It's very interesting, this vast world that we call the Internet - just depends on where you land as to if this brace is important. I know you Mark56 and Rae - you all have been all over this site and yet you haven't heard of a TLSO brace. This is encouraging actually, as I was wondering about the quality of my surgeon (since he doesn't prescribe them) but now I am reassured that (obviously) others don't as well. I did have cervical and lumbar braces for my 3 spinal surgeries and found that I got so used to them I had to wean myself off of using them! Too bad the lumbar one doesn't fit me any longer or I would wear that. I think I will have copies in hand of various braces when I see the surgeon for my pre-op appointment and ask if he would mind if I wore one? I don't see any harm in it and I sure would be willing to pay for one if needed. Shoot, having to do two surgeries is bad enough with all my allergies - I want to make sure I do everything I can to avoid any more! Thanks for your comments - anyone else want to chime in on this question?