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Living alone after hip replacement

Posted , 13 users are following.

jennifer1946
jennifer1946

I am trying to schedule a hip replacement here in Greece...I can't have the anterior approach I was hoping for because of osteoporosis  and now I've spoken to a lady who had the op a month ago and she said NO WAY will I be able to manage on my own afterwards...I've read all the posts here and noted all the tips and I don't know why I won't be able to manage..Can anybody help with their own experiences? Thankyou.

2 likes, 26 replies

26 Replies

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  • kathy47763
    kathy47763 jennifer1946

    Posted

    Well, I don't know your age or health status however, I am in my mid 50's, very active prior to my THR.  I had the anterior approach 2 weeks ago.  I would say you DEFINATELY need some help at home.  Plan on the first 2 weeks for sure.  I had no clue how exhausted I would be.  Just the little things, like showering, bathing, cooking, ice packs etc you need some help with.  I underestimated the amount of help I would need and I am sure glad my husband has been there for me.  So, yes, in my opinion, you will need some help for about the first month.  I wasn't able to drive for the first 2 weeks.  I have been released to drive now but, even so, I don't have the strength in my thigh or the quick reflexes needed to move my foot from the gas to the brake.  It is my right leg that I had the THR on.  I live in the US, so, our cars are probably different than yours in Greece. 

     

    • jennifer1946
      jennifer1946 kathy47763

      Posted

      Hello Kathy and thankyou for  answering.Yes,,,from what I've read here most people recommend help at home...I will have help available and I will not be afraid of asking for it! I think O ma over optimistic about how independent I will be,,I will make sure I have everything in place,,,equipment wise and thenjust see how it goes regarding my capabilities after the operation.I moved in with a friend after his op and helped him for a month but he said he could have done a lot more if necessary but it was easier to have ME doing things....that's why I thought I would be able to manage...but the more I read here from people who have been through it the more I realise that I am over optimistic!!  Iam blessed with lovely friends and family,all close at hand so I am sure it will all work out alright in the end...You will all hear about it anyway!!  Thanks again and take care.
  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK jennifer1946

    Posted

    I don't know how, but some people do manage to recover when on their own.

    There are several people who did it on this forum, and I'm sure they will reply to you to tell the secrets.  I think it's all in the preparation.

    Graham

    • jennifer1946
      jennifer1946 Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      Yes....I think you are right about the preparation and I AM well prepared but I think I may be unpleasantly surprised at how much I THOUGHT I could do and how much I will actually be able to do...Time will tell ....and I will let you all know on here!  Thankyou for replying. Best wishes.
    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK jennifer1946

      Posted

      As Luvinlex said "Remember you don't need to be cleaning anything unless the Queen is stopping by for tea. People will understand if things are not in perfect order."

      That goes for everything else too, take it gently, "Rome wasn't built in a day", and you only get one chance to recover, so do it slowly but right.

      Graham - 🚀💃

  • belleAUSSydney
    belleAUSSydney jennifer1946

    Posted

    My daughter was with me for the first 36 hours or so after I got home, but since then I've been managing alone (she lives here but works two jobs so most days she is gone from morning until about 10pm). 

    To be honest, I was a bit relieved when she went back to work and stopped hovering. I was nervous, too, but I was careful in those early weeks not to do anything I didn't think I could handle alone. I waited a week before I left the house for a short walk to the shop. I had everything I needed within arms' reach of the sofa where I was camped out. Stuff like that. 

    If you can get some help for the early weeks, don't turn it down. But we humans are more resilient that we often give ourselves credit for and we do manage when we have to...

    • jennifer1946
      jennifer1946 belleAUSSydney

      Posted

      Hello and thankyou for your reply!  I have been told by a surgeon,not the one who will be doing my op,that I am not eligible for the anterior approach as the state of my bones don't permit it..When I see MY surgeon,who is the absolute number ONE here for this method and I was so pleased at having found him(but forgot to mention the state of my bones at the first meeting!!!),I will get more info and let you know.  I have noted all the tips for making life easier and I have lots of willing friends,my daughter,neighbours that I can call on but quite honestly I don't want anyone staying here...apart from my daughter who will stay if we think it's necessary.I m hoping to be able to manage...Iam quite fit and very determined so  if it's atallpossible I will manage.I don't drive so I'm not bothered about that...I don't work so I won't be anxious about that..I will HATE being confined to the house but I have  alovely 6th floor flat with huge verandahs all around and a small forest of plants and flowers  and plenty of english tv to catch upon on youtube!!!  Thank GOODNESS for laptops! I am optimistic about it and i will give it a go and if I need help at least I know I can have it!! THankyou again.Stay well and happy!
    • jennifer1946
      jennifer1946

