Well I am just over 5 days out after having right hip replacement, I feel so run down its knocked me for six!
I feel like I have had a really bad sickness bug that I am recovering from and I am so uncomfortable, leg is stiff , although I have movement and I am doing my exercises 4 times a day and walking around the house every 1 and a half so I don't stiffen up.
I still haven't been able to get in to the shower, just don't have the confidence so have washes in the sink using a chair to sit on as I can't stand un aided for that long, leg around the wound ( which is about ten inches long) is swollen and the back of my thigh is too, feels very right and bruised.
I feel that maybe I am not doing enough and I should be more mobile? I don't know if I am putting too much pressure on myself?
Just feeling a bit fed up as I can't get comfortable, Dr told me to elevate legs at all times don't let them dangle so if I am I the chair my legs are up on the door stool so they are level with my hip like I am laid in bed , if Iam not in the chair I am laid on the bed, but never comfortable just get chewed with myself 😔
Sorry to rant and moan just feeling frustrated
Oh Rachael .... one of those days huh .... You just had major surgery and it is a very emotional experience ... not much is mentioned about this aspect - I too was and still am emotional (less now though after 9 weeks) - Be very gentle with your self and go with the flow .... Don't beat your self up - This forum has helped me so much - just take it easy, listen to your body - it will take time - if you are up to it, watch the surgery on you tube ... after I saw it I had so much more respect for my body it made me cry .... I did not realize how major this surgery is, based on stories - you know, the ones where people jump and hoola-hoop within no time ... you are doing good ... warm hug
Hi Rachal, I can so relate to your post and have always wanted to do more! I think I underestimated what a major operation this is and how much it would make me feel unwell in the early days. For the first 2 weeks I was exhausted. it is very early days and slow and steady is the right approach - if you do too much you will know it!
i am into week 5 now and doing much more but still trying to do even more! be gentle on yourself xx
Hi Rachael yes you are putting too much pressure on yourself is the short answer.
You've just had a major op and the body needs time to get over that. The first week is the worst and gradually you will begin to feel better, just rest and get up every hour for a walk and try to do your exercises and you will improve but it is very early days still for you. Usually 5-6 weeks is a big turning point when you suddenly feel you can do things though I think its a dangerous time cos your body isn't necessarily ready to do them lol ! Try and find things to do to take your mind of it like films, TV, read etc. I'm 16 weeks and still get tired though I can do most things. Patience is key and listen to what your body us telling you, rest when you need to rest. Oh I nearly forgot the blues stage, you will have days when you just cry and feel awful for no apparent reason, its all part of it. We've all been there so this forum can help to keep you busy. I hope you feel more positive soon, take care.
Sadly emotions do run high and we are not prepared for this. I do not know your personal circumstances but I was not allowed to shower till after stitches were out on day 14. This was to ensure wound kept dry and reduce risk of infection. All paid of. Was advised to walk around every 15 minutes for about a minute. Again the was individual to me and may not be right for you. Reread your discharge advice.
Did you have a general? This can make you feel as you describe. One of the reason I chose a spinal
Hi Rachael
I am today 5 weeks post op and I promise it does get better. Try foot pumps to help with the stiff ness and do them while you are layed in or on the bed. Aim to do them for 5 mins 10 tomes per day. It does help
If you still have stiches / staples in your leg you should not be having a shower any way. I promise it was the same for me as you are going through now back then. I still get tired I still have my down days but they do get less frequent and the tirdness does get less.
As for getting comfotable in bed. I find V pillows very handy for this. I have one normal pillow and 2 V pillows and they support you very well when you can't lay flat.
I hope you have better days soon. They will come but it does take time. These things just can not be rushed. Try not to do too much in the first few weeks just take your time and heal. 
Hi Rachael. It gets better. I am having the clips removed today.....to me, a bigger worry than the op itself. I am a terrible wimp, but still remember the trauma of 20 odd years ago when it took two sessions to get the massive staples out of the back of my leg after surgery.
each day you will feel stronger. Make sure you eat well to help your body heal. Do everything they tell you, and rest when you can. I have managed to shower, but only with Eric there, handing me everything as I need it. However, I can only do it, because I have a seat and make sure I am safe from slipping. I do not think it would be safe, standing.
chin up, I am sure this time next week, you will be feeling stronger and more able to cope.
