Here are some examples of how other teens decided to have surgery:
"I decided because I was worried that the curve wouldn’t stop increasing. It wasn’t so much that I didn’t like how I looked then. I did it to prevent further problems in the future. I remember I waited a long time to do it because the doctor said I wasn’t done growing. They weren’t sure whether my curve would continue to increase or stop increasing. Even after I’d basically stopped growing, it was still increasing, so that helped me come to the decision."
"I tried to wear the brace but it was really uncomfortable so it was really bad. I would only wear it at night and then it was horrible because I couldn’t sleep. And then we talked to the doctor and stuff. We decided that it would be better in the long run if I got the surgery instead of leaving it, just in case. It stopped progressing after a while but it was big so we were just worried that maybe in 10 years it would progress and then I wouldn’t be able to do anything. So I decided. My Mom was kind of skeptical. She was like, ‘Take more time to think about it.’ But I was like ‘No,’ cause like I always hear about it so I know it’ll be okay. I trust the doctor and everything."
"Well, I had a brace for two years, while I was in my last couple of years of growing and whatever and then I got it off at the end of last year because I was done growing so there was no point. But then my curve progressed a lot, like 10% to 20%, and so we met with the doctor and he said ’Yeah, I think you should (have the surgery) because it’s only going to get worse.’"
"Well, it was mostly the fact that my whole ribcage was turned to the right and it looked odd. And, I was like, I want this fixed, mostly because things weren’t fitting right so it kind of bugged me. I didn’t like the way it looked. I decided mostly by myself. My mom wasn’t trying to pressure me to do it. She was like maybe you should do it soon. And I figured I’m having graduation next year so the earlier I get it done the better the recovery I’ll have and less of a visible scar possibly so I’ll look more normal for my graduation."
"Well I decided because of how much my curve has been progressing over the past couple of years and if it would progress into adulthood. And just like losing flexibility – knowing about that. It was my own decision and my parents said that whatever I wanted to do, they would support me with that".