Re: I am back. ( surgery at NYU?)

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I have been seeing Dr Dryer for the last few years. I know he is in

practice with Dr Errico(whom I heard is wonderful as well). I got the

original recommendation from Kathleen from NJ who had a good experience

with that office and with Dr Errico. I have been pleased from everything

I have seen and heard so far. I decided to go with Dr Dryer because he is

a participating Dr. on my medical plan. So that was a big plus for me.

Revision surgery is mucho expensive as I am sure you are already aware

of. Dr Dryer was recommended by Mina on her original

" Flatback " website so that is how I got his name in the first place. I

had seen 2 other revision doctors before I came across Dr Dryer. The

first Doctor I saw in the year 2000 was nice. He was the one who finally

diagnosed me with this strange malady called " Flatback Syndrome " . So I

was happy to have finally found out why I had been having all these

strange aches and pains years after my original scoliosis surgery. His

name is Dr Rafy. Nice guy, but I didn't care for his surgical plan, and I

didn't feel that he had quite enough experience. So I went to another

revision Doc a year later. His name is Dr Lonner. He was OK too but I

didn't feel much rapport with him and I didn't like his surgical plan

either. It can vary widely from doctor to doctor.

The next year I saw Dr Dryer at NYU. I had an immediate rapport with him

and I liked his plan for my surgery. Things just kind of " clicked " with

him. I felt comfortable with him, his clarity, confidence, his patience

and overall demeanor. I feel he has enough experience to perform this

type of surgery, and he is neither too young or too old. We hit it off

and it just feels right! It is a " gut " instinct you might say. You

definitely need to be able to trust your surgeon. I felt that he fit the

bill all around. The surgical nurse for their office is really nice too.

She is the " go between " and so that is a big help to have a kind and

caring office staff as well I think. I went to see Dr Dryer last year

again just to make sure my original perceptions of him were correct. And

they were. I was still pleased with what I saw.

Also, as it turns out, my daughters friend who is 14 years old, recently

underwent her first scoliosis surgery with him. She is up and about,

healthy and playing all kinds of sports at school now. She had a rave

review of Dr Dryer and can't say enough great things about him. That

meant a lot to me to actually know someone here in my hometown who

actually went through surgery with the Doctor I am considering for

revision. It was kind of miraculous to have one of my questions

answered in such an ironic and coincidental way. She is on my daughters

Field Hockey team at school. She was excited to talk to me about it.

On top of that, I went called the Irish Cottage one night for dinner. The

waitress noticed that I had trouble walking/standing and asked if I had

back problems.? I said yes most definitely, and told her my tale of woe

regarding flatback syndrome as well as the revision surgery that is

needed soon. She told me that her 10 something year old daughter just

underwent scoliosis surgery and said she is doing wonderfully now. I

asked her who her Doctor was, and she told me Dr Joe Dryer from NYU. I

almost fell over, and said that ironically, that is exactly who I am

considering to do the revision surgery on me. She also had rave reviews

about what a wonderful Doctor he is. I can't tell you how relieved I was

to not only run in to one patient who had surgery with Dr Dryer, but I

lucked out as Serendipity stepped in to give me a second patent review

out of the clear blue sky. The lord works in mysterious ways and brings

us answers from above when we least expect them. So I feel pretty lucky

to have met two people face to face who have given me great

recommendations regarding Dr Dryer. I originally got on the trail through

the Mina web site and Kathleen Wig ham who has had revision surgery

through Dr , who is in partnership at that office in NY. She had rave

reviews so I pursued that direction. I think both Doctors are definitely

up to the job of doing this very specialized surgery.

I hope that this information helps some. Keep me up to date on your

experiences with them. I will do the same. If you want to call or write

me I would love to talk to you about it. Of course we will share info

with the Feisty site here to help other flatbackers in their search for

answers too. This certainly is a big decision so you can never have

enough info. Take care , and good luck with all your endeavors.

Carol Irish539@...

On Mon, 20 Mar 2006 20:31:25 -0000 " sweetnygrl2 " <sweetnygrl2@...>

writes:

> Hi Carol,

> I am having my surgery done by Dr. Dryer and Dr. Errico at NYU. I

> have a lot of faith... It's a 10-12 hour surgery but I am little

> less nervous and much more comfortable with the doctors. The

> hospital is 2 1/2 hours away from where I live in NY, but there is

> no one closer. Thankfully I have relatives in Staten Island, I do

> not like being alone when I am away from home (I'm still a big baby

>

> at 30...

