Bipin's Spine Surgery

Bipin is 24 and first contacted me in July 2008. He had polio when he was just a year old as well as other problems relating to an injection given by his doctor.

As he was growing up in India, he noticed that his spine and the structure of his ribs was just not right. This started happening when he was only 8 years old and became uncomfortable when he reached the age of 14 to 15..

Bipin was too worried to tell his parents and he would not remove his shirt in front of anyone.

Bipin originally contacted me as he wanted to find out about spinal braces and asked whether I knew of anyone who made scoliosis braces. Our stories were very similar and we have become friends. I had already worn a brace from the age of 12 to 17 so doubted whether a brace would help him at the age of 23.

We corresponded by email and I told him about my upcoming scoliosis surgery and that I was concerned about it. I told him that surgery was probably tyhe only thing he could do as braces are meant for younger people. I could understand his reluctance

Bipin's curvature was a lot worse than mine and he had a 90 degree "S" shaped curvature. Although he had no pain, Bipin had trouble sitting for more than 5 minutes and was experiencing a lot of discomfort and tiredness.

In march 2008, Bipin saw an orthopedic surgeon for the first time and he diagnosed kyphoscoliosis which is what Bipin had feared. His surgeon suggested Spinal Fusion Surgery of the thoracic to lumbar spine and told him his spine was very stiff.

Naturally Bipin's parents were very affraid of such major and risky surgery but also were worried about his wellbeing, confidence and happiness.

Bipin is a highly inteliigent young man who wants to study for his future. Surgery would not only straighten his spine, but it would mean he could return to his studies and lead a normal life.

Bipin and his family had a lot to consider, and Bipin, being the sensible young man he is, was doing everything himself to try to correct and unstiffen his spine with his own exercise regime using traction and even hanging himself upside down!!

His attitude was remarkable as he did not wallow in self pity, but although he wanted an answer to his problems, Bipin was not scared of surgery but as his family were so concerned, he tried looking at other options.

Bipin has very kindly sent me pictures of his Xrays and I am priveledged that he has done this, but Bipin wants to encourage others to get their scoliosis corrected. And quite rightly so as he has been such a success story.

As you can see from the Xray on the left, poor Bipin's spine had quite a marked curve which would mean that his surgeon would need to be very skilled. Most of the spine would require fusion.

While he was deciding, he was learning via the internet as he so much wants to be a scientist. I think he would probably make a great Scoliosis Surgeon himself and maybe that is where his future should be? After all, he is a very dedicated student, self motivated and determined.

Bipin corresponded with me regularly and told me all about his wonderful family and studies and we discussed the troubles of the world. He always sent good wishes and was a cheerful person. He enjoys reading painting and music and playing musical instruments. He is very good at speaking/writing the English language too

He went to see a brace designer but he told Bipin that a brace would not help.

Bipin and his family had to return to speak to his surgeon and they were told about the risks which of course frightened his family even more.

He asked me about other methods and I told him about the Katharina Schroth method which of course is very expensive and a long way from India.

I was getting sad as I was trying to think of ways to help and being so far away was frustrating when trying to think of ways. I wanted to ask Mr. Lam at Guys Hospital, but my own appointments were cancelled because of the Thyroid illness.

I didn't hear from Bipin for a while and then I received an amazing Email from him in January 2009.

He told me he had had his surgery done by India's best surgeon, Dr.S.Y.Bhojraj on 9th December 2008.

I was absolutely amazed!! I didn't realise that it would happen that quickly. I then worried as to whether he was ok? I was sad I had not known as I could have sent get well cards and good wishes and prayed for him on the day of his operation.

He told me the procedure was 6 hours long, and he was in ICU for 3 days, and in hospital for a total of 17 days. In his own words:

I am currently able to sit for 2 hours continuously, just after a month of such major surgery (before surgery I was not able to sit even for 5 minute, you knew that). And most important thing that, my ability is completely intact. I'll soon send you the X-rays of spine. Every thing has become good because of well wishes of my relatives and friends like you.

His surgeon, was obviously very skilled and Bipin wants to inspire others. He feels that surgery has given him back his life and of course he deserves the best being such a nice chap who never complained and only wanted to be able to carry on with his studies which sitting in front of a computer was becoming impossible for him.

Bipin was worried about the risks, post operative pain, risk of permanent disability although he felt that life was hard enough because of his disability of not being able to sit for any length of time anyway.

He weighed up all the pro's and con's and decided to go ahead and was very brave.

In his own words:

At 9pm they took me to operation theatre. My anaesthetist put a mask on my mouth and gave me an injection of anaesthesia on my right arm and she told me "Bipin, now you will be feel sleepy, ok" and after few seconds I was unconscious. I remained quite unconscious throughout the surgery. At around 4pm I got some consciousness my anaesthetist was asking me to move my hand,ankle and toe. She told me "Bipin, the surgery took place successfully, don't worry" and I also knew that my ability is intact. Then they shifted me to ICU then I saw my parents and relatives. That 7 hours were very difficult for my parents. After surgery I had not any severe pain. There was not any pain of incision. After a week of the surgery my surgeon let me sit in a wheel chair for the first time and asked "how you feeling?" I told him "I am sitting so freely after 8 years, it was very nice moment. I'll send you images soon!

It was lovely to receive this description from him, so full of optimism.

He then told me how he would like to inspire scoliosis victims

Now after the surgery i am able to sit quite easily. I got straight. It increased my confidence. It completely changed my life. My parents get very happy and surprised when they see me sitting continuously for 4-5 hours. Now, i'm considering to start study again. I would request you to mention the name of my surgeon because he is really the angel of my life.