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  • Scheduled Surgery

    Hey guyss !! I wrote a post last month saying that I was debating whether or not to get the surgery. After speaking to a bunch of different doctors and chiropractors, I have decided to get it. It's scheduled for January 4. I'm beyond nervous, but I can't wait for it to be over. I have a couple of months to prepare, so I was wondering if you guys had any tips??
    Last edited by mixasu; 10-19-2009, 09:19 PM.
    http://mixasu.blogspot.com/

  • #2
    Originally posted by mixasu View Post
    Hey guyss !! I wrote a post last month saying that I was debating whether or not to get the surgery. After speaking to a bunch of different doctors and chiropractors, I have decided to get it. It's scheduled for January 4. I'm beyond nervous, but I can't wait for it to be over. I have a couple of months to prepare, so I was wondering if you guys had any tips??
    Hi,

    Welcome, and congratulations on making a decision. That's the hardest part. The next hardest part is the waiting. Use the time to get yourself as healthy and in-shape as you can, eat well, exercise, and educate yourself so that you are prepared. This forum is wonderful at helping with the education and answering any questions you may have. You can ask ANYTHING here--I sure did.
    __________________________________________
    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


    • #3
      Hi...

      Best of luck with your surgery. This should be of some help in preparing:

      http://www.scoliosislinks.com/PreparingforSurgery.htm

      Regards,
      Linda
      Last edited by LindaRacine; 10-19-2009, 08:46 PM.
      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


      • #4
        We will all stand behind Linda R.'s list.

        It's natural to be nervous, and you are at the right place for any other questions or concerns.

        Welcome,
        Shari

        Comment


        • #5
          Hi Misasu, I hope all of your preparations before surgery go smoothly. Also keep posting, this is a wonderful forum to help with your jitters before surgery, everyone has great suggestions and you will find a great deal of support here!
          Dolores A
          June 4, 2009 Anterior L3 - S1
          June 8, 2009 Posterior T4 - Pelvis
          Mark Agulnick, MD FAAOS
          NY Spine & Scoliosis Center

          Comment


          • #6
            Misasu,
            Welcome. This a great place to get all the answers you will have in the up coming months. I scheduled my surgery back in July I had to wait until November. I am now three weeks away from mine and scared out of my mind. So just ask questions when you have them and you will get great responses here. Everyone is so helpful.
            Age: 40
            Diagnosed @ at of 11
            Muscle Stimulator for 1 year
            Milwaukee Brace from 1982-1987 47* (center curve)
            (was told would never get worse)
            Surgery November 11, 2009
            Fused T6-T12
            Pre Op 25* - 54* - 40*
            Post Op 24* - 33* - 21*

            Comment


            • #7
              Thank you all for your posts!! The link Linda sent had some great ideas. I would have never thought of chapstick. Any more tips would be real helpful... I would love to know how you guys calmed your nerves. I'm already losing sleep..

              On the bright side, have any of you gotten taller after surgery? My surgeon told me I could gain 2 inches of height!!
              http://mixasu.blogspot.com/

              Comment


              • #8
                Do you have much pain? My suggestion to overcome the nerves, is exercise, exercise, exercise, if this is possible. Apart from putting you in the best condition possible for the surgery, it will make you think you can handle anything.

                Yes, it's likely you will gain height. I gained 2 inches. Not quite all that I'd lost, but I was happy!
                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


                • #9
                  Originally posted by mixasu View Post
                  Thank you all for your posts!! The link Linda sent had some great ideas. I would have never thought of chapstick. Any more tips would be real helpful... I would love to know how you guys calmed your nerves. I'm already losing sleep..

                  On the bright side, have any of you gotten taller after surgery? My surgeon told me I could gain 2 inches of height!!
                  Oh I had many many sleepless nights prior to surgery, and spent many of them scouring this forum. You'll get through it, I promise.

                  Taller??? That's the BEST part I am now 5'3", which is the tallest I have been in my life. I gained 1.5".
                  __________________________________________
                  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
                    Mixasu,
                    Welcome to the forum. My tips are to walk at least 30 minutes a day and practice deep breathing excercises.
                    For the hospital, i also brought with me, some baby oil. I would get the nurse to apply it to my legs (i would apply the rest), to stop my skin drying out due to the air conditioning. I also feel that the anaesthesia and pain meds do this as well. Will let you know if i think of anything else.
                    Vali
                    44 years young! now 45
                    Surgery - June 1st, 2009
                    Dr David Hall - Adelaide Spine Clinic
                    St. Andrews Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia
                    Pre-op curve - 58 degree lumbar
                    Post -op - 5 degrees
                    T11 - S1 Posterior
                    L4/5 - L5/S1 Anterior Fusion

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      congrats mixasu!
                      -Bethany
                      pre-op L 74*
                      pre-op Th 56*
                      surgery scheduled for jan. 6th 2010
                      getting nervous

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        I gained 1.5 inches. You literally do get stretched out. Janet
                        Janet

                        61 years old--57 for surgery

                        Diagnosed in 1965 at age of 13--no brace
                        Thoracic Curve: 96 degrees to 35 degrees
                        Lumbar Curve: 63 degrees to 5 degrees
                        Surgery with Dr. Lenke in St. Louis--March 30, 2009
                        T-2 to Pelvis, and hopefully all posterior procedure.

                        All was posterior along with 2 cages and 6 osteotomies.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Was 5'6" and lost about 2", also gained back about an 1 1/2".
                          Dolores A
                          June 4, 2009 Anterior L3 - S1
                          June 8, 2009 Posterior T4 - Pelvis
                          Mark Agulnick, MD FAAOS
                          NY Spine & Scoliosis Center

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Relax.

                            Hey there Max-- I want you to know that freaking out is okay, it's normal, and it's to be expected. I did SO BAD.

                            I want you to relax... focus on expanding your lungs with as much air as you can and then exhaling it 5 times in a row, 5 times a day or so. That will help big time afterwards. Also, walk a mile a day. You'll have to afterwards so get used to it now, and afterwards it'll be SO MUCH easier to do if you're used to it!

                            I just read your blogger and I swear you are ME. We need to talk... would you be opposed to talking on the phone? Or add me on facebook...

                            Nikki Shuman is my name.

                            We could really talk- we have a lot in common from what I read on your page.

                            I'd love to help in any way I can.

                            Lots of Love,
                            Nikki

                            P.S. What surgeon did you choose??
                            Surgery 6/29 and 7/3 of 2009~ 17 hours worth
                            7 blood transfusions (3 were my own)
                            26 years old at time of surgery, diagnosed at 12 -
                            TLSO brace did NOTHING for me after 3 yrs wearing it...
                            other than cause embarassment & torture

                            Before Surgery:
                            Thoracic Curve: 68 degrees
                            Lumbar Curve: 89 degrees

                            After Surgery:
                            Thoracic Curve: 32 degrees
                            Lumbar Curve: 25 degrees

                            <3 Nikki

                            My surgery experience album:
                            http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...5&l=0bcf9da737

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              You guys keep saying deep breathing exercises is going to help. Does this mean that I will have issues breathing after surgery?? I don't even do well in elevators b/c I feel like I'm going to run out of air, maybe this is something I should tell my surgeon. I was under the impression that when you wake up all breathing apparatuses are out of you...

                              Nikki - I sent you a facebook request. My name is Jaclyn V. It's good to make a couple of friends through here
                              http://mixasu.blogspot.com/

                              Comment

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