>

> Good luck in your search and whatever comes.

>

>

>

> > > >

> > > > ,

> > > >

> > > > Congratulations, and welcome back. I hope you feel better and

>

> > > better.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > I am back

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Hello - I just got back from NYC yesterday and am recovering

>

> > > here

> > > in

> > > > Alabama now. My surgery was 1-20 with dr farcy. He

> performed a

> > >

> > > > pedicle subtraction at L3 and refused L2 - apparently that

> had

> > > never

> > > > fused from the earlier surgery.

> > > >

> > > > I did not do the artificial disc. While I am still in pain,

>

> I

> > > can

> > > > tell that he accomplished the realignment - i stand straight

>

> > > with

> > > my

> > > > head above my hips and as much lordosis as anyone!

> > > >

> > > > My attention span is short b/c of the meds but I will check

>

> in

> > > and

> > > > try to answer Q's if anyone is having surgery soon. in

> general I

> > >

> > > > will say that the book by Kathleen McCue and the lists of

> things

> > >

> > > to

> > > > take to hospital were very valuable and the only thing I

> would

> > > add

> > > > is that you want button up nightshirts made of slick

> material,

> > > not

> > > > flanel or rough material, because sometimes being able to

> slide

> > > and

> > > > extra 2 inches on the sheets into a new position makes all

> the

> > > > difference in the world, and flannel does not slide like

> satiny

> > >

> > > > matieral does!

> > > >

> > > > Can someone refresh me on what I do to get the emails

> delivered

> > >

> > > to

> > > > my email? I have searched the site and annot figure out how

>

> to

> > >

> > > get

> > > > that feature on again.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod

> > > Malalignment Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not

> control

> > > ads

> > > or endorse any advertised products.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

" She told me that her 10 something year old daughter just

underwent scoliosis surgery and said she is doing wonderfully now "

Oops, I meant to type in 20 year old, not 10. : )

Carol

On Tue, 21 Mar 2006 12:40:14 -0500 Irish539@... writes:

>

> Hi ,

> I have been seeing Dr Dryer for the last few years. I know he is in

> practice with Dr Errico(whom I heard is wonderful as well). I got

> the

> original recommendation from Kathleen from NJ who had a good

> experience

> with that office and with Dr Errico. I have been pleased from

> everything

> I have seen and heard so far. I decided to go with Dr Dryer because

> he is

> a participating Dr. on my medical plan. So that was a big plus for

> me.

> Revision surgery is mucho expensive as I am sure you are already

> aware

> of. Dr Dryer was recommended by Mina on her original

> " Flatback " website so that is how I got his name in the first place.

> I

> had seen 2 other revision doctors before I came across Dr Dryer.

> The

> first Doctor I saw in the year 2000 was nice. He was the one who

> finally

> diagnosed me with this strange malady called " Flatback Syndrome " . So

> I

> was happy to have finally found out why I had been having all these

> strange aches and pains years after my original scoliosis surgery.

> His

> name is Dr Rafy. Nice guy, but I didn't care for his surgical plan,

> and I

> didn't feel that he had quite enough experience. So I went to

> another

> revision Doc a year later. His name is Dr Lonner. He was OK too but

> I

> didn't feel much rapport with him and I didn't like his surgical

> plan

> either. It can vary widely from doctor to doctor.

>

> The next year I saw Dr Dryer at NYU. I had an immediate rapport with

> him

> and I liked his plan for my surgery. Things just kind of " clicked "

> with

> him. I felt comfortable with him, his clarity, confidence, his

> patience

> and overall demeanor. I feel he has enough experience to perform

> this

> type of surgery, and he is neither too young or too old. We hit it

> off

> and it just feels right! It is a " gut " instinct you might say. You

> definitely need to be able to trust your surgeon. I felt that he fit

> the

> bill all around. The surgical nurse for their office is really nice

> too.

> She is the " go between " and so that is a big help to have a kind

> and

> caring office staff as well I think. I went to see Dr Dryer last

> year

> again just to make sure my original perceptions of him were correct.

