Hello...I just joined this forum and am hoping to hear some good things. I am one week post op hip replacement. I am 56 and was in fairly good shape going into this. Soon as they had me walking I felt that my leg was longer and doc confirmed it saying it was minimal. My question is I feel bad. I have been doing the exercises with physio but am not walking lots. Am I impatient? Pain is one thing but the "feeling bad" is what is bothering me. I felt better going into operation. I appreciate any thoughts and should I not feel so guilty about resting a lot? Thanks!!!!
I felt"bad" for 3 weeks!!! No probs with hip, no drugs just paracetamol, no pain. Just felt awful!!
Hi Savy
Welcome to the forum
What you have gone through is a major op. All of us heal in different ways. The one thing I have deen on here since joining is the ammount of folk that rush things then complain they are in pain.
This is not a sprint to be the firtsa one to do XY or Z it is not a race at all. You listen to your body and do as you see fit for yourself. You will sleep a lot. You will get up days and down days. But if you need to let off steam becauser your having a bad day this is the very place to do it because we have ALL or are ALL going to be there some day. Just go with the flow. It is a lot mharder in winter to get motivated because of the weather. as long as you walk round the house a little do your excersizes and make the most of the freash ate out side when ever you are safe to do so you will be fine. The better weather won't be far away and as long as you keep moving come spring you will be able to walk pretty well and further than you may have thought..
Thank-you....I am glad to hear that. I read so much that people are up and around and tossing their walking aids etc......so I wondered if I had set my expectations too high......I will take it easy today and not beat myself up about it
I have both so this is just my recovery I guess.
I am now 13 days post op had the staples taken this morning, feeling a bit sore, but I am glad that they are out, I 30 all told, I have good days and bad days, don't feel guilty about resting, I am at fault because I keep trying to do too much and then my scar aches, I don't have to have physio, but my surgeon says walking is the best exercise, little and often and keep on with the pain killers
Yep, Hailea is absolutely right - we all do it !
Hi Savy,
Hailea gave you some pretty good advice. Don't believe the superman tales you wad about. They are the exceptions. The first two weeks are tough, every week thereafter seems to get better. Although everyone is different, you should feel much better in a few weeks. You will have good days and bad, achievements and setbacks. Sometimes mood swings and unexplained sadness. Whenever I had difficulty or felt down I reached out to my fellow hippies in this forum. He best advice is to be patient and kind to yourself. Every week gets better.
Thanks so much...I have never been a part of a forum before and I honestly feel that these are the best people to know exactly what I am going thru!
Yes Savy recovery is tough and confusing. That's why most people have joined. So welcome to the forum. It sounds like you're right on track!
Enjoy the opportunity to rest, because that's what your body needs most. Physio can't make bones knit to the prosthesis or the muscles and skin reunite. Physio can only strengthen the muscles that haven't been damaged. Time is necessary.
And yes, this is one of the most amazing group of people!
Keena
Hi Savy,
welcome to our hippies family -
it is pretty normal that there is a difference in length of legs - it will settle in the coming months - you are still so early in your recovery - first 2 weeks are challeging - just listen to your body - don't be hard on your self - it is so easy to do and feel bad because you feel that you are not doing enough - All well meaning advice but unless you had THR surgery your self, they don;t know what you feel - feeling guilty is NOT part of it okay?
you do your exercises the best you can - maybe walk a little around the house first - and rest - stretch your body and legs and rest - It is not easy because we always want to do something, be productive etc ...
The other thing for me was/is that I was told in the hospital: "remember, you are NOT sick, and therefore not to stay in bed "
maybe not sick, but hells and bells, we had major surgery !!!
be gentle with your self - and please come back here anytime
big warm hug
renee
Hi there!
I think I have probably had one of the easiest recovery periods really, although, after just one week I was in bed resting the majority of the day to be honest. There wasn't massive pain but my thigh muscle was so tight I just laid or sat with a hot water bottle and ice packs on it.
I didn't do any physio at all 
because the thigh was so tight it really hurt. After a couple of weeks it started to ease off and I was walkin more and more around the house and then I realised I wasn't really using my stick anymore so I spent lots of time walking with no aids around my kitchen table 😂 I then decided that going for walks as far as I felt comfortable would probably work instead of physio and I found I could walk almost a mile, then it just built up slowly, a walk every day.
Once you start to feel better it seems to improve on a daily basis at quite a rate.
I too have a minimal leg length discrepancy, but it feels less now, I'd wondered if it had bedded in more, but I mentioned it to surgeon and he said I had probably just got used to it and adapted my walk. I have had people watch me walk tho, to check, and they say you can't tell 😂
It's a massive operation and you're in the very early days, be gentle with yourself!
I'm a massive believer in doing what feels right, and it worked out ok in the end for me.
Good luck and let everything happen naturally and at its own pace - you will be surprised x
Good Moavy J,
​Welcome to the hippies site. This forum will perk you up no end. Supported me pre op nerves and post op worries. Always someone to talk to and reassure you. I told my lovely GP about it yesterday and she has noted the site to give to any new hippies.
​Def no guilt about resting especially at your stage. I am 11weeks 4 days yippee..Still aches sometimes and still limping when I walk too much..Now going to have additional physio. I am on my own and coped altjho was hard to start with and got 'hippies blues'..quite normal i am told.
Keep posting.
Ali 2
Thanks so much! It's been a real journey. Even before my operation as I didn't get much support because to look at me I was fine yet we all know the type of pain we have endured. Not that I ever wanted sympathy I was just surprised...I have to have patience now and didn't realize so many other things would be happening....pain in knee, grey skin blah blah it goes on. Have a great day and thanks again!
thanks so much! I know now my expectations were unrealistic. I had the minimal invasive posterior but he had a hard time with my leg length so I think my leg was moved alot through surgery....I know that can affect my recovery. My daughter and I cabbed to a cofe shop for the first time out last nite and I realized how dependant I really am. Couldn't even use the bathroom!! Oh well I am going to rest and listen to my body more. Thanks again!
Thank you so much! Reading everyones comments is truly helping...I did put a small lift in the slipper. My left knee was hurting so bad and that seemed to releive a little pressure....it can be so conflicting as for what to do....My physio told me yesterday to be walking more/ice/meds.....i used the cane all day and had a brutal night....I was quite fit going into this but realize its going to be slow and accept it Thanks again!
Yes i have enjoyed reading everyone's comments.....I was feeling soo down yesterday but realize what I am going through is quite normal. It
sure is comforting as it is scarey to think I am not doing good....Physio
said my hip is all good just my body has to catch up. Thanks again!!!!
Thanks so much!!! Will do....
Sorry Savy J..I got typing jitters and called you an unknown name in previous post...I have been reading all the posts to you..lovely isn't i?. We do seem to be a family even tho we are unlikley to ever meet.
i am sure we will be posting for weks to come..Thank goodness.
Alice ( Ali 2)
I posted a few weeks ago because I was feeling down and just wanted everyone's support. It's so nice to know there are others who understand. For me posting marked a turning point and now life is great!