Bi-Lateral hip replacement

Hi Ann,  I was absolutely terrified prior to my surgery.  I remember many nights crying, and thinking why me?  I'm too young for this.

Looking back, that fear was the worst part of the entire thing!!!  I remember getting home a couple of days after surgery and being so happy and relieved that it was nothing like I'd imagined.  I'm now 6 months post op and doing very well  I'm so glad that I went though with it.  I'm sure that you will be too.

The torture of the fear of this operation is horrendous, and it was BY FAR the worst part of the whole experience for me. I was fine once it was done, and you will be too. 

You have to simply bite the bullet and accept you don't even have a life without the hip replacements, that anything is better than being in agony every minute of your life. 

Visualise all the wonderful things you will do, the person you will be when you are better. Keep on reminding yourself that this is a life changing operation (which it most definitely is) and you will have your life back.

In my case after convulsing with fear, the sedated me - they were the kindest, most comforting lovely nurses and doctors in the theatre, and yours will be too, they will hold your hand every step of the way.

Before you know it, it will all be over and you will wake up and wonder what the fuss was all about....If anything I wish I had had mine done sooner, lord only knows why I waited for so long...it is fine, it will be fine.

Stay on here and let us know how you get on, be strong, you can do this, and definitely don't cancel, you will simply have to go through it all again....God bless you

Hi ya I was exactly the same to the point I was there waiting and changed my mind my dad was on his way to get me but I did it and so glad I did now I'm 15 days post op and I'm walking about everyday u will regret it if u cancel like u say the pain is bad and it will get worse X

Bless you Ann I know that fear and I too was thinking of cancelling but at 61 I have to say the alternative was to stay on crutches and eventually a wheelchair!

It's thanks to all the nice supporters on here I was able to go through with it , my 1st was September and that hip is like it was 20 year ago so please look at the prize waiting for you , it's 1 of the most successful life changing procedures success rate is high Ann my love if I can do this then so can you You keep reading your messsages its better than any sedative , A lady summed it up on here she said surrender yourself to your surgeon and his team and know we are all there for you every step of the way

Warm Hugs Ange

ps I'm 3 days post op and looking forward to getting my life back so will you ??

The waiting for the unknown is always the worst bit. Even waiting for a test result is traumatic. Hip replacement is supposed to be the most succesful operation in the world. You will be fine and wonder why you were so worried.

I had the same conversation with my self the day if my op back in August... it's not that bad it doesn't need doing and the rest but my word the day after the op all the terrible pain in the hip was gone I could have kissed the surgeon ..now 6 months later I'm waiting to have the last hip replaced no doubt I will be scared again but not as bad as the first time good luck 🤗 x

 

Hi I'm nearly 7 months post hip and pelvic fracture, couldn't have op for a couple of reasons and I'm looking at either being on crutches indefinitely or a chair, if you can have it done then go for it, you will be fine and after a bit pain free.

Just don't do the twist :-)

Oh darling girl!  I was the biggest scaredy cat in the world.  Drove my husband to the edge - crying, carrying on before the op.  Here I am, pain free!  I walk a bit mechanically but absolutely no pain in my hips at all.  It is one of the most successful ops!  The first person to see me afterwards told me it was amazing to see no pain in my face!  It's right uncomfy straight afterwards...but the reward is priceless.  Bestest of luck!  

Hi Ann

I am coming up to my 3rd year since having bi-lateral and like you was in so much pain, almost wheelchair bound and scared to death. I found this site by chance and posted my fears and got such a huge response which helped me tremendously.

I didn't know they even did bi-lateral replacement and yes it's scary but at least you only have to go through one recovery. I was put out completely and would recommend this for bi-lateral. It will be tough but it is most definitely worth it.

It had been the best decision I made to have it and once off all the mess, I was pain free. It has given me a new lease of life and can't believe it has been almost 3 years.

I remember the physics advice to me through rehabilitation 'baby steps'.

You will have some bad days but these will be outweighed by the achievements that come as you progress and you will look back on this post as I have mine and see it was the best decision you ever make.

I'm with the "just do it" vote! I'm not suggesting that everyone deals with fear the same way, but like you, when I first was told that it had come - I knew I would need it "soon" but then my hip bone upon and died on me, so that became "yesterday" - there was an awful OMG moment. So - and don't do this at home kiddies - I went on utube and watched an entire operation on there! Now I'm kind of squeamish at times, but I found it was just so everyday! The people doing it were clear and oiled like a machine, there were no "hospital drama" moments, and it really was just a job! Gosh! And that's how I got past it. I was actually disappointed because I had opted for no sedation so that I could be awake for my own operation, but they could not get the needle into my spine, so I had no choice and had to go with the GA. 

Not long after I was told that I need major surgery on my ankle and did the same thing. Now THAT is going to be an insist on GA! It really is scary surgery - the hip was just routine. 

I've only had the one hip done now add the other still has life in it and no pain yet, but my experience was waking up totally pain free and that's how it's been ever since (coming up to 10 weeks). The odd twinge. An occasional ache. It would have been worth going through hell to get to this point - but it was far from that! 

I know that not everyone has such an easy time of it, and even my surgeon said mine was better than text book, but the vast majority of people have great outcomes. The odds are in your favour that you will be back to jiving within the year. And every time that you feel that fear coming on, make a big smile - smiling makes the brain think of happy endorphins, and pushes the fear back. 

Ann,

Just concentrate on the fact that after the operation and recovery period, you will be able to walk withou pain 

The joy of movement without that pre-operation pain is absolutely worth all that we go through with our nerves before the operation, and the recovery which always seems slower than we would like.

Take it easy, don't beat yourself up, we've all been through the pre-op nerves, and remember there's always someone there on this forum to help you through the experience.

For tips on sedation, see my website, the address is in my personal info here ...

   https://patient.info/forums/profiles/rocketman-sg6uk-907025

and at the bottom of the moderator's "useful resources" page at

   https://patient.info/forums/discuss/thr-useful-resources-487147

I had spinal block, with this you have the  choice of no sedation (being awake), light (woozy), or full sedation (totally out like a general anaesthetic).  Talk to the anethetist (they are lovely people), they understand your concerns and will tailor it to your wishes.

Best wishes

Graham - 🚀💃 🤸

Dear Ann,

I was scare i didn't know what to expect. I went for operation Monday and worked till Sunday just not to think about operation.

I did not even know this site excited. I went trough the operation

and you will too. In March my opsite hip have to be done as well.

Im scared but on other hand looking forward to be pain free .

Belive me if they ask me if i want go tomorrow i will not hesitate to say yes. The waiting time is nervs vrecking but it worse it.

Try keep your self ocupaded. Im 14 weeks after operation

of left hip and im happy i had done it. You will be fine. Before

you know will be over and you will be glad you didn't cancled.

Good luck and big hug Madla💗

Hello Ann,

I had both hips replaced on November 15, about 9 weeks ago. I'm very happy with the results so far.  No arthritis pain (or any other pain), just stiffnes that will take time to resolve.  I really don't think you have much to worry about (easy for me to say). The surgery was a breeze.  The recovery is a little tough in the beginning (maybe 7 days), but very manageable. Not a lot of pain, just tenderness.  If you have a little help at home for a couple of weeks, you'll do great. Just put your head down and power through this and you'll be on the other side before you know it.

Good luck,

Jim

PS. General anesthesia worked well for me.