Advice?

Posted , 17 users are following.

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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  • Posted

    Hi Caron

    Sounds like your recovering well. I'm in the UK,I had dissolvable stitches,district nurses took the dressing off at exactly 2 weeks, no problems, not to be re covered.

    I admire you for going out,I wasn't brave enough, went out briefly at week 3. It really does feel good, a little fresh air and change of scenery, works wonders. I'm sure you will enjoy it.

    I took a cushion, this helped, I'm not sure about the toilet, I just didn't go.

    Have a great time.

    Nicky

    • Posted

      Thanks Nicky,

      I see a few people here have been to a 2 week post op appointment, either with a nurse or the surgeon. I don't have one, so I'll ring them on Monday.

      I think getting out, even for a few minutes changes your mindset, it's just tiring isn't it?! I went out for an hour earlier and I feel like I need a nap!!!!

      I'll certainly be taking a cushion with me sounds like a good idea from all on this forum.

      Thank you and good luck with your recovery too.

      Best wishes

      Caron

  • Posted

    Hope you have a lovely lunch out! smile The cabin fever is hard! I was too worried about needing the toilet at week 2 so didn't go out at that point but I'm tall and the loo seats and normal chairs seemed a long way down!!

    I still take a cushion out with me at 6 weeks for comfort!

    Sam

  • Posted

    Oh and also had dressing taken off at 2 week appointment.

    Sam

    • Posted

      Hi Sam

      Yes, maybe avoiding the toilet if possible is the answer!!!!! smile

      I'll take a cushion with me all the same, seems sensible.

      Are you in the UK? Seems a lot of people had a post op appointment at the 2 week mark, but I have nothing scheduled till J see my surgeon at the 6 week mark. I'll call them, just seems odd.

      Hope your recovery is going well!!!

      Best wishes

      Caron

    • Posted

      Hi Caron,

      Yes in U.K. Seems the 2 week appt fairly standard especially to check scar, swelling etc and get dressing off. I would definitely give them a call on Monday!

      Sam x

  • Posted

    Hi Caron

    I had dissolvable stitches and had the dr saint removed and checked at 10 days.

    Going out I took a cushion with to sit in in the car and also to sit on chairs,

    It will do you good to get out but take it slowly and if you are not comfortable don't sit in silence or you will suffer for it later!

    Have fun

    Julie

    • Posted

      Thanks Julie,

      Sounds like sound advice. I can't really find sitting comfortable for too long anyway, so I think I will heed your advice. Slow and steady all the way!!

      I hope you have a lovely day and thanks for the message.

      Best wishes

      Caron

    • Posted

      Tonight I managed to get in and out of the bath on my own it was bliss to have a wallow and the G & T my hubby brought in helped! Onwards and upwards eh?

  • Posted

    Hi I would ask you to seek medical advice on changing dressing.I hope your having blood thinners.Also get your doctor to advise you regards Amanda
  • Posted

    Hi Caron,

    Definitely go out if you feel up to it. It's just such a good feeling going out, you feel part of the wider world again! I went out for lunch on day 7. I live in London too, it was an easy stroll with my crutches; though I must admit my heart cell when I saw the rather low benches to sit on...It was ok though, perched on a bar stool. It would be a good idea to take a cushion.

    Re stitches, mine were disolvable and the wound was glued, with a clear plastic covering. I was told to go to the gp practice nurse at about 2 weeks I think, and she took off the plastic. Which hospital were you at?

    Wishing you all the best, and enjoy your lunch!

  • Posted

    Hi Caron,

    At 2 weeks I was able to get out for short visits.  A pillow will help you feel more comfortable. 

    I too had dissolvable stitches.  I changed the dressing every 24 hours after I got home.  By 2 weeks I no longer had to wear a dressing because the wound had closed and there was no weaping.  If you are going out though, I'd put a clean dressing on just as a precaution to keep the area clean and protected.

    Wishing you the best with your continued recovery! 

     

  • Posted

    Hi everyone, I am new to the patient's forums so please excuse me if questions don't sound right, I am currently waiting for THR on my left hip, I have had physio, cortisone injection all have not worked.

    My left leg gave way on me while I was at work about 5 weeks ago and am now currently on sick, the pain is so severe in my groin and also going into my knee, I am having to use a walking stick outside, I thought I may of heard something by now from the consultant, and I am constantly looking in the letter box, if there is anyone in the same boat as me, I would like to hear on there progress,I'm fed up of looking at 4 walls and watching the.T.v, luckily the good weather is coming.

    • Posted

      Sorry to hear your hip has given way. In what way has it given way and how long are you going to have to wait for surgery?

      Cheers Richard

    • Posted

      Hi. I would def get back to who referred you and try to push them if you are in such difficulties. Referrals do get lost and it's best to check early on. Sorry to hear you are waiting in such pain. It will go. I am 4 weeks post op and overjoyed with the new hip, now having to wait appointed period of time to have second done which now slows me down. There is light at the end of the tunnel but do contact to make sure your referral is in the correct pipeline. Best wishes.

    • Posted

      Hi ,thanks for your reply,I am going to give it until this Friday, then give them a ring, one of my mates had just had a knee replacement, and told me that's what he did, I'm slowly wishing and wishing , the pain come on more on a night in bed, I have to sleep with a pillow between my legs and sometimes sleep in the spare room as not to keep waking up my wife, most nights I get back out of bed and sleep downstairs in a chair.

      Still there's worse things in life than I suppose, will definitely ring Friday and post the outcome

    • Posted

      Hi , I have been limping really bad and dragging my left leg, the pain has just gradually crept up on me, been to the doctors,he sent me for physio, but as the weeks went on I was at work and I was getting sharp stabbing pains in my groin and into my knee, the Friday morning in general I was going for my morning tea break and I said to my work colleagues I can't walk no further, they just looked at me and laughed say what do you mean, I said I can't put any weight on my left leg, I had to put my arms round two of my mates and hop on my good leg across to the medical center, where they said there's nothing we can do and drove me home from work, I rang the doctor But same old story nothing I can do just wait until you see the consultant, I've seen him 5 weeks this Friday,so just waiting for my pre op letter, my hips ok while I rest it,but have to use a stick when outside.

      Dreading when I do have it done as I here all different stories from good to the bad to the ugly.

      Will keep you posted on and when I receive my letter,

    • Posted

      Dear Gray

      I wish I could add to the advice that has already been posted but all I can say is do keep pushing for some action. Please keep us posted with how you are doing.

      Cheers Richard

    • Posted

      hi gray, 

      warm welcome to the hippies forum --- You already received responses from fellow members - Perhaps you can start your own discussion (see green box) and share your story so more members will be able to support you ... 

      How long ago did you have your hip replacement surgery?

      Take care okay and hope to see you here.

      big warm hug

      renee

    • Posted

      Thanks Renee, I'm still waiting for a pre op, it Will be 5 weeks this Friday, going to

      Make a phone call to see how things are going, just hoping things aren't going to go pear shape after listening what the government are trying to do, I wouldn't wish my pain on anyone.

      I'll keep you posted if I here anything.

      Gray

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