Hi everyone. I am posting on the Surgical part of the forum because I'm thinking of having surgery to correct my curves. A little background--I found out I had scoliosis when I was 11 at 13,57,and 30-something degrees, was advised to have surgery by at least two surgeons, but instead, I opted for the Copes brace. When that did not work, I tried the Clear Institute Program. I believe that the latter method works, but it just wasn't useful for my curvature. I believe that now my curves are probably the same, maybe a bit higher, but I am interested in having the surgery. I'll be 20 this year and I am a sophomore in college. The main concern I have is WHEN to schedule the surgery...I really don't want to lose a year of school. However, I don't want my curvatures to get worse, making the surgery even harder to undergo. Also, I plan on going to China from mid-May to early-June. So, even if I did have surgery this year, it would probably be right after I return from China..in mid or late June, leaving all of July and most of August for recovery. Is returning to school at the end of August an absurd thought? Keep in mind that I go to a residential college away from home. Another thing I'm worried about is how I will look after surgery. I've heard from various chiropractors that my body compensates for my curves quite well, and it's somewhat hard to tell I have a rib hump, although it is definitely there. I like the way my body looks though. In fact, I am more interested in having the surgery because I'm concerned about the long-term health effects of the curve rather than the actual deformity. Will my whole body look different afterwards, or just my back? This might sound miniscule compared to the other effects of the surgery, but I'm worried that I'll look STIFF or way too straight. I'm totally clueless on what will happen afterwards..did clothes still fit? Did you become a different size in jeans? I'm interested in your stories!
Anyway, I will most likely meet with a surgeon in a month, and hopefully, all of my questions will be somewhat answered. Until then, I thought I would come on here and gather some opinions.
Anyway, I will most likely meet with a surgeon in a month, and hopefully, all of my questions will be somewhat answered. Until then, I thought I would come on here and gather some opinions.
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