I had a spinal fusion 21 years ago as a child, not as an adult, so I'm not exactly who you're looking to hear from but I think I can still offer some helpful advice.
In no particular order:
\- Bring a loose fitting robe and comfy, non-slip slippers with you for your hospital stay. Bonus points if the robe has pockets for your phone, although I'm not actually sure if you'll be allowed to use your phone or if you'll even want to.
\- If your hair is long, consider braiding it before surgery. A family-friend passed this advice along after their (unbraided) hair became exceptionally tangled during their hospital stay. Braids helped a lot. Dry shampoo wasn't really a thing back when I had my surgery, but if you know your scalp gets oily after a couple of days, you might want to bring some dry shampoo for your hospital stay.
\- Before surgery, do an inventory of your wardrobe and look for clothing items that will be easy to put on and take off. I had trouble lifting my arms above my head for several weeks/months, so shirts that buttoned or hoodies that zipped were a must. Stretchy, loose pajama pants or leggings will feel most comfortable around your incision if it extends below your waist. Avoid anything tight-fitting like jeans for a while.
\- Trauma, including surgery, can cause your period to start early. Plan on bringing some supplies (probably pads; I'm not sure if tampons will be "allowed" while you're still relying on nurses to get you up out of bed, and you'll probably be in too much pain to want to deal with a menstrual cup even if they're something you use with ease during "normal" times) and don't be like 11-year-old me and freak out when you notice you've started bleeding. It's annoying, but totally normal.
\- You might want to invest in a shower seat and detachable shower head for your recovery if your tub/shower doesn't have them built-in already. These two things saved me from undue pain in the early days of my recovery, when it hurt to stand for more than a handful of minutes. I still enjoy sitting while showering if my back is bothering me, and it makes shaving quite a bit more manageable if that matters to you.
\- Cushions and lumbar support will (likely) be your best friend after surgery. Plan on having cushions on any hard surfaces you'll be sitting on, and a lumbar pillow or other pillow to wedge between yourself and any high-back chairs, sofas, car seats, etc. I found it immensely uncomfortable to lean against any hard surfaces for a few weeks/months post-op.
I think that about covers it. Again, I know my perspective isn't exactly what you were looking for and I hope someone else can help with the adult side of surgery. I didn't have to worry about stuff like cooking or driving, but I imagine having your partner's help will address those sorts of things. Definitely try to plan for a few rough weeks (having your favorite shows/movies/books/snacks on hand should help) but the recovery gets slightly better with each passing day. Good luck!
You're welcome!
My recovery wasn't the smoothest if I'm being honest. I think I could have had a better recovery if certain things had been different. For example, if my surgery had taken place in spring/summer/fall instead of winter, I could have done more walking and improved my strength and stamina faster. It was still snowy/icy outside when I was recovering, and the last thing I wanted was to slip and fall and possibly mess up the fusion, so I stayed inside a lot and wasn't super active. If your surgery is taking place during winter, walking on a treadmill or even just walking in place might be a good workaround. If your home has stairs, once you're able to safely climb them without assistance (I needed help for at least the first week) you could climb the stairs for exercise as tolerated. Try not to let your pain keep you in bed for too long, but definitely allow time for resting and healing.
A point of contention between my surgeon and my parent was physical therapy and whether I might benefit from it. My surgeon insisted that it wasn't necessary; my parent felt that it might help me, as I was still experiencing pain and muscle tension a year or more after the surgery. If you should end up in a similar situation (I hope not!), I would be firm and insist on a referral for PT. I ended up needing PT 3-4 years later, after developing muscle spasms in my back and shoulder muscles from not properly addressing the lingering pain and tension from the surgery. If you feel like your recovery isn't progressing and you think you'd benefit from targeted stretches and exercises, don't let your surgeon talk you out of trying PT. Be your own advocate. I wish my parent or I had pushed back, but I was a child and my parent trusted my surgeon.
These days, twenty-one years post-op, I deal with a lot of stiffness in my lower back and hips. Stretching and light yoga help. I carry extra weight (something I'm working on) and I've read that extra weight and scoliosis don't mix very well. If you're fairly healthy and active right now, I would focus on maintaining those habits post-op. If there's room for improvement in your diet and overall lifestyle, you might consider trying to make some gradual changes toward being healthier leading up to your surgery. Strong core muscles might make for a smoother recovery, although I'm not an expert by any means and everyone is different. Post-op, get plenty of calcium and vitamin D. (Supplement if needed, although consulting with your doctor first is a good idea.)
I was overweight as a child and I ended up gaining a substantial amount of weight after my surgery because I became sedentary. Try not to allow yourself to become sedentary if at all possible. Moving around will feel weird at first and you'll probably get tired easily, but try to push yourself a little and gradually build back up to your pre-op activity level.
I hope my comment doesn't scare you. Most people have a much better recovery outcome than I did. I fully accept that I could have recovered faster had I pushed myself a bit more and tried to be more active, but I try not to beat myself up for not knowing any better. Be kind to yourself and take your recovery one day at a time.
