My first hip replacement surgery March 10th. What to expect?

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hello,

i'm glad to of found all of you here. I've been a bit nervous with my upcoming surgery and have been reading this forum. I'm not so nervous now, so thank you for that.

I was 54 yeas old and was diagnosed with Degenerating Joint Disease when i was 32. My arthritis continued to take away te mobility in my hipsover the years and i have now came to a point where i can no longer walk up right or walk at any long distance.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 and had surgery ten and agai in 2013. I am in remission now. I had been going undiagnosed with acute severe sleep apnea during that time as well. So after my breast surgeries, i went in for a sleep study and showed i had stopped breathing 129 an hour. How i made it through those two surgeries, i do not know except perhaps devine intervention.

I had gained a lot of weight due to no activity from the sleep apnea and low thyroid to a point that put me in a wheel chair. My legs simply couldn't carry the weight.

When i met my Hip surgeon for the first time he told me i had to lose 100 Lbs. and be up and moving next time i seen him.

So then i decided that i was done fighting my obesity all my life and opted for weightloss surgery January 8th, 2013.

I went to see my Hip surgeon last friday. He was so proud of me and told me that most patience keep coming back and not doing as he asked. But i was an exceptional patient and because i did what he asked he would schedule me for surgery. I have lost 112 lbs. and have been out of my wheel chair for 7 months building muscle to be stronger for this surgery.

I feel like i won the Golden ticket. Yes, i'm nervous, but the positive outcome over rides the nervosness of going through the procedure.

I am so impressed how fr technology has came with these types of surgeries.

So, i for one, am scared yet excited and know i'm doing the right thing.

My biggest concern is a blood clot. But realize they teach you signs to look for at the pre op classes.

He'll be making the incision in the front and he will give me a spinal tap as well.

What have been your experiences or thoughts that you can tell me to eleviate any fears i may have.

Thank you, Roguewarrior.

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I was given a blood thinner via an injection every day for 30 days combined with support stockings.  You have been through so much already this op will seem like a breeze for you. 

I wrote a blog for 6 days. A lady who works at my dentists has to have a hip done. She read my blog and said she cried because it's how she feels and it also has helped her to know what to expect.  Don't think we are allowed to promote blogs on here.    Good luck

Emis Moderator comment: I have removed the blog details as we do not allow these in the forums. If users wish to exchange these details please use the Private Message service.

http://patient.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/398331-private-messages

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Oh Bless your Heart.  You have been through some tough times.  Your THR will seem so easy after all that.  Well done for losing the weight.  I was morbidly obese last year and just decided I was so sick of being huge.  I was getting breathless just walking across the room.  My husband died not long ago and after looking after him for years I was suddenly without a purpose, apart from eating.  I have managed to lose 112 pounds in a year, just by not eating rubbish and taking Raspberry Ketones.  Since my THR 2 weeks ago I have started nibbling again, but I will stop now!  

I had a minimally invasive procedure and have a neat wound on the side of my hip about 6" long.  I have very little pain, nothing like I had before the op!

you sound very strong and I,m sure you will be fine.  Keep in touch.

best wishes,     Suexxxx

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Dear Roguewarrie, congratulations for getting through some hurdles in your life, I, too, committed to losing weight before the surgery and that has helped tremendously. You have done alot of preparation and that will make a difference on who you do post-op. My surgery was only 3 weeks ago, I am now walking without a cane, finished taking the anti-coagulants, the incision healed up just fine and have very little pain or discomfort. Before I could not walk far, the pain was excruiating and hardly slept at night. I am also back to driving and running the small B&B here. Certain household tasks I can do like cooking and doing laundry and have been expert with the grabber. Also had an epidural for the surgery, never remembered a thing during surgery, woke up in the post-op area as the anesthesiologist also gave me a sedative. I think you will do great and again, you have been seasoned alot from the past issues you have dealt with Best of luck and blessings to you. Also to say-I had some friends make meals and that was great, also someone who cleans the house and keeps it organized until I can do more. Susan

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Hi roguewarrior,

Am glad you found us too! Welcome! I could not have endured what I have endured if I had not found this site. We are here to support you and cheer you on.

You must be one strong lady to have endured so many like shocks and come out on the other side still positive. There are a lot of tips and sharing on here about total hip replacements and I believe I can say that the hip surgery will be easier than what you have already survived.

I had a blood clot in my lung 7 years ago and I agree it is frightening, however, precautions will be taken either my injection or pills by mouth. Also compression socks and pumping your feet up and down.

