A
female
age
22-25,
*ranny1297
writes:im really really really scared about my scoliosis surgery i have the feeling im going to die or something will go wrong, or i will be paralysed forever. what is the chance something will go wrong?is it as bad as i think it is?i don't like the idea of being put to sleep because i feel like i won't wake up again?please someone say something to make me feel better. thanks x :( Reply to this Question
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female
reader, Candid Cally  +, writes (25 October 2012):
I didn't see that the surgery was for scoliosis. I know two girls that I went to middle school with has scoliosis surgery and both came out perfectly fine.
I also have one friend who wasn't diagnosed with scoliosis until her late 20s. She was told that it was too late for surgery to be effective and she is in constant pain because of her curved spine.
I do wish you the best of luck and I hope you have a safe, and speedy recovery!
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female
reader, franny1297 +, writes (24 October 2012):
franny1297 is verified as being by the original poster of the question Thanks everyone you all made me feel better. wish me luck!
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (24 October 2012): Hi there,My niece had the very same surgery when she was just 4 years old. The curvature in her spine was so severe, it would have prevented her from living a normal life. Everyone in the family was worried about the surgery, but it went perfectly! She's now 18 and lives a very normal, active life.It's normal to be scared, but try not to worry so much about things going wrong. The doctors are professionals. They have done this surgery multiple times. They aren't going to let anything bad happen to you. I feel 100% confident that you will be perfectly safe and everything will go well. :)
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female
reader, Staceily +, writes (23 October 2012):
 I had jaw surgery when I was 16. I was scared too. I had to be warned of the risks with anesthesia and generally what could happen as a result of jaw surgery. I knew that it was worth it and the chances of complications are very very minimal. The doctors are all very experienced and know exactly what they are doing.
When I went in the day of the surgery the anesthesiologist explained exactly what he was doing and what would happen. He also told me and my parents he had been doing this for 20 years and put all of us at ease. It was very easy, I got a shot and was asleep within 2 minutes as I was being wheeled down the hallway. Actually I remember it being really cool. How fast it hit me was unreal and really cool. Plus I could tell people I have been put to sleep. It's a life experience that not everyone has and that was exciting.
Of course it's natural to be scared but your doctors know exactly what they are doing. The really bad risks are very rare. Tell your doctor you are nervous beforehand and he will certainly be able to reassure you and make you feel better. Remember it will all be worth it afterwards :)
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female
reader, Tisha-1 +, writes (23 October 2012):
 There are risks with any surgery but this is such a common one, they are really really small. Having said that, the daughter of a friend of mine just went through the same surgery. She is your age too. She did GREAT! It was scary to think about but if you keep focused on the benefits to you, you'll be just fine.
Be very diligent about doing the things they tell you to do to help you recover and before you know it, this will all be behind you.
Maybe stop thinking about it as 'being put to sleep,' which sounds like something you do when your dog is mortally ill, and instead, think of it as being anesthetized, which means you are chemically drugged so that you experience no pain.
I'm confident you'll be just fine! Ask for lots of support and help from your friends and family if you need it. Focus on the positives, not the scary bits, okay?
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female
reader, Candid Cally +, writes (23 October 2012):
When I was 13, I noticed a bulge in my right groin area. It turned out to be a hernia and I had surgery scheduled to repair it. I was also given the option to have exploratory surgery on the left side (10% of children/teens who have a hernia have one on the other side because of a minor birth defect) which I said yes to...good thing too because I had a second hernia on that side.
I, like you, was incredibly afraid of anasthetic. The truth is, it isn't all that bad. It took me a little longer than some people to finally go under, but the next thing I remember was repeatedly smacking at a nurse who kept trying to put an oxygen mask back on my face. I was in recovery and the oxygen was making me feel lightheaded and in my groggy state I felt like I couldn't breathe. It wasn't frightening at the time and is actually very amusing now. I giggle when I think about it.
You will have a licensed and trained anesthesiologist. These doctors are incredibly knowledgeable, they practice regularly, they are prepared for any side effects that may even remotely happen while you are being operated on. Everything will be fine. Most likely, once you are awake, you will be very tired/groggy. You might have a headache and be nauseous and weak kneed if they need you to stand to escort you to the bathroom. If you are having outpatient surgery, they will make sure you urinate once before you are discharged. Most pediatric nurses are angels. When I arrived at the hospital, they answered all of my questions, gave me warm blankets, a warm IV bag, smiled and made me feel completely at ease.
If you are still afraid the day of your surgery, talk to the nurses.
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