Life after hippy ops - living or just being safe?

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Dear All,

I love this forum, and at 4 months post op on second hip, at 71 yo, I've no plans to leave as yet....besides a want a sixth star contributor badge too-  like Dawn!

So I'm going to be controversial (again?)

Olive's surgeon friend said "Walking more than a mile a day is not recommended for the first 6 months"

I had my op cos of pain and restricted mobility. my wife said I stopped for a rest SEVEN times walking home across the park. YUK. And of course I am careful, no bungie jumps as recommended, getting rest, careful relearning to squat, etc, AND:

I've hopefully about 15 years of LIFE left. I want to use that time well, not sitting at home just  in case things go go.

Walked 3.3 miles yesterday, about to do Abs and Ads etc  in gym now, something I could't for past two years. Plan to start GENTLE jogging next month. Enjoy breast stroke in open air pool. Plan bird watching next weekend in Somerset on the Levels, looking for Bittern, Hobby and Great White Egret, a 5 mile walk. Plan to go south Africa again next year and see my Aunt, see black Rhino, and to go to Quaker Meeting up Table Mountain.

Yes, something may go wrong, but I had the op to live and love better, and thanks to a fab surgeon, I shall go gentle but purposely walking thru this awesome world.

Mic

x

 

2

Sounds pretty good to me Mic!  Good on yer lad, that's the spirit.  Live your life to the full. When, not if, I am restored to full mobility without pain I plan another visit to Disney World!  We intended to visit Nepal later in the year, that was the plan before we both suffered our own earthquakes, luckily mine  will be repaired by my surgeon.  All the best to you.

3

Thanks for that mic I have my op on Friday for TLHR and plan a careful steady return to my life as it was up to 18 months ago, ok I don't plan anything stupid but I do plan in the long term gettig back to walking miles with the dogs at low tide, and getting my faithful mountain bike out of the shed, swimming yes but gym, not sure yet. You are an encouragement, thank you.

4

Totally agree, whilst not being stupid the idea is to get your life pain free and normal for you again. Living in a small town it is bliss to be able now to walk to the shops and not have to drive because of pain. Similarly, a five minute walk to Tchi chi turned into a drive so that I could actually do the class. My life IS coming back. Started to remove some of the aids and equipment, doing more jobs around the house, even looking forward to going back to work. Out in the evenings again, needing to consult dairy before adding more events. Can think of a day out without calculating distance from car/coach/train to place visited and the amount of walking involved. I am getting back to being me, much to husband's relief as we can now plan to do more together. I know walking is good for anyone, fully intend to do a bit more, but apart from that I am happy that I can now do what I wish without taking into account THE HIP

5

Forgot to mention, op was April 10

6

Mic,

thank you for your post!

I had read Olive's surgeon friend's comments on hip operations as well and was severely torn whether or not to reply to that. Recent posts have proven to generate quite some turmoil as to what is good and what isn't. 

Not walking more than a mile a day for 6 months? 

I'm 43, I've gone from healthy, climbing pyramids and riding quad bikes in the Egyptian desert less than a year ago, to limping in autumn and being plain cripple come Christmas, having to resort to taking the car just about anywhere over half a mile. Deterioration went so quick, I cried not being able to come with to my own daughter's birthday outing to an amusement park! A 43 year old, 6ft8 man sat on the couch crying like a baby after they left. I was miserable as all hell.

Yes, I know full well what was done to me. I have seen the YouTube video, I have talked to my surgeon, PT and GP. They all said the same thing. 

Live your life to the fullest, be careful and listen to your body, but don't be afraid to use the hip. You got it because the other one was busted, this one is meant to be used. And indeed, certain things are a no-go area now, like bungee jumping! But anything that constitutes normal life for someone my age, is something I should do. And if I get tired, take a step back and rest up. And if muscles, scar and such act up, take a step back and rest up. Then following that, build up more.

In three weeks wer'e going to Bali. I'll be damned if I'm going to sit around and worry about every little thing I do. I'm there to see sites, swim the ocean, ride an elephant, have fun. Too many things to do and I'm not missing out like I did my daughter's birthday.

