Oh dear Anne --- listen, this is really a major thing to overcome - to make the decision and admi that you need the surgery ... get the date first and then get ready - as you already know, we are here to support you all the way ...
Be proud of your self okay ....
Renee, when I got home yesterday I told my husband that I was scheduling the surgery. Then I went to the bedroom and cried my eyes out! Believe it or not, that helped.
I had a spinal. The only thing I remember is doc saying this may pinch and then I woke up in recovery. Hydromorphone on iv for about 36 hours. I had stopped it myself. Felt no need besides tylenol. While it's not easy it's not as difficult as your dread. I actually slept on my good side with a pillow between my legs to prevent crossover. Admit sleep wasn't great for quite a while but I wasn't going anywhere. Did exercises daily. Husband supervised showers. Walked with walker first week. By second week was on crutch. By week 6 cane and then no cane shortly thereafter. I did not rush my recovery. Absolutely no regrets
Anne
I'm sure you will find it was the right decision. Bedside manner is nice but talent in the theatre is more important.
People do say anterior approach has a quicker recovery but even posterior has a fairly rapid recovery.
When I had my two ops I had a spinal and a bit of anaesthetic. I think that's what most surgeons seem to do. You recover quicker that from a general.
I've no ideas about closing. I've always had stitches.I just did a google search and it seems glue is most likely to break open but leaves the smallest scar and staples are more likely to become infected. But I imagine neither of those negative outcomes is very common.
As with most things it's best to take the surgeon's advice.
Relax and don't worry. You'l wake up and the aching pain will have gone.
Mike
Anne, my stiches are interior, they dissolve on their own. The exterior is glued and that has healed nicely. At 5 weeks my scar is still slightly pink and swollen, the PA says that is because Of the dissolving stiches and will go away in the next two weeks. Glue is pretty much gone and I can see that I will have minimal scaring. It is starting to look like a very very thin white line. I would choose the glue.
Stacey, I think the glue is a good idea, too.
Mike,
Thank you for the encouragement. So you have had both hips done?
And do you remember the pinch? How long before the spinal wears off and you can feel your legs again?