After SCOLIOSIS surgery, what medications did the doctor prescribe to you?

Question

My 12 year old cousin may have the surgery and they said Tylenol 3 w/codeine (sp). That seems so weak for that type of pain??

Answer 1

I had the surgery 1 1/2 years ago and I received Darvocet for the pain after I got home from the hospital. I was still feeling a lot of pain but it seemed to help. Anything stronger could make your cousin sick to the stomach, and vomitting after that surgery would put them into MUCH more pain! The best thing is to try to make them as comfortable as possible and don't do anything against the doctor's orders.

Answer 2

It's been many years since I had my surgery (1966). But, if I remember right, the most pain I had was from them cutting my ribs in order to move my spine into better alignment. My ribs really ached so I took the equivalent of Extra-Strength Tylenol--no prescription. My back didn't hurt at all. Oh, and I was sore over my pelvis where they harvested (grafted) some bone (from the iliac crest) in order to use it for spinal fusion during the procedure. I think that real bone, as opposed to synthetic bone, is still preferred today. I've got a big ol' scar over my left pelvis and one very long scar down the middle of my back.

The problem that I now face is that after all these years, I have gradually developed a second curve below the first one. The orthopedic surgeon wants to take out the old rods and put new rods in order to correct the new curvature. I'm still thinking about it.