Initial referral for hip replacement

Thanks Vanessa.  My appointment is on 9th December and I want ti be prepared x

Make sure you are signed in x

Good point 

Thought it was me I even reset my password lol but seems to be working okay now xx

hi cels,

yes ..and I couldn't sign in ....couldn't contact our moderator. .,

got back in via otherforum ......

I thought I was banned 😢

warm hug

Renee ❤

p.s in live in Holland

Yes Lyn, I live in Northamptonshire x

I take it from Lyn's reply that the initial referral is not the actual cosultation? 

Hi roketman me again sorry lol did you have all checks done at consultation or were they done after x

Hi Rocketman (intriguing username)

All this happens at the initial referral then or do you have to wait for a second appointment for a consultation?

Hi Graham:

Good pre op information.  Did they do a chest exray?

Best regards,

Susie

Checks were done later, the first consultation was just the surgeon explaining risks of what he wanted to do, and confirming this was the best option for me.

No problems - just glad to be able to help

Graham

See my reply to Vanessa - Checks were done later, the first consultation was just the surgeon explaining risks of what he wanted to do, and confirming this was the best option for me.

Rocketman - refers to the wonderful 2300cc Triumph Rocket III that my wife and I used to have - sadly gone because of hip pain, but converted the cash into a conservatory that has now become my 'day recovery room'.

Graham

No chest xray ........ not heard of anyone having that done routinely.

Graham

Hi Susie I have both my hips done 6 months apart, I didn't have chest x Ray all I had was bloods taken swabs for mrsa, and a ecg to make sure heart was okay.

I had to have chest xray pre op.

I had ops in Portugal

Cathie

Thank you, and nice bike.  Twice as powerful as my car 

Many thanks, Graham.

The reason I have asked is that I have a history of smoking.  Were you ever a smoker, and if so, when did you quit?  I kind of stopped at the beginning of July, but then events kicked in and I started up again, for a while.  However, I haven't smoked, probably now for about two months.  Have noticed considerable changes in the ocndition of my lungs.

Having said all of the above, I think my age group, viewed smoking in a very casual way.  It was just a part of every day life.  So, many of my age group having hip replacements probably have the same history as myself.  Wonder if this why there are so many epidurals, as General Anaesthesia may not be appropriate for those of us with a history of the now hated "fag!"

Sorry to be a pest, but I am wondering what the consensus is on the Forum?

Best regards,

Susie

Many thanks, Marilyn,

I have a history of smoking, which is why I have posed the question.  However, I have stopped, now.  Quite in July, but then certain events drove me back to them for a while, but now, I cannot remember when I bought my last pack - a good two months or, at least!

Have you a history of smoking, and if so, when did you stop?

Kindest regards,

Susie

I have never been a smoker

Yes, it was a beauty, a real pleasure to ride.  I always had a big smile on my face when on it.  I knew it had to go though, it just was not safe with the pain in my leg.  Just glad we had it whilst we were fit enough to enjoy it.

No regrets.

Graham

I was a smoker, but gave up 42 years ago.

I was however very overweight, so started tolose weight 18 months ago - and lost 5 stone (70 pounds) to get down to 'on the high side of normal' for my height.

Noproblem with the questions, ask away.

Graham

Hi Graham:

Your generosity in responding to all these questions is very much appreciated.  The smoking issue does concern me somewhat, but as I know tht I have pretty much stopped, and intend to keep it that way, I do feel more reassured.  It does rather seem that the tests and examinations are somewhat upto the individual GP and consultant.  And as I have already said, my age group tended to be smokers, and thought nothing of it, until we learned the truth about smoking.

Fortunately, I don't have a weight problem as such, but do know that shedding a few pounds would be a good idea!

All the best, and thank you so much,

Susie

Susie,

No problem, it's what this forum is all about, and what makes it so very useful - sharing concerns, ideas and experiences.

Always happy to respond.

