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Impending operation and terrified

Posted , 21 users are following.

Lilylou1
Lilylou1

Hello. I’m 44 and have hip dysplasia I need an operation due to the severity of it. My surgeon said I should have had a hip replacement a few years ago. It is going to be more complex as a result. I’m totally terrified. Beyond scared. I anticipate I will have the operation in December to work around other commitments. I am having a CT scan next week to get a better look at the damage. Unfortunately it’s all I’m really thinking about at the moment ??

1 like, 112 replies

112 Replies

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  • amanda1827h
    amanda1827h Lilylou1

    Posted

    Hi Lilylou,I was exactly the same as you.Have you got help for your aftercare? This is a must.Which hospital are you having your op done? Please take a day at a time.Dont rush getting back into work.Be positive. regards Amanda h

    • Lilylou1
      Lilylou1 amanda1827h

      Posted

      Hello there, I haven't thought too much about the aftercare I think I am still in shock from knowing its happening.....I thought I would stay in hospital for as long as possible....my son will be home from University then....and I am hoping my husband will be around for the first week or two.......I am giving myself a month with no work....ironically my job involves listening to other people lol......so its sedentary.....but I will take a further two weeks on top of the month if need be...I have a general idea of what I will do, any advice is gratefully received as this is all new for me xx

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy Lilylou1

      Posted

      They normally get you out of hospital pretty quickly, a couple of days or so. You will probably be walking either the same day if an early op or the next day. As your husband is around that should be fine. You will find you cannot drive immediately. My insurance company said six weeks. You will find you are very tired after the op, the first two weeks is really just resting and then after about six weeks things get pretty good. 
    • Lilylou1
      Lilylou1 ptolemy

      Posted

      Thats good to know....you try to plan things in your head and i am finding i am still kind of in the terrified stage so not thinking too clearly at present, i.e. going to the supermarket and not getting essentials lol..my head is just on this...
  • crisps
    crisps Lilylou1

    Posted

    Hi Lilylou1

    i understand your concern over your impending hip replacement, as I had hip dysplasia , my hip at birth was dislocated , a highness level Dysplastic. I had numerous operations and then finally having a replacement when I was 39 . This year I had a revision. I understand your fear as indeed it's a more challenging operation but your consultant would not be operating on you if it was not in his specialist field. 

    Recovery was was slow and I needed lots of physio some inpatient physio for two and three weeks blocks, but I did get stronger, the pain was less and my mobility was much better. I did have to accept using a walking crutch permanently as I did not gain the strength to naturally weave in and out of people while in the shops or at work.  

    I actually still find walking in the in the water in the pool and doing none weight bearing exercises is still what works for me. 

    Its easy for us us all to say don't worry, but try not to, do as your doing ask questions and seek support from this group. 

    Take care

     

    • Lilylou1
      Lilylou1 crisps

      Posted

      Hello, I am glad to hear that things are much improved for you. It doesn’t sound like it’s been easy. I am trying hard to get my head around this and sometimes I think I’m ok and then others I’m not. I only found out I had dysplasia last year I became symptomatic at 38 and now at 44 the damage since then is huge it’s just snowballed! I think I will be a blubbering mess when I have the surgery which I’m already embarrassed about. When my surgeon said this couldn’t be left I burst into tears and I don’t cry in front of people as a general rule.  It’s such an emotional journey. 
    • crisps
      crisps Lilylou1

      Posted

      Information is power, you already are aware this is going to be a challenging operation,  but a challenge that these experts do and take in their stride. Believe me when I say I have seen other consultants who have then said my hip was to complex for them and advised specialist orthopaedic surgeon. I had a spinal and  general , as this way they could keep me comfortable , especially during the first 24 hours. As I was nervous and cried, they popped the spinal in once I was sedated. You don't need to be brave, tell them at pre operation how you feel,  they will support you all the way.

      who is doing your surgery .xxxxx

       

