Customer Reviews

Scoliosis Surgery: The Definitive Patient's Reference (2nd Edition)

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...let it be this one. Bravo!
I just finished reading Wolpert's book on Scoliosis Surgery while waiting for my 3rd opinion appointment at UC San Francisco. I've read them all-Moe's Anatomy, Schomers', Lyon's, Neuwirth's and novels "Deenie", "There's an S on My Back" and this was by far the best for adults facing surgery. These were the things I needed to know as I face revision. He tackled the tough issues with thoroughness and first hand knowledge like insurance and post surgery adjustment. The language was non-medical and understandable.
Forget the rest and start with this one.

Scoliosis surgery can be very daunting for those who have to undergo the procedure, and for their parents and loved ones. One can search the internet, talk to medical professionals, and talk with other patients who have undergone the procedure. Or, one can take the easy way, and read this book. David covers everything from basic education about scoliosis, to describing in laymans' terms, the sorts of surgical procedures in use today, to telling patients what to expect every step of the way. I wish I had been able to read this book before my own surgery.

I just got done reading this book and I am speechless! I have searched for years for information regarding surgery and what might be expected! This book goes into extensive detail on surgery, what to expect, alternative options and how effective they generally are, etc. I don't think this book really left anything out! I would recommend this book to anyone who is thinking about surgery or is going to have it sometime in the future.

I can't think of anything missing from this book. It answers every question you could think of and details, in clear and simple language, exactly what you need to know and what your experience will be like. It also fully explains the nature of scoliosis and the various surgical options, as well as some of the alternative therapies. The topics range from how to pick a surgeon, how to arrange your life prior to the surgery, what to take to the hospital with you, what exactly your hospital experience will be like, to how and when you can try for sex after the surgery. The best thing about it is that it was written not by a surgeon who performs the surgery, but by a man who actually had the surgery himself. This is what will prepare you the best for the surgery. I read every scoliosis book out there but they all seemed lacking after reading this one.

What a blessing! I read this book over and over and over--so many times, prior to my surgery--and also referred to it afterward! I even took it with me to the hospital. It contains a wealth of information for scoliosis patients and their loved ones. I felt calm and at peace (relatively!) heading in to my surgery "adventure," both due to my faith and because I felt so well informed. I also felt prepared for my recovery time at home, thanks to his appendix: Getting Your House and Life in Order.

During the time I've been a member of the NSF Forum, this has been the most talked about and referred to book on scoliosis in the posts, being recommended wholeheartedly by many of us "post-ops" as a "must have" to those looking for information. Many have commented on how they could just not put their book down when it first arrived. While not a riveting best-seller for the general public, it does indeed make a fascinating "read" to those of us with the desire to know more. MANY THANKS to David for sharing his personal story, for doing extensive research, and for taking the time to pen this invaluable source of information on scoliosis surgery!

This book was more than I had ever expected. If you are a scoliosis patient or if you have a loved one or friend that is this book is a must. I got more information from it then I got from the doctors. The info in this book is from actual scoliosis patients and their families. I was able to make a list of questions for my own doctor which without the book I wouldn't have ever come up with them by myself. It is great!

My wife is facing scoliosis surgery in a few weeks. I read the book first, and now Sue is reading it. David Wolpert presents the topic in such an understandable fashion. It was quite a change from the information you receive from the medical professionals. I want to thank the author for easing my mind on many of the uncertainties we'll be facing. Worth it's weight in GOLD!

My daughter had Scoliosis surgery a few weeks ago and we found this book to be enormously helpful. After the surgeon, this was our best source for accurate, practical information about what to expect and plan for. We were unable to find this kind of useful information anywhere else. This book helped to make this difficult process a bit easier to deal with for us and our daughter. Mr. Woplert, Thank you for writing this book.

Excellent sourcebook from patient's perspective written in an understandable manner. Very direct, to the point and uncluttered by superflous information. I would recommend it to anyone who is planning to have the scolisis surgery and for their caretakers.

I am having scoliosis surgery in three and a half weeks (Dec 13, 2007)and am so glad I found this book. Not only did it answer all of the questions I had about surgery and what to expect before, during and after, it also answered questions I didn't even realize that I had! Everything was laid out in terms I could easily understand. I am better able to prepare my home for when I return after the surgery and I now feel confident that my two teenage daughters will be able to provide most of the care that I will be needing, with a little assistance from family, friends and an in-home care nurse a few hours a day. Thank you David, from the bottom of my heart, for writing this book. It really is a Godsend!