Age at time of surgery

[jrnyc]

that really scares me! i cant get fit...too much pain every day! i quit the gym, cause i was paying & couldnt exercise anymore! it was a waste of money! before i hernited discs, i went 3-4 times a week!

if recovery depends on how fit one is at the time of surgery, then i would/will be in big trouble!!

i am seeing nyc surgeon march 15th....

jess

[Susie*Bee]

Jess- please don't worry about that. You WILL get through it fine. There's enough stress without thinking about things that are beyond our control. As far as I know, there has not been any research showing a correlation and this is just what some people are thinking. There are SO many factors involved in recovery. Take a few deep breaths and don't let this worry you.

[Doodles]

I had my surgery T2-pelvis when I was 57--almost a year now. I did do lots of exercise before and have gradually added on lots more in last few months. Everyone is so different it really is hard to compare. Pam's idea about amount of correction may be very true. I always think I'm way slower than others but it was a big correction from 98 down to 35?-- I've already forgotten and the bottom one was basically to zero--that's a lot of change. Janet

[loves to skate]

that really scares me! i cant get fit...too much pain every day! i quit the gym, cause i was paying & couldnt exercise anymore! it was a waste of money! before i hernited discs, i went 3-4 times a week!

if recovery depends on how fit one is at the time of surgery, then i would/will be in big trouble!!

i am seeing nyc surgeon march 15th....

jess

Jess,

Physical therapy can do wonders to help you get back on your feet after surgery, no matter what your physical condition. It will be your own grit and determination that will get you there. Can you at least sit and use hand weights to strengthen your arms? You will need your arms to help you to log roll to get out of bed. After 5 weeks of having a bad cold and not going to the pool, I was pretty weak by the time I had my surgery, but I just kept remembering that muscles have memory and I did just fine.
Sally

[sccrm08]

I had my surgery on my 43 Birthday! T3 to L4 I went back to work at 10 1/2 months post op and at a year thought that was as good as it would get. Im happy to say at 2 years post op I could not beleave the improvement.

[titaniumed]

Jess

I had 4 herniated discs back in 2002, and had that crippling sciatica. I know what you mean about trying to exercise while the pain levels are brutal. Its almost impossible. I don’t blame you for quitting the gym.

You have had your share of pain. It just gets to the point where the decision making scale slams down, and you do what you have to do. I too waited a long time, (34 years) and eventually had to make that decision. Yes, its very scary, but with the amount of pain your in, the odds are, that you will greatly benefit from surgery.

Like Sally says, It will be your own grit and determination. I would lay out the facts to your surgeon, and see what he says.
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I was 49 when I had my surgeries. I did have a long recovery, and was due to the serious nature of my condition. I had stacked corpectomys done on my whole lower spine, which required removal of vertebrae, and custom fitted grafting through my diseased vertrebral bodies. Dr Menmuir pretty much did a total rebuild of my lower spine piece by piece from the front, and put the zig saw puzzle back together. It was a whole lot more than just screws and that’s why he told me that I was going to have to be tough. It was going to be brutal. Its also the reason why I took it so easy with my recovery, and delayed PT for 9 months, and delayed my shoulder surgery. I had many many pieces of bone and graft that had to heal. I needed to know that all the pieces fused.

After many meetings over 2 years, I convinced him I could do it. It wasn’t about if he could do it, it was about me, I was going to have to fight. It was my determination that pulled me through. I was scared to death, and still had to be very strong at the same time. It was not a normal scoli surgery, it was a 10, on a 1-10 scale according to him. I was out of time. He saved my life.

It was more about MY attitude, rather that my physical condition.

Can you believe that I shoveled 18 inches of heavy wet snow from 2 driveways this morning. It was probably 30,000# of snow. I wont buy a snowblower as I feel that Im still in physical therapy. I don’t think it will ever end. Im also getting pretty buffed out.

I was barely walking in 2002.
Ed

[LynetteG]

Wow Ed, what an incredible story - you are an inspiration and I felt some inner strength growing inside me just reading your story. Thanks for giving me some drive and determination to get through this!

[Jimbo]

You are one tough Mother Ed

[CHRIS WBS]

I was 59 when I had surgery. The first six weeks were rough and challenging, but then things gradually improved. I returned to work at four months with no problem, but my job does not require me doing anything strenuous or taxing. When I last saw my surgeon in January, he commented that I have done very well clinically.

[titaniumed]

Jimbo

Its good to hear you are doing ok.

Im a success story. It worked. It was like popping a very large balloon on tension.

Everyone has specific issues, different pain levels, and different recovery periods.
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Lynette

Be sure to let us know what Dr Cronen says. If there is any way to get digital copies of your x-rays burned to disc, now is the time. The digitals are great as you can zoom in and the clarity is best. Just tell him you want copies for yourself.

Just remember that you have the right to "think things over" without committing to a date. Its understandable.
Ed

[LynetteG]

I'm actually bringing my x-rays with me from Dr. Moreno's office with me to Dr. Cronen's appointment. I've just tried to attach the x-ray on here so hopefully you will be able to see it.

[mbeckoff]

I was 50 years old last June and my surgery is in 2 1/2 weeks. Now I am getting nervous.

Melissa