I am due a hip replacement

Posted , 16 users are following.

I am due a hip replacement as my arthritis is painful .I am having the right hip done first as that one is the worst .I am in constant pain and can't wait but at the same time I am scared stiff about the operation.... Does anyone have any comforting words or advice please would be very grateful as am very anxious about surgery :-( x

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  • Posted

    Hi Vanessa, welcome to this lovely site. Ask any questions and we will all try to answer themfrom our own experiences. As for comforting words, I can offer no more than to tell you it's the best thing I did 6 months ago after numerous years of pain and loads of pain-killers. To be rid of that horrible pain is wonderful. It's hard for  a few weeks afterwards and plenty of ups and downs but they are all worth it and part of the road to recovery and a brand new life. Go for it girl !!! Love and best wishes Gillxxx
    • Posted

      Gillcat when you go in for hup replacement do you know if you always have to have catthter xnot looking forward that some say they have and some say not so can you choose x
    • Posted

      Good afternoon vanessa and gillcat.

      i had one they put it in once i was out, never felt it the only thing i have to say, on the day after my op, my two physios came, one was the most gorgeous looking guys i was flattered and old enough to be his mother. He carried my bag i wanted the floor to open, i know it was nothing to him, imjust wanted to die😕😊☺️

    • Posted

      I didn't have a catheter (Portugal). We all dread the ops,

      but the alternatives, especially if you are bone on bone.

      are first, crutches then wheelchair. Go for it I'm glad I did,

      twice.

      Cathie

  • Posted

    Hi Vanessa

    Welcome to the forum

    I have had my left hip done and will be going for the right hip in December. even though I have had the first hip done I am still scared so you are not the only one

    I hate hospitals and have a really bad needle phobia from previous experiences as a child. But things are much better now and they are not allowed to do anything if you don't want them too..

    Hip replacement is the best thing to happen, Yes you will still get a little pain at the start but it is a diffewrent pain a pain you can cope with with less pain killers and you have to be careful. But if you really want your life back and yuou don't want that constant nagging pain that just wont go away we have to go through it.

    You wont regret it. It is hard at first with good days and bad. you will feel tired. Just sleep when you need to it is the best to heal and do everything you have been asked to and you will be fine. Come summer you will beging to forget you had an operation. I just hope your other hip doesn't give out on you before they can get you in for that one like mine did.

    Just keep thinking positive anything that worries you when you go in just talk to your surgeon or the nurses. They will explain any worries you may have.

    • Posted

      Ty hailea yes my left hip is bad as well and know I will be having that done as well sometime in the future x can I ask were you put completely out or did you have epidural ? Did you feel really rough after op ? Think that's what I'm worried about as well xx
    • Posted

      I have a really bad needle phobia. So I have to be knocked out even before they start to do anything. I get over general anaesthetics quite quickly. I can't have an epidural any way. It is too dangerous for me to have one as they found out when I had to have a CSection. 20 odd years ago. 

      I am am scared even though I have been through all this once. But I hate hospitals and had a bad experience when I was younger and it takes a lot for me to trust anyone in the medic lie profession. 

    • Posted

      Im like you i explained and the anetthatist was brilliant, talk to them
    • Posted

      I understand the phobia and any bad experiences when young tend to stay with you - I had bad experience of my father having DVT which resulted in his death in a very short time at age 64, so I have a 'thing' about that now - so although keeping the TEDs on is unpleasant, I persevere as I know they will help prevent it for me.

      Hope it all works out OK for you.

      Graham

    • Posted

      Hi sue don't need to tell them the same team I had back in April for my left leg are doing my right leg too. Even the anethatist is the same one. 
    • Posted

      Hi Graham I am sorry you lost your dad I am not far from that experience my dad only has days left and he will be gone. I won't even be able to get up to the hospital where he is I am not able to walk at all now and it would mean an 8 hour trip up there. My hip operation is on December 15 th so it maybe too late. But I need to get rid of this pain. I understand your concern about DVT I don't have any medicine family history because I am adopted so I have to take all those precautions too. I hated those medevil torched devices and I cremated mine in the fire pit in the gardencheesygrin I just wanted vengeance 
    • Posted

      Hailea,

      No problem, it was a long time ago now (over 36 years), but the memories are still there, and right now I'm just one year older than he was at the time.

      Sorry to hear your dad is nearing the end, and you cannot get to see him, that is a shame for you both.

      That's a great idea, make a bonfire of the dreaded TED stockings biggrin, I'll be glad to see them go up in smoke.

      Regards

      Graham

    • Posted

      Graham

      I hope you do build your bondfire and burn them. It is the best feeling ever to see them go up in flames. They make the best fire starters too. cheesygrin

  • Posted

    Hello Vanessa

    I had a Right Total Hip Replacement 2 weeks ago, I had a spinal block, plus sedation for the operation. I felt, heard, saw nothing. Numb from the waist down for 6-8 hours after the op, so no pain whatsoever for the first 8 hours. After that they give you pain killers every 4 hours to keep on top of the pain.

    First 2/3 nights are difficult, after that much better and certainly bearable. They get you up to do some physio and to go to the loo and wash.

    I stayed 5 nights in hospital and then home. Each day I do the exercises that they gave me at the hospital 4 times a day. I'm now walking around with just one crutch and I cannot believe how easy it's been and how good I feel.

    Like you I was petrified! The fear of the operation is much much worse than the recovery. I think I've been so happy since I've had it done because it's now behind me....such a relief.

    Veronica

  • Posted

    Hi Vanessa,

    Welcome, my very first recommendation to you is to use this forum to connect with your fellow hippies.  Everyone's experience is different and everyone progresses at a different rate.  Having said that, you will feel a sense of comfort being able to reach out to people who have had many of the same experiences.  People on this forum are happy answer questions, make helpful suggestions or just lend an ear.  The first week or two are rough but manageable with pain medications.  Prepare you home.  Have a supportive, firm but comfortable chair to sit on.  Get a raised toilet seat for the first week or two.  I'm makes life a lot easier.  A grabber and a device to help lift your leg in and out of bed also come in handy.  Propping pillows under your legs while in bed helps. Also, use your ice pack,  A Friend of mine said every day gets a little better.  I would say a day or two better then maybe a day the same or back. You will feel better if you measure your progress week to week rather than day to day.

    Good luck!  Let us know how you are doing.  🌻

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