Scoliosis Surgery Really Worth it?????

[BrassMonkey]

Ok, I was diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis last year. I was told I was going to have the surgery, but later on my curve had decreased and was told that I wasn't going to have surgery. Now the curve has increased back, and I'm now told Im going to have surgery again. The thing is, we have researched about the surgery, and it really doesn't seem like a win-win situation. I mean, there are many things to risk having and not having the surgery. I dont really have any pain, my body looks fine other than my spine shaped like an "S," and I dont have any breathing or heart problems that I know of. So, why fix whats not really broken? There are things that I have heard of and researched about that makes me NOT want to have the surgery (I am not having it by the way). I have heard of and wanted to do some intense physical therapy program, but thats a bunch of money that I don't have and its more than that. Anyways, what are your thoughts about the surgery and whether if its worth it or not???

[Shaka]

Decide for yourself... Healing your body is your job, not your doctors, but they are there to help in the ways that they try.

Streach. I can't say this enough, or spell it correctly which is weird, but streach all you can. One that is great is to reach the ground, feet facing forward, knees bent, and then try keeping your hands on the ground while you straighten your legs.

Many others, check alternative health sites if you want to follow more kinds of medicine then going under the scalpel,

Peace, good luck to you.

[Noirtier]

I've had friends who have had the surgery in the past, and though there are some downsides to it, they benefited from it in the long run. In all honesty, if your doctors think it's the best course of action, I may reconsider having it. I know it's not a problem for you right now, but it very well could be in the future if it's not corrected. I would also sit down with your doctor and go over the pros and cons of having it and not having it too, and the ramifications in the future if you don't have it as well, because they will be able to tell you more than we could, and probably more than an internet source could. In the end though, it's your decision, and one that you and your family shouldn't take lightly. I would definitely recommend scheduling an appointment with your doctor or doctors and sitting down with them to discuss pros and cons about the whole thing. That would probably be the first step.

[Gigablue]

You should talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of the surgery. They will be able to give far better answers than anyone on the Internet. As with any surgery, there are some risks, but the exact risks depend on the specific surgery. If its not causing you problems, if might not be that severe a problem, but might need correction to prevent future problems.

Stretching might help, but it also has some risks if not done properly. You should get advice from a doctor or physiotherapist. Stretching isn't able to correct severe scoliosis, however, and isn't a substitute for surgery.

Can I ask why you don't want to have the surgery? It should be fairly safe, and your doctors wouldn't recommend it unless they thought it was necessary.

[BrassMonkey]

I've had friends who have had the surgery in the past, and though there are some downsides to it, they benefited from it in the long run. In all honesty, if your doctors think it's the best course of action, I may reconsider having it. I know it's not a problem for you right now, but it very well could be in the future if it's not corrected. I would also sit down with your doctor and go over the pros and cons of having it and not having it too, and the ramifications in the future if you don't have it as well, because they will be able to tell you more than we could, and probably more than an internet source could. In the end though, it's your decision, and one that you and your family shouldn't take lightly. I would definitely recommend scheduling an appointment with your doctor or doctors and sitting down with them to discuss pros and cons about the whole thing. That would probably be the first step.
Well, you see, thats kind of the problem that I have with my doctor. He just seems so strong talk about the surgery and what it will do and blah blah blah, but he really hasnt discussed the cons of the surgery or the pros and cons of not having the surgery. We printed some stuff we found online and showed it to him at an appointment before last, and of course he acted like none of that was really true or just didnt really believe it. Thats the problem I have with him, he is just so strong talk about having the surgery and what it will do and he doesnt really talk about the pros and cons of having or not having the surgery. Now, since I was told that Im "having" the surgery again, we really didnt discuss the details yet, because thats going to be for the next appt. in February. So maybe he might would be a little more willing to discuss both sides of the story, but he really didnt seem to do it last time.

[Noirtier]

Well, you see, thats kind of the problem that I have with my doctor. He just seems so strong talk about the surgery and what it will do and blah blah blah, but he really hasnt discussed the cons of the surgery or the pros and cons of not having the surgery. We printed some stuff we found online and showed it to him at an appointment before last, and of course he acted like none of that was really true or just didnt really believe it. Thats the problem I have with him, he is just so strong talk about having the surgery and what it will do and he doesnt really talk about the pros and cons of having or not having the surgery. Now, since I was told that Im "having" the surgery again, we really didnt discuss the details yet, because thats going to be for the next appt. in February. So maybe he might would be a little more willing to discuss both sides of the story, but he really didnt seem to do it last time.

That is also why I said "doctors" in my original post :P In a surgery like this I definitely think you should talk to more than one doctor about it, get a second opinion. Not only from a specialist or two, but seeing if your family doctor has anything to say about the surgery as well. And, as the date approaches for your surgery, I would definitely tell your doctor that you and your family want to discuss the pros and cons of having and not having the surgery with him, or else you're not comfortable having the surgery there. And, again, go talk to a couple different doctors about it, see what they have to say, and ask them what the pros and cons are as well.

[Sph2015]

Part of why your doctor is acting that way may because you got your information online. While there are many credible sources, there are also those that like to scare people. So when someone walks in waving papers from the internet, it isn't uncommon for a medical professional to roll their eyes. It's kinda like if you suddenly started telling your waitor how to clear the table. It's his job, he knows what he is doing. Usually, if a doctor recommends surgery to a child, it's something that should be done. He's thinking of your long term health, while there may be no pain now, who knows what it'll be like in a year or two? While I'd still discuss it, I'd go with what your doctor is saying. If you still aren't satisfied, get a second opinion. That will be more helpful than any website.

[BrassMonkey]

True for both of you, and which is something I have said as well. I have also talked about getting second opinions from other specialist/doctors.