Scoliosis Surgery: FAQs

If you have any questions about scoliosis surgery, please contact me and I'll do my best to answer them for you :)


  • What should I take to hospital?
  •  
    Here's my hospital list:


    PJs/nighties (nighties are easier with the catheter tube, but you can just wear hospital gowns, I did for the first few days after surgery)

    Dressing Gown

    Slippers with grip

    Underwear - ladies..you won't be able to wear a bra for a while as it's too painful!
     
    Shower gel/Bodywash

    Facewipes/Bodywipes to freshen up

    Antibacterial Hand gel

    Tissues

    Vaseline 

    Moisturiser

    Toothbrush/toothpaste

    Sanitary towels (ladies...general anaesthetic apparently nearly always brings on your period fun eh?)

    Dry shampoo (Life-saver!!)

    Hair brush

    Scrunchies/hair clips

    Loose dress / cardi to wear after surgery/comfy day clothes - looser the better!

    Shaver

    Bath towel, flannel, sponge

    Straws

    Plastic cups

    Fruit squash - I drank alot of Vitamin Water for energy.

    Some dry foods like biscuits.

    MP3 Player

    Books/magazines - although I was too ill too read them for the first week
     
    Mobile phone

    Purse

    Paperwork (hospital letters)

    Mints

    • How long did your scoliosis surgery take? 10 hours
    • Did you gain height after your scoliosis surgery? Yes, about 1 1/2 inches
    • Did you wear a brace after surgery? Yes, for about 3 months
    • How long were you off work after scoliosis surgery? I was off work for about 5 months after my surgery. I went back after this part time for short days half days at first, slowly working my way back up to full time.
    • Is there anything you can't do after scoliosis surgery? Bend my back! It does take a bit of getting used to at first, but you learn to adapt.
    • Do you set the alarms off at the airport after scoliosis surgery? No. I've been on holiday a few times and never set the alarms off at the airport. If you're worried just you could always carry a copy of your x-ray with you, or failing that flash them your scar!


    8 comments:

    Bri@nn@ said...

    Hi. I'm 13. I'm getting surgery on June 19th. I'm very scared. I dance and cheer. Will I ever get to again?

    JayyBabyy said...

    Hi Brianna,

    I had my surgery in 2008 I was 17 years of age. Don't be scared be strong! I can advise you that you will be able to cheer and dance (What kind of dance is it?
    I still am able to dance and do everything I used to. The only thing I cannot do is bend my spine and lift heavy things which is not a problem anyway.

    My surgery was also 10hours, I had 2 parts of surgery to mines. I grew 11cm taller :) I wore a brace for 6months.
    4 days after I got home from the hospital I started college I didn't let anything stop me from doing what I needed to.

    At first I felt a bit weird but I was glad I didn't give up.
    Everyone around me was very supportive.

    Now I am 21 years of age, I look like I have amazing posture :). I am taking up physio therapy so I can have as much use of my spine as possible.

    I am happy, healthy and still walking strong!

    You can message me on : janine.camille@hotmail.co.uk if you have anymore questions or need some support!:)

    Janine xxx

    Unknown said...

    Hi. I am also 13. I am getting surgery in the summer, June 17, to be exact. I am scared that I won't be able to do the things I am able to do now. Like ride roller coasters and bend my back. After surgery, are you still able to do those kinds of things? My curve is about 59 degrees..Yes, I know it's bad....but judging from that, about how tall do you think I will grow? I'm very scared that I won't be able to do normal things ever again....

    Unknown said...

    Hi Stephanie, of course you will be able to do normal things again :) I had my surgery in 2010 and i live a normal live now. I do know of people who have gone on rollercoasters after surgery but I would discuss this with your consultant. You would also need to wait until at least a year after your surgery to avoid damage to the fusion. I personally won't go on rollercoasters again but that's just because I'm scared of damaging something. It also depends on the rollercoasters as some of the newer ones are quite smooth. Alot of people gain about 1-2 inches of height after the surgery. x

    Unknown said...

    I had the surgery in 1997. 58 degree in my lower and 38 in my upper. I ride roller coasters all the time. I waited the 1 year period of time for the fusion to set. Once that year was over I went back to my normal routines. I was a cheerleader for years went right back into it. certain things I could no longer do like a back hand spring but that was about it. I never let it stop me from anything. I have two wonderful sons now and an amazing husband. Life is what you make of it. This is a difficult thing to overcome without a doubt. If you let it, it will swallow you whole! Be above it and do not ever let it stop you from being the best you can be!

    Indiepops24 said...

    How long were you in hospital for?

    Unknown said...

    I was in hospital for about 2 weeks but many people are in hospital for alot less than this :) I had to wait for my brace to be made so i was in for a bit longer than usual.

    Unknown said...

    This is so great to hear, glad you havent let scoliosis get in the way of living your life :)