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MYfirst, maybe my only, consult...

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  • MYfirst, maybe my only, consult...

    Had my first consult Friday, with Dr. Michael S. O'Brien from Baylor's Southern Scoliosis Center in Dallas. The consult was in his Miami office, where he is about once a month to see his Florida patients, as he used to be at Miami Children's Hospital. Not only will he be maintaining a Florida office in the future, but he will be moving it to Ft. Lauderdale, that much closer to me. With this arrangement, I could have much of my pre-operative workup and all my post-operative follow-up within an hour and a half of my home, with the surgery itself in Dallas, a quick non-stop flight from home.

    I liked him so much, and he is so obviously qualified to do my surgery, that I doubt I will see anyone else. He has done not one, but three fellowships in the field, seemed to be totally on top of all the latest advances in the field, he does about 100 surgeries on adult scoliosis patients per year, and he has many years of experience. In fact, he told me that he and Lenke were the first two fellows in Bridwell's program. I had researched extensively before my consult, and Dr. O'Brien had all the right answers to my long list of questions. He was extremely patient and personable, and I never felt in any hurry during the consultation.

    The recommendation was an A/P fusion from T5 to the sacrum with pelvic fixation, which was actually slightly fewer levels but otherwise exactly what I expected.

    I don't want to do the surgery until perhaps winter of 2011-12, unless my pain becomes unmanageable before then. I want to have a little more time with my very young granddaughter before going through this surgery. But I live with significant and debilitating nerve pain in my left leg, and so in the meantime, Dr. O'Brien suggested that we might get an MRI and myelogram to get a clear picture of what is happening with the nerves in my lumbar spine, to see if there is a relatively minor surgery that could eliminate my present pain until I am ready for the "big" surgery. So I will make plans to go to Dallas to see the scoliosis center there, and get the myelogram and MRI at the same time.

    Somehow, finding a highly qualified surgeon who I liked so very much has made me feel much more relaxed about my prospects. It also helped that he told me I would be an easy surgery compared to most of what he did, and that I was at the younger end of the patients he fuses for scoliosis. I had been feeling afraid that I was already "too old" for this surgery, and it was nice to hear this was not so.

    Since some on the forum have had a hard time recently with some surgeons, I wanted to note that when I asked Dr. O'Brien who he would send me to for alternate consultations, he mentioned specifically Dr. Lenke, Dr. Berven at UCSF, Dr. Lonner and Dr. Schwab in New York, and Dr. Mardjecko in Chicago.
    Stephanie, age 56
    Diagnosed age 8
    Milwaukee brace 9 years, no further treatment, symptom free and clueless until my 40s that curves could progress.
    Thoracolumbar curve 39 degrees at age 17
    Now somewhere around 58 degrees thoracic, 70 degrees thoracolumbar
    Surgeon Dr. Michael S. O'Brien, Baylor's Southwest Scoliosis Center, Dallas TX
    Bilateral laminectomies at L3 to L4, L4 to L5 and L5 to S1 on April 4, 2012
    Foramenotomies L3 through S1 in August 2014

  • #2
    hey Steph
    so glad that you found someone you trust!

    jess

    Comment


    • #3
      Wow, what a great consult! I don't think I would have looked any farther if I had had the same experience. Thanks for sharing the list of surgeons, as well.

      Evelyn
      age 48
      80* thoracolumbar; 40* thoracic
      Reduced to ~16* thoracolumbar; ~0* thoracic
      Surgery 3/14/12 with Dr. Lenke in St. Louis, T4 to S1 with pelvic fixation
      Broken rods 12/1/19; scheduled for revision fusion L1-L3-4 with Dr. Lenke 2/4/2020
      Not "confused" anymore, but don't know how to change my username.

      Comment


      • #4
        Dr. O'Brien sounds perfect for the job. So glad he's been able to put your mind at ease.
        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


        • #5
          Dr O'brian sounds pretty for the job
          Kara
          25
          Brace 4-15-05-5-25-06
          Posterior Spinal Fusion 3-10-10
          T4-L2
          Before 50T
          After 20T

          Comment


          • #6
            Hi Stephanie,

            I know a woman from Florida who had a very successful complex revision by Dr. O’Brien several years ago. She’s originally from Chicago and her surgeon who did her original surgery back in the 70s referred her to Dr. O’Brien. She suffered for years with FBS and no surgeon would touch her. I’ve had phone conversations with her and she spoke very highly of Dr. O’Brien. She’s in her late 50s and was able to resume her career following her recovery, after being homebound for many years. Based on her experience, I’ve mentioned Dr. O’Brien’s name here a few times when people were seeking a revision specialist in Florida.

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            • #7
              That's wonderful news Stephanie! I'm so glad to hear you don't need to be fused to T1. That will make a huge difference for you.

              Comment


              • #8
                Chris, thank you for that. I don't find many online references to Dr. O'Brien, even though he has a very impressive background, is extensively published and has many years of experience with complex cases. He was the only surgeon in Florida who my local surgeon felt was qualified to do what I needed, and I figured he had his reasons.