Hi Rachael
You really are being too hard on yourself. You're body has suffered a major trauma & recovery is quite slow and painful. It will get better but it's very early days for you yet.
Listen to your body, if you need to rest just put your feet up, watch TV, read a book, whatever you feel like doing. Exercise when you can. You will have good days and bad but it will be so worth it in the end.
I am allowed a shower I have a water proof dressing on and dissolvable sutures , I do foot pumps , you are right it does help 😊 thank you for the kind words and advice
Moan all you like rachael. A trouble shaed etc..... I can't help yet as I haven't had my op but I can give you a big ((((hug)))) xx
Gosh it all sounds so familiar and there is light at the end of the tunnel! I'm 7 wks now and was exactly the same as you, didn't feel I was progressing but now I look back and realise I was doing just fine. I totally underestimated how much physically and emotionally it was going to be. Had a long chat with surgeon and he agreed most people to although it's routine surgery it is still major surgery. Now my wound is fine occasionally gets itchy or feels like something is jabbing into it but my thigh is still tender and slightly swollen. If I do lots of walking by night time my knee feels so tight. You are doing great and be kinder on yourself. Everyone progresses at different rates and I felt I would stick and not be moving forward then I wound make a leap forward and tootle along for a bit and so on. This forum helps so much to realise you're not on your own and everybody is different. Keep smiling and you'll get there
Tracy x
Hi Rachael stop beating yourself up you have done fantastic. It is only day 5 some people cannot do anything at all but hoble about. I reccommend rest, elevate your leg and if you can ice your thigh (you must wrap any ice in a cloth so you dont get frost bite) I had rthr on 19th April this year and found all these together took the swelling down quite quickly and what a relief. Try ankle pumps you will feel a gentle stretch up your whole leg, but it does not hurt.
Getting comfortable is a horror for all of us, I get horizontal and my brain says "you would be comfy on your side" but I can't sleep on my side yet!
Most importantly rest, if you can nod off on the afternoon do so. Any sleep is so greatefully received. Just remember how well you are doing, keep your pain meds up to date, don't suffer pain either.
You are getting lots of healing thoughts and best wishes take care Rachael regards M
Hi Rachael, f you are doing exercises 4 times a day and walking round the house often you are doing really well. You are only 5 days post op. If I could have done that when I was 5 days I would be really pleased.
It's a very invasive op and swelling and bruising is common. I still have some swellling around the wound after 3 weeks.
Your leg will our body will tell you when it's ready to do things.
Don't feel frustrated as I think you are doing well.
at this point you need to mobilise enough to get things moving and avoid stiffening up but you cant expect much more than that. your body has been through a massive trauma and is trying to heal that plus learning how to use those leg muscles properly again. At day 5 i was still spending much of my day lying on the bed as it was the only way to get comfortable. im on day 13 now and am only just getting going and at cost pain wise. I just keep taking the pills and resting when i need to. its all i can do and berating myself for not doing things wont help.
Hi. Could someone please explain to me what foot and/or foot/ankle pumps are?
hi edarling ... foot/ankle pumps are done as follows: move your feet back and forth with toes pointed ... you can do them while laying down or sitting (stretch your legs) -
Thanks for that. Am doing them already but wasn't aware of the term for them.
Snap! I had my op last Thursday and I'm feeling rubbish today. Came home on Sunday afternoon and it was then I realised how limited I was. You just can't carry stuff with crutches, can you? I think my family expected me to take over again, so that was difficult. Did far more walking around yesterday than I had done in hospital, and even though I had an afternoon sleep, my operated leg has swollen today and I feel like I've really been through the mill. I know that GAs can take their toll - I've had a SuperPath Approach total hip replacement, which is supposed to lead to a quicker recovery rate. I got my Consultant's appt for next Thurs and I'm just hoping I make some improvement before then. Decided to just go with the flow today, I'm going to watch some TV on catch-up that I missed whilst I was in hospital and make sure I'm bang on time with my pain killers. Just know I'm there with you, Rachel.x
Big hugs! I had epidural but my blood pressure kept going low and I was having dizzy spells and sickness, it takes it out of you. Take care of yourself x