Making the surgery decision

[Guest guest]

I'm 33 with a 33 (what a coincidence!) degree upper lumbar curve and a

22 degree thoracic curve and am contemplating posterior fusion with

instrumentation surgery. Basically they will be fusing T4 through L2.

I'm thinking of the surgery for 2 reasons. First is the pain. I am

hoping to reduce my amount of pain I have had for many years. I'm

tired of limiting my activities because I'm afraid to hurt my back.

Second, is for the deformity. I am frankly tired of living with

myself looking the way that I do. Scoliosis runs my life and pretty

much every decision that I make (even to what side of the bed I sleep

on) is due to my curved back. I am still in the learning phase of the

surgery and I haven't made the decision yet. I am trying to weigh all

my options and learn the most that I can about the pros/cons to this

surgery. I've read so many case studies but thought I would jump on

this forum to get advice/input. I am meeting with my surgeon again

next week to have him clearly outline the potential risks and their

probabilities as well as the success potential that I might have.

If anyone has any insight into their experience...it would be greatly

appreciated!

Thanks in advance~