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  • Surgery Date

    Hey guys, well, I'm pleased to announce that I finally got my surgery date today. I will be having my surgery on the 23rd of September, at Rhode Island Hospital. I'm weirdly calm, unexcited, and strangely not anxious. I think I've just spent so much time stressing about it, that I'm just resigned to the fact now. My boyfriend asked me a question tonight that I'd never thought to ask before... It had never even crossed my mind... He wanted to know how long it'd take the 'actual cut' to heal. I know that relief is not immediate, but when do the stitches start to heal? I mean, when do I 'stop' having a cut in my back? (I hope I'm making sense here)... Also, does it itch? If you guys could help me out, it'd be greatly appreciated.. thanks guys.
    27 Years Old
    Pre Surgery: 76 and 68 degrees
    Post Surgery: 15 degrees
    www.bentoutofshape.blogspot.com

  • #2
    Mine took only a couple of weeks - amazingly fast, and the least of the problems! Good luck,

    Lavinia

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    • #3
      Originally posted by monie
      Hey guys, well, I'm pleased to announce that I finally got my surgery date today. I will be having my surgery on the 23rd of September, at Rhode Island Hospital. I'm weirdly calm, unexcited, and strangely not anxious. I think I've just spent so much time stressing about it, that I'm just resigned to the fact now. My boyfriend asked me a question tonight that I'd never thought to ask before... It had never even crossed my mind... He wanted to know how long it'd take the 'actual cut' to heal. I know that relief is not immediate, but when do the stitches start to heal? I mean, when do I 'stop' having a cut in my back? (I hope I'm making sense here)... Also, does it itch? If you guys could help me out, it'd be greatly appreciated.. thanks guys.

      Congratulations!!!! Well, as far as your cut healing... the outside will heal alot quicker than the inside (muscles and whatnot) As far as time, I'm not too too certain. Now, onto the itching! YES it will itch! Quite a bit I might add, but that's been my personal experience, mine started itching about a week afterwards . (and don't try and twist yourself around to itch it either, you will regret it. A backscratcher will be a great investment, along with a long handled bath brush. those will come in handy)

      Hope this helps you out a bit.
      25 yr old female =^_^=
      Thoracic curve 48 degrees (with kyphosis)
      Lumbar curve 23 degrees
      surgery from t5-l1 25 July 2005
      Two rods and 16 screws later . . . 0 degrees YAY!

      Comment


      • #4
        Best of Luck!

        Hi Monie,
        I'm from Rhode Island too! Who is your doctor? I'm 33, and have had scoliosis since being diagnosed at 14. Last time I had my curves checked, (8 years ago), it was a double curve, 46 and 23 degrees. I just had new X-rays done the other week, and have my follow up appt. to review them on Sept. 7th with Dr. Palumbo (University Orthopedics). My pelvis is rotated as well that makes my right leg appear shorter than the left, and I was assigned a lift in my right show several years ago by a podiatrist. It helped, a bit, but I've always had the lower back pain. Now, I can't stand for more than 5 minutes without my back hurting to the point where I need to sit.

        Anyways, the reason I sched. an appt. with an orthopedic surgeon is that I'm having constant lower right back pain, and severe leg pain (sciatica), that pulsates through my quad and along my knee. Over the last month I've gotten extremely bad pain in my upper left shoulder area that radiates down my arm.

        I've tried everything over the years: physical therapy, massage therapy, chiropractor therapy. I'm 5'9 and about 145 lbs, a decent weight, and I stretch everyday. I used to exercise 4 times a week, but can't do anything now because of the pain. I missed alot of work over the last year due to pain. I'm at the end of my rope with this pain, and don't want to manage it with pain pills.

        At this point in my life, I'm ready (if the doc. says so) to have a surgical treatment for this. I can't imagine living with this pain for much longer. I have been doing some research on specialists in adult idiopathic scoliosis and I've come up with a few doctors. Some of the best seem to be at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan, NY, specifically Dr. Rawlins...any feedback on this doctor? Does anyone come highly recommended from Boston? I live in RI, so I'd like someone close by, but am willing to travel to get the best care.

        Thanks so much for listening. And best of luck to you Monie on your upcoming surgery. I will pray for you for a successful outcome.

        Comment


        • #5
          Hi Twisted...

          I can't tell from your post, but if your discomfort has increased since you've started wearing the lift, it might be responsible. Despite the fact that we usually can use a lift if we want to even out our pelvis, it can cause all sorts of problems. Unfortunately, our bodies are used to being in the twisted position and don't seem to like change very much.

          Regards,
          Linda
          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


          • #6
            Hi Linda

            Hi Linda,
            Thanks for writing. I started with the lift about 5 years ago, and at first it seemed to help. But, the last few years, I haven't been consistent with it. Whether I wear it or not now, I still have the back/leg/arm pain.

            Question: Have you heard of the Hospital for Special Surgery in NY for scoliosis surgery on adults? I've been doing some research, and they *seem* top notch, just would like to hear from anyone's first hand experience with them. I'm from RI, and if I have to have surgery, I'd like to go to the best, but someone relativley close by. Any recommendations?
            thanks!
            ~Donna

            Comment


            • #7
              Hey Donna, thank you for replying my post... Actually, the doctors that will be operating on me are ALL with University Orthopedics. Incidentally, Dr. Palumbo is one of them... I have three doctors, and they all practice with University Orhtopedics! They seem REALLY nice so far, and I have nothing but good things to say about them. They're very patient with me and take time to answer all my questions. Here's my email address; we should definitely correspond: monie0078@gmail.com . Please feel free to write me, I'm actually relieved that there's someone else from Rhode Island on here...
              27 Years Old
              Pre Surgery: 76 and 68 degrees
              Post Surgery: 15 degrees
              www.bentoutofshape.blogspot.com

              Comment


              • #8
                Hi Donna...

                Yes, I've definitely heard of the Hospital for Special Surgery, and especially of Dr. Oheneba Boachie. His reputation couldn't be better.

                Regards,
                Linda
                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


                • #9
                  Hospital for Special Surgery

                  Donna,
                  As Linda mentioned Dr. Boachie is by far the best. I had several appointments with him a few years ago and if I had to have revision surgery, he would have been the one I would go to. Excellent reputation all around. I did have a partial rod removal by Dr. Sandhu at HSS also. The hospital is one of the best and is always written up about how up-to-date they are, etc. Dr. Boachie, his office, etc. could not have been nicer. Good luck and feel better. Lynn
                  1981 Surgery with Harrington Rod; fused from T2 to L3 - Dr.Keim (at 26 years old)
                  2000 Partial Rod Removal
                  2001 Right Scapular Resection
                  12/07/2010 Surgical stabilization L3 through sacrum with revision harrington rod instrumentation, interbody fusion and pre-sacral fusion L5-S1 - Dr. Boachie (at 56 years old)
                  06/11/14 - Posterior cervical fusion C3 - T3 (Mountaineer System) due to severely arthritic joints - Dr. Patrick O'Leary (at age 59)

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                  • #10
                    Thanks...

                    Thank you Linda, Monie, and Jacque's Mom for responding! I'm so glad to hear that the HSS comes highly recommended. Do any of you know any doctor in the Boston area that comes as highly recommended?
                    Thanks so much for your help.
                    ~Donna

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Hi Donna...

                      I hear a lot of good things about Frank Rand.

                      Regards,
                      Linda
                      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

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