He mentioned he has patients in their 90s with severe scoliosis who are doing well and some who are not. Nevertheless, to get another opinion, I have an appointment with Dr. Hammerberg in Chicago next month who comes highly recommended as one of the best.

After doing lots of research and reading several books, I've concluded that scoliosis really sucks! It's almost as if your'e damned if you do have surgery and you're damned if you don't. My greatest fear regarding surgery is ending up worse off and then having to face more and more surgeries down the road. Just read the posts in this forum as well as others.

Best of luck to you and hope you make the decision that's right for you. Keep us posted.

Chris

[sue821]

I hear you on "darned if you do, darned if you don't." You will get a good second opinion with Hammerburg. I have been a patient of Orthopedics and Scoliosis, LLC for 33 years with Dr. DeWald and they are among the best.

Good luck
Sue

[sweetness514]

That's what I think constantly. My thoughts on surgery is to get it when you are in too much pain, and it affects your life, because at least there is a good chance to be better after, and having such a curve and pain associated with it is not a life anyways so I would take the leap, and that's what I HAD to do, even if I have had problems later on and am having surgery again, I had no choice.

[sue821]

Thank you for sharing ....those of us who haven't taken the leap yet need to hear just that. It's not a life with the pain...
Sue

[CHRIS WBS]

Sue,

I'm curious about something. As a patient of Dr. DeWald for 33 years, are you first now being recommended surgery? Were you being observed over all those years to see if and when your curvature progressed and advised alternative treatments? Are you experiencing symptoms now that you did not have in previous years?

As someone who has never been under the care of an orthopedist, this is all new to me. Over the years, doctors simply told me that nothing could be done for me.

Chris

[Irene]

Sue, Dr. Lenke is a doll... He's extremely professional... I think he did an excellent job on me... BUT... I'm disappointed that he told me that I'm the only one of his patients who complains so much. I can't believe that. I explained the "crushing" sensation I feel (a/k/a "suit of armor"!), and he told me that no other patient of his complained about that. I don't believe that either! I'm planning on meeting with Dr. Bridwell next year. We'll see what he has to say!

[Brendalee]

Spinewhine,

I live in Westland, Michigan. After hearing a few people recommend Dr. Montgomery at Beaumont I think I may try and see him for my next checkup, and 3rd opinion.

I also know of a women at work who's husband had spine surgery with him.
Not for scoliosis, but had a fusion. She really likes him.

I'm waiting a while longer to see if there has been any more progression.

I'm curious as to why some Doctor's recommend surgery with curves less than
mine, but the two Drs I saw say wait and see when my curves are quite severe?

Sometimes I feel I really want the surgery so I feel better about myself and the way I look. Even though they tell you not to make your decision on looks,
but your pain and quality of life you have.

How long do they want you to wait?
I'm 44, do I wait until I'm older and in more pain?

It can be quite frustrating at time.

Brenda

[Brendalee]

Spinewhine,

Me again. Also wondering what made your decision to have surgery with
Dr. Montgomery, and what was his opinion when you first saw him?

Regards,
Brenda

[SpineWhine]

Brenda -

ASk all the questions you want! I know asking questions really helped me weigh through my own thoughts and feeling, and am glad if I am able to help somebody else do the same.

I chose Dr. Montgomer for a variety of reasons:
1. His affiliation with SRS, his educational background and experience in dealing with scoliosis.
2. His affiliation with Beaumont, which I believe to be the top hosptial for orthopedic surgery in Michigan. (among other things)
3. Reputation with representatives from DePuy Spine. (My husband is a laparoscopic rep for Ethicon, a division of J & J. DePuy is another J & J division that makes instrumentation and what not. The guys who work there have first hand knowledge of who they think are the top surgeons. Whne my husband asked, they said "If it were my wife, I would have Montgomery do it, hands down." So since they see lots of spinal surgeons at work, I trust that they know who does and does not do a good job.
4. I was comfortable with him when I had my office visit, and felt he was thorough and understanding, and thought that he listened well. So, personally I feel safe that he will do a good job.
5. He is in network for me insurance wise- which means insurance will cover more of the costs than if I went out of network.

Make sense??

