@jksawyers Hi Jack, the pain I have now is from the nerves the surgeon had to cut during surgery. I am taking Gabapentin, which helps immensely, and use an ice pack or heating pad later in the day. The pain is very focused across my back in the lumbar region. Nerves just take a long time to heal, and I can tell you that I am able to mark my progress weekly. And in answer to your question, the pain I have now does not even compare to the pain that I had before surgery. I have been back to working on my property, gardening, walking, exercising, for at least the last four or five months, and I have to keep telling myself how amazing it is not to be in so much pain.

I apologize if I missed it, but when are you scheduled to have surgery?

I will tell you that in my situation, I would do the surgery again in a heartbeat. My decision at the time was not hard because my surgeon explained that no matter how well I stay in shape and kept my muscles strong, gravity would continue to work on my scoliosis curve and that it would continue to get worse. The only way I could find relief would be to sit in the recliner with a heating pad and there was no way that I was going to spend the rest of my life like that.

Please feel free to ask questions along the way! I remember how difficult it was to find information on what to expect before and after the surgery until I found this site.

Best, Sherry