Posted , 14 users are following.
I go for surgery March 2nd and am awake through the night worrying about almost every aspect from the op, pain relief, back sleeping ,compression socks and feeling helpless and trapped when I come home. did anyone else experience such extreme anxiety ??
1 like, 43 replies
We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.
jo_ann_49302 mary75553
Posted
Oh, Mary, please try not to get yourself upset worrying. I am 4 weeks post op for LTHR and it was the best thing I could have done! Everything was so much easier than I anticipated from the actual surgery to the rehab I am doing now. I was so stubborn in trying to avoid surgery and of course I was in pain the entire time. I had surgery on Tues and was released from the hospital on Thurs. The entire time my pain was a 2 on a scale of 1 to 10! Honest! The first two weeks were difficult to sleep, but that really is my only complaint. Totally pain free from week 2 at home. Not taking any drugs at all. I am 70 years old but think I am 50! Planning on returning to work in about 2 weeks. Good luck to you! You'll do fine and the pain you are in now will be a distant memory!
mary75553 jo_ann_49302
Posted
Thanks Jo Ann it's nice to hear something positive, I seem to only see horror stories when I look on the Internet. I know I have to bite the bullet and get on with it ,I think this forum will help me. Thanks again.
ann67105 mary75553
Posted
Hi Mary i had a double hip op on the 19th January. I was absolutely terrified I couldn't sleep for worry etc and I am so happy I had the operation. The first week was tough but that awful pain had gone. I now take no pain killers but am still on 2 crutches as I had both done I sleep fine on my back and I am just delighted with my progress. You will be fine and will start living again pain free such a wonderful feeling. Goid luck Mary all will be fine. XAnn
mary75553 ann67105
Posted
mary75553 jo_ann_49302
Posted
kimberley38758 mary75553
Posted
You will be shown how to give yourself a sponge bath for the first few days. After that you should be able to take a quick shower (making sure that you don't saturate the wound). Then you'll pat the incision dry and apply gauze for a few days until you see that the wound is no longer weeping. Within 4 days, I didn't need to cover the wound anymore. I had the Posterior Approach with only a 5 inch incision. Also had disolvable stitches.
mary75553 kimberley38758
Posted
kimberley38758 mary75553
Posted
If you are an active 64 year old with every intention of getting back on your feet again, you are already half way there. I was 49 when I had the FHR, but unfortunately I had gain quite a bit of weight from being in so much pain for over a year. What I did have going for me was my desire to get my life back again. With a positive attitude going into it, you will do great
sandra_84282 mary75553
Posted
Hi Mary. I think most people are really anxious about surgery. I had right THR on 23rd Sept 2016. Prior to this I could only walk short distance. The op itself is nothing to worry about. I had spinal block and general anathetic. With hindsight I would have chosen spinal block with light sedation as I was very nauseous for a few days afterwards.
Expect a bit of pain well controlled by medication. I was 2 days in hospital. Expect to be washed out with the surgery. It is a brutal op.
Expect first 2 weeks to be the worst. Sleeping on back can be helped with a VPillow and sleeping half sitting up. I slept on top of the bed for 4 weeks with a throw as I couldn't bear the weight of duvet.
I am afit active 65yr old. I recover from things quickly. My surgery was straight forward. They said 6-8 weeks recovery. They lied lol.
This recovery takes a while. I could walk fine no bother. Going from sitting to standing position is achy for a few months.
I started driving at 8 weeks and was back to work part time at 10 weeks. Took a bit longer to get my enthusiasm back.
Now nearly 5 months and I'm good. Still a bit uncomfotable getting into the car but getting better all the time.
Flying to Australia next week on my own. So awake and stressing about that now😂
You are going to be fine. Oh and I had groin pain which is all muscular for months but getting better all the time.
This surgery is brutal or though unless you watch it on you tube you would never know. Listen to your body and don't rush your recovery. We are all different. Keep checking in to this forum. It was my life saver when I couldn't sleep at night. There is always someone awake.
Best of luck and please try not to worry. Sandra xxxx
mary75553 sandra_84282
Posted
kimberley38758 mary75553
Posted
Anxiety is perfectly normal. I don't know how many times I cried after I found out that I needed a FHR. The good news is that after the surgery I no longer felt the pain in my hip. Yes, there will be other hurdles to get over during the first few weeks, but in just a short period of time you will feel so thankful that you did it. I'm almost 7 months post op now and doing very well.
My experience was very good, and when it comes time to get my other hip done, I'll be more than ready
Try not to worry. Most of the posts on here are from people that either have a few minor temporary issues or from those who are just as scared as you at the thought of the operation. The surgical procedure for getting a FHR has been done for decades now, and it is one surgery that has the most successful outcomes. I'm not a betting person, but I think you'll do just fine
mary75553 kimberley38758
Posted
kimberley38758 mary75553
Posted
I slept on my other side with the help of pillows between my knees. This was approved by my surgeon. I've seen on this site that some doctors don't allow it though. During the times that I slept on my back, I used several pillows under my knees and under my head. I've read that some find it more comfortable to fall asleep in a recliner chair.
From my personal experience, I don't remember the sleeping thing being too bad. My doctor had me on good pain meds for the first few weeks, which helped greatly. I was out of work for several weeks, so I took naps during the day when I got tired.
As far as other precautions, I had an excellent surgeon. He has a practice with 4 other surgeons, but he is less strict on do's and don'ts after surgery. I listened to him because he has a wonderful reputation and has been doing this for several decades. My experience has been very good with no issues.
mary75553 kimberley38758
Posted
judith12644 mary75553
Posted
Hi Mary, It's natural to feel worried, I think everyone is. I had my right hip replaced last July, and the whole experience was so much better than I expected. 2 nights in hospital, very good pain relief, and a good recovery. Only major problem I had was sleeping on my back, but it does improve. Now I'm walking, swimming, and biking to work. Try to be as fit as you can before you go in to hospital. Good luck.
mary75553 judith12644
Posted