[sweetness514]

Sue, Dr. Lenke is a doll... He's extremely professional... I think he did an excellent job on me... BUT... I'm disappointed that he told me that I'm the only one of his patients who complains so much. I can't believe that. I explained the "crushing" sensation I feel (a/k/a "suit of armor"!), and he told me that no other patient of his complained about that. I don't believe that either! I'm planning on meeting with Dr. Bridwell next year. We'll see what he has to say!

Irene...

I think so many doctors and orthos say that to patients, as far as pain and "complaning" goes. You know when we get an appointment and we have so many different questions and pains to be adressed, we sometimes forget everything we have to say or don't always explain it as well as you might have like when you described the suit of armor(I wouldn't have thought about it like that). I remember going in for my appointment 1 month post op and the secretary gave me this attitude and said "how are you doing? I'm SURE you're 100% better now" and didn't even want to know my answer and made me feel like a whiner, just like my ortho did with me and other patients who were there. But as I did some research and reached a lot of scoliosis patients who had surgery done, we all described the same type of pains and recovery was pretty long for all of them. I do agree that what your ortho said was not the most diplomatic thing to be said though :rolleyes:

[LindaRacine]

Irene...

I think so many doctors and orthos say that to patients, as far as pain and "complaning" goes. You know when we get an appointment and we have so many different questions and pains to be adressed, we sometimes forget everything we have to say or don't always explain it as well as you might have

You make an interesting point, and one which I've thought about a lot of late. I had an appointment with my specialist some months ago. Afterward, I found myself sort of confused, and realized that I was not as focused as I should have been. I see it a lot with others, and was really surprised when it happened to me. I have an appointment for a second opinion next Monday, and I spent several hours one day, making up a list of 5 questions/concerns to be addressed. It was a really helpful exercise, and I hope it will help me get the most out of the appointment.

--Linda

[Irene]

I agree 100 percent... Thank God for this Forum... because my surgeon had me convinced that I was a real "baby"... I'm so thankful to have found out that I'm not the only one who "complains" from post-op instrumentation insertion. Thanks to all of you for letting me know I'm not insane!

[sue821]

Yes, I have been being observed all these years, but I was not progressing...basically staying fairly steady throughout all that time. In the past 5 years or so I started experiencing pain and that has become worse year by year. I was not recommended surgery up to this point because I was on the border with the largest curve holding around 50+.

[sue821]

I went to see Dr. Bridwell on Friday and once again I am still right on the edge. I think the team that they have in place is much better than I experienced in Chicago and they were much more accurate with the x-ray measurements...and with explanations. To my surprise, I actually have three curves, 35, 58 and 43 (top to bottom). And...I have disk subloxation in the lower curve which is actually causing most of my lower back and hip pain. So...he said that if I were his "baby sister" he would not advise surgery unless I could NOT go any more than 5 minutes walking without debilitating pain. The surgery would be a total fusion and of course he kept repeating a very large and long surgery, not to mention the long fusion. He would like to see x-rays from 10-15 years ago to compare, but suggested swimming, strengthening exercises, walking...keep healthy and strong...keep watching the progress.

I respect that he didn't want to make the leap even though he is a surgeon, but I am trying to get my head around the fact that I am to deal with the pain and how. Yikes! I am disappointed, but no one has the crystal ball!

[sweetness514]

Sue, have you seen many opinions?

I'm sometimes baffled by how orthos recommend surgery for some and not for others. I know a woman who has lumbar scoliosis and was told when she was younger that she had to get surgery or she would end up paralyzed and not able to have kids. Well she is walking, keeping healthy and for the most part pain free by working out and has had kids. But you being in pain would make me think you need surgery. I'm sorry for your confusion, it's not easy I know.

[Irene]

Wow, Sue ~ What you said really surprises me and all I can say is please go back every year to see either Dr. Bridwell or Dr. Lenke for a "check" on your current information. When I was your age, I decided AGAINST surgery, even though I was told I needed it. Considering how I am today and how I was in my early 40's, I'm glad I put it off until age 56. Just Keep getting examined yearly and make sure you get another opinion some where else. Blessings.....

