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6 week check- up and time to celebrate

Posted , 16 users are following.

linda38528
linda38528

I saw my surgeon yesterday and he cleared me from all restrictions (the big three, driving, pool, etc) except for the ones my body imposes! . Go forth, go at my own pace and listen to my body. But KEEP DOING MY EXERCISES - ESP FOR THE ABDUCTORS,

I am to see him in July for a follow-up and to consider and date for my second hip.

Re incision - sensitivity is expected, bio oil and light massage to start and consider more from an RMT in a month or so.

Re butt pain sitting (reading between the lines a little) suck it up, this is a traumatic surgery and will take a good while for the body to recover. Pay around with cushions and chairs to be as comfortable as possible and continue working with the PT on this as well as to stretch out the hamstrings and IT bands in both legs.

He gave me a copy of the full operative report w specifics re my model numbers, etc. - actually very interesting reading.

He personally doesn't think that stem cell research has advanced far enough in patient trials to try yet but he will consult with colleagues to recommend to me before our next appointment!

I love this guy. Too bad he is taken, I would like to introduce him to my daughter and several good girlfriends!!!!

I did a little dance leaving the waiting room and celebrated more privately with my man at home.

Feeling very lucky right now.

6 likes, 33 replies

33 Replies

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  • Nell1301
    Nell1301 linda38528

    Posted

    Well done Linda, I have my 6 weeks check next Monday, you seem to be doing so well, are you walking without crutches/or stick. When I am indoors I am trying to walk without stick, but outdoors I feel I need them.Also I am still walk g like a Penguin . Glad your dong well xx
  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK linda38528

    Posted

    Lucky Linda !

    So happy for you, that all sounds very good advice there regarding incision sensitivity and butt pain (sitting on a golfball).  

    Best wishes

    Graham - 🚀💃

  • pammyw
    pammyw linda38528

    Posted

    Congrats Linda!  It's lovely news.  All the best for a lovely future!! Pam.  wink
  • CelsB
    CelsB linda38528

    Posted

    That's great news!  I can't wait to be able to drive again.  I've got a couple of weeks to go before I see mine but I hope to get the go-ahead.  

    Well done x

  • Guest
    Guest linda38528

    Posted

    Well done Linda, that's great news.  Talk about differences between surgeons, I had my 6 week check up last week,  Went in using both crutches as instructed, told me to walk with one down the corridor and then without.  Now I am to use a walking stick/cane outside and try without indoors, I am finding it very hard and painful, talk about one step forward and two steps backwards.  I have the hip restrictions for another 6 weeks and should be able to go back to work second half of May.  I was hoping to have the restrictions lifted but he did say that it is to ensure the capsule around the joint is healed.
  • linda38528
    linda38528

    Posted

    Thanks for all the good wishes! I feel very lucky - went in with a walker and came out the same way but with a bit of a strut I am told.

    I will still use the walker for distance for a while (although walks o/s might have to wait a bit more as they are forecasting a last bast of snow coming tomorrow ...grrh).

    And I will use the cane inside the house. But it is almost as if progress came all together over the last few days so that the report of my physio visit 2 hours before the appointment with the surgeon may have weighed positively in my favour). She still added four more physio sessions to my script so I am hopeful of strengthening gait, stride and core so that I can be in the best possible shape for hip number 2.

    Similar to other postings I have seen in this forum, she is working me hard to lengthen my stride which really smooths it out - whatever device I use. So please think about this when walking about.

    I will keep in touch re progress and any other hints I come by.

    Best,

    • susyp
      susyp linda38528

      Posted

      That's great news Linda. I've 2 weeks to go to my 6 week appointment but my surgeon keeps restrictions in place for 12 weeks.?? Funny how they all have different opinions. I like your better though.

      All the best

      Sue x

    • linda38528
      linda38528 susyp

      Posted

      Thanks Sue and good luck. Week four felt very long with little progress but things really started to pick up through the last week. I hope you experience tell same, but every body is different!

      I have to say that my husband and daughter were shocked at the no restrictions ... good thing my husband heard it himself. I even questioned it with my surgeon, but he was very clear that I (and my body) were the arbiters on this now and I should do anything that felt good.