In short, summing it all up and quoting you Mic:

"Yes, something may go wrong, but I had the op to live and love better, and thanks to a fab surgeon, I shall go gentle but purposely walking thru this awesome world."

And once the other hip is done as well, I'll be walking about even more than I am now.

Here's to living life to the fullest Mic!

 

7

Hi Mic,

You and I are about the same timeframe I think and I couldn't agree more with the above. Do everything but with a healthy dose of caution is my motto. I'm 54 and I've got my life back - albeit slowly with a few setbacks along the way. I'm never going to walk much more than a couple of miles I don't suppose (I didn't before u hip problem) but if I want to I can. I'm back at the gym, doing Pilates with a physio. I feel ten years younger. 

I have noticed though that those advising extreme caution may have had more than their fair share of problems post op and maybe that is why they feel as they do. I confess I was over cautious to start with but I overcame it  I was told from the off that the more I walked, the more stairs I climbed etc the better it would be in the long run and I think in my case this was true. 

Pits a long " journey" and I'm only four months in onward and upward eh.

catrin

8

Hi

Nice reply......might caution against the elephant astride...but should be fine on a seat.

Quad bike in desert sounds awesome and I might add that to things to do in Namibia en route to SA.

Mic

9

Surely there are no set rules for our recovery.

If you were previously fit and in your 40s, you are going to 'get going' with life faster than if you're an unfit pensioner. Or if you are a fit pensioner, you'll be able to do more than someone younger who isn't as fit.

Also, if you have other health problems going on, then you have to tailor your recovery accordingly. For instance, I have M.E., which means that if I overdo the walking, I suffer. So I intend to do as much walking and exercising as I can without causing my other problems to flare up.

We are not all the same, thankfully, so we will all recover our fitness levels and recovery at different times.

10

I know Mic, I've resigned to the fact that I will be on the seat and not behind the heas, but that's small sacrifice as far as I'm concerned 😊

Quad riding IS awesome. If and when you do, try to get the late rides where you get to view the sunset, then go back in the dark. It's quite something!!

11

Hi Anna

Viva la difference!

Hope it all goes well for you on your own unique journey..

Mic

X

12

Hi mic did you have the same hip done twice? If so how was it second time round and how long had it lasted?

13

Mic, you have given me the kick up the rear that I needed, I'm 64, 7 moths post opp. and getting the 2nd soon, I sit here everyday thinking is my life ever coming back, I do go out , I walk as far as I can, but it's not easy when the other hip is killing me, maybe it will be better after the 2nd one is done, I'm 64 and live with a house mate who's always at work, I just want my life back, you say breast stoke? I was yold no can do, because of the leg bending and hip flexing in the stroke, also squats! god I'm amazed, I have not even thought about them, but I can get down on my knees lol.

anyway thanks for sharing your story,

good luck with all your plans, enjoy your life,

Love Lynne.

14

Hi Caroline

OK...In 2002 l had left hip resurfaced in Oxford...not replaced. It was and is just fine. The op never really took on tho and was discontinued...

In 2015, years later, sudden decline in right hip so was given replacement...tho the exeter hip is apparently lighter and different to most hip replacements.

So I'm a double hippy guy!

Mic

X

15

Hi Lynne

Good to hear from you.

The advise we get is total mess of In_ consistency! So good luck in finding a path for you..esp after the second op.

My squats are actually on an X frame at the gym by the way...so very supported. And kneeling is delightful if still a concious effort.

Bestest

Mic

X

16

I'm sure you'll fill that bucket of yours with lots of wonderful memories! Positivity is the only thing that makes sense. X

17

Well said Mic!

I'm 44 with young kids and aim to get back to everything as soon as I can after my op at end of this month.

My surgeon said it is to be used and to let him worry about what might happen in 15 yrs. I'm happy with that.

18

Hi Mic

You are an absolute star and your positivity is a lesson to all of us - fantastic

I wish you well in all your pursuits