I'm trying to avoid a hip operation but it's becoming difficult! I just don't want to do it!

Thank you!!! I guess it also depends on the Doctor. There are good and bad stories and that's what scares me!! And it's hard to fervor of my routine, one and most importantly is going to the gym. I've never not go for years!!! I wonder what makes everyone's experience so very different?

What were you able to do after surgery? I mean how long did it take to go back to somewhat your usual activities?

There are several factors that can effect the outcome.  They include: age, physical fitness prior to the surgery, overall heath, surgeons experience of doing the type of procedure, after care (making sure that you do everything they tell you to do).  It's so easy to try to rush recovery by doing things earlier that your doctor tells you to. 

I can home using a walker to get around (i'm in the US).  I believe that crutches are used with the NHS.  By the beginning of the second week, I was able to walk unassisted (my surgeon was pleasantly surprised, as most use walking aids for a few weeks longer. I didn't have time for that mess.  I just wanted to get on with life).  You can expect the first several weeks to consist of mostly rest, elevating your leg and applying ice packs often to help reduce swelling and ease discomfort.  Physical Therapy will start in the hospital before you are released, then continue until your muscles are strong enough to support your body again and are working properly without discomfort.  This took about 8-10 weeks.  I did PT (Physio) 3 times a week for 8-10 weeks.  On days that I didn't go, I made sure that I did the exercises they showed me. 

Also, good pain meds in the beginning.  This is necessary to keep you up and moving as much as possible.  Also helps you to get throught the physical therapy. 

I know I will do the same with the exercises!! I like the way you but that lol"I don't have time for this mess"" that's how I feel!! During that 8 fo 10 weeks, could you kinda do what you always have been doing. I won't have anyone at home,husband works and I have animals. That's what concerns me and also of course not going to gym!! Does it progressively get better every day? Can I slowly do my routine?

Deb, they deleted our posts when you asked the name of my Surgeon. I am in Chicago but sure there are some great ones close to you. Best of luck

Oops sorry didn't realize I couldn't ask!! I so think my surgeon is good. I read skit about him! Today we did another set of X-rays and it's practically bone on bone with both hips. He said he doesn't know how I'm lasting and neither do I actually!! It's still livable right now. But I thought I'd start getting my mind and things ready. When I do it will probably be November. I practiced with a broom stick today to learn how to walk with a cane. I didn't do too bad! lol I kind felt good after my visit today but yes I'm still scared!!

He said I have to decide if I want a spinal or an epidural. What did you have and did it hurt?

I had a general and was out the entire procedure. Bone on Bone will not get better, only worse. I also waited until Nov and went on a Cruise in January. I wish you the best and don't worry. Remember what it was like to be pain free?

I also chose General, both times ... I took a deep breath, opened my eyes and was done - no after effects - well, drowsy, which I liked ...

 

Lol yea I'd like the drowsy too! General being epidural? When you were drowsy did you hear or feel anything? When I got a Ceasaran I was awake and we were talking. Lol felt pressure but that was it!

Hi Deb, I think spinal and epidural are the same thing, as opposed to a general. Most surgeons seem to recommend spinal, unless there are known complications. I had spinal with sedation, didn't want to hear it all! But some hippies are braver, and stay awake throughout. The recovery from a spinal anaesthetic is quick, my surgeon was able to speak to me straight after, to tell me that it had all gone well, and I was having lunch an hour later.

I didn't have a choice.  Apparently some surgeons don't like putting their patients completely under General anymore unless there is no other choice.  It's safer to do the epideral and sedation.

Does the epideral hurt

I had a spinal when I had a caesarean 31 years ago, which is hard to believe lol, and I remember it hurt and later my legs wouldn't wake up. But they did eventually. It just scares me that it will hurt cause I'm really not too sure if I really do remember. It sounds like it would.

I don't want to hear anything either. The dr told me when time comes to talk to the anesthesiologist. I'm so glad all went well for you!!! It's encouraging too

You will feel a prick/sting like feeling.  It's not really that bad in the scheme of things.  You said that you've had kids.  Nothing anywhere near as bad as that!!

