Hi Everyone,
Just thought I’d post an update, especially as I’ve seen some worried pre-op posts and wanted to redress the balance a bit.
So I’m just over three weeks and it is really great! I’ve kicked the pain killers except the odd one at night when I get some pain after lying down for a while. Other than that, I’m off the crutches and down to one stick. The pain has totally gone from my hip joint, just feels a bit like sitting on a soft ball now, no swelling in the leg anymore, slight swelling in the foot on sitting too long - and that’s the only time I get some pain during the day time, I find it’s really easy to sit and forget how long you’ve been sitting for! Doing 4+ sets of exercises still and finding these easy. Range of movement is excellent.
Still doing all of my precautions, strip washing because my shower is over the bath and it’s too high to get in and out of. A bit sick of not being able to have a proper shower or wash my hair properly, but the dry shampoo is a godsend. I’ve had a dog walker a few days a week because my poochy pulls too much for it to be safe, done a lot of walking in the house/garden/drive but haven’t ventured past the main gate as yet, but that will come soon. The physio instructions say one more week on the stick and then walking outside so I’m looking forward to that.
Wishing everyone best wishes and a great recovery 
Steven
Excellent news! Well done! I am now 13 weeks post op and my only problem is that it’s so easy now to totally forget I had the op and just move without thinking. They do say that even after the initial 6-8 weeks when you have to be really careful not to dislocate the new joint, you should still avoid extreme movements and bending etc. I sat on the stairs, put my trainers on and laced them before I realised that was quite a big bend forward. Nothing happened but it reminded me that I should still take any new movement very slowly. Don’t tend to forget getting in and out of the car as that involves a bit of a twist when I’ve put it in the garage but even that’s getting much easier. Keep up the good work, Steve.
Hi Marion,
I know I’m doing some bending but only with the golfer’s stance of extending my operated leg out behind me (putting all the weight on my good leg!). It is very difficult to “not do” things that you have spent your whole life not even thinking about!
All the best,
Steven
Pleased for you Steven that everything has gone brilliant. The only thing I would caution against is going out walking without your stick too soon. I was still using two to go on my daily walk and around the supermarkets at your stage. Just take care and keep your hip safe.
Hiya Steve 
It’s great to see ya doing well bud, as you know I’m about a week ahead of you yep, I’ve been walking out and about for the last couple of weeks now. Does that dry shampoo really work! I’ve seen it in the shops but never purchased. 
what dog ya got Steve, I’ve got black Labrador and pulls like a train, I’m lucky I got the wife at home and she holds on to the dog on the walks…
I know what ya mean on the not so positive posts 
I myself got a little worried reading bad post after bad post, got me thinking what the hell I was heading towards. But like ya-self I’ve had a real good recovery, and hope to keep it moving forward in a positive way.
i did go into hospital with a real positive attitude, just thought I’ve got myself in here, it’s now out of my hands, and in the hands of some very experienced surgeon…
All the best Steve for your continued recovery, keep in touch bud… Next week ya out walking around the block yep. 
Stay Safe & Stay Happy
Pete
Good for you Steve, glad to hear you are on the mend now.
Great post Steve! It sounds like you’re doing fantastic during your recovery. I am 37 and just had a total hip replacement of my right hip 3 weeks ago tomorrow. Today was my first day back at work and I drove for the first time yesterday and today! I am also using one crutch to get around for balance and strength. I can walk without one, but still have a limp. As far as the shower, have you tried stepping in first with your good foot and then bending at the knee with your operated leg? If you can bend at the knee and just clear your foot over the ledge maybe you can do it. It’s definitely still difficult and I feel the stretch in my quad, but it has worked for me. GOOD LUCK ON YOUR CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HEALTH!
Hi Steve,
it sounds like you are doing great. I’m like you with a shower above the bath. I had a bath board, kind of seat thing, delivered from the hospital. I can sit on that then swing my leg over just like getting in bed. from there you have the choice of remaining seated or standing. It did take a week to arrive though! Thank heavens for dry shampoo!
Keep up the great recovery. All the best.
HI Steven
Great news, sounds like you’re doing really well. Re the shower, I used a couple of those plastic steps that you can get from Ikea or online. That worked really well, but it depends if you have help. Wouldn’t recommend it if you’re on your own.
Wishing you all the best, Judith
Wow, I didn’t think my post warranted a complaint to the mediator. I feel very offended. I had an anterior approach hip replacement and yes, I have been cleared from my doctor to go back to work after three weeks as I have a desk job as an office manager. Driving has been easy. I’m sorry you seem to be offended by my post, but that’s not fair. I took it very easy for three weeks and this is where I’m at. This makes me never want to post an update on this website again so forget me trying to ever share my story on this forum. I just thought I was giving you a helpful shower tip.
And also my 55 year old father, also had an anterior hip replacement, and was driving at 2 weeks. Everyone’s recovery is different and I thought everyone understood that.
Hi Kelly, keep posting. I was surprised by those comments. As we know, hip operations vary depending on the approach used by the surgeon. I remember reading about people on the forum who had the superpath approach and they were in and out of hospital very quickly and could resume driving and sports much sooner.
Thank you Judith. I just feel attacked. But that’s fine if that’s the way people want to treat each other. I was sharing my own personal story because as Steve originally said, there was a lot of negative news being shared and he wanted to share something positive. So did I, and maybe share information that might help someone else. Thank you for your kind words. I have never been “reported” online for anything. Oh well.
Did your insurance let you drive at three weeks, mine wanted me to hang on a bit. I do have a manual gear shift.
Well, my car is an automatic and I’m not sure how it works with your insurance - but my doctor just said I had to be off of my pain medication (which I now am, but just as of Saturday). I can certainly see how it would be tough with a manual. I have the seat adjusted so I barely have to lift my foot when switching from gas to the break. I have never been told by anyone that my car insurance company needed to be notified of the surgery. I am in the U.S., so I am not sure where you are located or if there are different requirements. I hope you are doing well during your recovery.
I always contact my insurance company if something changes. They always seem to find any excuse not to pay out otherwise. I think the important thing with a new hip is being able to do an emergency stop.
Hi Kelly,
I do not think people intend to be negative just mis understand how different procedures work. I believe most people in the UK have the posterior approach, whereas in the US the anterior seems more popular. I personally had twelve weeks of precautions plus six months to be careful of which I have another three months to go. I understand how things got misconstrued but, hopefully it will not stop you contributing to others who have had the anterior approach.
I completely agree. Coordination came back slowly and I was not ready to drive until just a few days ago. I drove around small neighborhoods with my husband until I felt comfortable and then ventured out to the main roads. Your body will let you know when you’re ready to drive - but you’re right, being able to stop quickly is certainly important and I wouldn’t encourage anyone to drive unless they are completely comfortable doing so.