> And

> they were. I was still pleased with what I saw.

>

> Also, as it turns out, my daughters friend who is 14 years old,

> recently

> underwent her first scoliosis surgery with him. She is up and

> about,

> healthy and playing all kinds of sports at school now. She had a

> rave

> review of Dr Dryer and can't say enough great things about him.

> That

> meant a lot to me to actually know someone here in my hometown who

> actually went through surgery with the Doctor I am considering for

> revision. It was kind of miraculous to have one of my questions

> answered in such an ironic and coincidental way. She is on my

> daughters

> Field Hockey team at school. She was excited to talk to me about it.

>

>

> On top of that, I went called the Irish Cottage one night for

> dinner. The

> waitress noticed that I had trouble walking/standing and asked if I

> had

> back problems.? I said yes most definitely, and told her my tale of

> woe

> regarding flatback syndrome as well as the revision surgery that

> is

> needed soon. She told me that her 10 something year old daughter

> just

> underwent scoliosis surgery and said she is doing wonderfully now.

> I

> asked her who her Doctor was, and she told me Dr Joe Dryer from NYU.

> I

> almost fell over, and said that ironically, that is exactly who I

> am

> considering to do the revision surgery on me. She also had rave

> reviews

> about what a wonderful Doctor he is. I can't tell you how relieved I

> was

> to not only run in to one patient who had surgery with Dr Dryer, but

> I

> lucked out as Serendipity stepped in to give me a second patent

> review

> out of the clear blue sky. The lord works in mysterious ways and

> brings

> us answers from above when we least expect them. So I feel pretty

> lucky

> to have met two people face to face who have given me great

> recommendations regarding Dr Dryer. I originally got on the trail

> through

> the Mina web site and Kathleen Wig ham who has had revision surgery

> through Dr , who is in partnership at that office in NY. She had

> rave

> reviews so I pursued that direction. I think both Doctors are

> definitely

> up to the job of doing this very specialized surgery.

>

> I hope that this information helps some. Keep me up to date on your

> experiences with them. I will do the same. If you want to call or

> write

> me I would love to talk to you about it. Of course we will share

> info

> with the Feisty site here to help other flatbackers in their search

> for

> answers too. This certainly is a big decision so you can never have

> enough info. Take care , and good luck with all your

> endeavors.

> Carol Irish539@...

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> On Mon, 20 Mar 2006 20:31:25 -0000 " sweetnygrl2 "

> <sweetnygrl2@...>

> writes:

> > Hi Carol,

> > I am having my surgery done by Dr. Dryer and Dr. Errico at NYU. I

>

> > have a lot of faith... It's a 10-12 hour surgery but I am little

> > less nervous and much more comfortable with the doctors. The

> > hospital is 2 1/2 hours away from where I live in NY, but there is

>

> > no one closer. Thankfully I have relatives in Staten Island, I do

>

> > not like being alone when I am away from home (I'm still a big

> baby

> >

> > at 30...

> >

> > Good luck in your search and whatever comes.

> >

> >

> >

> > > > >

> > > > > ,

> > > > >

> > > > > Congratulations, and welcome back. I hope you feel better

> and

> >

> > > > better.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > I am back

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Hello - I just got back from NYC yesterday and am

> recovering

> >

> > > > here

> > > > in

> > > > > Alabama now. My surgery was 1-20 with dr farcy. He

> > performed a

> > > >

> > > > > pedicle subtraction at L3 and refused L2 - apparently that

>

> > had

> > > > never

> > > > > fused from the earlier surgery.

> > > > >

> > > > > I did not do the artificial disc. While I am still in

> pain,

> >

> > I

> > > > can

> > > > > tell that he accomplished the realignment - i stand

> straight

> >

> > > > with

> > > > my

> > > > > head above my hips and as much lordosis as anyone!

> > > > >

> > > > > My attention span is short b/c of the meds but I will

> check

> >

> > in

> > > > and

> > > > > try to answer Q's if anyone is having surgery soon. in

> > general I

> > > >

> > > > > will say that the book by Kathleen McCue and the lists of

>

> > things

> > > >

> > > > to

> > > > > take to hospital were very valuable and the only thing I

> > would

> > > > add

> > > > > is that you want button up nightshirts made of slick

> > material,

> > > > not

> > > > > flanel or rough material, because sometimes being able to

>

> > slide

> > > > and

> > > > > extra 2 inches on the sheets into a new position makes all

>

> > the

> > > > > difference in the world, and flannel does not slide like

> > satiny

> > > >

> > > > > matieral does!

