Thank you for all the feed back on my third day. It helped ease my mind and I even ventured over to youtube to watch an anterior approach THR. Oh my gosh, no wonder why we hurt, swell, get tired, can't walk far, and have numb areas. This is no cake walk surgery like I thought it to be beforehand. Even my surgeon led me to believe it would be a cake walk. However, now when I look back on it, he didn't say it would be a cake walk. He simply said it would be easier than my surgery last year and that my hip pain would be so much better. My hip pain is in fact better, it's just everything else that is worse.
Here I am now, a week after surgery and yes, I still have some pain. It is not burning as much and my puffy/numbness is getting better. I still have it along the side of my thigh but it is now only mid thigh to my knee. I am very tired and sleep off and on all day. I still am walking with my walker and mostly in my house. We did venture into town yesterday to get a bite to eat and it really wore me out and made me hurt worse.
I am very thankful to this forum. It has help me realize that I was expecting to heal like I had a tooth pulled or something small and not like the major surgery THR is in reality. I saw so many stories of people walking out of the hospital with a cane and then working out in just a week after their surgery. I thought that is how it would be for me as well.
However, I can say that all the pains, swelling, and tiredness does get better day by day. You just have to listen to your body and treat it as it has been through a major surgery and not a cake walk.
Here is to looking forward to my week two progress and taking it day by day.
Glad you are progressing well. Yes, this is a sometimes a more difficult journey than we are lead to believe. The great thing is we do improve day by day. The initial pain post op is different to the pre op pain but nevertheless can still be challenging. I found the night time pain particularly trying in the first two weeks but then that starts to diminish. I am 4 weeks post op tomorrow and down to nil pain meds in the day. Sleeping very little at night still - maybe a split 3 hrs if I am lucky but do have a couple of hours in the afternoon. You just have to sleep when you feel like it -don't worry about following any set pattern. Last night I was in no pain and didn't take my 2 night time co codamol - suffering this morning so obviously I am not ready to discontinue yet!
Rest whenever you need to -some days are better than others but it is great to be mobile and free of that exhausting pre op pain. This is a long journey we are on but an amazing one and we are so lucky to have had this operation and be given our lives back.
You are doing great - just come on to this forum for a chat or a moan, however you feel. There is always someone night or day to talk to.
good morning Carla ... What a lovely and positive post .... it is amazing, isn't it .. the surgery and what is involved and not only what our bodies went through but also, and let us not forget this, the surgical team ... eventhough it is "routine" for the...
no wonder that they really don't care (well, they do, I hope) about our little aches and pains - surgery is done and successfull -
you are doing good - as said so many times here, listen to your body - swelling, discomfort, even some pain, mood swings (let's not forget them!!!), frustration and even doubt if you were not better off before surgery, are all part of this journey ... and there will be victories and accomplishments too ...
im 2 1/2 weeks post op and it was yesterday as I was on one of my walks that I noticed that I had no pain in my hip joint. There had been so mch pain elsewhere I couldn't tell. I burst into tears -gone after all these years.
I overdid it yesterday so am taking it easy today. Like you said we have to listen to our bodies
good luck for the coming weeks, you will be amazed by your progress
One week in as well since surgery. Up at 3AM due to the call of nature and some serious stomach cramps from days of laxatives and stool softener (another fun side effect of taking narcotics).
The first three nights are so hard, no sleep. Propping pillows here and there has seemed to help. Getting about 3 hours at a time now, which seems like heaven! Still on OxyContin every 4-5 hours a day. First in home PT session this afternoon. I think I thought it would be easier recovery and then I realize it's only been one week!! Good luck everyone and hang in there.
Things do get better and easier and then when your not expecting it you will hurt and wonder why. Then you realise what you've done because you feel better. It's a bit of a vicious circle lol, but it gets easier and the pain gets less. xx
you are so right!! people and some surgeons seem to think it's an everyday thing and nothing to worry about and the risks are minimal yadda yadda yadda! but they the surgeons that is are not going thru the opp. it's us hippies, so glad you are recovering well, take it one day at a time, listen to your body, remember everyone heals at a different rate.
I too have one week over and so grateful to be able to get/in out bed stairs etc. I find I am tired all the time but partly due to up twice at night. A lot of swelling so now having 3 lie downs during the day. Great to have this forum info and somewhere to moan.
I still do not walk much. I have my walker for use but have only kept my walking inside the house. I think I need to venture outdoors but am worried because of the uneven ground.
Still tired as well. I sleep decently but get sleepy throughout the day and have little catnaps.
dear carla ... it is okay, you know ...you get out for a little walk when you are ready - have someone with you the first couple of times - especially when you are not sure and apprehensive about the uneveness - your walker is sturdy enough to support you thpugh... of course you are tired - a lot happened these last couple of days and all that time before surgery ... I mean , really ... take your time - this is not a competition ...
have a great and peaceful night - see you tomorrow ...
You sound like your experience is similar to all of ours - you will have good days and bad days but eventually you will find the good days become more frequent. It's not an easy recovery but it does get better with time. We are here to help you through this journey - I'm 6 weeks post op and doing great.
When you are lying down try to make sure that you elevate your leg higher than your heart. I had very swollen foot and ankle and I slept at night with foot propped up with pillows and a rolled up towel. After a couple of days swelling went right down and slowly disappeared
I try sleeping with legs on pillow but after first loo trip 2 hours after going to sleepni cannot reposition pillow. I still have someone stay at night but do not like to disturb them. I'm trying to lie flat at least twice in the day. First loo trip over for tonight now might get another fee hours.
I love reading all the encouraging experiences and words of everyone.
Going to the mall tomorrow to walk a bit in the Mall with my 14 year old daughter and hubby. We will take my wheelchair in case I get tired or too sore. (Just in case)
It's been raining here so often that this is a better option. Plus it will be without unevenness to worry myself over. :p