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Advice?

Posted , 17 users are following.

caron53935
caron53935

Hi my fellow Hippies

I have a couple of questions that you guys may be able to help with, or share your experiences.

I am just gone 2 weeks post op, and have some plans to meet my sister in law for lunch for her birthday. Did anyone have any issues going out this early? Suggestions to make it easier? Did you take your own pillow?!

Secondly, I've got dissolvable stitches. I'm certain my dispatch nurse told me, but I can't remember when I was supposed to be removing my dressing? I'll have been home for 2 weeks on Sunday. I have a spare dressing, current one is intact, wound is not seeping at all.

Thank you all again - this group is amazing.

Have a lovely weekend

Caron

2 likes, 51 replies

51 Replies

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  • Kazareth
    Kazareth caron53935

    Posted

    Hi Caron

    I went out after about two weeks with little trouble, didn't take a cushion but did get up a few times as was quite stiff. I found it tiring (and slightly uncomfortable) but it is worth it to see a different set of walls!

    With regard to the dressing I too had dissolvable stitches and had to get them checked at two weeks by the nurse and was told I didn't need to keep the dressing on anymore!

    I hope this helps! Enjoy your lunch!

    Karen

    • caron53935
      caron53935 Kazareth

      Posted

      Thanks Karen

      You are right, I'm going a bit crazy at home now! I'm going to take it easy, and thankfully it is just us and her two young children so it won't be a long lunch. I think moving is key.... I will take your advice and walk around a bit too.

      I don't have an appointment with my nurse at all. I'm in London, not sure if you are in the UK, but my next hospital appointment is my physio in another 2 weeks. I'll call the hospital regarding the dressing.

      Thank you for your message, I hope you have a good recovery (if there's still recovering to be done!)

      Caron

    • Kazareth
      Kazareth caron53935

      Posted

      Hi

      I am in the UK and 6 weeks post op on Monday, I must say I have found it harder than I was expecting, quite possibly because everyone kept saying to me you're young (I'm 40) you'll be recovered in no time. Everyone heals differently and from what I've read on here uncemented replacements take a bit longer but it does get easier every day (bit of a cliché but it is true in my case) I'm sure your hip will let you know if you're doing too much and I found the first few weeks were hardest at night but this site is fantastic for advice!

      Good luck with the recovery, hopefully it will be nice and straight forward for you!

    • caron53935
      caron53935 Kazareth

      Posted

      Totally agree, Karen... I'm 37. I struggle quite a bit at night, and have already been asked when I think I will be able to come back to work! It's crazy, as I can't imagine even travelling in to the office let alone back, let alone working yet!!

      Right now it's just before 3am. I am awake as my meds have worn off, and I'm waiting for the others to kick in. This is my pattern. Repeat every 3 hours.

      I do not know whether mine is cemented or not, only that is ceramic and titanium. I was born with hip dysplasia, and had my hip operated on as a child. I am not sure if that makes any difference to the recovery time either.

      I hope your road to recovery is doing better now, nearly the 6 week mark! Good for you!!

      Take care

    • lizbet20
      lizbet20 caron53935

      Posted

      Hi Caron, interesting to read this, I was born with hip dysplasia too, I had an operation to fix it at 3 and have been ok until the past 10 years where my hip issues became worse and am now bone on bone, I'm 49 and awaiting a THR which I've stupidly put off  past few years.  I get told frequently that because I'm relatively young I will be recovered in no time, but I don't want to expect too much and like you I'm not sure If my pre-exisiting condition will make a difference to my recovery.  

      You sound like your doing well though and it's great you have had your operation, I wish you a speedy recovery 

      Lizbet x

    • carolSte
      carolSte lizbet20

      Posted

      Hello, I was born with hip dysplasia which wasnt discovered until i was two so lots of damage done. I had 16 operations prior to having complex hip reconstruction 9 weeks ago. I was partial weight bearing for 6 weeks to let the bone grafts take. Im now down to a walking stick and am driving. I anticipate being with the walking stick for some time whilst muscles strengthen. Im delighted with my progress and feel great! Some muscle discomfort whilst im getting moving again (obviously muscles not used when partial weight bearing) but occasional paracetamol sorts that. Im 56.

      I hope you have your THR soon, you'll feel so much better for it. the worst bit was having to sleep on my back for 6 weeks!! it takes some effort but its really worth it. Good luck! xxx

    • lizbet20
      lizbet20 carolSte

      Posted

      Hi Carol, thanks for replying, gosh you have been through a lot, great to hear how well your doing though and it's encouraging me to remain positive about the operation.  I'm dreading sleeping on my back I've been trying to these last few weeks to practice so to speak but I just can't get comfortable, though I realise I will have no option after my surgery.   I think/hope my operation will be in next few months, can't get my head around it all but I know I've no option, as my hip is restricting my life so much.

      take care

      Lizbet x

    • carolSte
      carolSte lizbet20

      Posted

      Youll be fine Lizbet, youll get used to sleeping on your back and, believe it or not, the time goes quickly. a good mixture of exercises and rest will help your progress. keep in touch if you want to and im happy if you have any questions.

      Very best wishes

      carol xx

    • lizbet20
      lizbet20 carolSte

      Posted

      Hi Carol... thanks for that, and your kind words,  always great to get support, especially from others who have been through/going through the same procedure.

      thanks for replying 

      Lizbet x

       

  • gloria81144
    gloria81144 caron53935

    Posted

    Hey Caron

    I am a 73 year old female that.ives in Rockport,  Tex.  I'm doing very well.

    just one past the surgery I walked, dressed myself.  Got home at 1:30 pm.

    believe  me, I will have a great recovery!

    you do the same!

     

    • caron53935
      caron53935 gloria81144

      Posted

      Thanks Gloria

      A positive attitude like yours is the way to go!!! Keep smiling and I wish you a swift recovery too.

      Kindest regards

      Caron

  • RichardKen
    RichardKen caron53935

    Posted

    Dear Caron

    If you feel up to it go and enjoy. It is sure to lift your spirits!

    Cheers Richard

    • caron53935
      caron53935 RichardKen

      Posted

      Thanks Richard!

      I will. If there has been one thing I have learnt in the past 2 weeks, it's that we need to listen to our bodies. I'll be taking it slow!!!

      All the best to you,

      Caron

  • Happy21
    Happy21 caron53935

    Posted

    Hello Caron, there is no right or wrong time if you feel up to it do it. I went out for a meal on Mother's Day, 9 days post op and was apprehensive as it was obviously going to be busy. I took my own pillow to ensure not only comfort but protection for my hip. I wanted to be able to relax and doing this ensured I could. I found people were so helpful moving chairs, opening doors etc. Just take your time and enjoy your sister in laws birthday, you deserve it.

    Unfortunately I can't comment on your dissolvable stitches. I had clips and was told to keep my dressing on for two weeks until they were removed, which was Thursday gone. My scar is amazing I have never seen anything so neat.

    Anyway good luck on your meal out

    Take care and enjoy

    • caron53935
      caron53935 Happy21

      Posted

      Thank you for your message. Looks like we are operated twins... 16th March?

      I think taking a pillow (even just as a precaution) can't hurt, so I am glad I asked the question!

      Fairly apprehensive about what the scar will look like, not that they bother me as I have a fair few, but it's still a bit of a shock initially. Glad to hear yours is neat, I hope mine is too!!!!

      Thank you again and I hope the rest of your recovery is speedy.

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