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  • My first surgery

    Hi everyone! My name is Kristina and I am 20 years old. I was just told a week ago that I was going to need to get surgery done within the next 6 months. I have decided to get it done sometime in July. I have a right 56 degree curve from T-5 to T-11. I wore a Boston brace for roughly 8 years. I was going to the Shriners Hospital in Philly and they told me I would not need surgery. The last time I went there it was right before my 16th birthday and they told me I was fine and did not need surgery. That time I went to the one in Tampa Florida because I moved there 2 years prior to that. I am basically curious about the surgery. I want to know roughly how long it will take for me to recover, how long will someone need to take care of me, how will it affect my boyfriend (he is taken care of me after the surgery), how long will it be before I can go back to work as a Hostess and back to college, what type of pain will I have. Basically every question you can thing of is what I want to know. Should I start exercising now before I get the surgery and what about after. How long would it be before I could go out on a date with my boyfriend again and go to the movies or dinner with him and his friends. Thanks to everyone who is willing to help me.

  • #2
    Hi Kristina...

    Recovery at your age, and because you're having a relatively short fusion, should be pretty quick. You'll probably want someone to stay with you at home for the first few weeks, although you should be able to take care of your personal needs (with the exception of cooking or doing laundry or cleaning). How quickly one gets back to work or school really depends on the individual. You might want to ask your doctor's office about how quickly they think you can get back to normal.

    I'd also encourage you to get a second opinion. While a 56 degree curve is certainly operable, I've known people who went to doctors who didn't specialize in spinal deformities, and whose curves were not measured accurately. A second opinion will just assure you that you're making the right decision to have surgery. It's a very big surgery, with lots of risks, and shouldn't be entered into lightly. You can find a list of spinal deformity specialists at:

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

    Good luck!

    Regards,
    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

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    • #3
      Well I am planning on going for a second opinion. The surgery that told me I need surgery is one of the best. He does this kind of surgery two days every week. So I do trust him. I know this is a serious surgery and I am scared to death about it. I think I always knew in the back of my head that I would need it sooner or later. Thats for replying.

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      • #4
        Kristina,
        I had surgery on Feb. 17th for a 56 degree curvature. I know you must have alot of questions and what a scary time this must be. Feel free to email me at apiechota@bresnan.net, and I'd be glad to help you with any questions you might have.

        Angel

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