The procedure you are receiving, Anterior Approach, has less restrictions than the older approach going in on the side. I had the anterior approach done on my right hip and was walking unaided by the 5th week. It is well that you are exercising to build up strength before hand because that will pay off in the end.

Hugs

💛 Dawn, USA

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Well done and congratulations on coming through all that you have already.  Your hip replacement should be a doddle after all that.  Don't worry, they will look after you and tell you what you can do and what you can't do for 6 weeks, give you exercises to do to strengthen your muscles.  I had no pain at all after my op and it was great.  I was "glued" and had stera strips, so no stitches or staples.  Make sure you get a grabber which is very useful.  No dount the hospital will provide you with a raised toilet seat etc. and of course all the advice you need.  Take it easy at first, don't walk before you can run etc. do as you are told etc.  You will be fine.  Best of luck.

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Hi Susan. Your recovery sounds just like mine, only I am 2 weeks post op.

i,m looking forward to driving again, because i live in the country and there are no buses!  I found out however, that if you drive under 6 weeks you are not covered by your insurance.  I never knew this, but I,ve asked around and it seems to be true.  They will never know unless, God Forbid, you have an accident.  Please take care.  Best wishes, Suexxxx

 

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Welcome Rogue Warrior

First of all you are amazing having already gone through so much and should be rightly proud of yourself for having achieved such a fantastic weight loss.  Now you are going to become a Hippy like the rest of us. Easy to say but try not to worry too much about blood clots. You will be given blood thinning tablets or injections for 5 weeks and have to wear compression stockings for 6 weeks.  Start to move as soon as you can after the op and do your exercises regularly, you will begin by doing them on your hospital bed. You will get lots of help and support from the hospital team including Physio. You are already doing exercises to help build up your muscles and that will help with your recovery.

I am four weeks post op and am on one crutch when I go out and walking around the house without crutches. I am 64 and overweight but I have already lost weight since I left hospital because I can move about so much better than before the operation. 

I have found this forum a great help not only in the support everyone gives you but when you can return the favour sharing your own experience with other Hippies.

Do keep in touch and let us know when you are having your op.

Linnet x

 

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Glad to hear this bit about not being covered by insurance. I never knew that.

💛 Dawn, USA

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Hi Linnet,   I found this forum by accident yesterday and I am so glad I did!

everyone is so nice and I am proud to join the Hippies.  It's nice sharing information and experiences.

Best wishes.  Sue.

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Not sure if it applies to the US as well as the UK, but it's worth checking out. It's a bit scary if you have no cover!

Sue UKxxxxxx

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Hi Sue

I found it by accident like you did and so glad I did as it's been such a great help and support over the last few weeks. Such a good idea to be in touch with people who have been through the same thing. Sometimes people just want to have a bit of a moan or vent their feelings without burdening those closest to you and like you say everyone is so lovely.

Looking at your story you have also been through a lot before your op and have managed to lose a lot of weight. So congratulations to you and hope you continue to improve as the weeks go by.

Best wishes

Linnet x

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Dear Sue, thanks for your comments. I live in Costa Rica and had to pay private for the surgery here, so different than the rules I have read about in the UK with regards to driving, insurance, etc. It has helped to drive with a soft, foam cushion and to also sit in chairs with a pillow to raise you up to the 90 degree. The driving  has gone fine, but only go short distances, our town small and I live in a rural area. thanks again, hope all is going well for you and your loved ones, hugs, Susan

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Dear Susan.  Wow! Costa Rica!   You lucky girl.  I hope you are a bird watcher like me.  Your birds are world famous.   Well, you are not driving around illegally!  I had no clue, so I,m glad someone told me!  I also paid for my operation because our hospitals are so substandard now. When it works well, the National Health Service is wonderful, but it is now underfunded, under staffed and dirty.  I can say this because I was an NHS nurse and my husband an NHS doctor!   You sound as though you are doing great, take care of yourself.  Lots of hugs. Suexxxxxx

 

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Hi Sue, I was a nurse/social worker as well in CO for many years, so was concerned as well.  Here in the social system type hospitals, they are 8 years behind for doing elective surgeries, so nothing will be done, unless it is an emergency and with my pain, I could not function anymore, now can, feel so so so grateful for a new start in life again. The ortho doc I had was excellent, I did not worry for a moment about how the surgery would come out.