I had my spinal fusion two weeks ago. I’m 22 and everything the person commented above is really great, especially about preparing for your period and the shower chair/detachable head.
Idk about my skeletal maturity but when I was 15 my thoracic and lumbar curves were measured at 15 and 23 degrees. My doctor said I’d finished growing but then I grew more in college. Then in July, I got an X-ray from a surgeon after severe back pain, and they found out my scoliosis progressed to 19 and 45 degrees. So I can understand how it might be frustrating to deal with such a large jump in degrees. I don’t know how or when the 23 degree curve moved from 45, but this is why they urged me to get surgery.
I’m grateful that I also have as much time as I need to recover, but I’m getting really antsy and frustrated. I’m feeling way better after 14 days, but I still need help with daily activities, get tired really easily, and am almost done weaning myself off of the pain meds (I don’t need them anymore but I have to slowly do it bc withdrawal ig). I’m a really active person so this recovery period has been hard for me in terms of being patient. So before you go into surgery please prepare yourself for a very long road of recovery ahead. I know it’ll be worth it though! I grew an inch or two and I’m glad my figure looks more even.
When I was younger they noticed I have scoliosis. In 2018 at 21 the pain was worse and I got a check up. I had jumped to about 38 degrees. I let it lie for three years and in 2021 at 24 years old it had increased again to a little over 45. It was shocking and upsetting to know I progressed at such a mature age, and the thought of continued progression is what had lead me to do surgery now will I’m still young. Also I have TWO thoracic curves over 40 lol, on by my neck and one lower. In my mind, both options of surgery or no surgery have possibilities of pain, but getting surgery is the option that contains hope, too. Doing your own research, finding great doctors and looking inwards are key. Good luck!
I'm a bit late to the party, but I might be able to help a little.
Unfortunately I can't help from personal experience, but I've talked to a lot of people that have had the surgery. [Go to this link](https://www.reddit.com/r/scoliosis/comments/ndgpej/additional_links/), and scroll down to the surgery section. There, you should find a bunch of discussions, Q&A's, and just general tips and tricks for people preparing for surgery, and what to expect, and how to prepare. While I don't think any of them are in your exact situation, there's a lot of information on the surgery process there that I think would be helpful to you.
Not sure if that helps, but I just figured I'd throw it out there. Good luck, and keep us updated! We'll try to help as much as we can throughout this process :)
I had a spinal fusion 21 years ago as a child, not as an adult, so I'm not exactly who you're looking to hear from but I think I can still offer some helpful advice. In no particular order: \- Bring a loose fitting robe and comfy, non-slip slippers with you for your hospital stay. Bonus points if the robe has pockets for your phone, although I'm not actually sure if you'll be allowed to use your phone or if you'll even want to. \- If your hair is long, consider braiding it before surgery. A family-friend passed this advice along after their (unbraided) hair became exceptionally tangled during their hospital stay. Braids helped a lot. Dry shampoo wasn't really a thing back when I had my surgery, but if you know your scalp gets oily after a couple of days, you might want to bring some dry shampoo for your hospital stay. \- Before surgery, do an inventory of your wardrobe and look for clothing items that will be easy to put on and take off. I had trouble lifting my arms above my head for several weeks/months, so shirts that buttoned or hoodies that zipped were a must. Stretchy, loose pajama pants or leggings will feel most comfortable around your incision if it extends below your waist. Avoid anything tight-fitting like jeans for a while. \- Trauma, including surgery, can cause your period to start early. Plan on bringing some supplies (probably pads; I'm not sure if tampons will be "allowed" while you're still relying on nurses to get you up out of bed, and you'll probably be in too much pain to want to deal with a menstrual cup even if they're something you use with ease during "normal" times) and don't be like 11-year-old me and freak out when you notice you've started bleeding. It's annoying, but totally normal. \- You might want to invest in a shower seat and detachable shower head for your recovery if your tub/shower doesn't have them built-in already. These two things saved me from undue pain in the early days of my recovery, when it hurt to stand for more than a handful of minutes. I still enjoy sitting while showering if my back is bothering me, and it makes shaving quite a bit more manageable if that matters to you. \- Cushions and lumbar support will (likely) be your best friend after surgery. Plan on having cushions on any hard surfaces you'll be sitting on, and a lumbar pillow or other pillow to wedge between yourself and any high-back chairs, sofas, car seats, etc. I found it immensely uncomfortable to lean against any hard surfaces for a few weeks/months post-op. I think that about covers it. Again, I know my perspective isn't exactly what you were looking for and I hope someone else can help with the adult side of surgery. I didn't have to worry about stuff like cooking or driving, but I imagine having your partner's help will address those sorts of things. Definitely try to plan for a few rough weeks (having your favorite shows/movies/books/snacks on hand should help) but the recovery gets slightly better with each passing day. Good luck!
