And to be honest though I have been waiting for it for so long I am now bricking it. I am 68 years old and have been going through a steady decline in hip function for the past 12 months, othopaedic consultant has been seen, consent form signed, so I guess the conveyor belt just moved me along another notch. I need the op, my hip is pretty well screwed and my walking disrances are now pretty short, I used to walk miles and can't wait to do it again. What awaits me from this point?
Hi Gromit
I'm still pre op so can't tell you the whole story just that you should get an op date no more than 12 weeks from your pre op so time to start planning and asking the good people on this forum. any questions you have
Hi Gromit
Have you got your op date yet? It shouldn't be too long after the pre-op. You need to prepare for the first few weeks once you get home. Do you have someone to help look after you?
Try to make sure you have everything you need nearby & a comfortable chair to sit in, not too low tho. It will be a while before you can bend down so make sure stuff in the kitchen is handy. You should be provided with raised toilet seat, grabber, long handled shoe horn etc by the hospital. It may be worth checking as you will need them.
i'm 66 & 12 weeks post op. I can't beleive how much difference it has made, it really has given me my life back. Hope you get yours back soon.
Depends where you are in the country how long you will wait after pre op. Let's hope it is within 6 weeks. I waited 4 weeks. Suggest you get organised. I live alone so cooked for freezer, shopped for suitable loose clothing and slip on shoes. Occupational therapy made an app fir a chat to see what aids were needed. Toilet raisers were delivered and fitted. I had some furniture the correct height. Last year I had a walk in shower installed in preparation. Got beauty things done , hair cut and toenails cut. Practised on line grocery shopping. You may have someone to help with your day to day things. Hairdryer great for drying lower legs and feet as bending will not be allowed. Ask if you need any more advice. We all have different needs
Hope you get a date soon
Ann
I am 68 too and had my op 30th Jan went for my pre assessment on the Monday and had op on the Friday no time to worry about it! All went well and am walking no pain its well worth getting it done Hope you don't have to wait too long Ruth
Thanks all for your replies and helpful suggestions, quite a mixed bag of post assessment waiting times though I am not expecting it to be too long, it was marked urgent and estimated to be done within two months, next Thursday will be just under a month from my consultant apointment. Ruthannfox they surely didn't give you time to worry did they! My daughter Ruth had her hip done about three months ago and she is really on a roll but then again she is only forty years old, I'm still pretty fit and in the green weight band, non smoker and all that stuff so I should be ok.
ooooo I can't tell you what happens after, but how I envy you that you have your pre assesssment appointment . I am still waiting for mine and would love the surgery to be tomorrow.... never mind good luck to you love, and hopefully mine will come sooner rather than later. x
Yes Gillcat I must say I am well pleased, there is at last light at the end of a long tunnel, scary light that it is, Your assessment will come one bright day I am sure.
When I got my pre-op assessment appointment, they also sent me an appointment for the op which was 2 weeks later. Its all according to what part of the UK you live, they all seem to have different practices. All the hospitals will provide you with raised toilet seats, but not all provide you with sock aids and grabbers. I would make enquiries about these and any other aids you may require. We have a shop in our town which has all sorts of aids in it, donated by hospitals that don't want them back and he sells them very cheaply, so I got a lot of my aids from there but the Red Cross are also a source of information.
Thanks for info barbara, I think with experience with my father in law who lived with us before he passed away the provision of aids here in our part of Yorkshire is pretty good so I remain hopeful on that, plus I have a beautiful asistant for such matters as socks and trainers and things and good neighbours on the lifting and shifting side of things like bins and such. The operation itself I am expecting to come fairly soon after the asesment as they are generally quick at our local hospitals once you get through either the A&E or referral point of entry. Perhaps I am being optimistic. I think my main problem post op is that I am not a very good sitter, much to prone to being out and about and doing things, but I think there is one of my favourite war games due to start towards the end of May, so I may have something to do that keeps me sat!