brace after surgery?

[crepehanger]

did those of you that have already had at least one surgery know beforehand that you were going to need a brace? and if so, when did you get fitted for it, afterwards? logical, but sounds painful...my doctor hasnt mentioned it and i wonder when they consider one to be necessary... thanks Lisa

[amber24]

Hi Lisa, I had my surgery 9 weeks ago today. My surgeon informed me that I would have to wear a brace at my pre-op appt. I got fit for my brace the day after surgery. It was painful, but the physical therapy lady was gentle.

[Theresa]

Lisa,

I've had two surgeries already and didn't wear a brace with either one of them. The doctor did say before the first surgery that I may need to wear a brace. But when the surgery was done he said I didn't need to. Going in for # 3 in a couple of weeks and Dr. LaGrone said no brace.

[crepehanger]

thanks amber-

i hope your recovery is going great !! did your individual case seem to necessitate the brace, due to size of fusion, your age, etc...? i think i would welcome the feeling of safety of one...are they hard plastic that is heat formed like splint? are you still wearing it? i sure have a lot of questions, huh????? thanks again

[crepehanger]

hello theresa-

well, i guess size of curve does not determine the need for a brace, maybe the individual doctor... how do you like Dr. Lagrone? i was so surprised that there was a doctor of his caliber up there in my old back yard of amarillo, as i came from dumas, which is only 40 miles north of there- sometimes i wish i had checked with him first, but i did not realize he was so well known until i had set up surgery in dallas.. i have family within 30 minutes of amarillo if you should need anything... thank you..

[amber24]

thank you very much. It's been rough at times, but I'll get through it. I was 24 when I had my surgery and fused from T5-L5. My surgeon wanted me to wear the brace to support my back. I'm only allowed to take it off if I'm laying in bed or taking a shower. I've included a picture of my brace in this post. Yes, I am still wearing it and I hopefully will no longer have to wear it in 3 weeks (my 3 month post-op appt.). I should be starting therapy at that time. Let me know if you have anymore questions.

[Theresa]

Well, it's never to late to change your mind, He will also review your films and x-rays and let you know what he thinks.

[rainbow2010]

Back when I had my surgery, I wore a bodycast for 9 months! Things have changed for the better. My daughter had 2 rods put in, one on each side of her spine, so she did not need a brace. Her doctor said if she had only one rod put in then she would have needed a brace post-op.

[CurvySAT05]

I did not need a brace for my first two surgeries, but wore one after the third surgery for about 6 or 8 weeks (I don't remember exactly how long). I had the brace before the surgery, so the doctor just had me keep using it after the surgery. It was not molded, it was just a LSO with hard plastic inserts. (You can see a picture of it here, I did not have the optional thoracic extension on mine: http://www.vqorthocare.com/Products_...20and_TLSO.pdf) It was basically for added support and pain relief and not ment to hold the curves.

[trulyaries]

I also did not have a brace after my first two surgeries, but my surgeon told me I will have one after my third. I don't know what kind it will be; my doc says he will determine that after the surgery is over. By the way, this surgeon is a different one than I had for the first two surgeries. Different approaches?

[crepehanger]

good idea to pack some t-shirts......

well, since i won't know if i will be braced until after i leave home for the surgery, i guess i'd better pack some snug t-shirts that won't bunch up, or tank tops?
thanks for sending the links and pics- sure helps to demistify these things. Lisa

[dalmatica]

After my first surgery, the brace man came in and measured me while I was laying in my hospital bed. It was like two days post-op. Absolutely nothing to it. I wore t-shirts under mine but mine was a little different than the one shown. Mine went up under my arms as well and was solid the whole way around. I didn't like the thoughts of having to wear one but afterwards I was glad to have it. I could do so much more with it on.