I am due a hip replacement as my arthritis is painful .I am having the right hip done first as that one is the worst .I am in constant pain and can't wait but at the same time I am scared stiff about the operation.... Does anyone have any comforting words or advice please would be very grateful as am very anxious about surgery :-( x
Hi Vanessa, welcome to this lovely site. Ask any questions and we will all try to answer themfrom our own experiences. As for comforting words, I can offer no more than to tell you it's the best thing I did 6 months ago after numerous years of pain and loads of pain-killers. To be rid of that horrible pain is wonderful. It's hard for a few weeks afterwards and plenty of ups and downs but they are all worth it and part of the road to recovery and a brand new life. Go for it girl !!! Love and best wishes Gillxxx
Hi Vanessa
Welcome to the forum
I have had my left hip done and will be going for the right hip in December. even though I have had the first hip done I am still scared so you are not the only one
I hate hospitals and have a really bad needle phobia from previous experiences as a child. But things are much better now and they are not allowed to do anything if you don't want them too..
Hip replacement is the best thing to happen, Yes you will still get a little pain at the start but it is a diffewrent pain a pain you can cope with with less pain killers and you have to be careful. But if you really want your life back and yuou don't want that constant nagging pain that just wont go away we have to go through it.
You wont regret it. It is hard at first with good days and bad. you will feel tired. Just sleep when you need to it is the best to heal and do everything you have been asked to and you will be fine. Come summer you will beging to forget you had an operation. I just hope your other hip doesn't give out on you before they can get you in for that one like mine did.
Just keep thinking positive anything that worries you when you go in just talk to your surgeon or the nurses. They will explain any worries you may have.
Hello Vanessa
I had a Right Total Hip Replacement 2 weeks ago, I had a spinal block, plus sedation for the operation. I felt, heard, saw nothing. Numb from the waist down for 6-8 hours after the op, so no pain whatsoever for the first 8 hours. After that they give you pain killers every 4 hours to keep on top of the pain.
First 2/3 nights are difficult, after that much better and certainly bearable. They get you up to do some physio and to go to the loo and wash.
I stayed 5 nights in hospital and then home. Each day I do the exercises that they gave me at the hospital 4 times a day. I'm now walking around with just one crutch and I cannot believe how easy it's been and how good I feel.
Like you I was petrified! The fear of the operation is much much worse than the recovery. I think I've been so happy since I've had it done because it's now behind me....such a relief.
Veronica
Hi Vanessa,
Welcome, my very first recommendation to you is to use this forum to connect with your fellow hippies. Everyone's experience is different and everyone progresses at a different rate. Having said that, you will feel a sense of comfort being able to reach out to people who have had many of the same experiences. People on this forum are happy answer questions, make helpful suggestions or just lend an ear. The first week or two are rough but manageable with pain medications. Prepare you home. Have a supportive, firm but comfortable chair to sit on. Get a raised toilet seat for the first week or two. I'm makes life a lot easier. A grabber and a device to help lift your leg in and out of bed also come in handy. Propping pillows under your legs while in bed helps. Also, use your ice pack, A Friend of mine said every day gets a little better. I would say a day or two better then maybe a day the same or back. You will feel better if you measure your progress week to week rather than day to day.
Good luck! Let us know how you are doing. 🌻
Vanessa, welcome to the best advice centre in the world. No one was more scare than me but withe help and encouragement from this wonderful family last friday succumbed to to the op. Ok normal after op feelings but came home on monday feeling excited/scared i can actually put two feet on the floor when i walk havent done that in so long. Do what you are told, take every pill they give you and breath, you may not see the outcome i never could but when it comes such a wonderful surprise. Good luck this family will get you up to it, thru it and out the other side. Xx
I had my first hip replacement when I was 33- I was terrified. And it was kinda brutal. I had my second hip done in September and the surgery and recovery has been much easier - no problems at all. The doctors and nurses were so great and talked me through everything. People here are all so supportive as well- just relax and breathe.. You will be fine!
Vanessa,
Like you I was concerned going in to hospital - I have seen so many bad experiences. But this is different, this is elective surgery not emergency treatment.
As Veronica says, the first night is the worst, they keep checking your blood pressure and adminstering painkillers, but it's all for your safety and comfort.
Epidural was great - absolutely pain free from thewaist down. I was able to chose the amount if sedation that I had with it, so I went for none - I was able to hear the surgeon giving a running commentary on what he was doing.
Just do whatever the physios tell you to do, they are experienced in getting you up and mobile (goal for day one was to get out of bed into a chair), and to getting your hip stable again.
The two things that can complicate matters post operatively are DVT - I have blood thinner pills and DVT stockings for 6 weeks - and hip dislocation which is why you cannot bend over 90 degrees or cross your legs etc.
I am now 3 weeks post-op, and enjoying 1 to 2 mile pain free walks daily.
It's the best thing I ever did.
Any questions, no matter how silly they seem, just ask, someone here will have been there before you and can set your mind at rest.
