As long as I can remember, I was unable to stand or sit up completely straight. Over the years, my posture seemed to get worse and people around me would tell me to stand up straight or to stop slouching. They couldn’t understand that I was physically unable to do so. It got to the point where I was looking down at the ground while I was walking and would often run into people or things because I couldn’t see them in front of me.
In February 2013, I began to have persistent back pain between my shoulder blades and increased breathing difficulties at the age of 23. There didn’t seem to be any particular event that caused this pain. After a few weeks of taking anti-inflammatory medicines over the counter, I saw my physician. I was x-rayed and diagnosed with kyphosis, a spinal deformity which causes my thoracic spine to curve forward excessively. He referred me to an orthopedic surgeon who confirmed my diagnosis, but was unable to do anything except give me narcotics to help control my pain.
He informed me that my only hope for relieving the pain was to have a spinal surgeon correct the deformity through surgery. My pain became increasingly debilitating to the point where I had to take time off from work and school. I sought out a few spinal surgeons who also agreed with the kyphosis diagnosis, but refused to perform the surgery. Three months after my back pain initially started, I became very discouraged at the thought of living the rest of my life in chronic pain.
I’m from Khartoum / Sudan & have heard that there is a good hospital in Jeddah-KSA that has several good doctors in several specialties called Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital.
I researched Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital Web site for a spinal surgeon who specialized in spinal deformities. When I wanted to make appointment, I was transferred to Fakeeh International. So I applied through Fakeeh International who really helped me a lot in fixing the appointment, issuing the visa, arranging for my flight & accommodation in Jeddah & during my continued visits to the hospital.
We had our first discussion through mail. I forwarded all my medical reports to Fakeeh International, along with my questions. The next day, they got back to me with answers. The doctor made sure to answer all of my questions in a manner that I understood. He thoroughly explained the procedure to me, including the risks and expectations during recovery. The doctor made me feel very comfortable about the surgery and I felt extremely confident in his abilities. I received answers to my questions and also received the full quotation of the operation. So, it was time to travel to Jeddah for the operation.
The Fakeeh International team met me at the airport and arranged the transfer from airport to hotel. They also arranged the appointments and finally, I was in front of my doctor.
Following my admission, it took three days to arrange the initial blood tests and images. After my eight hour surgery was complete, I was hospitalized for nine more days.
During this time, the doctor visited me and monitored my progress every day. He also explained what my limitations would be during recovery. The moment I knew the surgery was worthwhile was the first time I got out of bed and walked past the mirror in the bathroom of my hospital room. For the first time since I could remember, I saw myself standing up perfectly straight.
I finally went back home after a very good & effective experience, big thanks to Fakeeh International & Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital.