> > > > >

> > > > > Can someone refresh me on what I do to get the emails

> > delivered

> > > >

> > > > to

> > > > > my email? I have searched the site and annot figure out

> how

> >

> > to

> > > >

> > > > get

> > > > > that feature on again.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod

>

> > > > Malalignment Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not

> > control

> > > > ads

> > > > or endorse any advertised products.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

[Guest guest]

Hi Carol,

I feel the same way as you about Dr. Dryer. He told me that he will

be performing my surgery with Dr, Errico b/c for him to perform it

alone would be 16 hours opposed to him and Dr. Errico which would be

10-12 hours then. I am reading so much from Mina, and the

knowledge I am gaining brings me great peace of mind! Thank you too

for all the info you have provided me with. I am sending all my

reports to Dr. Dryer today and he told me when I was there that they

would call with a date for May. I am getting very anxious at this

point (very nervous too), but each day I seem to feel worse. My neck

and upper back are becoming very painful and my legs feel worse each

day as well. If anyone told me life would be like this at 30, I

would have said " yeah right " , I just can't believe it! Next week I

am going to my local doctor who handles my pain management to see if

there is something different she could prescribe or something

different I can do. Usually she asks why I don't try Pilates and I

just look at her and " blink, blink " , I know she doesn't understand

but at the same time there is only one pain management group in my

area who did not seem to help me, so I am allowing my primary care

doctor to handle it and thus far it has been ok, she just, like I

said does not understand that I can't just do Pilates. Please keep

me up to date on yourself as well. Is your email at , it

doesn't show that when I try and respond. I think you said you live

in NY, are you close to NYU and do you have a surgery date? I look

forward to hearing from you and thank you for informing me of the

people's experiences with Dr. Dryer as well as your feelings. Have a

beautiful day, the sun is shining.

Smile…

> > > > >

> > > > > ,

> > > > >

> > > > > Congratulations, and welcome back. I hope you feel better

and

> >

> > > > better.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > I am back

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Hello - I just got back from NYC yesterday and am

recovering

> >

> > > > here

> > > > in

> > > > > Alabama now. My surgery was 1-20 with dr farcy. He

> > performed a

> > > >

> > > > > pedicle subtraction at L3 and refused L2 - apparently

that

> > had

> > > > never

> > > > > fused from the earlier surgery.

> > > > >

> > > > > I did not do the artificial disc. While I am still in

pain,

> >

> > I

> > > > can

> > > > > tell that he accomplished the realignment - i stand

straight

> >

> > > > with

> > > > my

> > > > > head above my hips and as much lordosis as anyone!

> > > > >

> > > > > My attention span is short b/c of the meds but I will

check

> >

> > in

> > > > and

> > > > > try to answer Q's if anyone is having surgery soon. in

> > general I

> > > >

> > > > > will say that the book by Kathleen McCue and the lists of

> > things

> > > >

> > > > to

> > > > > take to hospital were very valuable and the only thing I

> > would

> > > > add

> > > > > is that you want button up nightshirts made of slick

> > material,

> > > > not

> > > > > flanel or rough material, because sometimes being able to

> > slide

> > > > and

> > > > > extra 2 inches on the sheets into a new position makes

all

> > the

> > > > > difference in the world, and flannel does not slide like

> > satiny

> > > >

> > > > > matieral does!

> > > > >

> > > > > Can someone refresh me on what I do to get the emails

> > delivered

> > > >

> > > > to

> > > > > my email? I have searched the site and annot figure out

how

> >

> > to

> > > >

> > > > get

> > > > > that feature on again.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington

Rod

> > > > Malalignment Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not

> > control

> > > > ads

> > > > or endorse any advertised products.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

[Guest guest]

Hi Feisties! One of the MOST important aspects in choosing a revision surgeon (other than the #1 credential...that he/she has performed more than 'just a few' revisions!!) is that you as a patient feel safe and secure! For many years I have preached this to folks searching for a revision surgeon! What may feel comfortable for one person might completely aggravate another. Just as an example...someone (?can't remember who) recently posted that their surgeon referred them to a rehab center post-revision for physical and occupational therapy. That person was thrilled with that post-op course. I, on the other hand, wanted absolutely no part of any post-op regime that included any "live-in" rehab!! My surgeon offered that as an alternative to home and I flat-out refused! I was sent home 8 days post-op on complete bed-rest with bathroom privileges only (which in my case also included 2 showers/week without my body brace).

