Hallo all. Just looking for some words of encouragement. I know all will be well and I will finally get my life back, but Iām still very anxious about my hip replacement surgery on Thursday (31st). I keep bursting into tears! Must get a grip.
You will be OK. I didn't have a general anaesthetic and I came through well with no side effects.
Hi Jenny! I understand very well your feelings! Any surgery is stressful, but you have to be optimistic ! I had double THR in the same intervention and a lot of fears and questions before. Everything will be fine, you will see! Cry if you if feel like crying, sometimes it helps, but remember that after this surgery your life is going to be so much better!
Hi, it's understandable to be anxious..I know I was !! I had my TLHR just under 5 weeks ago. The first week is the hardest but after that I began to see improvements every day..
I'd say I'm 90% back to normal now. I can walk without pain, I'm back in the gym, driving, back at work 3 weeks post op, and generally doing stuff that I've not been able to for a long time!
Stay positive.. it really does help!! Good luck x
Hi Jenny, what are you anxious about? Tearful days are the norm, you will be fine. Are you in the UK? Whereabouts? The op is over within an hour, you will know nothing about it, spinal and sedation are the best way to go, no grogginess or sickness, before you know it, you will be at your six week check up and be wondering what all the worry was for. Best wishes Helen
Hi Jenny its only natural to be worried. Im into my 7th week post op and the result is amazing. if i can put it into context ,if i scored my level of worry about the operation ,expected pain, recovery rate etc out of 10, then before the op it was 8/10, after the op the actual experience of going through i would rate it at 3/10. If youre having a spinal ,it is a painless procedure, i also had full sedation and woke up in recovery feeling great, no nausea or anything . Embrace the op and especially the recovery process and you will be amazed at the difference. Good Luck John
jenny i am 7 weeks post THR and i have been walking the dog over hill and through fields without a stick or any pain for the past few weeks. i knew all would be well by my third week. Be kind to yourself, do your exercises ( BUT not more than they say) and be patient. Any pain from the op reduces quickly and stiffness eases every day. i had a general anaesthetic and was home after 3 days with no ill after effects. Believe all will be well and trust your surgeon! Good luck x
Don't be too concerned about posts from people with difficulties in recovery. Naturally anyone with a problem is much more likely to post than the uneventful ones who don't have the same need for advice and reassurance. So it might appear that difficulties are much more common than they really are. In fact this is one of the safest and most successful procedures out there. You will love the result .
Hi Jenny, try not to worry. Easier said than done, I know. I am nearly a year post LTHR and pain free. I had sedation and spinal block and it was fine. Felt very well afterwards. I would say two weeks after is probably worst time for recovery, but that was due to readjusting and not sleeping too well, but now I have been on a walking holiday to Austria and regularly go nordic walking. Wishing all the best.
Hi Jenny
I endorse what everyone else says about the op and the recovery period.
I remember being quite weepy beforehand; my hip failed and I had the op arranged so quickly that I hadn't time to take it on board and cope with planning for my life being turned upside-down. I think I was in a mild state of shock, certainly panic. That stage wasn't easy; I coped by planning, keeping busy, doing the pre-op exercises recommended by my surgeon, and reorganising my life.
My life was upside-down for about 3 weeks, then steady improvement all the way. I'm 74. My op was 8 months ago exactly. I'm now hiking, swimming and playing tennis again, and working in London twice a week (necessitating train and tube travel). Looking forward to skiing next year (I was told 12 months for that).
The improvement keeps improving in small ways that you scarcely notice. eg I suddenly realised this week that I've started lifting my right (operated) leg first when putting on pants and trousers, which I certainly was not doing a month ago.
Be brave, keep busy, and allow yourself to panic a bit. It will all be fine sooner than you can imagine.
Joan
I agree with John, most people post on forums with issues and experiences, it's harder to find the positive stories out there. it's the same with customer surveys online and in shops. How many people take the time to post positive thoughts? I'd say about 8/100. Whereas if someone's got something to complain about it's probably more like 80/100 likely to post something. Keep positive, don't listen to your inner demons ššš¼
Thank you. My game plan is to have an epidural too. I'm a right mess after a general anaesthetic :-)
That's just what I need to hear. Thank you so much x
That is super news. What a great recovery! Walking without pain - how wonderful that must feel x
Thanks, Helen, I'm in Bedford. I think, because I've been lucky so far with my pain and level of mobility, I'm worried about how much it'll hurt afterwards. Pathetic, I know! I plan to go for a spinal as I get sick and faint after a general. Thank you for your kind words x
Thanks, John, that's just what I needed to hear. I am worried about post-operative pain, but I think I should get a grip! It will be wonderful to be able to walk properly again.
Thank you so much, Margaret. I am worried about being in pain afterwards, but I'm sure it will be manageable. How lovely it will be to walk again without wincing, gasping, shuffling...
Thanks, John. I've received so many lovely responses. All very comforting.
Thank you, Sarah. It must be wonderful to go on walking holidays. It will be wonderful to get my life back; everything at the moment revolves around my poor old leg.
Hi Jenny There aren't too many people who look forward to surgery and feeling anxious about it is not unusual. Try to think ahead to when you will no longer have to deal with a wonky hip... . I'm 5 months post LHR and tried to keep myself busy before the operation to stop me thinking about it. Even though I had right hip done 5 years ago, I was still anxious. However, very very quickly, the whole thing was over. As others say, you can look forward to steady and continuing improving soon after the op. Best wishes Joan