I am 44yo female scheduled to have a total hip replacement via anterior approach Friday morning. I have never had any surgeries - not a one. No child birth no tonsilectimy nothing. To say I am terrified is putting it lightly. I am so paralyzingly scared I am having constant panic/anxiety attacks. I know I need this done - I was an active person before and now I am a sedentary slug.
I want to be happy and pain free and healthy and active again but the thought of letting someone do this is terrifying.
I am told immediately following surgery the pain will be less than it is now - I am trying to focus on that relief and begging God to give me the strength and courage I need to get through this.
I appreciate all advice and words of encouragement from anyone that's been through this or is in my same position.
Scared to death in DC
Aww bless you I'm scheduled for the 17th DEC I am exactly the same as you scared stiff :-( but everyone on here are lovely and very reassuring x when is your op date xxim sure we will be fine and hopefully wonder what all the stress was about lol xx
Awwwwww thank you!!! Just knowing others are out there in this same situation is somehow comforting. Thank you
My op date is Dec4. First surgery of day for my doc. He seems to be a really great doctor and sought after which brings some comfort as well.
How about you? What's your story? Or is there somewhere I can read what you've likely already stated? I'm new to this forum stuff.
I hear you, I was petrified too, the unknown. I read a lot of stuff but was still scared. You will be okay, trust me, I couldn't believe how little pain there was and I had posterior. I believe with anterior there are no restrictions and very little threat of dislocation. So that is a big plus, you will be up and being active again very soon, good luck and try to relax, breath deep.......🌸I am 13 weeks out and 63.
I had anterior approach in May, and as soon as I woke up the pain was gone. No pain killers other than an occasional Tramadol or Tylenol. Yes I still have a few aches and some thigh numbness but all is good. Oh, and that was my first stay in a hospital too..3 nights then home...I'm 54. Good luck, you'll be fine.
Oh friend... I had my first hip done when I was 33 and i was terrified! I had my other hip done in September and honestly I was okay about it. The pain I was in was mind numbing and I missed my active life. Surgery was fast and easy- I was out- and recovery has been long and boring but not nearly as painful as before surgery. You will be fine! I promise! Feel free to email me [email removed] if you need anything- us USA girls need to stick together! This time next year you will wonder why you were ever worried..
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Omg I am crying. Everyone here is so nice!!! Thank you!!!
I am sure I am fretting over nothing. Well maybe not nothing but fretting too much for sure.
i have been told I will have Zero restrictions! I just don't see how that's possible. But the doc keeps telling me so. I am told when I wake up I will feel less pain than I did before surgery! Amazing
congrats to you and your recovery!
Omg to be pain free or have less pain is almost unimaginable at this point!
I am told I will be 1 night in - I'll pack for 2 just I case. Hell at this point I want to make sure I am ok before they release me - more comfortable knowing I am right there in case anything was to go wrong. Then again my bed sounds appealing to. However I am told I should have private room and husband can stay if he wants.
My sister (an ex orthopedic nurse) is coming tomorrow to stay w me for a week! I am so lucky to have her and my husband I know I will be well taken care of here at home. Need to focus on the positives.
I am a dork and found your thread -lol. No need to tell me. /
Hi Roxy,
You have come to the right place. There is nothing to be afraid of: it is what it is. The op is routine and well known. Your surgeon does many of these every working week. Don't panic as it will make your condition worse. Just pack for a short break away from home. Keep it simple and wear loose nighties which are easy to get on and off.
Your pain will be well controlled with morphine and other drugs but quickly becomes more manageable. It will just be bruising and the scar healing. TThe deep bone ache will be a thing of the past.
The only way is up.
Hugs from the UK
Shirley
I shall think of you on Friday - that's when my op is too! I'm really anxious about it too - I keep feeling really sick and getting headaches worrying about everything. Not long now though - and from what everyone says it'll be a hassley few weeks the other side, but then all very much worth it. Good luck! X
Shirley- thank you! Very well said and very encouraging. I can handle that kind of pain better I think!
Abby good luck to you!!!!I shall think of you that day as well!!!
I'll look at your posts - but are we having the same procedure?
i am so thankful I found this thread - only wish I had found it sooner. Better late than never.
Hello,
I was the same.....couldn't figure it out even...I told myself I had jumped out of a plane and yet this fear was unreal....they gave me some valium pre op and that helped tons...so don't be afraid to ask for something to relax you..It will go great.....positive thoughts!!!! take care!
Hi abby,
Same stuff as I said to roxy. Take it as it comes.
All the best for Friday. Let us know when you are a fully fledged "hippie" like the rest of us.
Hugs,
Shrley
Believe me, you are not alone in being scared before the operation, in the time I have been on here, I have seen many who are far more terrified than you.
After the operation, they all say that they wonder why they were so scared.
It's only natural, you are having something done to your precious body that youhavenot experienced before, and you find it alarming. Stay calm, we will all help you to get through the experience. There is a wealth of experience of various sorts here - look at the "Related Information" on the right hand side of the screen for info on the actual replacement process and on anaesthetic choices.
Best wishes
Graham
Ahh RoxycTurtle..I was so firghtened and this site talked me through and continued and continue now to support and encorage. I had panic attacks and backed out at first and cancelled the op. My GP gave ame valium to take ....but looks like as I type you are already having having your op tomorrow. Stil well worth asking GP for some to calm you down. I feel for you as it could hav ebeen me writong your post and if you look back to September you woud see..so..chin up....the medics are very kind..and there are few patients who aren't scared a little bit.
We will all be thinknig of you on Friday. Are you on your own at home afterwards? I was and was worried about that too and I was alright.
Alice
Im 19 and am coming up to my 10th operation which will be my thr so i have plenty of experiance but i guarentee everyone is scared to some degree before surgery. Some people are scared of the whole thing but for me im scared of needles. As a child i was always distraught when they gave me the injection in my jand and always said i needed the "magic cream" . But what im trying to say is its completely normal. I bet you go in for it and when you wake up after you will laugh and ask yourself what were you so scared of. But obviously this is a big operation and yiu also are very young for it. But like the doctor told me, you just have to immagine what yiur quality of life will be like afterwars. I hope i kind of listed your spirits, even just a tiny bit. I wish you the very best of luck and keep me posted xx
Hi Roxy,
I see that you are in DC - this means that you are having your surgery today, right?
It is Thursday late morning here (Holland) -
It is normal, like we all am telling you, that you are afraid and freaking out etc. - nothing we say can take that away -
however .... for me,on the day of surgery, the only thing I could do was to surrender -- this is it !!!! ( I had 2 THR surgeries in 6 months!!!) -
well, to be honest, the surrender thing happened when I was in the car, on my way to the hospital and really sunk in when I was waiting to be taken to the OR -
Sending you light and healing rays -
Have faith darling
big warm hug
renee
p.s. looking forward to your first post-op post ....