Was your surgery..2 part, or just one

[Irina]

So, is it a reasonable assumption to make that residents/fellows would have less involvement in two-step surgery vs. one-step because each part of two-step surgery would be shorter and your surgeon would be able to handle the majority of it? If this is true, then, if given a choice, I would probably choose two-step.

[kootenaygal]

Hi Kootenaygal, I was wondering if you ever had your surgery? I just had 2 part surgery this past May 2012. Originally the surgeon thought he could do it all at one time but then he decided against that. A good thing too because the first surgery took 5 hours but the second surgery was 11 hours. He stopped the first surgery short because he said I lost more blood than he anticipated but he was able to set everything up and get all the screws in place.

My surgery produced good results reducing my thoracic curve from 72 degrees to 25 degrees. I don't know the current degrees of my lumbar curve, previously it was about 45 degrees. I'm about 3 inches taller and stand much straighter than I ever have. I'm looking forward to the day when everything in my body settles down and I can resume my normal activities. Right now I'm still dependent on my adult daughter helping me out as I'm only 4 weeks post-op but all things considered I'm doing quite well.

Hope to hear back from you to learn about your progress.

I'm so glad to hear that you are doing well, in your recovery! My curve is mainly in my thoracic. My spine is collapsing, also have numerous compression fractures. My ribs are sitting on my hips, especially on my one side. In fact, I had to turn suddenly ( went completely against my curve, in that move)...my rib DID go under the crest of my hip. I have never felt so much pain....ambulance >laughing gas > ER.
I do know that my surgery will be posterior, and done in one day. I just got a message, that I have a date for another MRI. I hope my surgery will be shortly there after. I'm in so much pain, especially in the morning...it usually takes me a hour or so, to get going. ( pain meds, hot pack, & my coffee)

How old are you? I'm 61..was concerned about my age, but in my consult with the surgeon. He said, I had nothing to be concerned about. I'm so looking forward to putting this surgery me. I'll be watching for your posts, to see how you are progressing. I'll be keeping everyone "in the loop" re; my surgery.
Kootenaygal.

[Irina]

Hi kootenayagal,

I am glad to hear that your surgery will be all posterior and hope you'll get a date soon. I also have ribs on hips discomfort. I can't say it hurts a lot, but it is very uncomfortable. How did your pain progress? Did it start like discomfort and then gradually increased to severe pain from rib cage pushing on pelvic bone? Do you remember when you first noticed that pain?

[annabeller]

My first surgery when I was 15 was just one surgery. But the rod broke and a screw came loose! Then by 30 I was bedridden and my lower back was being crushed by all the weight. SO I just had 2 surgeries in January. I think its good when they do two because it means the Doctor is solidifying all his work so it fuses better. Its really not a big deal. He took out 2 ribs and made 4 incisions. Two on my side one on my back and one in the front. I had the surgeries a week apart. I feel for you. I don't know how you handle that pain. I am very excited for you that you finally get to feel a little better. I wish you the best

[kootenaygal]

Thanks for all of your postings! I was just phoned, saying that I was booked for another MRI, in August in Edmonton, at the hospital where the surgery will be done. I asked if my surgery would be done soon thereafter. The answer was NO, still on the wait list. It's hard to believe that this surgery is classified as Elective. I'm in more pain,& feeling worse as the days pass by...but still elective.

Thanks again for your help. Kootenaygal

[titaniumed]

Koot

That sounds incredibly painful having your rib getting caught under your pelvis....wow!

I had a 2 part A/P with 2 scoli surgeons and a vascular surgeon for the anterior. My vascular surgeon basically dug the hole from the front. These guys are just hardcore. 3 superheroes, Superman, Spiderman, and Batman. I don’t know if Robin was there... (smiley face)

At first I was going to be done in a posterior only, but the anterior decision came later. I didn’t question this method, and left the call completely up to my surgeon. It was his call.

Sounds great if you can get done in a posterior only....

Hope you can get a surgery date soon.

Ed

[leahdragonfly]

So, is it a reasonable assumption to make that residents/fellows would have less involvement in two-step surgery vs. one-step because each part of two-step surgery would be shorter and your surgeon would be able to handle the majority of it? If this is true, then, if given a choice, I would probably choose two-step.

Hi Irina,

I don't think this assumption is necessarily correct. Remember, the fellows and residents are there to learn (if your hospital is a teaching hospital--if not, no worries). They are going to be there on the big surgeries and the smaller surgeries. I think if you are concerned about this I would ask your surgeon specifically about his role vs that of the fellows/residents. I personally would never submit to two separate surgeries merely for the hope that the fellow/resident wouldn't be operating on you. I just don't think it quite works that way.

I don't think a good surgeon whose reputation is on the line would allow a resident/fellow to do a portion of the operation that they were not ready to do without supervision. There has to be common sense involved, and the best outcome for the patient should always be the foremost concern. Please consider discussing your concerns honestly with your surgeon. This surgery is scary enough going in to, it would be 100 times more scary if you are concerned about whether or not you will get the best surgical care!

Good luck,

[Irina]

Thank you, Gayle. I'll definitely discuss it with the surgeons.

[hasteffen]

made me smile

My surgery was just one part, 9 hrs. Good luck to you, I hope you don't have too long a wait. The wait is the worst part--even worse than the recovery.

I hope you are so right! I am in the waiting mode right now. Scheduled for surgery with Dr. Lenke in October 2012. I can't believe I am less then 4 months out.

Heidi

[Confusedmom]

Irina,
Also, David Wolpert's book says two-stage surgeries have a higher complication rate than all posterior. Plus, I believe all posterior is generally thought to be easier to recover from.

I asked Dr. Lenke point blank if he would be doing all the of the operating on me. He said he would do everything but the closing--stitching the incision, etc. I was fine with that. Plus, the resident who assisted him left shortly after to start his own practice, so I figured he could handle stitching me.

Best,
Evelyn

[Irina]

Irina,
Also, David Wolpert's book says two-stage surgeries have a higher complication rate than all posterior. Plus, I believe all posterior is generally thought to be easier to recover from.

I asked Dr. Lenke point blank if he would be doing all the of the operating on me. He said he would do everything but the closing--stitching the incision, etc. I was fine with that. Plus, the resident who assisted him left shortly after to start his own practice, so I figured he could handle stitching me.

Best,
Evelyn

Thank you, thank you Evelyn so much! You, guys, are amazing! I am going to buy this book right away. Not only I am only learning so much here, but getting a courage because I don't think I have a choice. May be the fact Dr. Lenke is doing most of the surgeries himself with minimal resident's involvement is one of the reasons for his high success rate?

Irina.

[susancook]

So, is it a reasonable assumption to make that residents/fellows would have less involvement in two-step surgery vs. one-step because each part of two-step surgery would be shorter and your surgeon would be able to handle the majority of it? If this is true, then, if given a choice, I would probably choose two-step.

There is no logic in your assumption from what I can gather. Everyone that operates on you is qualified or they wouldn't be there.Your surgeon would not turn over any responsibility unless he/she was 100% sure of that person's skill.....Susan

[Irina]

There is no logic in your assumption from what I can gather. Everyone that operates on you is qualified or they wouldn't be there.Your surgeon would not turn over any responsibility unless he/she was 100% sure of that person's skill.....Susan

Susan, there is no need to put me down.

[Confusedmom]

Hi Irina,
I'm sure Susan didn't mean that to sound like it did. She is generally very supportive.

Anyway, definitely get David Wolpert's book. You can order it through this website or amazon.com, I think. It's called: Scoliosis Surgery, The Definitive Patient's Reference. It's a must-read, in my opinion.

Best,
Evelyn