I am having surgery on 30th June and wanted everyone's best tips for after the event. During another discussion I was reading someone advised satin pyjamas as it makes sliding in and out of bed easier! Sounds like a good tip. And where do you get the shower stool from and is a static excercise bike a good idea? All suggestions gratefully received.
Hello there, I too am waiting for a THR but mine is a bit further off than yours. I am a regular gym user and the instructors there have all said that using an exercise bike both before and after the op is beneficial. I got one secondhand and paid a fiver! I try to use it twice a day for five minutes as well as doing my usual workouts. My surgeon said it is important to build up the muscles in the leg and to be as fit as possible. Walking also helps if you can do it, personally I can't walk far but hope this will improve after the op. Have you asked your GP about things you will need after the op? Like a shower stool, a raised loo seat etc. in this area they send someone round to asses your bed and chair height and to arrange for any equipment you might need. Can't answer the question about silk pjs, sounds like a good idea to me. Bets of luck with your op, hope it all goes well and that your life improves as a result.
I was given a raised toilet seat, bars for round the toilet and chair raisers from the physio dept at the hospital. I bought a long shoe horn and a grabber. I already had a shower stool which I bought from on line a few years ago for my Mum. The grabber is the most useful tool as it helps me to get dressed too.
Your occupational health department should help with necessary aids for the home. Cannot advise on bike as it depends on your individual problem. I am under instructions not to go to a gym or to use any type of gym equipment. For me the exercises given while in hospital plus daily walks of at least 3 miles but to increase as time goes by. To also try and increase walking pace. Now able to do 6 miles T least 3 times per week and 3-4 on other days. Permitted to carry my camera kit that weighs 8 kilos
I wore a long Tshirts type nightie and used dressing gown belt to lift leg - a tip given by my Physio
Hope this helps
The hospital via the physio dept will organise some things. I had to measure height of bed, chair and loo. A perching stool was also supplies for the kitchen. I discovered grab bars were much more use in the shower than a stool. I bought two grabbers one for upstairs one downstairs and a very long handles shoe horn, pavers £1. Ther is also a lot of stuff on Amazon
Hi Howeller -- That is exciting news !!! Also had sleepshirts in hospital - (and at home-make sure bed is raised ) - raised toilet seat and shower stool we can rent from a home health store (I live in Holland): a grabber (2 is better) and sock aid - remote control to switch lights on/off (sockets are too low) - some pots and pans on stove -
exercise bike is good (I don't have one) - and of course crutches or, like me, a 4 wheel walker - nice, roomy pants .... and patience !!!! a lot of patience, keep
your sense of humor at all times and keep coming back to this wonderful site, seriously ....warm hug
Hi sleepshirt users... are they better than PJs; easier to get on and off?
for me it is Howeller - you have to use the loo very often after surgery - that alone is a challenge to be in time (you'll find out) - you will be taught how to get in and out of bed ... do you live alone or is there someone to help you?
My husband will around to help but I can see the logice of nightshirts now you mention it... I am online shopping as we speak 
Hi Howeller, I also wore sleepshirts made from soft t-shirt material and with no buttons, pj bottoms can fall to the floor so if you decide to wear them keep a peg by the loo to secure them.
MyTHR was following an accident so no pre-planning but I was very fit and active, walking dogs, horse riding daily, swimming, gym etc so yes, building up muscles is well worth it. Had I been pre-planning I would have stocked my freezer with home made meals. I did and have continued to do all heavy and big shops on-line, I contacted the store and explained my situation which has resulted in me being able to leave the front door unlocked and they bring everything into the kitchen. I have been very impressed with the help they give.
My LHA provided me with lots of aids, I was assessed in hosp the day after my op and then given a prescription (no charge), I got raised toilet seat (still use it as I have a 34inch inside leg and always found modern sanitry wear low), grabber, crutches,walking stick,sock aid, toilet surround (great for shower) and long handled shoe horn.