                It was my local guy who has never done a surgery on the level of mine who said he "guessed" I'd "probably need the whole thoracic and lumbar down to the sacrum fused." T5 south sounds much nicer. And Dr. O'Brien said that although I'd of course lose all the flexibility in my lumbar spine, I have such flexible hips and hamstrings that I'd still have good range of motion bending from the hips.
                Stephanie, age 56
                Diagnosed age 8
                Milwaukee brace 9 years, no further treatment, symptom free and clueless until my 40s that curves could progress.
                Thoracolumbar curve 39 degrees at age 17
                Now somewhere around 58 degrees thoracic, 70 degrees thoracolumbar
                Surgeon Dr. Michael S. O'Brien, Baylor's Southwest Scoliosis Center, Dallas TX
                Bilateral laminectomies at L3 to L4, L4 to L5 and L5 to S1 on April 4, 2012
                Foramenotomies L3 through S1 in August 2014

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by Mojo's Mom View Post
                  And Dr. O'Brien said that although I'd of course lose all the flexibility in my lumbar spine, I have such flexible hips and hamstrings that I'd still have good range of motion bending from the hips.
                  Now that IS a cheery note! (perks up). Hmmm.
                  I'm finding it very helpful to compare notes with others in similar situations, one way or another.

                  Let me point out that it can be a great kindness to others to write a detailed sig line including age, specs and (if relevant) post op approach - what levels addressed and how. Name of surgeon can help too. Of course, nothing can be 100%comprehensive (that's what PMs are for) but your notes can ring a bell with others. They in turn can recognize similarities which can help one, the other or both! A good starting point for questions and exchanging info - one of the greatest offerings of this forum (and there's no central database to compare by surgeon, specs etc.)

                  I'm so impressed and happy about your fabulous consult as you begin (and so it seems, godwilling) end your search! Do I have this right? You were able to see Dr. O'Brien in your home state on a visit to what's only a satellite office - knowing he will in future be relocated nearer to home?

                  I'm certainly agreed that a direct flight is a major advantage! It can make a technically distant surgeon, nearby for most intents and purposes - all except for return trips close to post surgical and also if one needs to get back in a hurry (i.e. jacked up airfares).

                  It's that direct flight part that's hitting home for me lately, as part of the nuisance of living near a small airport means there's no way I can get back from the major hub. Regardless of price, there's no such thing as 1st class (or a post-fusion courtesy seat) on a little jet! Guess as needs be, I'll have to be accompanied and/or rent a car to get the last leg of the journey taken care of.
                  Not all diagnosed (still having tests and consults) but so far:
                  Ehler-Danlos (hyper-mobility) syndrome, 69 - somehow,
                  main curve L Cobb 60, compensating T curve ~ 30
                  Flat back, marked lumbar kyphosis (grade?) Spondilolisthesis - everyone gives this a different grade too. Cervical stenosis op'd 3-07, minimally invasive

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    The deal with the locations is this: Dr. O'Brien used to be at Miami Children's Hospital but went to Dallas to become co-Director, along with Dr. Hostin, of the Southern Scoliosis Center at Baylor University Medical Center. And I should explain that the specialists at Miami Children's Hospital (where Dr. Shufflebarger used to hold court, and still does some pediatric surgeries) has always done children and adults. In any case, Dr. O'Brien wanted to maintain some sort of base in south Florida because he has family and friends here, as well as patients, so he comes to FL about once a month for office visits. This is how I got my consult. The FL office he's using now is in Miami, but they will be moving to an office in Ft. Lauderdale in a couple of months. His surgery practice and most of his time will remain in Dallas. It's a great situation for me, since I can have surgery by a top guy at a dedicated scoliosis center in a major hospital, and yet have before and after care in my home state not far from where I live.

                    I have added to my signature line as I have added information about what I will be doing. I fully agree about complete signature lines, as they help us to see which of us are in similar circumstances. I may read about a wonderful recovery in someone on the forum, and then discover they are 27 years old, which is not the same as 52 no matter how fit you are! Likewise, how flexible someone is who is fused only in the Ts is not relevant if you are facing a long fusion through the lumbar.
                    Stephanie, age 56
                    Diagnosed age 8
                    Milwaukee brace 9 years, no further treatment, symptom free and clueless until my 40s that curves could progress.
                    Thoracolumbar curve 39 degrees at age 17
                    Now somewhere around 58 degrees thoracic, 70 degrees thoracolumbar
                    Surgeon Dr. Michael S. O'Brien, Baylor's Southwest Scoliosis Center, Dallas TX
                    Bilateral laminectomies at L3 to L4, L4 to L5 and L5 to S1 on April 4, 2012
                    Foramenotomies L3 through S1 in August 2014

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Stephanie

                      This situation sounds great!

                      Here is a thread with pictures of my flexibility. You will find it interesting.
                      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showthread.php?t=10303

                      Ed
                      49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
                      Pre surgery curves T70,L70
                      ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
                      Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

                      Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
                      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

                      My x-rays
                      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

                      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Stephanie,

                        How great that this worked so well for you!

                        Melissa

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          I also only had one consultation and at the time, reading here about most patients having two or more consultations, I wondered if I was being sensible. I went from not having a clue about scoli surgery to agreeing to have it on the say-so of just one doctor. But I went with my instincts. What he said just sounded right. I couldn't dispute anything he said. As much as I wanted NOT to have surgery, I knew Dr. Askin was right, I needed it.

                          After agreeing to the surgery, I did as much research on him as I could, including personal recommendations from people who "knew people," who'd been operated on by Dr. Askin. I didn't hear a word against him.

                          I consider myself very lucky to have been sent directly to Dr. Askin from my GP.

                          I wonder if there are many others who only had the one consultation?
                          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

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