[sue821]

Oh, thank you both so very much for your reponses...it helps a lot!! I think in my case, if I just had the one curve it would be an easy fix, but being on the border with the largest curve being 56 and not being able to fix just that one...he just felt that it was too big of a surgery because it would have to be all three if he did any. I think what will probably get me before anything is going to be the lower curve where the vertebre is actually slipping out of place. Now to just get my head in gear to make the exercise priority above other things..and to be honest, I am just not a big fan of going to the gym after work. Ick. Geezzeee...I am too old for this! :rolleyes: I will indeed go at least once a year to check the progress.

Irene....why do you say that you are glad that you waited until age 56? I guess time is on our side with new technologies.

Thanks again,
Sue

[Brendalee]

Sue,

I guess we are in the same boat. I know these appointments can be a
bit disappointing. We think our curves are bad enough and we are considering surgery, but the Dr. doesn't recommend it. How bad does it need to get? It's a hard decision to make. I always wonder how I'll be in 5 -10 more years. I would need the full fusion also. My first Dr. told me I would be
more disabled with that than I am now. Other people seem to do ok. I know
it would be alot to adjust to, but wouldn't it be better to be straighter, feel
better about yourself and be rid of some of that pain?

My Dr. wanted to see my old xrays. Unfortunately my old Dr. didn't have them
any longer so I could only get the ones from about 6 yrs ago. I know myself
that I have progressed quite a bit over the years. But I guess they still want to
wait and see.

They did tell me that it is not an emergency so that made me feel better.
But if I end up needing the surgery, I would rather have it when I'm a little
younger. I guess we just have to see how it goes. Well keep your chin up!

I would like to hear from anyone who has had a full fusion and how they get
along as far as flexability goes. How does it feel when they lay down, sit, bend, getting dressed etc. That sort of info.

Thanks!
Brenda

[LindaRacine]

Hi Brenda...

The amount of flexibility one has after surgery is based on how much flexibility they had before surgery and the number and location of vertebrae fused.

I'm fused from T4-L3. I can do just about anything a normal person can do, although some things can look and feel very odd. For example, to put on pantyhose (something I never do any more), I have to lay on my back in bed.

If you're going to eventually have to have surgery, than sooner is probably better than later. However, if there's a good chance that you'll be able to avoid surgery altogether, that's definitely reason to wait.

Regards,
Linda

[Irene]

Hi again Sue and everyone! I agree with Linda's comments 100 percent! The reason I'm glad that I waited is because about 25 years ago a specialist in Chicago (I don't even remember his name!) told me that I needed surgery, but having it would take away much of my flexibility. I sure didn't want that! ~ I needed to be fused from about the middle of my spine all the way down to my tailbone. I'm glad I didn't have it done back then because I was able to roll around and "play" with my four young daughters all the time! ~ (I'm tall and thin, and I used to be extremely flexible!) ~ We leg-wrestled, played tag, I gave them "rides" on my back while I was the "horsie"... etc., "tag, you're it", "Red Light - Green Light"... chasing each other and racing each other... You know what I mean... I can't do any of that today. It breaks my heart that I can't roll around on the floor and play with my wonderful grandchildren. Linda made me laugh when she said she had to lay on the bed to put on pantyhose! How true! Any one would giggle if they saw the way I put on socks and shoes! I had pain before, but my pain after surgery is now entirely different. Now I complain about that "crushing" sensation ("suit of armor" feeling), which is just pressure, actually. ~ I'm sure most of you are sick and tired of hearing me complain about it! ~ I wear a soft brace almost all the time. ...one (and sometimes two) ...those black stretch velcro support belts. I've heard that Walmart provides their employees with them. Mine sure helps me a lot. I guess I've blabbed long enough! You are all such a wonderful support system for me. Thanks a bunch!

[Irene]

I forgot to mention this... I knew it was finally time to have surgery about 4 years ago when I kind of made the decision to commit suicide. That's how much pain I was in. I couldn't stand up for longer than two minutes. I'd drop down to the floor and "squat" to relieve the pain. I simply could not take it anymore. Even though I miss my total flexibility, I sure can breathe good and I can stand up straighter, and I can stand up for much longer periods of time!

