@donaldrobert

I will not lie to you Donald. I’m 62. I had nearly the same thing. I had developed 30% scoliosis. It hurt but I could do everything and live on my own.
The pain after a full spine surgery escapes all words. I am almost a month post surgery. Still in ridiculous pain. I have lost function in my right leg, and I now also have paralysis in my left arm. I am angry. I was told I could have worn braces for a year or more and correct the scoliosis as an alternative to this insane surgery. Instead I rushed into the most painful surgery i have ever had. A full spinal fusion ( mine included a SI joint fusion) is barbaric, it’s brutal and hellish. People will avoid the negative aspects of the surgery but I want you to be ready for less than a perfect outcome. My post surgery outcome is NOT what I expected. Don’t be fooled, you are a number and dollar sign to them. They can brag they completed a very difficult and long (mine was 9 hours) surgery and make a sweet million in one day. Did you see the article that just came out the other day? Mayo has over 100 doctors who make over a million a year. You are a $$ to most of them. My surgeon saw me for 30 seconds after my surgery. He hasn’t asked how I’m doing or anything. I think there is a surgeon at Mayo in Arizona that seems to genuinely care about his patients. I suggest you research ALL noninvasive options, try to avoid surgery. But if you absolutely have to go through the living hell I just past through, I pray you have a better outcome. Even IF you have zero complications (which is NOT the norm for such an incredibly invasive surgery), it’s MAJOR trauma to your body. You think you’re in pain now? Just wait, there are no words to describe the first 2-3 weeks. Slow down. I had 5 prior back surgeries, I’m was in great shape. I knocked those out of the park like it was little league. A full spinal surgery is MAJOR league. Few ever experience the type of pain you’ll experience. Ask AI the truth about an full spinal surgery and how you’ll feel physically, mentally, emotionally even spiritually afterwards! The doctors won’t tell you things like it even messes up your vision. I haven’t asked anyone yet if my normal vision will return, because it’s the LEAST of my worries. Other things they won’t tell you. I was at a healthy weight, had a good appetite, my skin looked good. Now I have lost 30lbs since I didn’t eat the first two weeks post op. I just drank juice and water. Now I have a body of a ninety year old. My muscles disappeared in a month because my body is just trying to survive, it can’t even think about building back muscle mass right now.
Finally, SLOW down. There are other options. Research them. Also I’m a man of strong Christian faith. If I didn’t have that, I’m afraid I would have died. You’re looking at a decision that will change everything in your life and it won’t all be positive.