Jill my daughter had a successful revision surgery in Florida too........

[Guest guest]

Dear Jill:

My name is Yoly. I have not posted in a while since I had another kind of surgery in October and had problems sitting at the PC.

I saw your posting about your visit to Dr. O'Brien. Seems like a good doctor. At the end I saw your comment about getting a second opinion.

Almost 3 years ago my daughter had her revision surgery with Dr. Moreno in Clearwater, Florida. She had gone first to one doctor and he immediately wanted to operate. Did not even mention Flatback, which I was sure she had after lots of research. From were I live I said NO! I found another doctor with experience and knowledge on Flatback and they accepted to see him. On her first visit to Dr. Moreno, when he checked her physically she was six degrees forward in a straight position and her knees bent. Also the X-rays confirmed his diagnosis. He was so great with her and her husband. Spent more than two (2) hours with them at his office explaining everything in detail of what she had, what were the alternatives, etc., with such rapport and human kindness, that they decided then and there to schedule the surgery. My daughter loves him dearly.

This is his site http://www.spine-health.com/doctor/Moreno/ And yes, he is as handsome as he looks! He works at the Florida Spine Institute. But this kind of surgery is not done there. It's done at Mease. This is the site http://www.floridaspineinstitute.com/. They also do Laser Surgery for discs with problems so no invasive surgery is needed. Check the site.

She made all the arrangements. Her father and I flew to Florida to take care of the kids of 5 & 1 years at the time.

The surgery was a success. It took about 10 hours. Four (4) to take out all the old hardware and five (5) to redo her spine with the Thoracic Pedicle Screws. Dr. Moreno was so proud when he told us that there was never a scratch to the spine cord. They have monitors for that during the surgery and that is the most important thing with the Thoracic Pedicle Screws. The rest to close her and take her to recovery. After so many hours in surgery he came to us and answered all our questions and doubts without any hurry and with such understanding of how we were feeling. This Mom just had to hug him while crying! The hospital was great also. They did not let her suffer. She had her morphine pump and whatever came up a specialist was brought in. It was not easy, those first 2 weeks (she had some stomach complications), but now she tells me "Mom, it was worth every minute"

Today, Thank GOD!, my daughter is doing great. She goes to aerobics, goes to the Disney Parks and did over do it once getting on those rides. It cost her a while with pain.

Well, I just wanted to share our story with you. This is a serious condition and a serious surgery and the decision you make has to be one that you feel it in your heart that it is the right one. That is your right. It is your body! It is your life!

May God Bless you and your loved ones forever and always!

Yoly Perea

MANY PERSONS WILL WALK THROUGH YOUR LIFE; BUT ONLY TRUE FRIENDS WILL LEAVE THEIR SPECIAL PRINT WITHIN YOUR HEART.MUCHAS PERSONAS CAMINARAN DENTRO DE TU VIDA; PERO SOLO LOS VERDADEROS AMIGOS DEJARAN UNA HUELLA EN TU CORAZON.