Yes, I am very lucky to live here and have for 11 years, love the birds and wildlife,do hope you get to come for a visit. Let me know, I run a small B&B here, but work with a # of hotels, one of which is called Costa Rica Treehouses Hotel ( Santa Clara, CR) and they have so many birds and bird watchers. So many beautiful places here. I look so forward to walking on the beach soon and guess I will need my grabber to pick up shells, new concept, ha. I am glad you are doing well, too. I think when you work in health care, you know and have seen too much, so your imagination can go wild, if you know what I mean in terms of complications, I was never an ortho nurse, but worked in obstetics. My father had both knees replaced so was with him for that. So nice to chat to you today, take care and enjoy your weekend, hugs, Jody

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It was great to talk to you too.  The internet is wonderful is,nt it?  I would love to visit sometime, not too sure how I would cope with a long flight now as I have Lumbar Stenosis.  I,d be fine in First Class with my feet up!!

its interesting you worked in obstetrics, I did my Midwifery training and qualified, but gave it up to work with my husband in General Practice.  I would love to do it now, but I forget I,m 66 and too old!. 

We have a good selection of our birds down here and often attract exotic species stopping for a rest.  I am so lucky as we get Sea birds, garden birds and all the woodland species from the woods at the back.  I really miss not being able to tell my husband what I,ve spotted, but I know he,s watching.

you too have a lovely weekend, keep in touch.

love and hugs.     Suexxxxxx

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Hi Sue, interesting about your similar background, if it were not due to my health, I would no question be working in obstetrics again, I do miss it and as you, it is forever engrained in your soul being with mothers, dad and newborns. Was in midwifery school before coming to CR.  I am turning 64 this year, so yes older, but young at heart, just cannot move fast enough to work in that setting.

Also I had two yrs of back issues before someone diagnosed that the real issue was the hip, so have gone through pain, foot drop, etc from my back, stenosis,  ruptured discs.

 Yes, the sitting on the planes can be tricky. The thought of flying does not sound good at this stage. But perhaps one day it will. 

I can imagine that your coasts are breath-taking andthe  birds there inland and coastal are amazing. I am glad you have those to view. 

Great to chat again, do take care and regards to your husband, family. love, Susan

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FIRST, my deepest condolences for your loss of your husband.

In 2004 i weighed 374 and was mobile enough to change my lifestyle by changing my diet and exercise. I lost 160 lbs on my own in 14 months on low carb. I reversed my type 2 diabetes within 48 days for it to not return again and kept it under control by diet alone. It was the sleep apnea and low thyroid that put me in bed and slept  so much for about a year in 2010. I gained all the weight back from being undiagnosed for 1 1/2 years until my breast cancer. That's when the domino effect began. 

In 2009 i seperated from my 21 year marriage. Which uprooted me from my mountain home that foreclosed and brought me to a city where i didn't know anyone but had excellent medical care. I've been here ever since and i believe all that i endured, saved my life.

I'm happy to hear that you were able to lose the weight and have a successful surgery.

Thank you for your support. I really do appreciate you and what you had to say. Knowledge is power!

Thank you Sue. Yes, i will keep in touch.

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Thank you Susan! I'm super happy about your recovery. I get excited reading others experiences.

Yes, great idea, on getting meals prepped before hand. I do have a boy friend i live with and has been by my side through out all i have endured these last 4 years. He will be my care giver. 

We just moved into his grand mothers house. Sadly she died last year. She left us her home to live in that is equiped for the disabled. I have a ramp to get to the inside of my home. A walk in tub/shower to make hygeine much easier and a temperaputic bed that raises my knees and head. Which makes sleeping so much more comfortable. I have been preparing for this moment now for some time. 

I believe i have all my t's crossed and i's dotted. 

Thank you for your response. Wishing you the best in your recovery.

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Hugs Dawn, oh wow, thank you! Just reading your response sets me at ease regarding the blood clots. I know i will learn all this in my pre-op classes but they aren't until March 3rd, a week prior of my surgery. I needed to know now what to expect as you well know by your own experience. I'm happy to hear about the anti blood clot meds. I've been practicing pumping my feet up and down as i lie in my bed. Making it a habit.

I've been walking without my cane on purpose these last 4 weeks to strengthen my muscles. Though i have to recover afterwards for a day or so because it's wearing on my hips. I look like i've been riding a horse for years, the way i walk, bull legged. LOL

Yes, the Anterior approach i am so looking forward to.My surgeon is very well known for reconstructon and FHR. I have no fears of him being the right surgeon for me. That has been very reasurring.

Thank you so much for your input. TRUE! I am a survivor of many life experiences. I refuse to drop the ball now, so to speak. I have so much life i want to live. I have a daughter that will be 21 this year. I want to watch her blossom. So mcu to look forward to.

Thanks again Dawn! HUGZZZ