Welcome. I am to have a new hip in 4 weeks time and cant wait to be pain free after soooo many years. 54 years young and cant wait to get hiking again. Can anyone advise on equipment or bits I need to buy to help me whilst I am recovering?
Hi Caron
Welcome to the forum
Are you in the UK ?
hi caron
you will recover very quickly I amsure at your age. I am 62 and found it ok too.
I wish I had done it earlier. I am not sure what each hospital will give you but
mine gave me toilet seat , grabber to pick up from floor, 3 pairs of the horrible stockings and the crutches of course. I bought a second toilet seat for upstairs so had one up and down and an extra grabber for upstairs and down too.
Chair and bed needs to be certain height so have plenty of cushions etc available and extra pillows for under your legs at night sleeping on your back.
I bought two long maxi dresses which i am constantly in as so much easier to get on and off and also gives scar freedom to heal. havent wore trousers yet - currently 4 weeks post op.
good luck and you wont regret it.
I cant wait to get back to golf.
Welcome Caron,
you have found the right place , we are all hippies on here at various stages, firstly if your in the US, you will need to hire or buy your after op. equipment, if you live in the UK, they will send round someone from your local social services to ascess your needs , they will deliver everything you need totally free, hope you have a very sucessful op. let us know how you get on.
Lynne.
Thank you so much for your lovely message.
Yes I am in the Uk.
Thanks for the tips. i will get my maxi dresses ordered then!
Hi Caron
i am one and half weeks post op. I am 60 and am progressing quite well.
Do you do any exercise? I worked on building up my muscles by going swimming beforehand which can really help. You are young like me, you will recover quickly.
Definates for me would be comfy chair, especially as you will probably be spending quite a bit of the night in it, soft ice packs, laxative, as codeine can make things difficult in that department. Raised toilet seat. Foot scrubber (sticks to the shower floor) it's funny how you miss things like washing your feet!
I was absolutely dreading it all, but it's not as bad as you think it's going to be. This place is a godsend as everyone can answer your questions better than most doctors.
Good luck. Let us know how you get on
carol
I had From the hospital - loo seat raiser, trolley - invaluable in the early days when you are on two crutches, perching stool for the bathroom, and a toilet frame for the downstairs loo - you should be able to get these ordered at your pre op.
Got myself -3 grabbers to be kept in different rooms - v cheap off the internet, 1 loo seat raiser as the hosp only gave me one and there was no way I was going to swap it up and down all the time, a snazzy walking stick for when the crutches went back - if you get one make sure you get the right size it tells you on the internet how to measure for the correct length.
I already had a long shoe horn and sock and tight putter ons but have not used them!
I had a problem with the quilt pressing on my big toenails through lying on my back - and it's now going to take over 3 months for the inflamed toenail bed to recover and my nails have stopped growing - if you are susceptible get a foot guard for the bed or I now use a plastic storage box! You will probably also use loads of pillows for behind your back and under your legs - I use 7 altogether!
A long handled wash sponge for legs would have been useful to me - I had to rely on my partner washing my legs and feet,
Depending on the pain relief you are given when you come home - if its codeine get lots of tins of prunes or you will probably need something like movicol!
You might have someone to shop for you but I started getting grocery deliveries a couple of weeks before and have never regretted it. Sainsbury will give you fab reductions if you haven't used them before - I've had over £80 pounds off since i started! I still use them even though I can now shop for the boring weekly essentials and just do the occasional small shop for something different.
I got cushions for the outdoor chairs as well as they were a bit low.
Hi- thanks so much for the advice. Currently I do no exercise other that walk about a classroom as the pain is unbearable. Will start to go swimming then to build up the muscles and look out for a chair as currently have a low loft squishy sofa that will be no good to get in and out of. So glad to have discovered this site. Life is looking rosy now.
Hi Caron
Bet you can't wait! I didn't think I'd look forward to major surgery so much, but I think that's just the way that hip pain gets to you in the end. I had a THR six weeks ago, and I think the answer to your question is that it depends where you are in the country as to what you are provided with. I joined this forum after my op and couldn't get over the variation on support/advice/follow-up/equipment there is throughout the UK.
I had mine done in Rugby on the NHS and I had to attend a compulsory pre-op hip education course as a requirement of going on the waiting list. This was a very useful couple of hours, where we were given some idea what to expect on the day of surgery and after. It was also our chance to order (free) equipment - raised toilet seat frames which go over existing loos, elephant feet bed raisers, perching stool for the kitchen. They don't provide height adjustable seats e.g for the living room, so that may be something you want to lookout for/borrow. Getting comfortable without risking dislocating your new hip is a daily challenge to begin with! We were advised to buy a handy grabber (not provided free) to help with dressing and picking stuff up off the floor. I used one my father had bought many years ago and it has been brilliant - I think Argos do them. Also, we were advised to buy a longhandled shoe horn - again, very useful. My hospital did sell them at cost price c. £3.50 but also told us we could get them for £1.50 in IKEA, if you have one near you. Walking aids are provided for when you leave hospital and I was able to get three crutches, so I could leave one upstairs all the time when I was on two crutches - you don't really have enough hands to carrying anything to begin with, so big pockets are very handy. Also advised not to wear slip-on slippers or shoes - crocs ok with back strap on heel. So had to invest in new slippers and flat shoes. I usually wear jeans, so had to start a hip-replacement wardrobe with jogging bottoms/leisure wear from M&S, also harem pant-type soft material trousers. Your wound will feel tender for quite some time after the dressing is removed, so you need something soft against it.
