Hi! My spine surgery is tomorrow aka 10/7/2024 I’m very excited but nervous it’s one of the worst cases my state has ever seen. I’m so glad I found your video! Thank you!!!
Getting ready for my surgery and wondered what I should take….glad I checked TH-cam, and found your video! Excellent information. Thank you for posting this! Hope you are well, and happy!!
Excellent tips, Sarah! You covered the majority of needs. I would only add that someone having spinal surgery either bring things to keep hair up or - if you like short hair, that's the time to cut it short. Either way, keeping it up for a couple of months will help alleviate upkeep or swinging your head to get your hair out - especially if the surgery involves the upper spine/neck. And, if you have sensitive skin, it's best to bring your own products, especially facial ones. I broke out from the adhesives even though I told the doctors I had a latex allergy. I guess they didn't consider the adhesives and I was only given a wet washcloth with no lotion to wash it off. Ask about cleansing towelettes or if you can bring those with you. I didn't have a shower the entire time. My sister gave me a towelette bath and brought the dry shampoo. That actually made it worse. The chapstick is a godsend - get the best ones and a couple of them in case you drop one. Wireless earbuds if you have them. The anesthesia made my hands shake, so using voice acitivation is helpful for using a tablet/phone.
I said to wear hair in braids, but very true. Although my hair still looks long in the video, I got it cut 5 inches last week so I hope that helps some. It's definitely shorter in a ponytail than it used to be. I broke out in a rash all over my back from the sterile strips they used last surgery and they gave me a topical ointment for it. I'll be sure to bring lotion, thank you for that tip! Thank you so much for spending time commenting and watching the video. Hope you're doing well now (:
Perla Garcia I was young when I had my first one, so I was kind of fearless haha! I was more anxious about this 4th one, because now I’m now 20 and had more worries. They will have you covered well with general anesthesia, I never had a problem with it! If you talk to your team about your worry about post op pain, they might give you more meds to help in advance. I had bad post op pain and remembered everything waking up from my 3rd, so this last time I made sure they knew that and they gave me stronger meds while in surgery and while coming out. It also depends on where you’re being fused. Mine being T3-L3, it’s a pretty large section. And pain also depends if they are going through side or not. You’re going to do great!! Feel free to email me (in description) or if you found my videos through the facebook groups, you can always message me there. 💞 good luck!!!
Hi again Sarah. I’m interested to know what was the best part and also what was the worst part of your hospital experience. I have never had an operation before so don’t know what to expect. Thanks 😊
Best part was the amazing doctors and nurses I had on my care team. Worst part was managing my pain levels. If you’re in pain, ask for another med or ask for a different med. Your body won’t always respond to the pain medication they are giving you, so you have to figure out what gives you the most relief. Also, sleeping is so difficult. They will wake you up a lot to move or take your blood or do extra tests. Best of luck to you!
hi my name is johnna and i have scoliosis, i have a 57° curve and i am probably going to be having surgery in September, is there anything that i should know or expect with the recovery?
Johnna Emans Hi! Good luck and wishing you the best! Expect to be constipated and try to make sure you have a good meal plan set out to include a lot of protein, vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium, fiber, and other antioxidants. You probably won’t have a great appetite for awhile but it’s important to eat small, frequent meals! It’s going to be a long recovery. Don’t push yourself too soon! Let your body rest and heal. But also getting up and walking will help with your recovery, so as soon as you feel comfortable walking around I’d suggest you do so. Sometimes laying in bed for a long period of time just makes you feel more tense. Youre body will feel stiff for awhile but it’ll loosen up over time. If you have a hard time sleeping try taking a low dose of melatonin- that helped me a lot. While you’re in the hospital and probably the first week or two home you’ll want to take your meds around the clock so you don’t get behind. If you get behind on the meds you’re gonna be in a lot of pain! Once you feel like you’re doing better, try taking tylenol instead of the pain meds they prescribe. There are studies that show ibuprofen and aleve products can cause issues with fusions so try to avoid those. I didn’t go back to driving until 8 weeks. Also make sure you have someone to help you out of bed! The doctors suggest the log roll technique. No bending, lifting more than 5 pounds or twisting for a few months. Just listen to your body and stay in touch with your doctors (:
Hi Sarah, thanks for the valuable info. Can I take perfume to hospital? Also, were you able to put on/take it off socks yourself after surgery or did your Mum or the nurses help? Lastly, do you lie in your tummy when wheeled into the operating room? Many thanks, Sara (from Australia).
Hi Sara! Yes, you should be able to bring perfume, but none can be on your body the day of surgery. The nurses and/or my mom helped me put on socks. There is a device you can buy for helping you put on socks if you will be recovering alone though! You will be on your back while wheeled into the OR.
yes im watching this because i m having surgery thats why im watching lol im am so terrified lol but i hope everthing goes great for you i have my sugery on the 26 june 2020 and im 12 i have a 60 degree curve
Hi! My spine surgery is tomorrow aka 10/7/2024 I’m very excited but nervous it’s one of the worst cases my state has ever seen. I’m so glad I found your video! Thank you!!!
Getting ready for my surgery and wondered what I should take….glad I checked TH-cam, and found your video! Excellent information. Thank you for posting this! Hope you are well, and happy!!
You are so brave. I'll be praying for you.
Sue Plummer Thank you very much!