[sue821]

Thank you so much for the posts. Both help to understand the waiting and now its limitations. Basically that's what Dr. Bridwell said - that he wouldn't advise surgery until it got to the point where I couldn't stand or walk for more than 5 minutes. I suppose he had to go to that extreme to make me understand the complexity of the surgery vs. what kind of pain I am in now. The fusion would be from top to bottom so there would be no chance of me rolling around on the floor. :) I guess we only think about what we know now..and all I know is the pain. On the other hand, you have something to compare as you know the before and after. I appreciate your perspective very much, thank you so much for sharing.

Sue

[Karen Ocker]

Irene:

I was wondering why you still need a brace. I found strengthening the muscles around my torso keeps the "suit of armor" feeling at bay-which I attribute to the muscles getting stiff and atrophied from lack of use. Granted, with my fusion T-4 to sacrum it takes some doing.

A brace will keep those muscles weak.

I recently went on a month long vacation where I spent too much time in the car and not enough exercise. I found the "suit of armor" feeling coming back as well as my scars tightening up. One session with my Pilates instructor and some myofascial release massage gave complete relief. I also got back to my strenuous walks.

At least in my case my theory seems to work.

Karen

[CHRIS WBS]

Did Dr. DeWald recommend surgery for you? I'm curious what recommendation I will get from Dr. Hammerberg when I see him next month. I have a 74 degree thoracolumbar curve, but for now I have no pain (just occasional achiness). I get relief using a heating paid at night. I don't have previous x-rays for comparison, but it's quite obvious there's been a rapid progression in recent years (menopause). I've lost 2 inches in height and that really bothers me. I cannot afford to lose anymore height. One doctor told me to forget about any surgery if I'm not in pain. And another doctor encouraged me to get other opinions and felt that most doctors would recommend aggressive treatment. I got the feeling he did not want to take me on as a patient.

Sorry to hear you're having so much pain. Have you had any epidural steroid injections?

Chris

[sweetness514]

ITA with you about the soft brace. I wore mine on and off for about one year post op and at that point I decided that it was not helping me anymore after the fusion was mostly healed and I decided to stand and sit without it, and fight the pain, along with exercises such as swimming, wich helped and with time got rid of most of the pressure. I have a question about pilates, or other lower back/abdominal exercises; do you have a description of what they are? I know that's not easy to ask over the internet, but I have tried so many with my PT and I just end up having major back spasms if I lay down on my stomach or even back to do them. Maybe with a ball between my legs? :confused: So far only swimming, stretching and walking have helped, but after I get my revision surgery in December, I want to work on the area even more.

[sweetness514]

I believe that when one is in so much pain that every day things are too much to bare, it is time to get surgery. Or even before that when the body is still young enough to recuperate faster and no need for a more complicated surgery, like anterior posterior. I always say that I don't regret pushing off my surgery to when I was 26, instead of when I was 18 and pain free, but I was still young enough at 26 to have a relatively quicker one(four hours, only posterior), and at that time I was in pain most of the time. I do agree with some who are not enough in pain to get it later on, as the loss of flexibility and complications later on caused by the surgery are not the most fun to deal with.

[sue821]

Dr. DeWald told me that he would not let me get to the point of being in extreme pain. I was to do about some PT, then go back with my list of questions for surgery in about 6 weeks. They even had his nurse come in and show me an x-ray of someone with the spinal fusion and what the hardware looks like. After thinking about both appointments, the appointment with Dr. Bridwell was much more informative and they explained things about my back that I didn't know before (that is unless I developed this 3rd curve and the subloxation in the past 9 months).

Just from what Dr. Bridwell said...fixing one curve is a whole lot easier than fixing three, so you never know. I am torn right now...wanting it fixed, but there isn't an easy fix. And...what if this is the worst that I ever would have progressed and I choose to do a full fusion. He said - I am one of those patients that you need a crystal ball for.

Let me know what Dr. Hammerburg says. What is the date for your appointment?

