Anyone from UK?

[Robbie]

I hold dual-nationality between the United States and United Kingdom, so I can live and work in whichever I choose. I had the surgery done in England because it was covered by my father's health insurance provided by his work. There was absolutely no way I could have afforded it over in the States. Plus my parents live over here, so it was nice to be with them through it. It just made more sense to have it done here. Depending on if my doctor will let me, I'm hoping to return to the USA in April.

I only have a post-op x-ray, which you can see at http://www.robbieshields.net/x-ray.JPG.

I'm jealous of you for being about to swim! I can... er... sink? lol. I've never been taught how to swim. I really should learn.

I hope your appointment goes well, Sam/the_optimist.

[the optimist]

wow you are symmetrical !

looks great (dont think i have ever said that about someones insides before!)
yeah i have booked my first appointment for the 15th of march arrgghhhh! think i am more prepared now i have dicovered this forum

you are so lucky having dual nationality, i lived in new york for 4 months and really wanted to stay longer and cant wait to go back there!

did you have the op cause you where in alot of pain?

i have just recently started feeling a bit achy but there isn't that much pain at all (standing around for ages can make my hips ache)

carry on healing well and enjoy the untimely sunny weather

how come you dont have a brace it seems like everyone on here has had one after the op ?

[Robbie]

I'm not sure why I wasn't given a brace. My doctor just said to be careful. I seem to be getting along fine without one.

I mainly had the operation because the thought of my spine being curved like it was really bothered me. I did have some pretty bad pain at times. Standing around for long periods of time made my lower back ache.

I'd love to go to New York, especially New York City. It looks like such an amazing city. I live in North Carolina in the USA. I originally come from New Mexico, but I was only there for like a month. I'm going to go back and see where I was born someday.

Good luck with your appointment. Who is your doctor? Let us all know how it goes.

[bonjour]

toc-toc not just us,hello i am dual english french (more french )and i am at 6 weeks from my scoliose op in paris fused from d7 to s1 ,i m 40 .what do you do with yourselves during the day?so much to do here and not alowed ti do anything getting booring,and difficult.i still have big moments off pain where i have to stay flat on my back.
bye

[Jen-jen]

Hey, I'm in the UK but unlike all you people being treated in London I'm up at Jimmys Teaching Hospital in Leeds! Due for surgery in July when I manage to actually get a call through to my surgeon. lol. I was told scoliosis operations were purely cosmetic too but he then contradicted himself a bit and called it my DEFORMITY. Now I know it is a deformity really but it was a bit harsh on my first diagnosis as a shy 13 year old lass. lol

x x

[the optimist]

yeah i think it is all way to much to take on board when you are told in you early teens, so are you (jen jen ) a nurse (or training to be one)? I worked with a few student nurses who told me that they saw a video of the operation, Have you seen one ? apparently its a bit scary so maybe best not too!

good luck with the op in july, keep us all posted on your thoughts and feeling before the big day

sam / the optimist

[Jen-jen]

Hi, I haven't seen a video of the op and I'm not sure I want to actually SEE what they're gonna do to me! lol. I'm not a nurse (or even a student nurse), I'm merely a student although I wouldn't mind a career in medicine. I like your name by the way, very..... optimistic. lol x x

[sai]

got the piccies to load...

hello bonjour (congrats with the op)and jenjen(im originally from near leeds)

optimist-It is so not "purely cosmetic". My main pains started a 3 years ago with a twinge aswell and after that it was downhill with regards to the pain and affect on my life. i hope it isnt the same for you but im glad your getting it looked at again. Are you seeing a local ortho specialist? if you are and you are not happy with what he/she says please look into refering yourself to a scoliosis specific specialist.
I also had an office job but my work were quite good and got me a chair that was moulded to my back so really uncomfortable for everyone apart from me due to the right shoulder blade sticking out.

Swimmimg is excellent for you but unfortunately im with Robbie...i am planning on learning once im fully recovered tho.
Good luck with the appointment-if you want to know the type of messages i first asked let me know-maybe something inthere that you can use.

Robbie-Your xray looks fantastic.

Heres the piccies for you

[Jen-jen]

Thats what i thought when my doc said it was cosmetic. He also said "scoliosis will in no way affect your future". Wrong! After a few months I started getting pain too. Only a dull ache at the end of a long day but now it can be quite painful doing normal things like lying on my back or walkin round college. Sitting is the worst cos the chairs are not very forgiving on a twisty back. lol. I wish my college would get me a chair like the one your work got you!
Those pictures are great by the way, what was your original curve size cos if you can get that much correction then I'm gonna be one seriously happy lass after the op! lol x x

[sai]

"scoliosis will in no way affect your future" What a load of S@%& (pardon my french). I dont wish scoliosis on anyone but if he/she actually knew what the pain was like to live with they would never say this.

Yeah i must say my chair was fantastic...and pink!!! lol but no good to me when i go back now because in 'normal' woo hoo (still feels great to say that).

My main curve was 49 degrees. when is your op due jen-jen?

My friend has just been round after a month, to see me, and she said in that month i have progressed so much. so even if it seems like you cant do anything straight after the op-everyday you can do a little more.

Just to give an update im exactly 6 months post op and today was my 1st full day without the brace!!!! it feels fantastic and i feel realy light without it-can start showing off my new clothes now

[Jen-jen]

Sounds like you're doing great!! I can't wait til I get to say that I'm "normal" again. Then again I dont ever think I was that normal before! lol. Pink chair?! Ace!!!!
My op was due for June last year. then they wouldn't give me a date.... so it kept going on and on and on until eventually it got to mid august and i couldnt really have the op after that cos i was starting college 2 weeks after. So now my op has been pencilled in for july this year. However, my doc is extremely hard to get hold of. I was supposed to have an appointment in Dec: didnt come through. I have tried ringing him: never an answer. Typical!
The doc that told me scoliosis would never affect me was only a consultant so i got referred to a different doc (thank god!). This new doc still thinks scoliosis isnt painful. Yeah right! Honestly, they may perform miracles (like straightening me out) but they have no idea! lol.

x x

[sai]

dont feel dis-heartened, my op was cancled a few times (the worst was an hour before i was supposed to have the op!!) but we got there eventually.

Good look for it Jen-jen.just make sure you are as fit as possible before you go in for the surgery to help with your recovery. As soon as i found out i needed an op i stopped drinking and smoking. Even though the specialist didnt mention this to me , i have since read some reports where they think it is best to stop.

If youve got any questions then id be happy to chat.

Sai

[Jen-jen]

An hour before?!?!?!?! Chuffin hell!
Don't worry, Im kinda a fitness freak anyway. lol. So this was your first day without the brace since the op. Is it usual to keep it on 6months??? x x

[sai]

Yeah it was a bit of a heaf f%@k. i prepared myself for it then it wasnt going to happen. i didnt know wether i was relieved or if i just wanted it over with.

The bracing depends on the surgeon you have but also up to you.

One of the girls i met at hospital took it off after 3 cos she hated it-i think her surgeon told her to keep on a bit longer

My surgeon told me to start taking off at 6 months but some dont like their patients to have on for so long...and i know why..you get too used to it and then difficult to feel comfortable without it...but i got there in the end.

So how old are you Jen-jen and where are you based?

[Marty]

Well done sai, getting that brace off must be a releif. So are you out and about, oh yeah and can you walk after the op or do you need a wheel chair?