If this lengthy I do apologize. I am at wits end on how to deal with this. I went to the Dr. about 4 years ago with the complaint of groin pain. She recommended physical therapy which helped a bit. Over the years the groin pain continued to get worse, traveling to by hip and down my leg. Last November, I was told after an MRI that I needed a THR. The MRI showed wearing of the cartilage in the hip, bone spurs and cysts in the joint. I had a couple of friends that had the anterior hip replacement and were please with the results. The problem is that I had to lose about 70 lbs. to get it done. We moved to another state and I proceeded to set up getting the work done. The Dr. I found said that I also needed to lose the weight and referred me to a bariatric program. With the bariatric program, I have lost 55 lbs. I was also told by the Orthopedic Dr. that I need to get a panniculectomy (removal of the lose skin) that would be in the surgical area to reduce the risk of infection. I was asked by the bariatric Dr. to follow up with the Orthopedic Dr. as I am close to where I need to be and he is doing the required panniculectomy surgery next week. I also alerted the Nurse of the Orthopedic Dr. and she said she consulted with him and I needed 6-8 weeks after the panniculectomy procedure before he would do the hip replacement.
She told me to schedule with their department and I had a date.
Two days ago, I followed up with the Ortho Dr., at the recommendation of my other Dr.'s and he acted like I should not bother him as yet as I have not reached the goal weight he set. He cited the need to be at a certain BMI to reduced the risk of infection. He would not discuss my pain medication, which at this point is one tramadol in the morning and two at bedtime. He said I should talk to my family Dr., who actually said I should talk to my Orthopedic Dr. After waiting 1 hr. and 45 minutes to see him in the office he could not offer me anything. I suffer constant pain, I can only sleep on my back, I am using a cane to get around and not sure what I can do. I definitely plan to get the weight off to get the surgery but an really upset about the attitude of the Dr. He has stellar reviews online but an not sure about his bedside manner. I would appreciate any suggestions on what I might do to relieve some of the pain, any exercising that might help (as most is pretty painful) and any insight anyone might have to get through this period. I will definitely work on the weight loss issue as I have to get this done. The sooner the better. Thanks You-
Wow I would find another surgeon. When I had mine done in U.K., my weight was not an issue. Surgeon said I needed it done quickly after another 6months earlier told me I was too young and would review me in 12 months. My BMI was 38. My surgeons view was how can you lose weight and exercise when in so much pain and movement limits exercise. Good luck x
Jmariejo
Congratulations on losing all that weight. I'm sure auntiebeanie in right that losing weight when you can't do much exercise is very difficult.
I imagine your Dr is right that the loose skin poses an infection risk. But it might be good to get a second opinion as to how much weight you need to lose. Clearly carrying extra weight is a contributor to joint problems and a factor in outcomes., but you've lost a lot of weight. See what someone else says.
Mike
Wow - congrats on loosing soo much, you have done really well. Now back to you Hips, get your Gp to give you another referral to a different Dr, he should know of a number of surgerons.
Surgeons, as my GP told me they don;t have to deal with awake patients and it shows, this was after my daughter was very ill, and the surgeron I had to deal with was a horrible man, and treated me as though I was less than the fly walking up the wall, went back to my GP and said find me someone else, he then told me he had been at medical school with him, obvious he hadn't improved over the years, but he was a genius, and recognised as such even at medical school, and if I was sick as your daughter, I would be seeing him. I learn;t to be the fly on the wall and not protest and not to get into arguments with him, with time, my daughter and he became not so much friends, but at least they got along and he inquired what she had been doing, had she been working etc, had she learn;t to drive a car etc.
Exercise, track down a heated swimming pool, has been a life saver for me both before the THR's and after when I had healed enought to go back in the water, just treading water, supported by a water log, and or noodle, I with time built up to 1 hours 3 times a week up to the day before surgery, and again after surgery for physio and recovery, its the non-weight bearing exercises that are so good for you, and give you a little relief while in the pool from the pain. Physio's in the hospital most imporessed and said they would be recommending to other pateints my non-weight bearing treading water exercieses.
I agree with Lyn that swimming is an excellent way to keep fit.
Cheers Richard
hi jmariejo,
warm welcome to the hippies forum ...
Surgeons are not really known for their communication skills, are they ... and they can be so intimidating ..
Sometimes Hip[ replacement surgery can only get insurance approval according to some standards which might include Weight - Maybe you can check with your insurance if to find out if that is the case ..
Are you taking any pain medication? Sometimes it helps to take the edge of but won't take it away -
And yes, I would also have a 2nd opinion with an Ortho surgeon from different medical group -
Come back here anytime okay - you are not alone -
big warm hug
renee