New surgery help needed

[Karen Ocker]

recovery--how long

dmb:


Recovery depends on so many factors: fitness going into surgery, age, extent of surgery, other medical conditions like high blood pressure/diabetes/lung disease, post-op complications and extent of correction.

When large curves are reduced all the internal organs are repositioned: the spinal cord, spinal nerves, blood vessels, intestines, stomach and more. It takes the body--longer in older patients--to heal from this.
That is why I see red when people wait until they are in so much pain and progressing curves are so large. On the other had pain is a motivator for change and that might be the only thing propelling someone to definitive treatment.

It took me a good year and half to feel like myself after my revision. I went into surgery in the best condition I could. I have no other medical problems except for some residual breathing issues(improved from pre-op) which do not keep me from all normal activities and a full life.

I think "pushing-it" too soon impairs healing and causes discouragement. Walking every day 1-2 miles after 7 hours of work might be too much at this time. Your muscles must recover; try it every other day until you feel less fatigue. Lite PT too?

Sounds like too much. Only the young teens having this surgery can really bounce back that quickly.

LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. It doesn't lie.

[dmb]

Thanks Karen,

That is exactly what i needed to hear. i had nothing to compare my recovery to and some days i felt like i was out in left field going. My surgeon said it would take one good year and two weeks will be one year and i only feel about 70-75%. I am a women in my 30's and i just feel that i should be out there doing whatever and yes, it does get extremely frustrating!! I went into surgery in good shape. i worked out at the gym 2-3 times a week doing weight training and walked as well. I drank alot of water and ate all the right foods. However, 9 days after surgery i was back in the hospital with blood clots. They flew me to Washington Hospital Center in Washington DC to treat them. My lungs were filled with clots, i only had one airway open. I spent 3 days in critical care and the other 6 days on the cardiac floor. So yes i did have some setbacks. Thanks for your encouragement!!

D.

dmb:


Recovery depends on so many factors: fitness going into surgery, age, extent of surgery, other medical conditions like high blood pressure/diabetes/lung disease, post-op complications and extent of correction.

When large curves are reduced all the internal organs are repositioned: the spinal cord, spinal nerves, blood vessels, intestines, stomach and more. It takes the body--longer in older patients--to heal from this.
That is why I see red when people wait until they are in so much pain and progressing curves are so large. On the other had pain is a motivator for change and that might be the only thing propelling someone to definitive treatment.

It took me a good year and half to feel like myself after my revision. I went into surgery in the best condition I could. I have no other medical problems except for some residual breathing issues(improved from pre-op) which do not keep me from all normal activities and a full life.

I think "pushing-it" too soon impairs healing and causes discouragement. Walking every day 1-2 miles after 7 hours of work might be too much at this time. Your muscles must recover; try it every other day until you feel less fatigue.

[Shari]

Hi dmb,

Don't feel like you're alone!!! My 1 year post-op will be the end of May also.
I'm not 100% yet either. I can say in the last 2 months I have felt so much better. 2 weeks ago I hit my first 2 golf balls. I didn't swing hard, just wanted to see if I could do it. Last week I got on the big tractor to see if I could mow the grass. I got on it, thinking I would last about a half an hour, but I ended up mowing for 3 hours. I know that sounds like nothing to most people, but to me it was huge. It took me several days to recover from it, but I did it.

Who can say why we all heal differently, I was in great physical condition before my surgery. But it has taken me this long to start to feel able to at least try to do things that I enjoyed doing before. It is way to easy to get down when you don't heal as fast as others seem to, and I do have this one area that causes me a great deal of pain at times. Almost like a screw is stabbing me in the back. But it's not a constant thing, and I'm not a Dr., so I don't understand why I keep getting it. The one thing I'm absolutely sure of, is that my scoli pain is gone!!!

Shari

[bbest]

Julieanne -

I cannot recommend a surgeon, but I can tell you that you are among people who care. I hope you find a surgeon you can trust. Be sure to get a second and possibly third opinion before you make a definite decision.

Best of luck,
Brandi

[bbest]

Dmb

I see you are from Maryland. I am too. Who did your surgery?

[dmb]

Dr John Carbone did my surgery. He used to practice at JHU and at UN of MD. He now practices at Harbor Hospital and is the director of Harborview Reconstrucive Spine Services. He is very good and i like him alot. I'm from Western MD, where are you from?

D

I see you are from Maryland. I am too. Who did your surgery?

[bbest]

I live in Germantown in Montgomery County. My husband and I like to go to Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County a couple times a year just to get away. Dr. William Lauerman is my surgeon. He is Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery at Georgetown University Hospital. Aside from all the bells and whistles he is an awesome doctor. Very compassionate, patient. I completely trust him. Sounds like your surgeon has some of the same qualities.

[dmb]

i live about two hours from Deep Creek Lake. it is nice up that way. I too have complete confidence in my surgeon. How far are you fused? i am fused from T3-L4. How are you feeling? May 16th will be one year for me and i feel about 80%.

I live in Germantown in Montgomery County. My husband and I like to go to Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County a couple times a year just to get away. Dr. William Lauerman is my surgeon. He is Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery at Georgetown University Hospital. Aside from all the bells and whistles he is an awesome doctor. Very compassionate, patient. I completely trust him. Sounds like your surgeon has some of the same qualities.