Sue

[Irene]

I love reading everyone's comments... SO helpful, eh?! ~ Karen, I've been through every kind of exercise program and PT that you can imagine... including Pilates and Yoga and swimming therapy. All of it has been extremely helpful. I'm very skinny and I can feel all that instrumentation inside my body with every move. I've told Dr. Lenke that and he said that I'll eventually get used to the feeling. He also told me that I should go ahead and use my soft brace all that I wanted... Actually I shouldn't call it a "soft brace"... All it really is... is a support belt. It's not a full body "brace". I don't mind wearing it... I'm very strong for being a tall bean pole! My back muscles are strong and my knees are in excellent condition. I can get down on the floor and get up without any assistance and without holding onto a counter or something. The belt makes me feel stronger, more "safe", and well-protected. That, together with my "serotonin" enhancer (Lexapro), has me feeling pretty good these past few weeks! (Thank You, God!) ~

SWEETNESS: GO TO THIS WEBSITE: http://www.spine-health.com/topics/conserv/pilates/pilates01.html

Also, go to http://www.google.com/ ~ and type the word "Pilates" into the "Search" space. There are 7,290,000 sites about Pilates! Pilates is really big in the United Kingdom, but it's really beginning to catch on in the United States. I've learned how to tighten and strengthen muscles I never even knew existed! Good Luck!

[CHRIS WBS]

My appointment is Dec. 22. If Dr. Hammerberg suggests surgery, I may make an appointment with Dr. Bridwell for a second opinion as well. This is all making a nervous wreck out of me. But this forum is helpful just knowing there are other people facing the same challenge.

Chris

[CHRIS WBS]

How tall are you? Did you gain any more height following your surgery?

Chris

[sue821]

That's a good idea. I felt there was a difference between the two. For one...the guy at the front desk in Chicago (DeWald, Hammerberg) could set you off from the get-go. He stood there and argued, telling me that I did not need to go for x-ray after not being there for 3+ years. Dur...I asked him how the Dr. would know how much I had progressed. I finally had to ask for a nurse before he would stop arguing with me. I just about jumped over the counter and choked him. :D And...if you aren't taking x-rays to Chicago, that is an experience in itself to get x-rays at the facility....really depressing.

I was the first patient to check in at Dr. Bridwell's office, so everyone was still happy, but all in all, I really liked the entire team much better...and I have to say the surroundings in general. I find St. Lukes pretty depressing, but The Center for Advanced Medicine at Barnes campus was new, bright and clean.

I've been going to St. Lukes for over 30 years and it was a breath of fresh air to go to the facility in St. Louis.

[Irene]

Chris, through my entire "adult-hood" I was always 5'91/4"... My spine had lowered my height to 5'8"... After surgery I shot back up to 5'9"! I was thrilled! I don't walk "stooped over" anymore, I can breathe a lot better, and I know I look better... (as long as I have clothes on! hee hee!) ~

Sue, I'm so glad you like the facility at Barnes Hospital! I love it there! You're so right... it's so "new, bright, and clean"! ~

[sweetness514]

Thank you for posting the link. I will see another PT after my revision surgery and ask about Pilates, and other alternatives. Some of those look painful :eek: , others look not so bad.

I was thinking about your weight, and did your ortho ever tell you to gain some as it may help not feeling the hardware so much? I used to be not even 100 pounds after surgery, but after putting on 20 pounds it helped, or maybe it was the muscles and time that did too, but it can't hurt to try. It's tricky to not be overweight but not too underweight either, when it comes to our situation. I know putting on weight for some is not easy-from personal experience- but now it's the opposite for me :p Eating is fun ;)

[Irene]

Sweetness ~ For the first 56 years of my life, my weight was always around 128 to 135 pounds... After surgery, my depression really set in, and I didn't care about myself. I was stuffing chocolate down my throat like there was no tomorrow! I shot up to 158 pounds!! I looked like an idiot because I remained skinny everywhere... face, neck, chest, arms, legs... but my butt, waist, hips and thighs looked like I had swallowed a whole pig! I couldn't get up from a squatting position at all without either holding on to something to pull myself up, or I would have to ask my husband to help me get up. As soon as I lost the weight (I am now 138), I'm able to get up and down like old times. It's wonderful. Having the extra weight hurt me even more. I'm finally beginning to feel pretty good again. I know you guys are going to get sick of hearing me say this, but losing the weight combined with my Lexapro, I'm feeling wonderful. The terrible discomfort from this "suit of armor" of titanium and stainless steel is actually easier to handle! I don't seem to notice it as much! Dr. Lenke told me that my extra weight was NO GOOD, and to get it off!

[sweetness514]

Oh good. Yeah when the weight doesn't go where we want it to or is uneven, I would say stay thin :)