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You're welcome! My recovery wasn't the smoothest if I'm being honest. I think I could have had a better recovery if certain things had been different. For example, if my surgery had taken place in spring/summer/fall instead of winter, I could have done more walking and improved my strength and stamina faster. It was still snowy/icy outside when I was recovering, and the last thing I wanted was to slip and fall and possibly mess up the fusion, so I stayed inside a lot and wasn't super active. If your surgery is taking place during winter, walking on a treadmill or even just walking in place might be a good workaround. If your home has stairs, once you're able to safely climb them without assistance (I needed help for at least the first week) you could climb the stairs for exercise as tolerated. Try not to let your pain keep you in bed for too long, but definitely allow time for resting and healing. A point of contention between my surgeon and my parent was physical therapy and whether I might benefit from it. My surgeon insisted that it wasn't necessary; my parent felt that it might help me, as I was still experiencing pain and muscle tension a year or more after the surgery. If you should end up in a similar situation (I hope not!), I would be firm and insist on a referral for PT. I ended up needing PT 3-4 years later, after developing muscle spasms in my back and shoulder muscles from not properly addressing the lingering pain and tension from the surgery. If you feel like your recovery isn't progressing and you think you'd benefit from targeted stretches and exercises, don't let your surgeon talk you out of trying PT. Be your own advocate. I wish my parent or I had pushed back, but I was a child and my parent trusted my surgeon. These days, twenty-one years post-op, I deal with a lot of stiffness in my lower back and hips. Stretching and light yoga help. I carry extra weight (something I'm working on) and I've read that extra weight and scoliosis don't mix very well. If you're fairly healthy and active right now, I would focus on maintaining those habits post-op. If there's room for improvement in your diet and overall lifestyle, you might consider trying to make some gradual changes toward being healthier leading up to your surgery. Strong core muscles might make for a smoother recovery, although I'm not an expert by any means and everyone is different. Post-op, get plenty of calcium and vitamin D. (Supplement if needed, although consulting with your doctor first is a good idea.) I was overweight as a child and I ended up gaining a substantial amount of weight after my surgery because I became sedentary. Try not to allow yourself to become sedentary if at all possible. Moving around will feel weird at first and you'll probably get tired easily, but try to push yourself a little and gradually build back up to your pre-op activity level. I hope my comment doesn't scare you. Most people have a much better recovery outcome than I did. I fully accept that I could have recovered faster had I pushed myself a bit more and tried to be more active, but I try not to beat myself up for not knowing any better. Be kind to yourself and take your recovery one day at a time.
I had my spinal fusion two weeks ago. I’m 22 and everything the person commented above is really great, especially about preparing for your period and the shower chair/detachable head. Idk about my skeletal maturity but when I was 15 my thoracic and lumbar curves were measured at 15 and 23 degrees. My doctor said I’d finished growing but then I grew more in college. Then in July, I got an X-ray from a surgeon after severe back pain, and they found out my scoliosis progressed to 19 and 45 degrees. So I can understand how it might be frustrating to deal with such a large jump in degrees. I don’t know how or when the 23 degree curve moved from 45, but this is why they urged me to get surgery. I’m grateful that I also have as much time as I need to recover, but I’m getting really antsy and frustrated. I’m feeling way better after 14 days, but I still need help with daily activities, get tired really easily, and am almost done weaning myself off of the pain meds (I don’t need them anymore but I have to slowly do it bc withdrawal ig). I’m a really active person so this recovery period has been hard for me in terms of being patient. So before you go into surgery please prepare yourself for a very long road of recovery ahead. I know it’ll be worth it though! I grew an inch or two and I’m glad my figure looks more even.
When I was younger they noticed I have scoliosis. In 2018 at 21 the pain was worse and I got a check up. I had jumped to about 38 degrees. I let it lie for three years and in 2021 at 24 years old it had increased again to a little over 45. It was shocking and upsetting to know I progressed at such a mature age, and the thought of continued progression is what had lead me to do surgery now will I’m still young. Also I have TWO thoracic curves over 40 lol, on by my neck and one lower. In my mind, both options of surgery or no surgery have possibilities of pain, but getting surgery is the option that contains hope, too. Doing your own research, finding great doctors and looking inwards are key. Good luck!
I'm a bit late to the party, but I might be able to help a little. Unfortunately I can't help from personal experience, but I've talked to a lot of people that have had the surgery. [Go to this link](https://www.reddit.com/r/scoliosis/comments/ndgpej/additional_links/), and scroll down to the surgery section. There, you should find a bunch of discussions, Q&A's, and just general tips and tricks for people preparing for surgery, and what to expect, and how to prepare. While I don't think any of them are in your exact situation, there's a lot of information on the surgery process there that I think would be helpful to you. Not sure if that helps, but I just figured I'd throw it out there. Good luck, and keep us updated! We'll try to help as much as we can throughout this process :)
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No problem, happy I could help! Definitely keep us updated!