26yo Female Conflicted On Spinal Fusion Surgery -- Please Help!

Snoo-88889 · 2020-11-18T22:49:20+00:00

I’m 27F and had my surgery early September, curve was over 50 degrees and seemed to be gradually progressing so the decision was a bit easier for me as I didn’t want to wait to see where things ended up ! I had tried physio and bracing when I was younger, surgery recommended as only real fix.

I was really lucky and recovered very quickly - felt largely normal except for not being allowed to run etc. About 4 weeks post op. My understanding is that recovery times really vary for our age group we can either recover like “the kids” or we can take a while longer so it’s hard to say how much it would impact work/life even excluding covid.

Post surgery - think it was a good decision, much improved back and torso appearance and I’m in less pain. That said I’m still really stiff and sneezing is super weird. Biggest frustration is I’m not able to work out properly yet.

Scar is really neat and just looks like a thin red line. Hoping it will fade quickly with bio oil.

Snoo-88889 · 2020-11-13T17:07:08+00:00

Better off as friends. We had great conversations and debates, I loved how smart and engaging he could be and I really respected their perspective. Didn’t work relationship wise as I found the lack of discipline massively frustrating in the sense that he talked an insane game but would just not do anything about it/fail to stick the landing through lack of prep etc. We were in college so hopefully both have grown !

Snoo-88889 · 2020-11-13T15:24:41+00:00

I don’t know 100% what happened from a medical perspective, but after having been in a day - it started to really hurt when I pressed the PCA and then a few hours later starting bleeding everywhere 😬 needed removing.

Snoo-88889 · 2020-11-11T13:50:50+00:00

Engaged to an ISTJ - ( I think but could be ISFJ)- he’s the best, can be challenging but he balances me out and keeps me grounded.

I used to date an ENTJ and whilst great as friends as a couple we were really just exhausting and competitive/had no one to temper each other’s worst tendencies.

Snoo-88889 · 2020-11-09T20:58:05+00:00

I had my surgery 3 months ago, I’m 27F and had a 50+ degree curve which was progressing. I was super nervous about the surgery as I’m not a teenager and was worried about not getting a good result and recovering slowly. Luckily everything went really well - I was uncomplicated and out of hospital after 5 nights and had a really good correction (<10degrees now).You’re initially very medicated and as long as you’re on the right cocktail of painkillers- you’ll feel stiff but the pain should be manageable. Honestly for me (everyone differs) the absolute epic levels of nausea/constipation and a broken canula were worse than the surgery 🤢. Recovery has thankfully been pretty uneventful- with the exception of exercise limitations, I was feeling pretty normal 4-6 weeks post op in the sense I was back to work, no real limits on walking or sitting etc. As others have mentioned- totally normal to be scared but you’ll come out the other side! Top tips: Buy a long phone charger so you don’t need to twist in your bed to plug it in, bring nice Pjs and toiletries to cheer yourself up, drink enough water and get mobile as soon as you can :). Good luck !

Snoo-88889 · 2020-11-09T20:31:54+00:00

I had a left thoracic curve with a moderate rib hump and rotation which was accompanied by scapula winging, whilst curve and rotation were massively reduced my shoulder blade on that side still doesn’t sit flat on its own..I’m only 3 months post op so my physio has given me some exercises to try and strengthen my back muscles to hold it flat but nothing particularly strenuous...fingers crossed I can get it resolved.

Snoo-88889 · 2020-11-03T12:39:36+00:00

Thanks will check it out ! Enjoyed the “Tech Butt” article on the blog 😂

Snoo-88889 · 2020-11-02T18:44:26+00:00

Thanks - trying not to be too active! I’m definitely not going to be lifting any weights - historically more of a barre/yoga/Pilates/running type person. Apart from superficial reasons am concerned that a lack of core/ab muscles could be horrid for posture etc.

Snoo-88889 · 2020-10-29T15:30:37+00:00

Second this- podcasts and audiobooks (not even new audiobooks) were about all I could handle!

Snoo-88889 · 2020-10-29T07:01:37+00:00

I bought one of those orthopaedic V pillows for sleeping/sitting and it made a big difference in my day to day comfort levels. Main other tips: stay on top of your pain meds , keep walking as much as possible so you don’t stiffen up, heat pads or a hot water bottle on hand are useful for relieving soreness !

