I saw the surgeon on Friday and have now been placed on the waiting list. Are there any tips from you good people out there, anything about pre op, in patient and post op? I'm rather nervous but then I expect most people are. No idea how long the list is, the doctor thought six months, so I have plenty of time to get more nervous !!
Suggest you read through the threads. They cover huge number of specifics. You'll learn a lot.
I hope you have more luck than I did, I waited 2yrs before my operation
Hi Madeleine
It's a bit of a shock when it's all confirmed that you need THR isn't it. There's a lot of information to get your head around, all I can say is most of the people on this forum are really helpful & lovely. The best thing to do is just post a question when one pops up and most people here will help you.
HI MADELEINE.... ITS NATURAL TO BE NERVOUS, I HAVE WAITED 13WEEKS FOR MY DATE, AND THAT DATE IS NEARLY HERE! NEXT TUESDAY!!! I THOUGHT I WOULD BE NERVOUS WHEN THE TIME APPROACHED BUT I FEEL QUITE CALM. I SAW THE SURGEON LAST THURSDAY ( TO SIGN THE CONSENT FORM) BUT HE PUT MY MIND AT EASE, AND I FEEL BETTER FOR SEEING. HIM. JUST POP A QUESTION ON THIS FORUM ABOUT ANYTHING, AND YOURE MORE THAN LIKELY TO GET A RESPONSE. I HAVE FOUND THIS FORUM REALLY HELPFUL MY BEST ADVICE IS TO STAY CALM AND POSITIVE, AS IT REALLY
CAN BE EASY TO GET DEPRESSED AND DWELL ON THINGS. ITS A ROLLER COASTER RIDE OF EMOTIONS, BUT IT DOES, AND IT WILL GET BETTER. I HOPE YOU DONT HAVE TO WAIT TO LONG FOR A DATE, AND JUST REMIND YOURSELF THAT THIS HORRIBLE PAIN, THAT WE FEEL WILL BE GONE, AND LIFE WILL RESUME!! TAKE CARE. X
SUE (61)
that was a long wait.... have you finally had it done? where do you live Paul? i waited 13 weeks and my date is next Tuesday.
I would suggest you read the Hit a Mile Stone post by am6ft8. We all recover differently from this operation but it's a great inspiring post
Hi
Like Elaine says read through all the threads to do with this....a lot of onformation there.
Basically. Make sure the occupational therapists has everything you need for post op in place.
You wnt be able to bend for a while so everything you need is to be kept at a level where you dont need to bend {even a little} or stretch}
Prepare food before you go in....eg cook and freeze or buy in frozen food. All things to mke life easier afterwards.
A dry shampoo because you wont be able to bend to wash your hair.....a few extra hair appointments if possible.
I found a shampoo onlone that is liquid and you sit and {in my case} hubby squeezed some on my head, lathered it, and then towel dried it.....no rinsing I did not think it would work but it did. Your hair isnt as dry as when using a dry shampoo. So I made a few extra hair appts with the cheapest hairstylist there was in the shop LOL, used the dry shampoo and the no rinse shamppo and managed to cope with those.
There must be lots of other things ....just shout if you think of anything
Love
Eileen UK
Hi Madeleine I would say that you start to do the bed excersises, getting familliar with them and getting used to doing them will help as you will be in bed the first three days in hospital, and you have plenty of hours to kill tha the internal butt squeezing and pumping of the feet, and toes up pushing down into the bed to help recovery and they make you tired too if you have any trouble sleeping, I had just a little trouble sleeping an odd hour here or there but some folks really battle to sleep. Dont worry if you have an Epidural, ask to be put to sleep and off you go, you dont even remember lieing down.
Best of luck and there are regular posters here at all times of the day or night.
Kind regards Ian.
Hi Ian
I wasnt in bed for 3 days Went in, had op on Fri afternoon, Tried to get me up that evening but a bit too soon. Sat they had me up for quite a long time
Sun once I was up that was it....up all day
Discharged on Monday morning
Shows how different areas can be
Love
Eileen UK
Hey Madeleine,
Good question - all i can add is that at 3.5 months post op I've been told several times the more gentle exercise you can do pre op, eg, walks round the park, tai chi, etc, the easier and smoother the post o precovery is. Has worked for me.
good luck!
Mic
x
____________
Hi Madeline, welcome to the Forum which I know you will find very useful if a little confusing at times. Like you I am waiting for my op which I estimate will be in Late Sept early Oct. I've read everything I can on the subject and talked to many people who have had THR. Everyone has a different tale to tell. As far as waiting times and pre and post op treatment are concerned it all depends on where you live I think. This Forum is read by folks all over the world and many have very different experiences. Take what you can from all this information, don't be scared, get yourself and your home prepared and everything will be ok in the end. Hold that thought. Good luck and when you feel low try to imagine a life without pain and all the things you will be able to do when you are well. God bless.
Hi Madeleine - So you are put on the waiting list and it might take 6 months before you get the date ... that is, in my book, quite a long time - will be around Xmas holidays or maybe before that - before you get overwhelmed, I would suggest to ask questions as they come up .... to read all the posts might not make sense to you now - Are you in a lot of pain right now? taking pain meds? I was in a very bad shape physically and perhaps you can stay as fit as possible - I also added a serieus amount of extra pounds - so if possible try to lose or at least not gain too much ... Are you still working? keep in touch and by all means, ask --
take care and have a good night - big hug
Hello to you all - what lovely people you are trying to put my mind at rest. I will indeed do as you all tell me, and read all the info I can. If I have any more queries, I know that this site is the place to start !
Thanks again
Madeleine.