I badly need a right hip replacement but I'm terrified .. I have never had an op before
Posted , 12 users are following.
im in a lot
of pain now and have no life due to right hip worn away . I have seen the consultant who says i need to lose a bit of weight before he will do it but its hard due to no mobility.. Im so scared though. I know the pain will be gone but im
Stillfrightened. I just need my life back ..
0 likes, 26 replies
RuthS julie23875
Posted
Hi Julie, I know how you feel. I had a bilateral hip operation 11yrs ago, like you never had an op before. I remember waking up in the recovery room and saying 'when am I going in?' It will be fine, in my experience there was no pain at all afterwards - the hospitals pain management worked a treat.
You just need to make sure everything is organised well at home for your return so life is as easy as possible. You will have a new lease of life...
AlexandriaGizmo julie23875
Posted
It is because like everything that's new or unknown we let our minds conjure up the worst case scenario, what bit are you most scared of because if you break it down you can lessen the fear, also how old are you
Have you heard the saying, theirs nothing to fear but fear itself.
julie23875 AlexandriaGizmo
Posted
Hi i think its the fear of being put to sleep. Its stupid i know. Im 57 but feel older ..
ptolemy julie23875
Posted
I did not go to sleep, I had a spinal and opted for no sedation. You do not have to have a general anaesthetic for a hip op normally.
AlexandriaGizmo julie23875
Posted
You are younger than me and that's what scares me but I'm definitely not having full anaesthetic I'm told spinal and sedation is safest.
You don't have to be aware either they give you mild sedation so your not going to notice the hour or less, I'm great at giving advice 😂
john49662 AlexandriaGizmo
Posted
I was 75 when I had my THR so I don't think age has anything to do with it. I had a spinal with sedation and was happy not to know what was going on.
AlexandriaGizmo john49662
Posted
Didn't really mean that age makes a lot of difference just that at my age I should be more sensible and not be scared 🙄
eleanor90265 julie23875
Posted
Hi Julie,
In 2017 I was in the same position as you are now. I was in constant pain from my right hip. I could not bend down fully, tie my own shoe laces or even put my socks on without assistance.
My GP referred me to the hospital and the consultant told me because my BMI was over 30 the local health authority would not allow him to replace my hip. He told me to try to lose some weight and gave me an appointment for 6 months later. In desperation I joined slimming world and managed to lose the weight. I had my right hip replaced last July and it gave me my life back. I faithfully did the exercises the physio gave me, which I think was key in me making a full recovery.My right hip is now totally pain free, I can happily recommend this operation.
My bags are all packed now because I am booked in for my left hip replacement tomorrow! I am not worried about having another operation because I know how much my life will improve and be pain free.
Its daunting to face surgery, particularly if you've never had an operation before, but its short term discomfort for long term gain.I wish you well Julie, God bless.
julie23875 eleanor90265
Posted
Thankyou for your lovel y reply. That has reassured me . Im struggling to lose weight but so determined now.i just want my life again .once again thankyou x
ptolemy julie23875
Posted
How much weight do you need to lose, what is your current BMI? My surgeon would operate on people with BMI less than 39.
eleanor90265 julie23875
Posted
Hi Julie,
I had my operation and am now back on the wardAll went well and I am now recovering . Take care of yourself, I promise you, the fear of the op is 100 times worse than the op itself.I had a spinal anaesthetic with sedation and I saw and heard nothing till they woke me up in recovery. God bless, Eleanor
ps I am 64, so a wee bit older than you
AlexandriaGizmo eleanor90265
Posted
It's great to hear positive responses to our fears because the mind can be incredibly belligerent 😂
judith12644 eleanor90265
Posted
Pleased it went well Eleanor. Wishing you a good recovery!
jen86183 julie23875
Posted
Julie,
Have you tried using an exercise bike, it is non weight bearing and should not cause pain. Once you start using regularly it will ease the pain before and especially after the hip op, the fitter you are the less or zero pain you will have.
julie23875 jen86183
Posted
Hi jen no havent tried that . I used to use one years ago before my hip problem but i found it made my knee worse. Do you think it would be ok now ? As my hip is very painful.
jen86183 julie23875
Posted
Julie,
I suffered several years with my hip as I was terrified of having an operation and always said to people who nagged because of how badly I walked "I prefer my own bones". My legs became very unlevel, I would estimate between 1 - 2 inches as I had to put my toe on the floor not the foot, they are now level.
You will not feel or know anything about the op, it will be all over in two hours from being wheeled out of the ward to being woken up.
Exercise is the best remedy for pain. prior to my hip op I walked so badly I made penguins look good 🤣🤣🤣🤣, yes I had pain of course I was bone on bone for several years, but I never stopped exercising - walking the dog, pilates, aerobics, exercise bike then elliptical walker. I only took paracetamol occasionally, normally at night for sleeping by morning all good. After the op last april I have had no pain at all, I did not rush recovery as people seem to try and do I preferred slow and sure, I joined the local leisure centre at 5.5 months for pilates, step aerobics and zumba.
In answer to your question I personally, think you should exercise, sometimes we need to push ourselves to improve.