OK well I have been lurking around, learning so much from everyone's posts, becoming scared about surgery, considering the SpineCor brace, then deciding I needed to do Core strengthening rather than wear a brace, then researching the Scroth exercises ( wish I could understand them!)... and always, always reading about everyone's surgery, recovery and - the dreaded REVISION surgeries. I've seen Dr Hanson at Baylor in Houston, but I am trying to find a second opinion doc within the Tricare health system (HA! scoffed in derision!!). Anyway - I think I am finally able to add my photos to my signature, below. One photo is my digital Xray, and then my hubby took a photo of my back as it appears now. OK, talk about humility... I am fat, but the fat folds are significantly asymetrical when viewed from behind. That's the only reason I'm posting these ugly photos- if anyone wonders what scoliosis "looks" like- well, here's a pretty good example. The folds of fat are crooked, to reflect the curvature of the spine- pretty striking view.
I do plan to lost weight, I know it will be better on my joints, and especially on the OR staff when they are lifting me on and off the OR table ;-) IF I ever get the courage to have surgery!! ANYWAY - right now I am about 5' 8" or so, I used to 5'10" when I was in high school. I've read some threads with interest, asking about how to calculate BMI (body mass index) - do we use our actual height, or the estimated height of our skeletan, if our scoliosis was straightened? Well, that is an interesting question- my waist is all crumpled up, so how fat am I, really? anyway - it is nice to daydream about having surgery and finally having a waist. Still, it's too drastic a surgery just for vanity!! Anyway - I've posted these photos- ugly as they are- it does show what scoliosis looks like. God bless all those february surgery patients and I hope everyone is recovering - Jamie xxx
PS- the XRAY photo is taken with me facing FRONT, so the curves are reversed from the rear view photo- from behind, my curve brings my right shoulder up higher. Should have reversed the Xray so the images correspond- sorry.
I do plan to lost weight, I know it will be better on my joints, and especially on the OR staff when they are lifting me on and off the OR table ;-) IF I ever get the courage to have surgery!! ANYWAY - right now I am about 5' 8" or so, I used to 5'10" when I was in high school. I've read some threads with interest, asking about how to calculate BMI (body mass index) - do we use our actual height, or the estimated height of our skeletan, if our scoliosis was straightened? Well, that is an interesting question- my waist is all crumpled up, so how fat am I, really? anyway - it is nice to daydream about having surgery and finally having a waist. Still, it's too drastic a surgery just for vanity!! Anyway - I've posted these photos- ugly as they are- it does show what scoliosis looks like. God bless all those february surgery patients and I hope everyone is recovering - Jamie xxx
PS- the XRAY photo is taken with me facing FRONT, so the curves are reversed from the rear view photo- from behind, my curve brings my right shoulder up higher. Should have reversed the Xray so the images correspond- sorry.
Comment