Hi everyone. My name is Cindy and I live in Branford, CT USA. I have read much of what you have all written. Thank you so much. As I read I may have questions. I was wondering what they do with the measurements for the bed and chair? How long is it before we can cross our legs and sleep on our sides? I went to new hip class here at Yale last week. It was very informative but there are so many questions. My surgery is schedule for March 22nd.
Hi iv no idea what to expect. I go in for my thr on the 29th of Feb and i am going in blind because iv been given no info from hospital. I wont find anything out till the day of my surgery.
Sorry i cant help you out more. I wish you the best of luck x
Hi Cindy....Look at Rocketmans's site ..it has all the information from a hippie's point of view. Click on his posts and details I you will find the site.
Keep looking on this forum massive amounts of help and support,
Ali
Thank you so much Ali. Interstingly... Ali is my beautiful cats name!
I have added an index - the last page - hopefully useful for finding various things
Graham - 🚀💃
Thank you so much Rocketman and Alice. I just got on the blog and already I feel the love!! How do I access your website?
Cindy....I see Rockman has given you his web page..have a look..such a help..
Hey is your cat Alikat?? That sounded funny in my head but isn't!
Ali
see my personal info page - the address is there.
https://patient.info/forums/profiles/rocketman-sg6uk-907025
Graham - 🚀💃
Hi Cindy,
i have just started laying on non op side and felt so good i am 18 days post op. I sleep on my stomach normally and thought sleeping on my back would be horrible took some getting used too but i did. I will be glad when i can sleep on stomach but managing 😀
As for bed and chair depends on your height but higher is better and having side arms on chair to lift yourself up is important. I bought a shower chair for shower which adjusts and it worked really well. If chair is lower you can put a pillow down to raise it up.
physio will tell you when in hospital also.
Hope that helps.
Karen
Queensland, Australia
I slept on the non-op side from the first night, but did switch between that and my back several times a night for about the first month. Almost napped on my stomach yesterday (with a pillow under my op side), but not ready to try the op side yet. I'm 11 weeks post-op now.
I wasn't given any information about measuring heights; I just instinctively did whatever was comfortable for me.
Had a post op x-ray a couple of days ago and all is good. While talking to the doctor, I crossed my legs several times (with both op and non-op legs). He didn't bat an eyelid...
Do you know what approach your surgeon is using? The hip precautions will dictate chair and bed height.
What to NOT expect is much consistency from one surgeon to another! Some demand TEDs (more in the UK perhaps), some say you can drive at 2 wks, some say sleep on your side or on the non-operated side, others just on your back. Some recommend PT, others less so. Crutches, walkers, weight bearing, not--It really is quite surprisingly variable. The precautions are meant to apply to a wide age group and ability level of patients. Read and jot down questions. It's a lot to take in. This is a great forum.
Regarding chairs and sitting, try and follow the general rule that your knees should be lower than your hips. This will help you to abide the 90 degree rule.
Michael x
Yes Gail.. it is a great help to me as I approach the surgery. I am having the posterior approach. I know what you mean with so many different thoughts from the different doctors. I trust my surgeon as he has not rushed me through appointments, but given me time to help me feel better emotionally about this. But the truth is the best support is the support of people who are going through the same thing and have before me. I am grateful to have found this site and so many people have generously shared with me. At the class I went to they discouraged crutches, more walkers/cane. I was glad because I have heard that the crutches can cause there own pain!
Thank you! I smiled when I read about you crossing your legs in front of your doctor. Was there a time period where they told you not to? I am so happy for you that all is going well for you post op. YAY
Thank you so much Karen. It is wonderful that you take the time to share with those of us that are going into the process. I thought of you this morning with gratitude. My couch is low with firm cushions but I have a love seat to match. I can just put the love seat cushions on top of the sofa cushions if need be. I wouldn't have known if you hadn't told me in your comment. Keep in touch and stay well!
Thank you!!!! I love that you are all sharing with me. What a comfort it is
I call her Ali girl cat!! She is a beautiful little black cat with green eyes and a face full of love
This is exactly the kind of help I need. thank you Michael!!
Bit like me then cept I don't have a tail ! You are so right, apart from all the hip onfo, there is the joy and laughter to help us get through day to day.
ALI x
I was given no advice at the hospital. Learned all of the "rules" on the forum here. But there were certain things I just instinctively didn't do because it was too painful/uncomfortable.
I remember back in the early days reading that standing pigeon-toed was a big no-no. I mentioned it to the doctor when I went to have my stitches out and he dismissed it as a myth. Seems all doctors have their own ideas about what's good and what's not...