I have my daughters silver cross buggy (35yrs old) so the old fashioned type, its great for moving larger items around and pegging out the washing, seed buckets for filling wild bird feeders, horse feedbuckets, haynets and unloading dishwasher! Necessity being the mother of invention ;-)
Small stools for dogs/cats food/water bowls.
Lastly a V pillow and memory foam mattress topper, bad raisers if yours is low and if possible bed downstairs.
All the very best for your op and recovery, Dot x
I wouldn't go for pajamas as it's a palaver getting bottoms on. Short nightie for me and it's been no problem getting in an out of bed.
Your occupational therapy team should get you all the equipment you need. I got a trolley to take stuff from the kitchen to lounge etc - invaluable, a perching stool for the bathroom, a frame for the downstairs toilet as well as loo seat raises.
I'm having strip washes as my shower is in the bath.
I could do with some sort of long handled washing tool for my lower legs and feet as I'm having to rely on my partner for foot washes.
Glad I had a nightshirt as needed a catheter for 24 hours
Hi
I seem to be one of the few that wore PJ's....yes mine were satin and no it wasnt me said that before lol
Before my op I was given a form to fill in.....the height of bed, toilet, chair etc.
The Occupational Therapy dept then provided everything I needed.
I had 2 toilet raisers with rails around them...one for upstairs and one for downstairs.
A chair because I only had 2 settees and they didnt think they were suitable.
A grabber.....crutches, shoe horn, long handled sponge for my back
A trolly so that I could push it in to kitchen , make a cup of tea and push it back if my husband want there. Not easy to do on 2 crutches
I coldnt manage or shower.....its very small and I did try a seat in it {boght from Argos} but it wasnt comfortable. I always have a bath.
So for 6 weeks I managed with strip washes and towards the end of that with my batch board across the bath I managed to sit on that and hubby helped me
Sorry I'm sure there is more but thats all I can think of a the minute
OT dept should sort you out
Love
Eileen UK
Congratulations I'm having a new hip on that exact day! ! I am already set up as I have limited mobility in my right hip. I have a raised toilet seat, trolley for moving things around the house, sock aid, grabber and long shoe horn.i will be getting a shower chair but hopefully won't need it for long. Not sure about you but I'm counting the days!!
Hi Holiday first, back on friday 26th then op on following tuesday. Very scared actually, have been putting this off and convincing myself I could get by but have finally given in. Where are you based; we should compare notes afterwards!
I am in Wollongong Australia. I was scared when I found out I needed a hip. Now I'm on a countdown. Looking forward to a relief from pain and immobility. I'm having anterior approach, expected time in hospital is 3-5 days.
won't be bumping into you at post-op then. I am in London. Good luck 
Hi Howeller,
The best to you on your up coming surgery.
Tip #1 Follow your doctor instructions, take your time walking. You will probably have a therapist come to your house the first two weeks they want you to move and get better.
I would suggest trimming your toenails right before you have surgery.
It is gonna be a while before you can get at them again.
I do have a very simple method for putting on socks and shoes since you are not supposed to bend at the waist past 90 degrees. Here is my method.
Bring your socks & shoes in bed with you. Lay flat on ytour back and keeping your heel in contact with the mattress, drag your heel up towards your butt (your knee will bend). Now your foot is close enough where you can put on socks & shoes. We can all reach our butt with our hand, right? We all need to do that whenever we use the toilet. Instead of reaching down to your foot, bring your foot up to where you can reach it.
I always wore long pajama pants because I used the pantlegs to grab on to, to lift up my leg and position it on pillows. In other words the pajama pants legs functioned like a sling for me.
If you don't have one & can afford it an iPad is very handy it is just the right size to move around as you search for a somewhat comfortable position. A laptop is just not as handy as an iPad during recovery. Not a necessity obviously, but it is kind of nice.
On all the paperwork I had before my op it actually told you NOT to cut your toe-nails for 1 week before your operation. I only got 5 days notice anyway so I couldn't cut mine lol.