Best wishes

Graham

Re epidurals, - actually spinal block, a nurse explained different meaning, but to the non medical same. I was part of a study here in australia on the difference in recovery, complications, pain control etc. and the chart the senior nurse showed me as I expressed interest was amazing, Imagine a chart showing 0-100%, GA was at 30%, and spinal block was at 50%, I didn't expect to see such a large gap, she said neither did they, but with those sorts of results more surgeries would be done via spinal block. I know about six months ago, son-in-law had appendix done via spinal block. My Consultant, is one of the most senior research hip-replacement specialist in the world, he presents papers around the world, has other Dr's come to the hospital here for training, he is also working on growing bone in his research unit, with some success I believe.

So do you think spinal block is best? Is it a quicker recovery ? Xx sorry I need it in plain English Lol not very good with medical terms and with spinal block will you have a catthter ?

Vanessa, Yes you are much better off with Spinal Block, and yes I'm afraid you will have a catheter, I know, ughhh, but getting in and out of bed the first few hours after surgery impossible, they keep your spinal block turned up fairly high, so you have no pain, no feeling either, you will be very happy to have that damn cathether. Catherther these days are a piece of cake, they don't hurt, just uncomfortable, I had one quiet recently when they couldn't get a un-containmated, urine test after three times they said we are going to do via catherther, very gentle nurse, easy peasy.

Catheter is not universal with Spinal Block, I did not get one - I wish I had, it would have been easier than hourly requests for pee bottles to be emptied and later the frequent trips to the loo all night.

Spinal Block was fantastic, absolutely no feeling below the waist. I was awake for the operation, and had not even realised the surgeon had started working on me.

Best wishes

Graham

Hi Vanessa,  Yes I was dreading the catheter as had an epidural and a ga ( apparently).  I remember nothing at all and was very nervous..like us all..I am grateful for the catheter however and didn't feel it coming out after 3 days either...and as other posts have said it means you don't have to try to use a bed pan or go to loo.  Also keeps after op pain in control...

Ali 2 

Hi Marlyn:

Did you have a smoking history that your GP was aware of?

Best regards,

Susie

Hi Graham:

Did you have a smoking history that your GP was aware of?  I think this may be why they do a chest exray- posssible General Anaesthesia complications, I think.

All the best,

Susie

I did have a history ... I stopped in 1973 

Hence no xray needed I suppose

Graham

hi susie -

Did your GP tell you that he is worried about your smoking history? 

Do you have problems with breathing or a chronic smoker's cough?

I am a smoker, ticked the box on the forms and noone every mentioned it - of course they'd prefer  I wouldn't smoke - 

No chest x-ray was taken - 

You mention that you smoke a few cigarettes a day, if that - you should be fine - sometimes smokers have a little more problems post op with anesthesia - I did not ...

warm hug

renee

 

Hi Renee:

I officially stopped smoking on July 1, 2015.  However, a situation arose concerning my daughter that dragged through the rest of the Summer, and I had to give her emotional and financial support.  I went straight back to the "fags."  However, since late September, I have not smoked, and have used the E cigarettes.  I have had the Es around for a couple of years, now.  Can't actually remember when I last bought a pack of cigarettes, much less when I last had a glass of wine!  Want to be as squeaky clean pre op as possible!

I have noticed that my lung function has improved and I am not coughing.  Never had what was described as a "smokers cough" and did not smoke every day, either.  My smoking habit is strictly a nervous habit, and so cigarettes, are my "drug of choice."  Only time I use the Es, is with my morning cup of coffee, or if I am involved in a disturbing phone call - I try to avoid those!  

Problem is, that because of the hip, I do not get the amount of exercise that I would wish, so no real cardio vascular workouts.  I used to enjoy taking walks along the canal with my camera.  Problem around here is that people like to bag their dog's excrement and then throw it up into the trees, so I have to put the blinkers on and walk past - quickly.  I cannot imagine what people gain from this stupidity.

Reason I raised the chest exray is that my GP said that an ECG and chest exray would be done.  I had a chest exray in San Francisco in 1987, when my left hand was operateed on.  The American medics are very nervous about their insurance policies - malpractice!  A friend of mine, an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist opted out completely and opened an AIDs lab!  That was at the time that gay men were dying left right and center of AIDS in 80s.  Tragic.   I lost a great many very dear friends during that time.

Not smoking tobacco, just the Es, and for quite some time, now.  I did tell my GP that I  had a smoking history, and that was during the same consultation that the chest exray was mentioned.

Very best to you,

Susie

All the best,