I have an appointment with my surgeon this afternoon, hopefully to be signed off to get back to work.....
I have been a little bit naughty tho, without really realising, until I was just thinking about how the conversation may go this afternoon!
I took those silly stockings off last week,
I have missed the last 2 injections,
I have been sleeping on non operated side for about 3 weeks
Sleeping on operated side for 2/3 nights
And yesterday I drove my car!
I haven't don't any physio since the first few days when it hurt - a lot!!!!
On the plus side, I am walking around 2 miles a day, and I've been doing housework - including vacuuming - since maybe the 2nd week...... hope that's enough to stop him telling me off 😂
Billiemaw - I would guess your surgeon is going to delighted with you. I can see you smiling and happy, and feeling better than ever, weeellll maybe not ever, but certianly better than the recent past. Congrats Lyn
I am very very happy. I had been walking with crutches for a year or two before the op, so to be able to, not exactly run around, but not far from, is amazing!
The only blot on the landscape, but one which I am trying to ignore for the time being, is that terrible nagging pain in my other hip
I am just going to enjoy this one tho for as long as possible.....also give my surgeon time to forget that I was a naughty one before asking him to do my other hip 😂
No, you have to phone your insurance company once you have the ok from the surgeon so they have it on record. In the event of an accident they would require your medical records and these would show the op. If you were less than 8 weeks and driving they would question it AND in my case it was over 3 months due to broken femur
Oh I'm confused and worried about the driving thing now. I was under the impression it was a recommendation not a rule. Everyone gets different timescales so if they're told they can drive after 4 weeks, but don't see doc until 6 weeks do they have to get a letter or something from him in advance?
Are you in the uk? I've never had to do that previously with operations I've had.....
So when I get back from seeing him later on I have to ring my insurance and tell them I'm cleared to drive, even though they're not aware I wasn't able to drive in the first place?
How do they know I'm telling the truth, I could just be saying it........
I think I will give them a quick ring now and see what they say, put my mind at rest
You are right !!! it is recommended but nit a rule - I found out myself when my follow up appointment was changed again (tomorrow now and almost 9 weeks post-op) .. I called the secretary and explained the driving situation to her -
She told me that the surgeon will not sign me off re: driving - He will not be held responsible in case , you know, I bumped into something .... he can be sued, so to spreak -
We , as the patients , are responsible - if you are confident and can do the emergency stop etc., you are fine ...
just know your limitations ....
of course it is good to know that all is well with the hardware , but if it weren't than you wouldn't have been able to drive, me thinks ...
I'm sorry renee, I didn't see your reply earlier, must have just scrolled past. I've seen my surgeon, he's cleared me to do whatever I want to do......swimming, gym, back to work, jogging, horse riding Hahahaha whatever I feel capable of 👍🏼 Happy bubble is back 😂
The only downer was that the other hip is on its way out, but we've agreed a visit in 3 months to discuss further, I told him I just want to enjoy my new lease of life before having the other one done, but I don't want to leave it as long as I did this one,
I asked about the driving thing and he said it is a recommendation, each surgeon gives a different estimation of how long it will take but ultimately its down to the individual. As long as you can do an emergency stop.
It did feel a little like passing an exam, you reminded me when you said about the X-ray, I have got one leg slightly longer than the other now, but I don't care. I'm walking very easily and I can feel it is longer so it wasn't a surprise, but I just pick it up a little higher in the forward movement and it doesn't bother me.....it's easier than hobbling on crutches and being in pain! Anyway, I asked him to match them up when he does the other one 😂
Good luck for tomoro renee, I'm sure you'll be fine. Let us know 😃👍🏼
Hi byteme, whilst you should notify your Insurance co , your surgeon is not allowed by the royal college of surgeons to "clear you" as that could make the nhs liable if a judge ruled the surgeon was wrong and you weren't ready. In fact the company can't access your medical records without you consent.... you have to apply to your doctor for access for them and you get to see what would be disclosed and can block it if you want. Access is normally asked for prior to issuance of a policy, which can be refused if you won't allow access.
I think there may be a lot of untested legality in the whole thing, but basically you must be confident of being fit to drive and agreeing with your surgeon that you probably are is a good indicator of your being ready.