Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Just had my operation!

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Just had my operation!

    Hi all,

    I had my op a week ago. All went well - back is pretty straight!
    For all those people (or parents of kids) wanting up to date info about the operation - before / after etc - Please ask.

    I will write about how it went soon when I am a little less sore!!

    Jan
    Aged 32
    Surgery in Exeter, UK on 11th November 2008

  • #2
    Congratulations Jan. I hope you are feeling as well as your post sounds!

    How wonderful to have the surgery over! Wish it was me!

    I hope your recovery goes smoothly.

    Jen
    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


    • #3
      Congratulations on having it over with! I look forward to hearing all your details when you are up to posting. They told me that the first 2 weeks were the worst, and in my opinion, that is true. Good luck getting through the worst of it!
      __________________________________________
      Debbe - 50 yrs old

      Milwalkee Brace 1976 - 79
      Told by Dr. my curve would never progress

      Surgery 10/15/08 in NYC by Dr. Michael Neuwirth
      Pre-Surgury Thorasic: 66 degrees
      Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 66 degrees

      Post-Surgery Thorasic: 34 degrees
      Post-Surgery Lumbar: 22 degrees

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by JAN 76 View Post
        Hi all,

        I had my op a week ago. All went well - back is pretty straight!
        For all those people (or parents of kids) wanting up to date info about the operation - before / after etc - Please ask.

        I will write about how it went soon when I am a little less sore!!

        Jan
        Congratulations, Jan!

        Please do share your story when you are able.

        Take care of yourself in the meantime!

        Marian

        Comment


        • #5
          Yay, glad you are done. Want to hear all the details when you are feeling up to it.
          Posterior fusion T5-L1 May 5, 2003-age 43
          Posterior revision, thoracotomy,fusion T2-L2 April 8, 2008-age 49
          Fusion extension C1-L2 evacuation left pulmonary effusion May 9, 2008, age 49
          www.buggfamily.blogspot.com

          Comment


          • #6
            Congrats to you!!!! Im glad all went well...and eh, you must be feeling decent as you made it on line-thats awesome! I hope Im in that postion 1 week post op!! Best of luck on your continued recovery! And of course, please post more details when you are up to it!! Take care!
            Lynn -30.... something
            DxD @ 8 yrs old: 10* curve-no brace-no nothin'!
            At age 26: Thorasic 48*/Lumbar 50*
            At age 34: Thorasic 58*/Lumbar 60*
            Posterior T5-L4 Fusion Jan 14th, 2009 w/Dr Tribus
            UW Madison, WI Hospital
            **AFTER: less than 10* Thorasic/15* Lumbar**

            Comment


            • #7
              Hi Jan, good to hear from you - take your time and get well - we will still be here waiting for your good results....rest up
              Diagnosed aged 17 thoracic curve of 40°/48? given brace worn for short time but was then told that I had stopped growing and it wasn’t likely to get worse. Follow ups ‘got lost in the system’ and I chose to ignore until age approx 33, after two children. Now nearly 42yrs curve was progressing (last xrays 67 degrees) and increasing 'backache' so surgery (posterior T3 - L1) went ahead beginning of September 2008 in UK - thoracic curve now approx 20° and I look a lot straighter!

              Comment


              • #8
                Details of my recent Op'

                hey everyone,

                Thank you for your kind words - everyone on here is so supportive!

                Well, here are the details of my recent op -

                All went well - I am fused from T3 to L3. When I came round they gave me a little too much Morphine and I stopped breathing apparently! So they put me on some other pain killers which were not anyway near as good!

                I was in hospital from Tuesday til Sunday - I must've done everything they wanted me to. I have to say that the hospital visit was horrible (it may not be for you though!) I couldn't wait to leave.

                I have definately found that after 2 weeks it's like you reach they 'next phase' both physically and mentally. I have tried to be as lazy as possible - it's been HARD doing nothing though.

                It is exactly 2 weeks and 1 day since I had my operation - and at this stage I am able to sit up for around 45 mins without too much pain. I usually lie down most of the time though.

                Yesterday I went into town for breakfast and a little walk around the shops - DON'T DO IT AT THIS STAGE LIKE ME ! I suddenly felt like I was going to faint after about 1 hour or so. It creeps up on you so BE CAREFUL!

                I have had no problem sleeping (except for the first couple of nights). Getting up and down gets easier (or should I say you get stronger) - muscles you are not used to using do eventually get stronger and help you. However, all of your muscles in your back will feel very weird - I think this will last a pretty long time until you get used to it.

                The thing I would be most wary of is low seats and beds!! I pulled a muscle in my back after I tried to get up off my mum's settee (which is pretty low to the ground) The pain was excrutiating - and a real set back. In order to stop it I had to sleep and rest - so I literally didn't do anything for about a day and a half and this has stopped it so far (crossed fingers).

                I will write more when I think of it - but if anyone has any questions please ask.

                Thanks again! xxx
                Aged 32
                Surgery in Exeter, UK on 11th November 2008

                Comment


                • #9
                  How interesting, we're both T3 to L3. I'm so glad to hear how well you're doing. I started physical therapy last week and it's great. I amazed myself last night when I bent over to kiss my daughter goodnight in bed. It ALMOST felt automatic!

                  Merry CHristmas!
                  __________________________________________
                  Debbe - 50 yrs old

                  Milwalkee Brace 1976 - 79
                  Told by Dr. my curve would never progress

                  Surgery 10/15/08 in NYC by Dr. Michael Neuwirth
                  Pre-Surgury Thorasic: 66 degrees
                  Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 66 degrees

                  Post-Surgery Thorasic: 34 degrees
                  Post-Surgery Lumbar: 22 degrees

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Hi Debbe,

                    Hope the physical therapy is going well. Sounds good - think i'll enquire about this on the NHS for the near future.

                    Wow - we both have the same! Feels weird doesn't it? I feel like I have a back brace on!

                    Take care,

                    Jan x
                    Aged 32
                    Surgery in Exeter, UK on 11th November 2008

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by JAN 76 View Post
                      Hi Debbe,

                      Hope the physical therapy is going well. Sounds good - think i'll enquire about this on the NHS for the near future.

                      Wow - we both have the same! Feels weird doesn't it? I feel like I have a back brace on!

                      Take care,

                      Jan x

                      Hey Jan,

                      You know, it felt like that to me in the beginning too (like a back brace), but now 2 1/2 months later, it really doesn't. It's starting to feel 'normal'. I'm weaning myself down off the pain meds, down to 2 pills per day and sometimes I feel 'stiff', which I'm hoping will pass.

                      Keep up the recovery!
                      __________________________________________
                      Debbe - 50 yrs old

                      Milwalkee Brace 1976 - 79
                      Told by Dr. my curve would never progress

                      Surgery 10/15/08 in NYC by Dr. Michael Neuwirth
                      Pre-Surgury Thorasic: 66 degrees
                      Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 66 degrees

                      Post-Surgery Thorasic: 34 degrees
                      Post-Surgery Lumbar: 22 degrees

                      Comment

                      Working...
                      X