    • Lilylou1
      Lilylou1 crisps

      Posted

      It’s a bit of a shock that it’s gone from a normal hip replacement to complex I’m still getting my head around that. I am upset that I’m in this situation when I had full faith they were regularly monitoring the situation so it did not get to this. I guess I’m still processing this.  Thanks for sharing your experience it’s comforting to know I’m not alone as it feels so lonely yet there are many others going through similar. 
    • ptolemy
      ptolemy Lilylou1

      Posted

      Apparently mine was complex because it had taken so long to actually have the op, what with getting funding etc. I suppose it was complex for the surgeon but not for me! I think the longer you wait for the op the worse the hip gets. On the other hand it is supposed to be one of the most successful operations in the world. 
    • Lilylou1
      Lilylou1 ptolemy

      Posted

      I appear to be in a similar situation to you, I should have had the operation a couple of years ago (unbeknown to me, thinking it was stable, it had just got worse).  Yes apparently so re success I hope I am one of those stories like everyone here seems to be,
    • ptolemy
      ptolemy Lilylou1

      Posted

      I was horrified when the surgeon said I needed a new hip, it had never even entered my head. It did take a while to sink in, but then slowly the hip got worse and worse, which definitely changed my mind. 
  • crisps
    crisps Lilylou1

    Posted

    Hi Again, 

    thats is the problem really as sometimes some patients will state considerable problems yet X-rays look reasonable, but does not mean they not experiencing all these problems and limitations, others don't present as being in real trouble , yet X-rays show you are . The scan will give your consultant a clearer picture of what's happening, if you get offers early surgery grab it don't wait till December. Dont apologise about thinking about your hip all of the time, again you are bound to. No disrespect to older people needed a new hip, but it is a shock when we're so young, although I am in my fifties now, but still young to have had revisions etc, it's a different time of life and feels so difficult, but you will come through this, it will be better . Lean on family and friends. Big hug 

    • Lilylou1
      Lilylou1 crisps

      Posted

      I don't think other people really get it, even family.  Because i have managed so well (although its getting harder), as in quite literally limping along I don't think family really appreciate or understand what is going on and maybe I haven't fully allowed myself to appreciate the mental, emotional and toll that living like this has taken.  In the past year I have started my own business which is going crazily well and in the evenings I am on my cross trainer (perfect as you can do a good aerobic workout with very little impact)....its crazy its stuff like cutting toes nails....as its only in one hip I twist my leg around so I can cut my nails its amazing I haven't chopped off a toe yet quite literally but I am determined to keep doing it....putting on pants, socks oh my goodness and the list goes on....I was a high heel (Stiletto) girl I haven't worn them in 4 or so years as its impossible and actually flats are my best friend : )

      But i think because i give the impression of coping so well which I do its taken for granted that i am ok....i am beyond terrified about this operation....

      Yes your 50's is still young.....its amazing how many people go undiagnosed with dysplasia until much further down the track and then it comes as an almighty shock...they kept saying to me it must have been difficult growing up..i had no idea and was recognised as someone who had talent athletically running so there were no symptoms at all until 38 and I had pain walking and thought well this is odd.... I would have the occasional clicking in my Rhip and thought odd but not too much of it........

      I am only waiting until December because of my work....if I wasn't self-employed and didn't have an obligations to other people I think I would go for it sooner......I am going private so I can plan and pick the day pretty much.  Thanks for listening so much appreciated!!!!! xx

    • Charlie2018
      Charlie2018 Lilylou1

      Posted

      a little off topic, but what cross trainer are you using?  i try to keep in shape since i can't run anymore before i decide to have my surgery.  and thanks for sharing your story, good information... take care.

    • Lilylou1
      Lilylou1 Charlie2018

      Posted

      No idea what make/model the cross trainer is only know I need a new one!!  : )  

      I will be so grateful to be able to walk further than the letterbox without needing to stop!

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