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Scoliosis/Spinal Surgery
Hi :) I've had scoliosis since I was in 7th grade. I'm a junior in high school now. I was braced for a good 2 years and it ended up failing. My scoliosis is is about 37-40 degrees and my regular doctor was saying how I should get spinal surgery to correct it so I wouldn't have long-term disadvantages when I age. Of course that is something I do not want at all, disadvantages, that is.
I'm not exactly for the surgery, but I don't want to live my life in pain and difficulty. It's about a 4-8 hour procedure (if I remember correctly) and a 6 week recovery and typically very successful. My doctor is the man who corrected Gloria Estefan's back injury when she got into a bus crash, and I know he's very very good at his job. I'm just concerned because it's my spine; obviously extremely important, and it's hard to trust a stranger with something so important and risky.
I was just wondering if anyone had this surgery or knows someone who had it and if it was worth it. Also, if you know someone who is older and didn't have surgery, how are they living now? I'm willing to listen to any personal experiences or anything of the sort. Thankyou so much for taking your time and helping me!
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Want to answer more questions in the Health & Fitness category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Injuries?
My friend's sister had it done.
Post-op can be a bit tough; the day after her surgery I was at my friend's house, and all her sister could do was lie face-down on the bed.
But now she's perfectly fine. Looks and acts just like every other teenager.
I know going into surgery may be tough; you have to trust a group of people you don't know with your body. But they've been trained for this and they know what they're doing.
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I was diagnosed with scoliosis when I was in 4th grade with a curve of 43 degrees. I was instantly put in a brace, and was in it for 5 years. In 9th grade (when I was 14.) I had a curve of 63 degrees so I had to have the spinal fusion done. Since I've had the surgery, I haven't had any problems at all. You won't have to live your life in pain and difficulty. Im a competitive figure skater, I wakeboard, I water ski, snowboard, and I can do the same things as everyone else. Its been 5 years since my surgery (im 19 now) and I was doing everything only 6 months after it. The only disadvantage I don't like is that I have a scar about the length of my back straight down my spine. I don't know where you live, but if you have a Shriners Childrens Hospital near you I suggest going there. They specialize in Scoliosis, and its free.
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask! I'll be happy to help.
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