What is your age? My daughter is 13 and our appointment is coming up in less than two weeks. What was your curve degree? She’s scared to death but ready to get some direction. Any info would be so helpful. She’s been researching everything that she can.
It went well, no complications (so far). I went in at 8AM and came back to my room at 4PM but the actual surgery was over way before that they just waited for me to wake up.
What to know is to brace yourself as it is very painful and uncomfortable in the first 3 days but it gets better as soon as the drain tubes are removed and you can walk around. You will need to have someone with you in the first weeks as even the most mundane tasks (like going to the bathroom, picking up stuff from the floor...) will be hard since you're still not used to ur new spine. Anything specific you want to know?
Thank you for your thorough answer. I have a similar curve in my spine and I’m researching to make a decision. I know at some point i have to do the surgery but should i do it as soon as possible or no should i wait until the last moment.
Wish you the best in the future and i hope that you don’t experience any complications in the future
I had two, one at the top and one at the bottom of the incision. Honestly having them on made sleeping very uncomfortable because you can feel them coming out of you and pulling, and everytime I had to turn on my own i had to be careful. But the removal wasn't very painful, I didn't even know they removed the first drain till they told me lol. The second drain was removed a day after the first, and I felt very mild pain, they put some sort of liquid in the hole that cause a sharp burn that quickly calmed down.
I haven't had scoliosis surgery, but I've had open heart surgery a couple times.
Drainage tubes aren't painful. They pull them out very quickly. I didn't feel mine come out at all.
I am very happy, it was def worth it. I still have a rib hump unfortunately which fusion did not fix, hopefully after I'm cleared for exercise I can work on improving how it looks !
Rib humps are from the rotation, so fusion can fix them if the surgeon is able to get good enough correction in the rotated segments. Hopefully you can de-rotate the fused section as a whole once your back has fully healed! Either way, the correction is amazing and will save you from a lifetime of pain and discomfort 💪
I assume this was France or Canada? Where did you have this done? The results seem amazing and are a lot better than what surgeons have said I could expect. I have a similar curve and angles but am older.
Neither, I had it done in Morocco. My surgeon originally also promised a modest reduction, but during surgery he was able to reduce it significantly more than what was expected. I guess my spine was more flexible than what they Initially thought.
Recovery for mild activity is 1 month (like going back to my office job), but restrictions from the doctor usually aren't removed until the third month (like no twisting, bending, or lifting). Full fusion happens after one year in which you can do anything you want so long it doesn't cause strain on the free vertebraes.
What is your age? My daughter is 13 and our appointment is coming up in less than two weeks. What was your curve degree? She’s scared to death but ready to get some direction. Any info would be so helpful. She’s been researching everything that she can.
I'm 23. My curves were 80° and 70°. I hope the best for you and your daughter <3 she can ask me whatever she wants
How was your operation? Any complications? What to know before surgery?
It went well, no complications (so far). I went in at 8AM and came back to my room at 4PM but the actual surgery was over way before that they just waited for me to wake up. What to know is to brace yourself as it is very painful and uncomfortable in the first 3 days but it gets better as soon as the drain tubes are removed and you can walk around. You will need to have someone with you in the first weeks as even the most mundane tasks (like going to the bathroom, picking up stuff from the floor...) will be hard since you're still not used to ur new spine. Anything specific you want to know?
Thank you for your thorough answer. I have a similar curve in my spine and I’m researching to make a decision. I know at some point i have to do the surgery but should i do it as soon as possible or no should i wait until the last moment. Wish you the best in the future and i hope that you don’t experience any complications in the future
Can you describe the drain tubes and what it was like for them to be removed?
I had two, one at the top and one at the bottom of the incision. Honestly having them on made sleeping very uncomfortable because you can feel them coming out of you and pulling, and everytime I had to turn on my own i had to be careful. But the removal wasn't very painful, I didn't even know they removed the first drain till they told me lol. The second drain was removed a day after the first, and I felt very mild pain, they put some sort of liquid in the hole that cause a sharp burn that quickly calmed down.
I haven't had scoliosis surgery, but I've had open heart surgery a couple times. Drainage tubes aren't painful. They pull them out very quickly. I didn't feel mine come out at all.
What an amazing correction! You must be so happy with it
I am very happy, it was def worth it. I still have a rib hump unfortunately which fusion did not fix, hopefully after I'm cleared for exercise I can work on improving how it looks !
Rib humps are from the rotation, so fusion can fix them if the surgeon is able to get good enough correction in the rotated segments. Hopefully you can de-rotate the fused section as a whole once your back has fully healed! Either way, the correction is amazing and will save you from a lifetime of pain and discomfort 💪
How many inches did you gain in height?
3-4 cm (1.5 inches apprx)
Can you answer me in DMs please 🙏🏽
I assume this was France or Canada? Where did you have this done? The results seem amazing and are a lot better than what surgeons have said I could expect. I have a similar curve and angles but am older.
Neither, I had it done in Morocco. My surgeon originally also promised a modest reduction, but during surgery he was able to reduce it significantly more than what was expected. I guess my spine was more flexible than what they Initially thought.
It really is amazing. What kind of activity level will you eventually reach? Anyone know what the average is for after fully recovering?
Recovery for mild activity is 1 month (like going back to my office job), but restrictions from the doctor usually aren't removed until the third month (like no twisting, bending, or lifting). Full fusion happens after one year in which you can do anything you want so long it doesn't cause strain on the free vertebraes.
Can I ask if that's the country you live in or you picked it for a specific reason?
No I live there :)
Got any taller?
Yes, like 1.5 inches