Not everyone has to spend their first 3 months confined to bed in the brace; for me, it was a no-brainer! My surgeon had taken a rather large risk when he performed such large osteotomies on me in order to obtain the correction he did. All it took to convince me that bed rest was my best (if not ONLY!) post-op course of action, was one look at my post-op x-rays! There in black, grey and white was the proof...where there once had been a rock solid area of boney fusion from T 11 to L3 (my original Harrington fusion was T10 to L4; I had osteotomies at T 11 to L3), there were large areas of NOTHING!! ZIP!! NAH-DAH!!! Those areas of my old fusion were removed in rather large wedges and replaced with cadaver bone just lying in there waiting to fuse! But I wanted...rather, I NEEDED to recuperate at home!!! My poor husband thought he was going to have to find some smelling salts when my surgeon brought those x-rays into my hospital room that day! For

30 years I had been looking at x-rays of my spine...x-rays with a Harrington rod, 2 hooks, and what many renowned Orthopedic surgeons had referred to as "a beautiful, perfect, solid fusion"!! After my revision surgery in June 2000, I was staring at 2 x-rays that HAD to belong to someone else!! At first, I'm told I turned the color of school paste...which apparently was an even whiter-white than the color I was immediately post-op!! I have NO idea what I looked like those first few days after surgery; no one would give me a mirror! I can only assume that I looked like warmed-over-death-on-a Trisket because my poor son later told me that when they allowed he and his Daddy to see me in the Recovery Room (after nearly 14 hrs. in the O.R.!) that he didn't even recognize me and that he "got really scared that maybe you had died and that the doctor didn't want to tell me [him] so they were showing me [him] some other lady that had the same

color hair as you [me]!!" My poor baby!! My husband said that my sensitive, empathetic surgeon (who has several children himself) had to do serious convincing that, "YES! that's really your Momma, Dan...she's just all puffy and swollen because she's been lying on her belly with her head down for a really long time"... to which my son replied, " then I KNOW that's not my Mom because my Mom can't lay on her belly 'cuz her back can't bend like that!" So, being the understanding, compassionate man that he is, my surgeon had the O.R. nurse bring the spinal frame into the Recovery Room and explained to my son and husband how I had been lying for the last 14 hours!!...pretty smart kid...but also a very frightened child with an equally frightened Dad who were comforted by a compassionate man who just happened to be my surgeon! Now THAT, my friends, is the kind of surgeon that MY FAMILY AND I NEEDED!!

WE ALL needed a surgeon who was not only surgically talented but one who treated ALL of us with kindness and respect. I have an extensive medical background but my husband is a construction laborer/mechanic and my son was only 15 yrs.old. When we went in AS A FAMILY to talk with my surgeon a few days before my surgery, he didn't use a bunch of medical lingo they couldn't understand or "talk down" to them. Rather, he brought "props" into the office with him...he had a bendable model of a spine, some pedicle screws, some contoured rods and the hooks. He then proceeded to explain to them WHAT was wrong with my back; he SHOWED them how he was going to put the screws and rods in; he SHOWED them WHY he needed to do this and that to my back; he SHOWED them what might happen if I didn't have the surgery; he spent over an hour explaining things to them and answering their questions. By the time we left his office that day in June, not only was

I gung-ho and MORE than ready to go forward with the revision procedure but perhaps even more importantly (to me!) my husband and son were 110% behind the whole thing!!! And they UNDERSTOOD EVERYTHING that was going to happen!! I've known and worked with some wonderfully talented and compassionate Orthopedic surgeons over the years; but the surgeon who did my revision surgery is a one-of-a-kind human being in my humble opinion...and y'all know how opinionated I can be about such things!! I can't apologize for the length of this particular posting because this is a subject that we can't over-analyze on this web site. CHOOSING A REVISION SURGEON IS A SUBJECT WE CAN NEVER TALK ABOUT MUCH!! WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PUTTING OUR LIVES IN SOMEONE ELSE'S HANDS!! AND THIS IS A DECISION THAT NOT ONLY AFFECTS THE FLATBACKERS...THIS DECISION AFFECTS OUR ENTIRE FAMILY AND THOSE WHO LOVE

