After op Howe long will it be before I can go upstairs to sleep in my own bed.

Hi Gossip,

I had my op on June 1st and i slept in a bed down stairs for the first week but it has been a waste of effort because I was able to do the stairs by the time I left the hospital. My husband was at home with me for the first few days but I could have coped on my own because before going to hospital I filled the freezer and fridge with ready meals. As long as you have access to a bed/toiled/food/drinks you don't need much more in the first few days.

Of course you will need also books/chocolates/computer/telephone/TV/radio/music/cross words/knitting or watever makes you pass the time.Your husband will be home on Sat/Sun to do help you. Don't worry too much...the hospital will not let you go home unless they think you will be able to cope, expecially if you tell them that you will be on your own most of the time.

Best of luck...when is your op?

Big hugs

Ella

Hi Gossip

You'll be fine!

As others have said, the physio will show you how to do stairs, and carrying the spare crutch as well. If they don't then ASK!

I came out of hospital to my daughter's on day 4 and she lives in a 2 up/2 down house with one toilet - upstairs - and very steep Victorian stairs. the physio said later that that was probably very good exercise for my thighs, which, like you, hadn't seen much exercise in a long time.

I had a large bag I could put across my body that I could put book / water bottle / glasses / anything else etc to carry up and downstairs morning and night. A friend of mine who had her second THR in January swears by an apron with a large pocket to carry everything. I agree with the other post that  says to have lots of books etc. I got myself a complicated cross stitch embroidery to do - although you must get up and move about once an hour!

My daughter was off work for 3 days but then I was on my own, although she cooked the evning meal.

I could have managed though, and I'm 65. You'll feel better than now - that pain will be gone!!

Hardest part was getting into the shower - hers is over the bath - but we did it with me sitting on the corner and her lifting my legs in. We laughed so much!!

Have you thoguht about asking for help, maybe district nurse, to come and help you shower? It's worth finding out.

All the best, Martha x

 

if you Google post hip replacement or something like that there are some websites that show you the sequence for climbing stairs....one tip though is to have 3 crutches...that way you can leave one at the top so you don't have to carry it up...hospital physio will have you practicing the day after your op.....that was my experience and it was fine!

Hi again Gossip!

so welcome again to this world of contradictory advice, healthy, but also physios and surgeons with very different views, unhealthy.

Like I said earlier, going upstairs to bed is a good thing I believe, as excellent stairs exercise and yes also for a mid afternoon nap.Tthose muscles need exercising. Do have a spare grabber for upstairs tho, cos it always seemed in the wrong floor!

Mic

x

You will be taught how to manage the stairs before you leave hospital. I was issued with 3 crutches, one to be left upstairs so I could leave one downstairs, use one to go up the stairs and use the one kept upstairs whilst upstairs. I also kept my mobile phone with me at all times, never needed to call anyone for help but good to know I could. 

You should be able to go upstairs from the beginning. In hospital you will be shown how to use your crutches by the occupational therapist to go up and down stairs. They will ask you about any handrails you have etc. For me it was one of the things I had to do before they would let me home. The other being pass a stool!

They should ask you about stairs and bed height, loo height what help you have at home at the pre op meeting. They will order the equipment you need and it will be delivered to your house. invaluable if you are on your own is a trolley so you can move things around downstairs. As your husband is away mond to Fri it's probable they will offer you a care package as you do need some help at home in the early days. At this pre op meeting you will meet nurses, occupational therapist, and your surgeon. this is when you sign the consent form. 

Hi, Im sorry I havent read through the thread but I'm having computer probs.

I'm in the North East, discharged on the 3rd day and slept upstairs from the beginning. The physios will make sure you can do a flight of stairs before discharge.  I had a trolly beside me downstairs and kept most things there so on the whole I just went upstairs to bed and downstairs in the morning.  You will be taught how to do the stairs as well......Good Leg {unop one} goes to heaven and the bad one goes to hell  both feet on the same stair then do te same again.

Good Luck

Love Eileen  UK

Hi Gossip,

I can't add to all the excellent information that you've been given by other people on this forum!

Just to say that before my op we had rails put on both sides of the stairs, which made going up and down much, much easier.

BUT having said that, you'd need an extra pair of crutches waiting for you at the top of the stairs!

I do hope things go well for you.

Anna x

I slept upstairs the day back from hospital. Never slept down. I am 58 and two weeks post op