In my area, they don't use TED stockings, but plenty of people on the forum have had to wear them. I think that a V pillow is a good investment, if you haven't already go one, because you may find that whilst you have to sleep on your back for the first 6 weeks, your heels can get quite sore. If you can put a leg/foot on each of the branches of the V, it can help with this and any swelling you may get. I'm still using mine to get comfortable, even though I've had the sleeping restrictions removed now, because I think I've forgotten how to sleep on my side now!
We also had an A5 booklet on information/exercises to take away with us. Again, this aspect of hip-replacement surgery does seem to be area specific.
Good luck with your surgery - it will be worth it, but it is a gradual recovery period and it can be frustrating at times. Just go slowly!
all the best
Cheryl (55)
Thank you for the tips. I will use the internet to buy thise grabbers and go back to online food deliveries- great tips
Thank you so much for the helpful advise. I am in the UK and am awaiting my pre- op advise session but only 4 weeks away means that I need to get these things ordered online to help with life after the op. I will let you know how I get on.
Ok great. When you go into hospital I am not sure your will be the same. But you might get most equipment from occupational therapy.
Ice packs or packs of frozen peas ( Make sure no one eats them if you use them 
Get your hair washed / done at hair dressers before you go in. Should last the time you are in hospita.
Thermal socks because your feet tend to get cold even if it is a hot day.
Let your GP know you are going in for your hip replacement incase you need more meds,
Hi Caron
I am 63 and 2 weeks and 4 days post op and doing well
My essentials are loads of pillows and the grabber or grabbers as you are never in the right place when you need one. Ist day out of hospital I was using mine to put washing in the machine and take it out. Also useful for using with a towel to dry your legs and pick up the hundred and one odds and ends you will accidentally drop on the floor. I have been wearing loose fitting jogging bottoms / t shirt since I came out to hospital and felt very comfortable.
I have been out for a meal several times and take a raised seat cushion with me wherever I go - you can get them from 'Coopers' on line (dining room chair size ). I have also got a larger one for settee/armchair at home. They are a godsend and even if just stopping off somewhere for a coffee are essential as you don't want to be sitting on a low cafe chair and breaking 90 degree rule
I am sure all hippies will agree with me that getting any sleep is difficult in and out of hospital so an iPad or Kindle and plenty of books, magazines, and puzzle books as well as TV will be your nightime companions.
Shopping online is essential and sorting out your order on your IPad is something you can do post op to keep you occupied. I started a few weeks before so that I could get hubbie used to unloading and putting away!
I am sure you are so looking forward to your new pain free life. This forum is amazing and will be such a support to you both before and after your op - log in as much as you can. There is so much information to be had and even if you just want to share your thoughts and worries, folk are here all the time to help you.
I don't know what I would have done without it
Warmest wishes Linda xxxx
Hi Caron
Like you, I wanted to be thoroughly prepared and bought loads of stuff before I went. Some I haven't used at all and others have been invaluable. I haven't used a perching stool because I'm always on the move. From about 8 or 9 days in I have been cooking and clearing up in the kitchen without using my sticks. I hold on to the worktop and move around and back and forth and enjoy myself creating new dishes. I'm pleased to say that my mind is enjoying the break from work and is looking for new ways to be creative. My shopping is all delivered which has been a delightful new discovery and, like others, I've found many ways of achieving shopping discounts.
my armchair is my number one favourite thing in the world. It's a normal electric recliner which a friend has screwed onto a large wooden block. It is soft and comfortable, high and easy to get into and out of and I can raise my legs gently with the electric button (no sudden jerking from the mechanical type) I also fully recline it for a nap when my hip/ groin need to be stretched out flat. I've had absolutely no swelling and I can't help but wonder whether my lovely chair is helping with all this. Oh, and big table next to chair to hold all the things I want to hand.
the day before my op I had a good haircut and went to a podiatrist and got toe nails cut back. They don't look beautiful now but are not pressing on covers like someone else has said.
I shower normally and have crutches (and husband) ready when I get out. Wish I had bought a shower mat as have to use small towel on shower floor to stop the slippiness.
I also stock piled packets of ordinary painkillers as hospital say you have to get them from GP and I didn't want the hassle of going out to collect prescription.
Oh, and clothes, I have been living in the baggy/ loose trousers that are everywhere this summer. Not sure I could cope with lifting dress etc for loo but we are all different.
Good luck and keep us posted on how you get on.
Laura
Oh sorry - didn't realise how long this was...
Hi again Caron,
I forgot to say, you will have to sleep on your back for 6 weeks!! it's a nightmare for most of us, but I found a giant 12ft u shaped pillow on ebay, it's called a slumber pillow for pregnant ladies, but it works fine for keeping you in the right postition while you are sleeping, also if you have an over bath shower that's a big no no for the first 3 months!! yes I know what your thinking, but they seem to think that giant wet ones will suffice lol, so I got a shower stall put in,the thought of 3 months without a shower!! arghhhh! the loo booster seat they will supply, and the grabber, also crutches and the lovely 200 denier support socks!!
, please let us all know how you progress, there is always somebody online in this group, you are not alone,
Love,
Lynne x
yes maxi dresses the best (and this is from a real jeans girl)
and covers the horrible stockings. It also helps with the heat as hot at the moment and I wear canvas shoes with backs and also bought shoehorn (forgot to mention). Sleeping on your back is a problem to begin with but gets better and I have been ok but when wake up read ipad and then get comfortable again and go back to sleep.
it will all work out dont worry. I had never been in hospital in my life until this operation but now I have had operation happy to have my next one done. I had epidural (but initially was worried as wanted to have aneasthetic) but really recommend epidural as recovery quicker. just bring some headphones and ipod in you will be fine. maggie
I had epidural and was awake the whole time too. I could hear and smell what was going on but it didn't bother me. I almost felt like an observer!