I did it!!! I'm typing this from my hospital bed following a TRHR consisting of spinal and medium strength sedation. I was in recovery a little longer than expected due to low pulse, low BP and low Hb but one rather large mug of coffee later they started to normalise and I was allowed back on the ward with extra observations. I feel great, everything went according to plan so I'm told so once tonight is over I will begin tomorrow with my recovery.
I'm pleased it's all over and yet again there was no reason to be as apprehensive as I was. The staff here at The Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, which is also where I work, are exceptionally good, not just in ability and expertise but in real caring and compassion. It makes such a difference.
So I guess what I'm trying to say is to all of those people who are sitting and bricking it the way I was, take heed of all the people who tell you it's nowhere near as traumatic as your imagination might have you believe and you'll be so pleased you bit the bullet and did it.
Good luck to all the pre and post hippies on here. I love hearing all of your success stories and will try to offer the benefit of my experience, should it be called upon.
Hi Ali so pleased your op went well, I was just lying in bed dreading my op on September 19th , you have managed to calm my anxiety with your update, hope your physio goes wll.
Well done. Pleased all went well. I had mine at Hexham at the end of May. I get around really well now. Still have trouble getting on my honkers, getting my right sick on and getting up and down stairs. Saying that every day is getting better. Just been given the all clear to go on my hols next week but when I get back I get to find out when my next op is. Then start all over again. X will let you know when it is but going on holiday and going to have a lot of R&R. X
Brilliant post Ali, especially for all those impending hippies. You'll soon be joining us old hippies with tales of your recovery, the highs and lows. I wish you well. I'm 3.5 months post op and doing great and being careful not to over do it, easily done when you feel so well.lets us know how you do and take care Chris xx
Hi ali well done you ! My experience all sounds simular to yours and my hospital treatment including hydrotherapy was brill . Got to admit being home has been lot harder than I imagined even though I have worked in OT and am health professional . So as a fellow hippy just in her 2 nd week my advice is planning unless you r lucky enough to have a house full of oompah lumpahs waiting on you at home! . Had obviously re jigged kitchen to reach things etc but hadn't thought re clothes etc in drawers under bed very very diff . Obviously you will be discharged with your new best buddy the "grabber" we are joined at the hip !! Ha ha they are life savers . Enjoy your day and wash etc if you offered hydrotherapy def go for it that was superb experience . Take it slowly . I only discovered the site after meltdown down day and it's fab seeing other people's experience .
Hi phil I'm just into second week post TRH and trust me you will be fine . The hospital staff where I went (nhs patient private hospital ) were amazing ! It was like a hotel . Post op limitations are bit more diff and I admit it's harder than I thought but each day something changes . So calm down and one thing I can say my hip pain ....totally gone !
This is my 2nd THR, had the first one in February and if I had more hips, I would continue having them fixed lol.
The first few days are hard work, having to put all the pressure on the other leg and if your upper body strength isn't the best you might struggle a bit to move position but the staff are great, nothing is a bother for them and if you have pain they are onto it right away!
You will be fine, trust me. It's the best thing I ever did 😊
Thats what we are all here for, sharing experiences and I'm just so pleased I am able to share good ones (I had my left hip replaced in February) and it went swimmingly well.
Its great that this place is so reassuring. It was a tower of strength to me last time around and I asked lots of questions and treated with respect and compassion. You can't ask for more than that, can you?
I'm not sure my hubby could be described as an Oompa Loompa but he's very useful and has nearly 2 weeks off to help me when I go home.
I have everything still at home from op number 1 and they were all invaluable items. My hubby even stuck my grabber to my crutch with heavy duty double sided Velcro as I was forever dropping it or leaving it behind. This way, wherever I went it went and the strong adhesive kept it firmly on my crutch. That advice was gleaned off someone on this site and it was probably the best piece of advice I received.
No one has mentioned hydrotherapy to me but I might look into it, being a bit of a water baby myself.
Thanks again for your support. It's much appreciated.
I completely agree with you Ali, I found this sight in the middle of the night when I had a continued pain in my bum on my operated side and just wondered if it was "normal" I got responses that put my mind at rest it's always good to speak with like minded people and I enjoy my visits this this site. Chris x
thank you for posting ! ... i had R THR in March 2015 and seeing my surgeon this Friday because the Left one is sooooooooooo painful - now I am getting nervous that he won't consider me fit enough to get the other one done -
How were you doing prior this surgery?
I was also getting more anxious about having the second one done -
Well done and dont worry, there is a difficult week ahead, then it really starts to get better by the day, just keep up the excersises in bed, foot pumps and leg presses into the bed, and butt clenches, and you and feel the insides healing up.
A mob of little builders inside putting you back together again...
Well that worked for me,,,, But not so madcap as you might believe...
Wishing you well for Friday Renee It is easier second time around I promise you and WOW to be free from pain and walking properly is such a reward and a real Buzzz... Ian +++
What is making you think that he might not consider you fit enough to have the second hip done? Is this based on something you have been told or is it just a gut feeling? You have to remember that hip replacements are mostly given to older patients, many of whom have other health problems along the lines of diabetes, heart trouble, vascular problems etc and some of them are in quite poor health. Giving them a new hip though can increase their mobility which in turn makes them generally fitter and can increase their stamina, making circulation, heart and lung function better etc.
I can't imagine you being in such poor shape that you would be refused a new hip, bearing in mind that nowadays they mostly use spinal blocks and sedation, which is far safer than a general anaesthetic and is safe, even for those in the poorest of health.
I hope this has eased your concerns a little and you come out from your appointment with your consultant with a future date for your next op.
I too was very anxious and am now sat here, having only had the surgery done yesterday afternoon, and feeling great, after my first jaunt down the corridor. I could kick myself for being so scared, if I wouldn't fall over if I did lol, but I know that a bit of apprehension is perfectly normal.
Please keep us informed and if we can offer any further help or reassurance then we are more than happy to do that for you.
thank you Ali ... My American Ortho surgeon told me in the beginning that he would consider thr when I was in better shape ...meaning: fitter, stronger and losing excess weight ... I was not half as bad as I am now - stupid, of course, because I already had R THR last March and live in Holland now ...
some days I just seem to sort of stay in a dim tunnel