At last I have dates for my hip replacement.

Posted , 10 users are following.

I thought i’d update you all on my long awaited rthr.

I am in the NHS Lothian area in Scotland.

i was referred by my gp in July 2017, had consultant appointment in May 2018.

As you can imagine I was getting very frustrated at the time it was all taking.

Yesterday at long last my appointment letter popped through my letter box.

i have my pre op in 2 weeks time, then my surgery on 10th October.

i am excited and terrified at the same time. I will be glad when it’s all over, I have recovered and can get some normality in my life.

Thanks for all your support.

2 likes, 26 replies

26 Replies

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  • Posted

    That's fab news really pleased for you I was pretty much in the same boat as you I was so excited then the week before so scared but that's normal and now 4 weeks after having it done so happy that I had it done its an emotional ride but so worth it to be pain free! All the best Lynnex

  • Posted

    It seems to take forever, then suddenly you're on an icy slope into surgery and recovery - the two weeks will fly by, so time to make sure you have the house prepared for your recovery.  Ready prepared meals in the freezer, trip hazards out of the way, seat and loo raisers ready, grabber and long handled shoe horn ready, etc. etc.

    Best wishes

    Graham

    • Posted

      Thank you for all your advice Graham. I thought I was pretty organised but i’m Not so sure now but I still have got a bit of time.

      Going to stay with my son after surgery as I live on my own. I’d better check he is ready for me!!

      You sound as if you are doing so well now. So pleased for you.

      Best wishes

      Linda

    • Posted

      Glad you're staying with your son, it's always handy to have someone there when you start recovering.

      Graham

      XXX

  • Posted

    That is fantastic news, what a relief for you. Also great that you are staying with your son, just sit back and let him look after you, just like you used to look after him! 
    • Posted

      Yes it really is a relief after all this time.

      i’m sure I’ll be well looked after. 

      I will be glad when it’s over, and hopefully get relief from this awful pain.

      Best Wishes

  • Posted

    Wow, that is a long waiting period. Did you get to pick your orthopedic surgeon?

    I live in the US and had a total hip replacement (left hip) on AUG 15, 2018. I selected my own doctor (same surgeon that did my right hip three years ago) and had my fist consultative appointment in May 2018 due to a change in my left hip status (left hip was bad but bearable until recently).

    I wish you the best of luck with your procedure.

    Mike

    PS-I am on 18 post operation and am doing great!

    • Posted

      From what I understand it is very different scheduling surgery in US compared to the UK.

      I had my surgery Jan. 8 in Florida. Only delay I had for scheduling was due to Christmas/New Years holidays. (I had my first appointment in November.)

      I, too, picked my surgeon and met with him a few times before surgery, never having difficulty getting appointment. Even after surgery, when I had issues with part of surgical wound not healing too quickly, I saw him once a week.

    • Posted

      It is such a long drawn out process here if you decide to use the Nhs. The waiting times for othropeadics are very lengthy. No, I haven’t been able to choose my surgeon. I met a surgeon in May but it’s a different surgeon I am seeing at my pre op assessment. It will be one of the surgeons from the team who eventually will perform my surgery.

      i have got to say I am so desperate to be out of pain i’d let anyone operate. I am sure it will all go well and I will receive excellent care.

      Thanks for all your good wishes.

      Linda

    • Posted

      In U.K. you have the choice to go privately when you can choose your surgeon and the date you want your op no problem or you can use the NHS when you may or not be able to choose your surgeon, most surgeons also work privately, you can wait for months and they can turn you down if you are overweight or smoke. You have to apply for funding and they may decide that they are short of cash ...... If you have the cash you are OK. 
    • Posted

      Yes that is exactly correct. Normally our NHS is quite efficient but there are several departments that are totally over whelmed and orthopaedics are one of these departments.

      Going  privately cost upwards of £10,000 for one thr. 

       

    • Posted

      Fortunately, my surgery cost me nothing out of pocket other than a few office visits co-pays.
    • Posted

      Most important is a capable surgeon. I understand the pain from the before surgery and the relief after surgery.
    • Posted

      The NHS does not cost anything but can take forever to actually get an operation. If you have insurance you can go privately which does not cost anything at the time but you have to pay the insurance charges. Of course you can go privately and just pay. 
    • Posted

      It can be really difficult for some people to have to wait a long time. Of course, with insurance there is some premium involved that someone must pay. Not too many people can pay out of pocket. I looked at what the cost were for my surgery and additional costs. Very happy that I didn't have to pay that.

    • Posted

      They must have a different system in scotland to wales lal. At the pre op I just saw a nurse who done the medical then saw the pre op nurse who took medical details and rang the surgeons secretary to arrange a date for surgery. Then there was joint school to explain the meterial used and arrange what equipment I would need for recovery. I saw the surgeon at validation as we both had to sign for the op and ask I could any questions.
    • Posted

      Did you personally have to apply for funding ptolemy for you thr?
    • Posted

      Yes I did, well my GP did, when the funding came though the receptionist phoned me and said get out the champagne! At my pre op we had a sort of talk on hip ops and they took bloods, blood pressure, weight, ECG, questionnaire etc. I saw my surgeon a month before the pre op after I got the funding and he agreed to put me on the waiting list, so I assume I could have been refused by the surgeon. I then did not see the surgeon until my op and that was only because I had a spinal and no sedation, otherwise I would have been out for the count. I did see him after the op mainly because he was visiting someone else and happened to go by my bed otherwise it is six months to see him.
    • Posted

      About 3/4 hours after the op the surgeon came in the ward (he did 3 ops that day) asked me to wiggle my toes, said good, never seen him again.
    • Posted

      Yes Jen, seems like Scotland and Wales have slightly different systems in place. Still I suppose we will have the same outcome.

      best wishes

      Linda

    • Posted

      I think my surgeon did three ops the day I had mine too. I was last. Apparently you are better off having it later on as they warm up during the day! I had to turn up at 7.30am though. My surgeon just said hallo and did not mention my toes. I wonder why they ask to wiggle your toes.
    • Posted

      I assumed it was to make sure you had feeling and everything was connected and working.
    • Posted

      Like they do when they are checking paralysis?? 

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