      But, as I said elsewhere, I think the regular exercises and the motivation of going to a long-awaited concert tipped me over the edge. Also much credit to friends and family for keeping my spirits up plus this amazing forum which really helped w concerns or when just feeling in terms dumps - so many generous people!

      Take care and good luck with it all.

  • Skidget
    Skidget linda38528

    Posted

    What a fabulous post!  What fabulous news! And quite informative, too. Okay, so...onto that spring weather (raspberry to any reports of any further snow), shall we???  : )  SO HAPPY FOR YOU.
  • KarenFisher4074
    KarenFisher4074 linda38528

    Posted

    Well done Linda 

    its a great feeling 6 week check up and the no restrictions 😀🤗👍🏻

    i got mine 3 weeks ago and so happy with recovery too.

    i was so excited to get back in the pool and it felt amazing. I am taking it slowly but feels great knowing that i am on my way back to the fitness level i want. 

    Listen to your body because it does let you know if you are doing to much.

    Congrats 🤗👍🏻💪🏻

    Karen

    • linda38528
      linda38528 KarenFisher4074

      Posted

      Thanks Karen. I hope to back to Liquid Gym .. great gym in the pool (even has treadmills, heated and partly salt water) next week. I went there presurgery but could not use much of the equipment due to pain restrictions but it was sooo good.

      I am determined to be as fit as possible for THR 2 and future.

      Good luck with your recovery.

      Best....

  • renee01952
    renee01952 linda38528

    Posted

    Hi Linda, 

    THank you for reporting back to us and congratulations - I have been on this forum for a loooong time now and come to realize that the best advice is really our own body - I, like you all, so want to get instructions and validations about how we are (supposed) to be  doing - who better than your surgeon, right ? 

    So great that most restrictions are lifted , the dislocation of new joint less etc.but still, listen to your body - If walking without aids leave you exhausted and in pain, wait a bit longer - when you don't feel comfortable or confident driving, then don't - 

    celebration time !!!!!   

    big warm hug

    renee

     

    • bini31328
      bini31328 renee01952

      Posted

      No truer words Renee - your body really does tell you whats OK and whats not - i,m walking round the house comfortably without anything but when I go back to work I,ll be using my stick just so peoples expectations are not too high! Otherwuse within a couple of days I,ll be expected to drag heavy medication trollies about etc . Listen to what your body says and follow that everytime xxx
    • linda38528
      linda38528 renee01952

      Posted

      Many thanks Renée. You are right on the mark.

      What my surgeon actually said was actually " no more restrictions, except those your body gives you". And then of course, the exercises ...

      This whole recovery process is all a huge learning process isn't it .. learning to listen better to our bodies and to trust and act on what we are hearing. It is all just a bit tougher to do this when years of pain have led us to discontinue many activities and doubt ourselves - especilly if the medical profession has not supported our own knowledge of self.

      I must say though that progress has been accelerating at an amazing rate over the last 48 hours, and I feel more confident at pushing myself albeit cautiously.

      Hugs back to all for all the support and congratulations. I hope it motivates some of you - even if your own progress has encountered some snags. And remember, I have some ways to go with this hip let alone my 2nd one!

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK linda38528

      Posted

      I think the 'recovery graph' would look very interesting - I have noticed that at 13 week I seem to be recovering much quicker now.  Being at work and walking some of the way in is really helping.

      Graham - 🚀💃

    • linda38528
      linda38528 Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      Humm .. will have to work on this. Will send you something if I manage anything useful. Fyi, my husband charted all my use of meds and mobility tools and exercise aids. My favourite is one made by a friend - metal weights that you can add as needed to insert into a heavy, stretchy sock which you can tie around your ankle during exercises. I also recently started using a flexible muscle roller stick which I am using to break down scar tissue along the IT band and hamstrings which have both been longterm issues since OA pain became really bad.

      I could not get a link to manual I told you about .. sorry but the clinic is not very technologically advanced in this way.

      PS I recommend this forum and your website to everyone I know having, had or contemplating THR.

      Xxx Rocketman!

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK linda38528

      Posted

      I had a good look, but couldn't find it either - shame.

      Best wishes

      Graham - 🚀💃

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