Best wishes
Graham
Hi rocketman thanks for your reply x did you feel OK as you were laying there did it not panic youx was there someone talking to you? How long did the operation take? Sorry so many questions but I must be the most nervous patient ever lol I'm 48 but desperately need it done as quality ofife is rubbish at the mo !!! May I ask how old you are please x thank you
Hi sue well done :-) great news its going OK for you xim 48 may I ask how old you are please.did you get knocked right out think that's what I'm petrified about lol I've heard of epidural but that scares me as well I'm just such a nervous patient but can't wait to be pain free its getting me down :-( x how long did op take? X take care thank you
As a fellow hippie one of the most useful items you can have, probably have to make it up yourself, ask the hospital if they supply, as you don't need two. Its a piece of broom handle about 18 inches long, with a cup hook screwed in the end. and a cord on the other end for hanging up on wrist when needed, or over your crutches. Pants pull-er-upper is one of the first uses for it in the hospital, as you cannot reach down enough to get your undies on without help, you get really good using it after a few times practice, and then find another dozen uses for it. breaking the 90 degree rule, gives you so much extra independence. I was lucky the hospital here makes them up for hippies, in the carpentry workshop.
Vanessa,
No problem - ask away.
I felt fine, I'm a 63 year old engineer by trade, and my father was a butcher (I used to help him cutting up meat etc). The anethetist was great, put me at ease with his jokes. He was with me throughout chatting to me.
Op only lasted less than an hour - a real quickie. Must have been very straightforward, maybe that is why I had so little post-op pain.
I could hear (but not see) the surgeon throughout, he gave a running commentaryto someone I could not see who must have been observing.
At one point I was wondering what was happening, then there was a 'plop', and he said "that's dislocated now", and my thought was 'oh, he has started then' - I couldn't feel a thing. I know it's not for everyone, But I wanted to hear what was going on. I had the choice of just how much sedation to have - from none (me), to 'totally out of it'.
Just come back from a 1.5 mile walk which took me 50 minutes.
Life is good now - all positive.
Best wishes
Graham
Yes, I would never have believed getting dressed was so hard. I used my sticks reversed for dressing - they have L shaped handles, just slip them under the offending garment and hoist up.
Graham
Less than an hour wow brilliant x were you at all nervous before lol I am a nervous wreck just the thought of the operation I'm a real svaredy cat not of pain I have a pretty high pain threshold as I think everyone has who has arthritis to be honest . just want it to be over and done with but don't think its til end of Jan so the more I wait the more nervous I get lol glad your doing well :-)
Hi ginger were you put out completely or did you have epidural I really don't know what to have just know I'm nervous as anything lol xglad your doing OK x
Nervous, yes, but I just had to put my faith in the professionalism of my medical team and my God (not that I'm particularly religious).
Hospitals are not usually good places to be, but this is different, it's elective surgery, you are going in to be made better, not as an emergency.
Yes, there are risks, but the team doesn't want to fail, so they will be doing everything to keep you safe. After the Op, it's up to you to keep to the rules (90 degrees, sleep on back, don't cross legs, take pills regularly, don't fall) to protect the work that they have done for you.
Best wishes
Graham
Vanessa - I have had two hips done, with the pain you are in in just gets to the point lets get it over and done with. The pain starts to overide the fears. I was lucky I had an uncle who told me being brave and waiting was just stupid, as thats what he did, and he said it was the worst mistake he ever made in his life. He was an amazing example of just how good hips replacements can be. Have you never had surgery, in that case I can sympathise with you, fear of the unknown. The Staff at the hospitals are really special, they do look after you, before and after surgery. The first few days are a challenge, but in my case I was able to say to the nurses that I was in less pain the day after surgery, than I was the day before when I had walked in the front door pre-surgery. They laughed at me, and said not when the physio's come to get you up, they were right, that hurts, but they do give you painkillers to help.
Ty hailea yes my left hip is bad as well and know I will be having that done as well sometime in the future x can I ask were you put completely out or did you have epidural ? Did you feel really rough after op ? Think that's what I'm worried about as well xx
Hi Vanessa,
Great that you found us and as you can see, so many beautiful responses and tips already given ..
I had two THR surgeries and both times requested General Anesthesia - I did not want to hear or smell anything - not even a little pull, nothing .. I took a deep breath, next I opened my eyes and was done ... Surgery usually takes about 2 hours ... I had no side effects, just woozy - no catheter or numbness in leg - pain controlled with medication ...
Do you already have a date for your surgery?
Come back any time when you have questions or concerns -
big warm hug
renee
Vanessa believe me i was shaking so much friday morning i am 58 had my op done in royal free, i didnt want anything other than a general , so the anethatist didnt bother. He was brilliant even gave me a teddy bear plaster to keep me company in theatre next thing i knew i was in recovery didnt seem like 3 hours. Took longer as my hip as fused and displaced. Like me you will look back at all the worry and think why. From one who was in your shoes last week, believe me the cure is so much easier to handle. Xx