Excellent tips, Sarah! You covered the majority of needs. I would only add that someone having spinal surgery either bring things to keep hair up or - if you like short hair, that's the time to cut it short. Either way, keeping it up for a couple of months will help alleviate upkeep or swinging your head to get your hair out - especially if the surgery involves the upper spine/neck. And, if you have sensitive skin, it's best to bring your own products, especially facial ones. I broke out from the adhesives even though I told the doctors I had a latex allergy. I guess they didn't consider the adhesives and I was only given a wet washcloth with no lotion to wash it off. Ask about cleansing towelettes or if you can bring those with you. I didn't have a shower the entire time. My sister gave me a towelette bath and brought the dry shampoo. That actually made it worse. The chapstick is a godsend - get the best ones and a couple of them in case you drop one. Wireless earbuds if you have them. The anesthesia made my hands shake, so using voice acitivation is helpful for using a tablet/phone.
I said to wear hair in braids, but very true. Although my hair still looks long in the video, I got it cut 5 inches last week so I hope that helps some. It's definitely shorter in a ponytail than it used to be. I broke out in a rash all over my back from the sterile strips they used last surgery and they gave me a topical ointment for it. I'll be sure to bring lotion, thank you for that tip! Thank you so much for spending time commenting and watching the video. Hope you're doing well now (:
Thank you so much and good luck on your surgery
Great video Sarah good luck with it all
Thank you so much!
Thank you Sarah. These are good tips I’m having my surgery In November.
I hope you have a good recovery! Best of luck to you.
Thx so much great help!
Hi! I’m taking an extension cord and a heated blanket! I need to charge more than one item, so that feeds 3 cats with 1 bowl.😽
Great job. Good luck!
Melissa A Thank You!!
How do you handle anxiety about surgery? I am freaking out over general anesthesia and post op pain. Thanks in advance.
Perla Garcia
I was young when I had my first one, so I was kind of fearless haha! I was more anxious about this 4th one, because now I’m now 20 and had more worries. They will have you covered well with general anesthesia, I never had a problem with it! If you talk to your team about your worry about post op pain, they might give you more meds to help in advance. I had bad post op pain and remembered everything waking up from my 3rd, so this last time I made sure they knew that and they gave me stronger meds while in surgery and while coming out. It also depends on where you’re being fused. Mine being T3-L3, it’s a pretty large section. And pain also depends if they are going through side or not. You’re going to do great!! Feel free to email me (in description) or if you found my videos through the facebook groups, you can always message me there. 💞 good luck!!!
Great information, thank you
Hi again Sarah. I’m interested to know what was the best part and also what was the worst part of your hospital experience. I have never had an operation before so don’t know what to expect. Thanks 😊
Best part was the amazing doctors and nurses I had on my care team. Worst part was managing my pain levels. If you’re in pain, ask for another med or ask for a different med. Your body won’t always respond to the pain medication they are giving you, so you have to figure out what gives you the most relief. Also, sleeping is so difficult. They will wake you up a lot to move or take your blood or do extra tests. Best of luck to you!
hi my name is johnna and i have scoliosis, i have a 57° curve and i am probably going to be having surgery in September, is there anything that i should know or expect with the recovery?
Johnna Emans Hi! Good luck and wishing you the best! Expect to be constipated and try to make sure you have a good meal plan set out to include a lot of protein, vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium, fiber, and other antioxidants. You probably won’t have a great appetite for awhile but it’s important to eat small, frequent meals! It’s going to be a long recovery. Don’t push yourself too soon! Let your body rest and heal. But also getting up and walking will help with your recovery, so as soon as you feel comfortable walking around I’d suggest you do so. Sometimes laying in bed for a long period of time just makes you feel more tense. Youre body will feel stiff for awhile but it’ll loosen up over time. If you have a hard time sleeping try taking a low dose of melatonin- that helped me a lot. While you’re in the hospital and probably the first week or two home you’ll want to take your meds around the clock so you don’t get behind. If you get behind on the meds you’re gonna be in a lot of pain! Once you feel like you’re doing better, try taking tylenol instead of the pain meds they prescribe. There are studies that show ibuprofen and aleve products can cause issues with fusions so try to avoid those. I didn’t go back to driving until 8 weeks. Also make sure you have someone to help you out of bed! The doctors suggest the log roll technique. No bending, lifting more than 5 pounds or twisting for a few months. Just listen to your body and stay in touch with your doctors (:
Sarah Johnson thank you so much for responding and thank you for the tips 😊
You’re welcome! Hope it helps
Hi Sarah, thanks for the valuable info. Can I take perfume to hospital? Also, were you able to put on/take it off socks yourself after surgery or did your Mum or the nurses help? Lastly, do you lie in your tummy when wheeled into the operating room? Many thanks, Sara (from Australia).
Hi Sara! Yes, you should be able to bring perfume, but none can be on your body the day of surgery. The nurses and/or my mom helped me put on socks. There is a device you can buy for helping you put on socks if you will be recovering alone though! You will be on your back while wheeled into the OR.
Many thanks 😊
yes im watching this because i m having surgery thats why im watching lol im am so terrified lol but i hope everthing goes great for you i have my sugery on the 26 june 2020 and im 12 i have a 60 degree curve
Good luck! I wish you the best. You’ll do great!! My degree was similar
Hi I'm due for spinal surgery..really nice if you could share some tips for the post surgery thank you
My channel is full of videos!
This is some good fucking content
I’ll be uploading my hospital vlog sometimes tomorrow. It’s gonna be a long one but I started working on it today. Stay tuned (;