US! And I believe that our terrific moderator, , would agree with me on this one...I think that this is but one of the MANY reasons she started this site for Flatback sufferers and I applaud her dedication to all of us!! All the best, Beth Irish539@... wrote: Hi ,I have been seeing Dr Dryer for the last few years. I know he is inpractice with Dr Errico(whom I heard is wonderful as well). I got theoriginal recommendation from Kathleen from NJ who had a good experiencewith that office and with Dr Errico. I have been pleased from everythingI have seen and heard so far. I decided to go with Dr Dryer because he isa participating Dr. on my medical plan. So that was a big plus for me.Revision surgery is mucho expensive as I am sure you are

already awareof. Dr Dryer was recommended by Mina on her original"Flatback" website so that is how I got his name in the first place. Ihad seen 2 other revision doctors before I came across Dr Dryer. Thefirst Doctor I saw in the year 2000 was nice. He was the one who finallydiagnosed me with this strange malady called "Flatback Syndrome". So Iwas happy to have finally found out why I had been having all thesestrange aches and pains years after my original scoliosis surgery. Hisname is Dr Rafy. Nice guy, but I didn't care for his surgical plan, and Ididn't feel that he had quite enough experience. So I went to anotherrevision Doc a year later. His name is Dr Lonner. He was OK too but Ididn't feel much rapport with him and I didn't like his surgical planeither. It can vary widely from doctor to doctor. The next year I saw Dr Dryer at NYU. I had an immediate rapport with himand I liked his plan for

my surgery. Things just kind of "clicked" withhim. I felt comfortable with him, his clarity, confidence, his patienceand overall demeanor. I feel he has enough experience to perform thistype of surgery, and he is neither too young or too old. We hit it offand it just feels right! It is a "gut" instinct you might say. Youdefinitely need to be able to trust your surgeon. I felt that he fit thebill all around. The surgical nurse for their office is really nice too.She is the "go between" and so that is a big help to have a kind andcaring office staff as well I think. I went to see Dr Dryer last yearagain just to make sure my original perceptions of him were correct. Andthey were. I was still pleased with what I saw. Also, as it turns out, my daughters friend who is 14 years old, recentlyunderwent her first scoliosis surgery with him. She is up and about,healthy and playing all kinds of sports at

school now. She had a ravereview of Dr Dryer and can't say enough great things about him. Thatmeant a lot to me to actually know someone here in my hometown whoactually went through surgery with the Doctor I am considering forrevision. It was kind of miraculous to have one of my questionsanswered in such an ironic and coincidental way. She is on my daughtersField Hockey team at school. She was excited to talk to me about it. On top of that, I went called the Irish Cottage one night for dinner. Thewaitress noticed that I had trouble walking/standing and asked if I hadback problems.? I said yes most definitely, and told her my tale of woeregarding flatback syndrome as well as the revision surgery that isneeded soon. She told me that her 10 something year old daughter justunderwent scoliosis surgery and said she is doing wonderfully now. Iasked her who her Doctor was, and she told me Dr Joe

Dryer from NYU. Ialmost fell over, and said that ironically, that is exactly who I amconsidering to do the revision surgery on me. She also had rave reviewsabout what a wonderful Doctor he is. I can't tell you how relieved I wasto not only run in to one patient who had surgery with Dr Dryer, but Ilucked out as Serendipity stepped in to give me a second patent reviewout of the clear blue sky. The lord works in mysterious ways and bringsus answers from above when we least expect them. So I feel pretty luckyto have met two people face to face who have given me greatrecommendations regarding Dr Dryer. I originally got on the trail throughthe Mina web site and Kathleen Wig ham who has had revision surgerythrough Dr , who is in partnership at that office in NY. She had ravereviews so I pursued that direction. I think both Doctors are definitelyup to the job of doing this very specialized surgery. I hope that this