 

Lol thats true!!! I guess I've heard it hurts real bad!! It might be better to stop asking uh!! Lol

I think it's normal to be nervous about things like this.  If you can just relax while they do it, it only takes 1-2 seconds for them to do it.  Really not that bad at all

I guess it's like anything else the anticipation can be worse! Thank you for that I seem to tune in more to the horror stories!! Thank you!

Epidural is different from general anestesia - With GA a little cap was put over my nose, I was told to count back from 100 to 0 and that is it .... I was out ... then I woke up in the recovery room where someone give me a popsickle to suck on ... 

the drowsiness of course is post-op - no numbness in legs or nausea -

I absolutely did not want to hear, smell or feel anything - 

and another important thing for me was thhat I did not want to be stressing out about this before surgery ...

however, very good and fantastci feedback from members who had epidural or spinal - 

Renee, In previous surgeries I'd always had GA and did very well.  I assumed that I'd be getting the same for the FHR.  Thankfully I didn't know that I was going to get an epideral until I was actually in the operating room.  I was shocked when I was told that I was being given one, not GA.  Fortunately for me, I didn't have time to stress about it. 

Hi Deb, yes I was lucky, all really straight forward. I just felt the initial prick with the epiduraI, but it then seemed to take ages for it all to go in. It came in quite a large pack quite weird, not what I was expecting. But it wasn't particularly painful. Once in the operating theatre I had a chat with the surgeon, and then the sedative went in through a canula. I didn't hear or feel a thing during the op, which was good!

Thank you so much!!! I just wish this would disappear! Lol I know I have to make a final decision soon! Do you know I just hate interrupting my routine Lol but true

And again you hear so many stories some good some bad I guess that's with everything . Il know soon enough!!! And I just have to say the word "if" haha and when I just need to pick a month and write myself a plan!!! I'm going to work on that this weekend!! I worry because I have animals that need to be taken care of and my husband is just always busy but I guess things always work out anyway !

So you recovered fast and no pain? And you need other hip done two? If you said that already forgive myself me for repeating myself my mind just doesn't stop right now Lol

That's great! How did you feel after and how was recovering from operation?

I like the way you call it the operating theatre!!! That makes it sound so much more pleasant!!!😄

Hi Deb, afterwards was fine. Had my lunch, my blood pressure was quite low, and they kept me in bed for a bit, then they realised that it's usually quite low, so they got me up, and showed me how to use a walker. Straight away that bone on bone pain goes, it's amazing. I came home on day 2, and had a good recovery. I was lucky.

Well done Judith!

Cheers Richard

Wow thats fantastic! You know the doctor did tell me that if everything goes well he says I will be able to send you home on your second day which excited me ! Did you say you had problems with both hips and if you do did you get both done ?

I've been lifting weights for years. I lift lighter now because there is no reason to lift heavy! Lol when I power lifted I did.

I consider myself in pretty good shape. I always had back issues there's no Cartlidge there and I do have two herniated disc's but I had those for years and anytime I would go to a doctor they would tell me to keep lifting so I did. It's really just my hips now that hurt which the doctor told me came from a lot of things age heavy weightlifting hereditary not eating right And just life.

I guess there are just so many outcomes to things good and bad .I never had surgery well except for caesaran. Other than that that's it so it just kind of scares and concerns me ! And bein 59! Lol I know a woman who is 97 years old never had an operation never had aches and pains she is so fortunate! But I have to add she never really worked or did anything really strenuous so again she's fortunate.

But I have to add she never really worked or did anything really strenuous so again she's fortunate!

Thank you for contributing your advice! I truly appreciate it!!!😄

Hi Deb, no, just my right hip had osteoarthritis. My left hip is ok at the moment, but I suppose it might need doing at some point.

Just litle. I have epedurell and I was sedated. I did not hear nothing just wake up in recovery room and than they took me to my

room.

Good luck

Madla