Thoracic Surgery Puns

Mid-Sept '21 I had three disks removed from my neck. I gather I have a metal support ladder with some bone added. I wore a neck brace occasionally about a month ahead to get a little used to wearing it. Our best local Neurosurgeon (my wife is a retired surgical nurse) recommended I head to Baltimore. Luckily, of the 1700 doctors at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Ali Bydon pulled my name. I really like this fellow. I gather he started at the top because every scan from top-to-bottom had the word 'severe' pretty much attached to every facet.

Even in PACU, the surgery provided pretty much instant relief from sciatic pain that prevented me from walking into the hospital. It also removed all the electricity in my R-arm from shoulder to hand. I had L-side drop foot for ~3yrs prior and increasing weakness in my R. The right ankle is about 20% functional - the L is 0% ...but I adapted and pretty much only fell if hooking a toe on a root in the woods.

Being a stubborn sort, I used the cervical collar as a crutch and was comfortable wearing it 24/7. With medium/mild pain, I was back to many of my usual activities in two weeks or so after staying at JHH for six days. With a business in town and 25ac at home, there was no lack of opportunities to blow the protocols. The pain was acceptable (no narcotics for me thanks..) and used as a barometer. The stinker part, I went from 175 to a tick under 160, so I was weaker and did not have the stamina, but I have a 45lb dog that cannot get into the car or truck on his own... and last Fall produced mountains of leaves.

I had Thoracic done mid-Dec ’21 Whew! There is/was a ton of difference in the recovery between the two surgeries. Cervical, by comparison, was like putting a cast on a broken wrist. Thoracic pain encompasses my entire center back from shoulder blades to waist. I have about a 14” incision.

Here’s a list I would suggest someone consider if having Thoracic work done…

1. Make sure you have help at home.
2. Plan on using a walker for at least a week.
3. You may need a step if your mattress is high.
4. It would be wise to wear diapers initially.
5. Get ‘hospital socks’ with grippy bottoms.
6. Get an eye mask so you can have a guide-light near the bathroom.
7. I had to ‘learn’ to sleep on my back. Side sleeping was too painful.
8. I found a cane helpful about week 2.

I am in my third recovery week. I took the narcotics ordered a few times initially and only used Acetaminophen 2ea. 2x daily for the first two week

For the past few months Ive been experiencing tightness around my lower throat that comes and goes along with a feeling of food getting stuck. While having the feeling of stuck food other stuff still goes down but the feeling stays. Usually Ill wait until I have a big belly burp and try to keep my throat loose and whatever is stuck pops right up. Ive also noticed burping is hard sometimes.

Lastly, Ive noticed the right side of my throat (same side I had plueredesis and wedge resection on my lung done) is void of feeling on the inside. I currently have a sore throat and the right sode feels nothing. Same when I swallow cold things. Nothing on the right side has feeling.

Ive been to a few ENT docs and just had a swallow study and upper endoscopy done with everything looking good to them. The only issue seen was a mild inflammation of the stomach. Any idea on what my next step is?

I had VATS surgery for a small lung wedge resection and plueredesis after reoccurring pneumothorax. A few months after surgery I developed hives on my hands and chest. Zyrtech settles everything down but it comes right back after. Is it possible I am allergic to the staples they used in my lung and is there a way to test for that? My allergist seems to think its not worth persuing because its very unlikely I am allergic to the metals in the staples. I am cutting my diets down to just chicken for a week to rule out any foods. Any help or guide ce would be super appreciated.

This world doesn’t care about us enough. I’ve had the operation, and it’s not worse now. After my life completely being ruined from age 18 to now at 27 years old.

I’ve lost my job, my girlfriend, my friends haven’t seen me properly for years.

And now I’m told that what I’m after isn’t even available on perscription, HH is a joke to this current world.

No cure, no time to find one, no one gives a monkeys, I give up.

I've heard that sometimes surgery doesn't work or can even make it worse. Also 3 months not using my left arm seems difficult. Has anyone gone through the surgery and is happy with their results?

I know when applying to thoracic programs for residency, it is common knowledge to dual apply with gen surg. However, I’ve heard that it’s not a good idea to apply to gen surg programs at the same hospital that you’re applying for an i6 position because it’s generally not a good idea to let programs know that you’re dual applying. However, does anyone know if this is also true with 4+3 programs? Like do you think it’d be okay to apply to a 4+3 at the same institution that I apply to a gen surg or an i6? I know this is kind of a niche question, but any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

I have been having several issues that seem to be long term and it’s literally impossible to find anyone who’s had the surgery to discuss with. I had TOS decompression and pec minor tenotomy in 2019.

My massage therapist has been working for 30 years and hasn’t treated anyone with this surgery. Just looking for some people who might relate or have some feedback. Thanks.

Hey all, first post on this sub, thanks in advance for any knowledge you can lend!

I got a correctional scoliosis surgery when I was 18 (32 now), which basically means that to correct the 40 degree "S" curve of my spine, they wrestled my spine straight and then drilled a 17" rod along either side of my thoracic vertebrae (about from nape of neck to behind belly button). Not the funnest of times, but at least I grew an inch and a half :)

I've been curious about BJJ for a while but hesitant because of my fusion and my perception that in order to roll you really need that hunch ability from that part of your spine. I remember the surgeon said I'd lose ~10% of my spine's overall flexibility. The vertebrae above and below adapt to compensate a bit of that, but there's obviously going to be that 17" straight section. The additional concern there is that I don't want to overstress those vertebrae on either end, esp the lower one, when absorbing shock, "whiplash" etc.

I'm 6'4", 175, decently fit, keep up with the diet and exercise, mostly calisthenics, body weight exercises, 25-40lb kettle bells, loaded stretching - never a ton of weight again due to back concerns. The extent of my familiarity with martial arts is a couple seasons of wrestling in high school and a great Muay Thai gym that I was only just getting into before I moved 2 years ago, only went around 12x.

So yea, that about sums it up. Should I stay away from BJJ? Will being put to the mat break my back? Or are there ways to adapt the training that could protect me, or even improve my spinal situation, strength/flexibility? I'm not looking to compete or go super hardcore, it's more just for personal + physical development.

Thanks again to anyone who has some knowledge to share, esp anyone who has first or secondhand experience on this, or just general knowledge on martial arts for people with similar surgeries.

I generally know these specialties are very competitive to get into but I was just wondering how much effort you have to put to get into these as a medical student and/or foundation doctor.