information helps some. Keep me up to date on yourexperiences with them. I will do the same. If you want to call or writeme I would love to talk to you about it. Of course we will share infowith the Feisty site here to help other flatbackers in their search foranswers too. This certainly is a big decision so you can never haveenough info. Take care , and good luck with all your endeavors. Carol Irish539@...On Mon, 20 Mar 2006 20:31:25 -0000 "sweetnygrl2" <sweetnygrl2@...>writes:> Hi Carol,> I am having my surgery done by Dr. Dryer and Dr. Errico at NYU. I > have a lot of faith... It's a 10-12 hour surgery but I am little > less nervous and much more comfortable with the doctors. The > hospital is 2 1/2 hours away from where I live in NY, but there is > no one closer. Thankfully I have relatives in Staten Island, I do > not like

being alone when I am away from home (I'm still a big baby > > at 30...> > Good luck in your search and whatever comes.> > > > > > >> > > > ,> > > > > > > > Congratulations, and welcome back. I hope you feel better and > > > > better.> > > > > > > > > > > > -----

Original Message ----- > > > > From: tripandashley > > > > > > > > Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2004 6:11 PM> > > > Subject: I am back> > > > > > > > > > > > Hello - I just got back from NYC yesterday and am recovering > > > > here > > > in > > > > Alabama now. My surgery was 1-20 with dr farcy. He > performed a > > > > > > > pedicle subtraction at L3 and refused L2 - apparently that > had > > > never > > > > fused from the earlier surgery.> > > > > > > > I did not do the artificial disc. While I am still in pain, > > I

> > > can > > > > tell that he accomplished the realignment - i stand straight > > > > with > > > my > > > > head above my hips and as much lordosis as anyone!> > > > > > > > My attention span is short b/c of the meds but I will check > > in > > > and > > > > try to answer Q's if anyone is having surgery soon. in > general I > > > > > > > will say that the book by Kathleen McCue and the lists of > things > > > > > > to > > > > take to hospital were very valuable and the only thing I > would > > > add > > > > is that you want button up nightshirts made of slick > material, > > > not > > >

> flanel or rough material, because sometimes being able to > slide > > > and > > > > extra 2 inches on the sheets into a new position makes all > the > > > > difference in the world, and flannel does not slide like > satiny > > > > > > > matieral does!> > > > > > > > Can someone refresh me on what I do to get the emails > delivered > > > > > > to > > > > my email? I have searched the site and annot figure out how > > to > > > > > > get > > > > that feature on again. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod > > >

Malalignment Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not > control > > > ads > > > or endorse any advertised products. > > > > > > > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

Hi .

Good to hear from you again.

It makes me so sad to see you going through so much at 30. I guess that

is pretty much the time when I first started getting my symptoms of

flatback. Now mine is so much worse. I am just about at the end of my

rope. I am getting extremely close to making that phone call to schedule

surgery. I swear I don't know what holds me back at this point. I really

have nothing more to lose now and possibly everything to gain. Like some

quality of life back for myself if I do the revision. I am kind of trying

to Psyche myself up for this mentally. I am working on telling myself the

positives of getting this surgery. like... " maybe the pain levels will

decrease some, or think of how great it will be to be straight again.? I

will buy myself a whole new wardrobe. No more frumpy-oversized dark

clothes to try to hide my crooked body. Or...I will actually have a butt

again..getting back my seventeen year old butt would be nice, Or best of

all yet, I will be able to actually walk again and actually be able to

participate in things with my family like I used to. " I kind of have to

brainwash myself in a way.

Recently I turned down an opportunity to go to a Firemens installation

dinner with my husband. I used to go every year. We would all dress up in

formal wear, have great food and dance the night away. I shudder to think

of going now. My pain levels are high, a dress would look all crooked on

me, and I can no longer dance. It breaks my heart. My quality of life is

going downhill rapidly for me now.

So, I am in a tough spot now. I have no where to go but up at this point.

The revision is my only hope. I am realistic in knowing that it is not a

cure all. And it does come with some risk and complications. And in all

possibility it won't be the last surgery we get either. But what's the

alternative? I know one thing, I don't want to end up in a wheelchair

and in diapers. So, this is it. Revision is our best bet for this

condition..

