19 Year Old Male. Scoliosis Progressing.

[mabeckoff]

Some pain is to be expected . As john has had 2 major surgeries, he is aware that he would have pain to some degree. But as others have said, excess pain robs
you of the chance to do anything

[titaniumed]

You need to expect some pain. There's nothing quite like a big surgery to put perspective on what you thought was bad pain before surgery, huh? :-)

I’m sure, those who “know” will dwell on this statement.

Brings back memories....

Hang in there John. Your going to make it.

Ed

[mabeckoff]

Hope your surgery goes well tomorrow

[Doodles]

Good luck tomorrow, John. You are due for a good recovery. Positive thoughts coming your way! Janet

[Mojo's Mom]

Okay, I am totally confused. John just had last Friday a revision surgery he's been researching and planning for a couple of years, then he comes out and he's having huge pain and he reports problems with his hardware that will necessitate another surgery and a lower fusion, etc., then he posts that he's suggesting tactics for his surgeon to go back in and implement, and the last thing I saw him post was that he was waiting for x-rays, and now everyone is wishing him good luck with a surgery tomorrow? Is he having surgery tomorrow? I never saw him post this.

Can someone clarify this for me, from what he's posted?

[Elisa]

Okay, I am totally confused. John just had last Friday a revision surgery he's been researching and planning for a couple of years, then he comes out and he's having huge pain and he reports problems with his hardware that will necessitate another surgery and a lower fusion, etc., then he posts that he's suggesting tactics for his surgeon to go back in and implement, and the last thing I saw him post was that he was waiting for x-rays, and now everyone is wishing him good luck with a surgery tomorrow? Is he having surgery tomorrow? I never saw him post this.

Can someone clarify this for me, from what he's posted?

I was kinda wondering the same thing. Thought I missed an update along the way... wouldn't be the first time, heh.

[LSKOCH5]

Good luck John, with the hopefully final surgery, the pain, and the recovery. Thanks also for your encouraging words pages back. Three, maybe four opinions are underway, and w research & the info and experiences everyone has shared here on the forum, I feel we are well on the way to making a much more informed decision than we might have otherwise. ps - the dr we're seeing tmrw trained under Dr. Lenke, so if we can't get the very best, well, he's a good second. We'll see.
But all the best, and don't rush your recovery this time!

[jrnyc]

i believe two surgeries were scheduled before John went into the hospital...
i don't know from his posts if what will be done has been changed in some way based on what the surgeon
found during the first surgery on Friday...

jess

[Mojo's Mom]

Okay, I get it, it's on page 53 of this thread. I had missed that post, where he explained his revision would involve 2 separate surgeries. Now, what is XLIF?

[titaniumed]

From the side.

[titaniumed]

XLIF from the side
PLIF from the back
ALIF from the front.

This will explain. I had an A/P an ALIF 1st then 2 days later a PLIF. Each surgeon decides which method to use, and stage dates, which can vary.

http://www.scoliosisassociates.com/s...-tlif-alif-041

Ed

[LAL]

Wasn't his second surgery today? The 15th? I hope is doing ok..

[JDM555]

I just got out a few hours for my final surgery. Things weren't as easy as planned unfortunately. The first surgery on the 11th, surgeon found a lot of problems going on. He noticed that the L1-L3 were just as predictable and we figured. L1-L2 had no bone of them, then L2-L3 was worse, because they had no bone, but the bolts that were 6mm, where grinding the holes and ended up creating larger holes than L6. So that was a waste of time. I talked to my surgeon and said he that that the bolts caused the holes to be too large, and they showed in my X-Rays from today and that that my best option might be that I might need to go to L4 secure a solid fusion without running the risk of having loose L3 screws. More info coming tomorrow.

[rohrer01]

I just got out a few hours for my final surgery. Things weren't as easy as planned unfortunately. The first surgery on the 11th, surgeon found a lot of problems going on. He noticed that the L1-L3 were just as predictable and we figured. L1-L2 had no bone of them, then L2-L3 was worse, because they had no bone, but the bolts that were 6mm, where grinding the holes and ended up creating larger holes than L6. So that was a waste of time. I talked to my surgeon and said he that that the bolts caused the holes to be too large, and they showed in my X-Rays from today and that that my best option might be that I might need to go to L4 secure a solid fusion without running the risk of having loose L3 screws. More info coming tomorrow.

So sorry to hear this, John. Do they know why your bolts loosened? Was it from the pseudoarthrosis or some other cause? Sorry for the questions, I know you don't feel well. So this means yet another surgery? I sure hope you can get this done and over with soon, so you can put it all behind you and just heal and be well and enjoy the rest of your 20's. Take care.

[jrnyc]

i am so sorry to hear this, John...
i guess this means today's surgery is postponed and what was planned for that surgery must be changed...
you were correct when you believed things were not right and when you refused to accept any doctor
trying to tell you otherwise!
i know you were hoping not to have to go to L4...but if it sounds like the surgeon believes it is absolutely
necessary, and that to do less than that would leave your spine too vulnerable....

you remain in my thoughts and prayers for a successful outcome...
and relief from pain....

jess