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Journey into Scoliosis Fusion Surgery

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  • Journey into Scoliosis Fusion Surgery

    Hello All,

    I am week prior to my 1st scoliosis surgery on December 4th. The 2nd half will take place on Dec 5th. I want to thank all of you that have responded to my many questions. You have given good advice, shown a lot of patience and expressed so much empathy! I really appreciate it. A special thanks to Ed whom I had a very long phone conversation with. He helped to better prepare me for coming home from surgery and tried to allay my numerous fears. Also, a shout out to Melissa who responded to my private post and called me the same night to tell me about her great experiences with Dr. Bederman and how he changed her life for the better. Finally, thank you Linda for sharing your story and being very kind to answer all of my questions and so frank about sharing your complications. I feel pretty prepared physically if not quite mentally but if anyone has any last minute advice please let me know...

    I have to say that I was surprised at how much preparation, time, training, packing and running around to purchase items, get medical equipment, satisfy medical requirements/Dr appt's etc. that it takes to get ready for this kind of major surgery. It almost feels as if I am getting ready to go on a really long, exotic vacation to a foreign country but completely without the delight, excitement and anticipation that vacation usually entails (however no passport required). I wonder if this is how Columbus felt when he was sailing off to look for a new and wondrous land? Was he scared to death that he would fall of the edge of the earth in the process? I still am! Well here is to hoping that I find a new and less painful life and learn to live gracefully with the limitations as so many of you have. Your courage, acceptance and ambition to be the best that you can be after scoliosis surgery has inspired me. I will try keep you posted when I am able.

    Regards,

    Leanne J

  • #2
    Best of luck for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery Leanne.
    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


    • #3
      Leanne,

      Will be thinking of you for your surgeries.....

      You hang in there

      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


      • #4
        For those reading, Leanne made it ok. She called me 4 hours after getting out of the operating room sounding all chipper....


        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


        • #5
          One month out - update

          Hello All,

          It has been one month since my scoliosis surgeries. I purposely waited a month before reporting to make sure there were no unexpected complications that came up. I am happy to say the surgeries went as planned and the outcome was even better than I dreamed it could be. The only complications so far have been the numbness in my rear hip area and in my left front thigh. Of course there is a lot of pain from the surgery and yes PT makes it even worse, but no pain no gain so I am working out twice a day as instructed. I think the worst part was the terror and anxiety before the surgery but I feel so much relief now that it is over. I want to thank everyone for your support and coaching during the preparation for surgery. I know that it is going to be a long road back, but I am grateful the surgery went so well. I went for my post op this week and they measured my new X-rays. I am happy to report that I am now 2 degrees from proper spinal alignment...just 2 degrees and the terrible sciatica has disappeared! I am very happy that I went through with the surgery and I am very fortunate to have had such an expert doctor. Now life can get back on track as I work towards my "new normal". Before the surgery I was just in a horrible, excruciatingly painful limbo state. I think you told me Ed, that you had been working towards this surgery all of your life. Now I understand what you meant. I feel like I have been born again and given another chance to take care of the beautifully sculpted new spine that Dr Bederman gave me. I am so very fortunate that the surgery and the outcome turned out so well!

          Leanne J

          Comment


          • #6
            Leanne

            Your descriptions of your pain were probably some of the worst I have ever heard....You were one who needed surgery, no doubt. At 4 weeks, yes its a struggle. But you will get through all of this and it will be worth it, for sure.

            When we do our surgeries we are given powerful antibiotics. This destroys much of the bacteria in our guts which needs to be re-established. My recovery was more about lower GI management than the spine.

            Probiotics like yogurt help re-establish the good bacteria. We also need protein for healing. Your nutritional needs right now are extremely important. On meds, I had to force the spoon up to my mouth since they destroy your appetite.

            Berries score high for healing foods.
            https://homecareassistance.com/blog/...ds-eat-surgery

            Keep daily notes on medication, food intake, bowel, and walks. Try not to overdue the therapy part of things, most of us simply walk to distribute blood which carries nutrients into healing zones. Drinking a lot of water is also important to keep the bowel moving. This is how magnesium citrate works, it draws water into the intestines.

            Do short walks often through the day. Not a marathon. I was walking probably every 90 minutes for 10 minutes each session. Walk or do too much and it will set you back in pain.

            Try to take it easy. Your body will determine its own healing rate. Your not going to speed this up by walking farther or doing more. Remember, NO BLT's No bending, lifting, or twisting!!! Get someone else to do it. We only get one chance at healing and its our time to heal. 100% of you time should be devoted to healing.

            Congratulations, you made it.

            Hang in there

            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

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