Anyhow, it sounds like you are well focused and moving forward in a

positive way. That is great. I think you have the best of both worlds

with Dr Dryer and Dr Errico. By the way, I live on Long Island in New

York. I am in the burbs about 20 miles from New York City. I can even

take the train in there (The LIRR) I live in Copiague, right next to

Amityville. Yes the horror house. LOL !

I still haven't seen the newer rendition of the Amityville horror. I

guess it's time to get it out from the Library.

I am sure it is as entertaining as the others. : ) What part of New

York do you live in? PS my E-mail address is Irish539@...

Write anytime. I would love to hear from you.! Bye for now.

Carol

On Wed, 22 Mar 2006 14:17:11 -0000 " sweetnygrl2 " <sweetnygrl2@...>

writes:

> Hi Carol,

> I feel the same way as you about Dr. Dryer. He told me that he will

>

> be performing my surgery with Dr, Errico b/c for him to perform it

> alone would be 16 hours opposed to him and Dr. Errico which would be

>

> 10-12 hours then. I am reading so much from Mina, and the

>

> knowledge I am gaining brings me great peace of mind! Thank you too

>

> for all the info you have provided me with. I am sending all my

> reports to Dr. Dryer today and he told me when I was there that they

>

> would call with a date for May. I am getting very anxious at this

> point (very nervous too), but each day I seem to feel worse. My

> neck

> and upper back are becoming very painful and my legs feel worse each

>

> day as well. If anyone told me life would be like this at 30, I

> would have said " yeah right " , I just can't believe it! Next week I

>

> am going to my local doctor who handles my pain management to see if

>

> there is something different she could prescribe or something

> different I can do. Usually she asks why I don't try Pilates and I

>

> just look at her and " blink, blink " , I know she doesn't understand

> but at the same time there is only one pain management group in my

> area who did not seem to help me, so I am allowing my primary care

> doctor to handle it and thus far it has been ok, she just, like I

> said does not understand that I can't just do Pilates. Please keep

>

> me up to date on yourself as well. Is your email at , it

> doesn't show that when I try and respond. I think you said you live

>

> in NY, are you close to NYU and do you have a surgery date? I look

>

> forward to hearing from you and thank you for informing me of the

> people's experiences with Dr. Dryer as well as your feelings. Have

> a

> beautiful day, the sun is shining.

> Smile…

>

>

>

>

>

>

> > > > > >

> > > > > > ,

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Congratulations, and welcome back. I hope you feel better

>

> and

> > >

> > > > > better.

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I am back

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Hello - I just got back from NYC yesterday and am

> recovering

> > >

> > > > > here

> > > > > in

> > > > > > Alabama now. My surgery was 1-20 with dr farcy. He

> > > performed a

> > > > >

> > > > > > pedicle subtraction at L3 and refused L2 - apparently

> that

> > > had

> > > > > never

> > > > > > fused from the earlier surgery.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I did not do the artificial disc. While I am still in

> pain,

> > >

> > > I

> > > > > can

> > > > > > tell that he accomplished the realignment - i stand

> straight

> > >

> > > > > with

> > > > > my

> > > > > > head above my hips and as much lordosis as anyone!

> > > > > >

> > > > > > My attention span is short b/c of the meds but I will

> check

> > >

> > > in

> > > > > and

> > > > > > try to answer Q's if anyone is having surgery soon. in

> > > general I

> > > > >

> > > > > > will say that the book by Kathleen McCue and the lists

> of

> > > things

> > > > >

> > > > > to

> > > > > > take to hospital were very valuable and the only thing I

>

> > > would

> > > > > add

> > > > > > is that you want button up nightshirts made of slick

> > > material,

> > > > > not

> > > > > > flanel or rough material, because sometimes being able

> to

> > > slide

> > > > > and

> > > > > > extra 2 inches on the sheets into a new position makes

> all

> > > the

> > > > > > difference in the world, and flannel does not slide like

>

> > > satiny

> > > > >

> > > > > > matieral does!

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Can someone refresh me on what I do to get the emails

> > > delivered

> > > > >

> > > > > to

> > > > > > my email? I have searched the site and annot figure out

>

> how

> > >

> > > to

> > > > >

> > > > > get

> > > > > > that feature on again.

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington

> Rod

> > > > > Malalignment Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not

> > > control

> > > > > ads

> > > > > or endorse any advertised products.

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >