Hip replacement

I live alone and had someone stay the first 3 days. Then I was on my own with people visiting twice a week at first then once a week.

At first when they leave you on your own, you will panic a little. But just do everything slowly and you will manage. Get everything ready before you go to hospital. Frozen meals, assistive devices installed, clean house, rearrange things to convenient height, etc

Scar is about 6" long. It will feel lumpy and swollen and numb at first.

I was able to sleep on my non operated side pretty much h right away. Some people can't. It's a bit of a hassle arranging all the pillows between your legs but it gave me much better rest.

Good luck!

Oh, and you should be able to sleep on your tummy. They just don't want you crossing your legs, bending them more than 90°, etc.

I had anterior and scarvis tiny ring finger long

U will b fine on your own after few days but someone needs to visit each day if u need help with compression sox

Expect to visit batroom lots

Sleep littel eat little

Need books but u cant focus well at furst

Need huge water mug

Need confort foods u like even doup jello ice cream

Need technology

Need internet all the best

Jozie

Hi Mandy im 20 days thr i was allowed home after 3 days but luckily had family at home my hubby took the first few days off work too which helped since he s been back at work i find as long as i take my time im able to manage with most day to day living.

My scar is about 12inch s long not sure why its so big i think each surgeon does it differently  but is healing nicely..

As for sleeping im a side sleeper but as of yet have been unable to sleep on my side as its too sore and if i lay on non operated side it feels too heavy ive found having loads of cushions to prop me up helps but i think everyone suffers from being unable to sleep for a while after thr.So just have lots of rest through the day.

Good Luck with your op and your recovery.

Tracy xxx

Hi mandy

I have had both hips replaced 8 weeks apart l was 42 when l had my 1st one done l live with my husband but was pretty self sufficent from the day l got home. All l needed help with was changing my ted stocking and l made sure l had everything l needed round about me at arms reach. They will provide you with a grabber to reach things you normally could not. The 1st week or 2 is the hardest as you are very raw from the op but from.the minute l got home inbetween resting l practiced walking around the house without my sticks. Some people are diffrent and need there sticks or cruches for a while after the op. I did however sleep on the couch for a long time l tried my bed but sleeping on your back l found pretty hard and used to wake up 2hrs after l fell asleep in pain. I found tge couch much more support as it was harder and by the 3rd week l was managing to sleep on my side with a pillow between my legs l just kept trying until it was comfortable by week 4 l felt brilliant l was able to walk outside quite a bit without any aids and started driving again. I know that you are not meant to drive for 6 week but l felt ready at 4. I am not saying you will be the same as people heal diffrent but week 4 l called the hospital and asked to get my other hip done as l felt strong enough to take the weight on my operated side. My doctor was on holiday for 2 weeks so l ended up getting it 8 weeks after 1st one. The second op was completley diffrent much easier l could move my leg right away as you will see right after the op your leg feels like a dead weight and you think l an never gonna be able to move it. But you do they have you up the day after with a walker doing small bits of physio. Thats the hard part the 1st few days.

But l am sure you will be fine mandy l was terrified before my 1st op as l was told my platlet levels were borderline low and they were gonna have to give me a transfusion during the op and there was a chaace that l would lose a lot of blood. In my head l had myself written off l thought l was gonna die l was so scared. But the op went as normal and l had no issues.

So l would say you will need your family for a couple of weeks at the most as you will get stronger evertday and manage to learn hiw to dress yourself the way that suits you and everything will fall into place.

I now in the last year have had bith hips replaced and 8 weeks ago l had my 1st knee replaced. I still have to get my other done but l am holding off until l feel l really need it. I am fine now l can drive again and my walkings getting better. I still am on painkiller for my knee as it is a lot harder operation than the hip but l don't regret getting my hips done its the best thing l could have done as l was walking about for a year in severe pain. And l know a lot of people on this forum who have had there hips replaced who lived alone and managed fine. So please don't worry to much about it you will be fine.

Laura x

Hi Mandy,

warm welcome to this wonderful hippies forum ..

I live alone too and had 2 THR surgeries 6 months apart - had nobody stay with me but home health nurse came every morning to help me with washing and getting dressed for 2 weeks - not that I needed her for that long, because one gets pretty creative with the grabber ...

make sure your bed is high enough - 

before you get discharged you will be to do a lot already and getting out and in to bed is one of them ...

what I am trying to tell you is that you can go home whenever you feel like it -

do you have stairs in your home - bedroom upstairs? 

I live in a bungalow so no stairs --- 

let us know how you are getting on, okay ?

you are not alone anymore !!!

big warm hug

renee