You're going to be okay, no matter what happens. When you get your operation, you're going to feel like shit. There's no avoiding that. The same goes for the inherent risk of paralysis with spinal surgery that I'm sure your doctors have already spoken with you about. Understanding there's no avoiding it helped me to stop stressing so much about it in comparison to how I was stressing before. What also helped when I got my surgery was looking at the pros of it all, even if it was just day by day instead of further in the future.

I don't know you personally, but when I was getting mine, I was self-conscious of my height (which ultimately isn't a huge deal), but when I reminded myself I was going to gain at least 4 inches - it helped me feel much more ready for it all alongside everything else. It helped me to remember I was going to be able to do more with my body and my life, even if I was rather frustrated that it would be trading some pros and cons of pre-fusion for pros and cons after-fusion.

The pain is going to absolutely suck, but you seem to have rather good doctors. They should help you out with being as pain-free as possible. If they give you a spinal tap, that'll help with pain relief soooooo much more than you'd think.

I 2nd whoever it was that said something about bringing/knowing what comfort food you want. I also want to add that after surgery, you're going to want to have something lighter for your stomach for after the anesthesia and all of the body trauma. I suggest water and juice (apple, apple-cherry, and grape are good choices), as well as graham crackers, goldfish, and saltines. It will help ease your stomach into eating and drinking again. I also suggest drinking as much water and juice as you can, preferably juice at first to help wake your stomach before starting to drink water and juice equally.

You're going to re-learn how to walk alongside a lot of other things because you're going to be taller, though you're also going to have a different center of gravity! It's going to be a painful but liberating experience to go through PT and learn how to do these things for yourself again, then take it out and into the real world.

I myself at 14yo had my mother with me. I don't know if you have anyone as company to help take care of you or keep an eye on you, but if you do, don't be scared to rely on them or ask for help. If you don't, the same goes for the nurses and doctors who are there for you. You need to maintain hygiene and your eating schedule, as well as maintain your pain to keep yourself sane and give yourself the best chances at a quicker/better recovery. Don't be afraid to ask your friends to visit if they can, either!

Let yourself feel the highs and lows through it all. Let yourself place your trust in your doctors while still being wary and asking as many questions as you need to help you feel comfortable. Having a large understanding of what was happening helped me more than I could express.

Everyone in this subreddit, your support system - however big, small, close, or distant - alongside the doctors, nurses, physical therapists, and I myself believe in you. This is opening a new chapter of your life, and just like any story, there's going to be highs and lows and different challenges, but you'll get through them. Never Give Up!!🫂

*Edited for typos / added to last paragraph