Lori, my son just had anterior surgery. I was surprised to find that the incision and the rib removal causes him more pain than the actual fusion. I assumed he would have terrible back pain as he healed but actually, he has had minor pain in his back and the worst as I said was from the incision and the ribs. The first days of recovery, it hurt him to just take a deep breath and now since he's been home (he's a week and 4 days post-op) it hurts mostly when he sneezes or coughs. He still has some mobility issues and is sleeping in a recliner in the livingroom since its hard for him to get out of bed once he's in it. Other than that, he's doing well.
The first few days after the surgery are the hardest and it gets progressively easier after that. Be prepared for the first and second days post-op. I was so worried about the actual surgery that I was totally unprepared for the initial recovery period and I found that pretty traumatic. We were assured by his medical team that everything he experienced was perfectly normal for after surgery (out of it from the pain meds, low oxygen levels from his system being so depressed from all the medication, getting sick from the medication), but being so unprepared caused me some pretty anxious moments.
I was also worried about our drive home (about 20 minutes from the hospital) but it was pretty easy on him. He took some pain medication prior to being discharged and I drove slow and very carefully, trying to avoid as many bumps as I could. I've heard its good to take a lot of pillows but he didn't use any. He sat in the front seat with his seatbelt on and said it was only minorly uncomfortable.
Your daughter's curves sound similar to my son's. His primary curve was lower and the discs below the curve were starting to shift and that was our primary reason for having the surgery sooner rather than later. We were concerned that the longer we waited, the worse the disc shifting would get and then we would be looking at surgery to correct the discs as well as the curve. He also wanted to get the surgery done and out of the way. I was terrified but his attitude was and is great and that's what has gotten him through the worst of it.
He also donated two pints of blood which they didn't need from blood loss due to the surgery but they returned to him anyway when he was in ICU.
I have to repeat what many on this site have said - our kids are just amazing. They are stronger than we give them credit for.
Please keep us posted on your journey - I wish you and your daughter only the best. Carol
The first few days after the surgery are the hardest and it gets progressively easier after that. Be prepared for the first and second days post-op. I was so worried about the actual surgery that I was totally unprepared for the initial recovery period and I found that pretty traumatic. We were assured by his medical team that everything he experienced was perfectly normal for after surgery (out of it from the pain meds, low oxygen levels from his system being so depressed from all the medication, getting sick from the medication), but being so unprepared caused me some pretty anxious moments.
I was also worried about our drive home (about 20 minutes from the hospital) but it was pretty easy on him. He took some pain medication prior to being discharged and I drove slow and very carefully, trying to avoid as many bumps as I could. I've heard its good to take a lot of pillows but he didn't use any. He sat in the front seat with his seatbelt on and said it was only minorly uncomfortable.
Your daughter's curves sound similar to my son's. His primary curve was lower and the discs below the curve were starting to shift and that was our primary reason for having the surgery sooner rather than later. We were concerned that the longer we waited, the worse the disc shifting would get and then we would be looking at surgery to correct the discs as well as the curve. He also wanted to get the surgery done and out of the way. I was terrified but his attitude was and is great and that's what has gotten him through the worst of it.
He also donated two pints of blood which they didn't need from blood loss due to the surgery but they returned to him anyway when he was in ICU.
I have to repeat what many on this site have said - our kids are just amazing. They are stronger than we give them credit for.
Please keep us posted on your journey - I wish you and your daughter only the best. Carol
Comment