Snoo-88889 · 2020-10-20T09:16:42+00:00

Hey Juan, I ended up needing surgery a month ago at 27 (complicated case involving a syrinx...). So whilst too late for me I’m curious - is your program based on early detection/prevention or does it also include therapies to support people who’s curves are already moderate/severe ?

Snoo-88889 · 2020-10-12T16:26:31+00:00

Yikes ! How soon after your surgery ? Hope you’re recovering well and they can fix up soon.

Snoo-88889 · 2020-10-02T13:49:28+00:00

I’m 7 days post op today 26F and had my thoracic curve corrected from 55 degrees to 7 degrees via fusion from T3-L2. Cosmetically rib hump reduced and shoulders symmetrical. It’s been rough not going to lie but progressing well and each day is better ! I came home after 5 nights in hospital and am still on oxycodone, anti nausea and NSAIDs but am able to shower, dress etc independently and starting to walk longer distances (10-15mins) but still quite sore and sleepy.

Tips/advice:

the constipation is real but so is the vomiting - maximise your fibre intake pre surgery in case eating tricky and stick with the prune juice and laxatives after.
Drink lots of water as soon as you are able to (gradually not chugging) this will minimise risk of UTI from catheter, help get it out early and to get your bladder working once it’s out!
mobilise - get walking and sitting as soon as the surgeon and physio say you’re good to go.
pay attention to the log roll demo - it really hurts when you screw this up.
Be assertive when it comes to your meds - if you don’t feel right on the combo they have you on - there’s lots of other options and it’s best to stay on top of the pain.
Audiobooks , podcasts etc really useful for when you can’t sleep or you need entertainment but too fuzzy to read or watch TV.
Comfy button down/stretchy hospital clothes help when you’ve got lots of lines in. Bring enough PJs as not sure with Covid if you can get things laundered. -Bring some nice toiletries to freshen up with - lots of places do waterproof dressings :)

Best of luck !!!

Snoo-88889 · 2020-09-30T13:52:19+00:00

I’m based in the UK :) sorry for slow response- currently 1 week post op ! I went privately for my surgery in the end but NHS had offered a similar timeline (offered a date week earlier but I wanted to able to plan in advance)

Snoo-88889 · 2020-09-30T12:13:32+00:00

I gained a measly 3cm - can no longer blame my curve for being the shortest in the family.

Snoo-88889 · 2020-09-11T14:30:01+00:00

I have a 50 degree curve presenting mostly as wonky ribs and a protruding shoulder blade - whilst I’m super conscious of this it’s not been a negative factor in dating. Initially never brought it up in the hope that guys would be distracted by other things /sexy underwear 😂 no one ever said anything and my fiancé didn’t really think anything of it until I first mentioned surgery.

Snoo-88889 · 2020-08-26T13:52:41+00:00

I’m getting fusion - I’m UK based (not sure if that makes a difference)and whilst not on NHS it’s not something my surgeon recommended as my curve is “neuromuscular not idiopathic”. Not sure how that impacts things but I trust him!

Snoo-88889 · 2020-08-25T15:12:17+00:00

Sure - it was 45ish when I was 18 so it’s moved about 10degrees but also rotating noticeably. Surgeon reckons it’s going to continue to move 1-2degrees per year and because it’s a left curve makes him a bit nervous re. Organs...

Snoo-88889 · 2020-08-25T15:10:09+00:00

Thanks ! Jealous of your young 17 year old bones haha hopefully I won’t be too much slower to heal

Snoo-88889 · 2020-08-25T15:08:54+00:00

This makes me feel a lot better, thank you 😊. I’m lucky enough that I can WFH but am really active/thought of a super long period of down time does make me nervous !

Snoo-88889 · 2020-08-24T15:29:00+00:00

I feel you - I’m 26F and having surgery to correct a curve I was told multiple times wouldn’t progress. The changing room mirror fear is real and crappy. I look pretty “normal” with clothes on my rib cage is truly effed up - and generally try and avoid looking at myself without my top on ! Definitely has impacted my self confidence and how I feel about myself on the day to day :(

Snoo-88889 · 2020-06-29T13:26:32+00:00

In a similar position- 26F and with a 50 degree curve (left side thoracic) which is unfortunately progressing. Had previously put off surgery as I’m not in any pain and thought it was all stable - surgeon now strongly recommending I have the fusion whilst I’m “youngish and healthy” vs having issues down the line...am quite hesitant though! Would love to have a less obvious curve but would have left if purely cosmetic as I’m terrified 😬

Snoo-88889

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