      Posted

      Sorry about the first part of my reply re.osteoporosis...I got mixed up,someone else had asked  me about it.It'soverwhelming the answrs and help you get on these forumsand i get a bit mixedup dealing with all the replies!
    • belleAUSSydney
      belleAUSSydney jennifer1946

      Posted

      The main thing I always suggest to people who are on their own is ALWAYS carry a phone, even in the home, and have the number of a nearby person you can call should an emergency arise. Don't be complacent and just rely on being able to get to your phone's usual spot. I had my mobile and one of the house phones in pockets all the time during the first two weeks.
  • Yogi_girl
    Yogi_girl jennifer1946

    Posted

    Hi Jennifer, I am in my mid fifties and have osteoporosis. I had an anterior hip replacement. It is interesting why your surgeon will not perform the anterior approach. If you do not mind sharing did he give any other explanation? Thank-you and wish you the best !
    • jennifer1946
      jennifer1946 Yogi_girl

      Posted

      Hello Susan...I got mixed up and thought belleAUS sydney had asked me that question so I answered to her!It wasn't my surgeon who said I wouldn't be eligible for the new method...it was another one.I am english but live in Athens and I am so greek in my ways !  We ask opinions from any number of doctors since there is no checkon us,,,we are given all our scans,xrays etc so we do the rounds of doctors. friends and relatives!! asking for advice and opinions!!  It's crazy I know!  I was really pleased when  friend who does micro surgery told me that at his hospital there is a surgeon who is the top man for the new method and I went along to see him with my hip xray but didn't mention my bad osteoporosis..He agreed to do my hip and I am to contact him when I am ready! (In the meantime the ceiling fell down in my living room so I need to get it all re plastered before I am hobbling around on crutches!) Ithought the recovery time would be short so I have arranged for visitors in May and in August and now it looks as if I am not going to be in any state to look after them since I will most probably need looking after myself!! I looked up on internet and it does say that the anterior approach is not recommended for patients with osteoporosis but I don't know why not.Maybe since they don't get a full,open view of all the area they could damage the already  weakened bones...I don't know..I am 69,very active...have never driven so do a lot of walking,look after my little grandchildren etc etc/Can you tell me about your situation? Was the osteoporosis discussed before your operation?Did it all go smoothly? Were there any extra precautions because of the state of your bones?Any information you can give me will be really helpful and I will be prepared when I see the surgeon and maybe after all I could have the anterior method.Thankyou. Warm wishes.
  • AnnieK
    AnnieK jennifer1946

    Posted

    Hi, Jennifer! Some people are able to manage alone. Some cannot, no matter how well they have prepared - I was one of those! It depends on how physically strong you are before the surgery, how your body reacts to the trauma of surgery, which is not predictable, and whether you have any complications. I had 4 nights in the hospital and would have had to go to a rehabilitation facility afterwards if I hadn't had my husband at home to take care of me evenings and nights, and my sister to watch over me during the day for the first few weeks. I am 69 and was walking an average of 6,000 steps per day for the months before the surgery, to give you an idea of my activity level.

    - I couldn't get in and out of bed by myself - I just couldn't get surgical leg up there, as it was too painful and stiff.

    - I couldn't properly organize meds, as there were so many, and the opioid pain meds caused me to be a bit out of it.

    - I needed someone to watch me while I walked with the walker for the first few days home, since I was so wobbly and weak, I was a definite fall risk. I walked only a couple of hundred steps per day for those first few weeks. 

    - I had in-home physical therapy for those first weeks, and I was unable to even get to the front door to let the PT in. My sister had to come do it.

    - Of course, you will not be allowed to drive (I started driving at 6 weeks) so you would have to have someone else do all of your food shopping, driving you to appointments (my first was at two weeks at the surgeon's office), picking up prescriptions, etc. It turns out that I needed certain pieces of equipment that I didn't have before surgery, and others had to go get them for me and set them up.

    - I was totally unable to do any food prep or food serving for myself for weeks. I only was able to get into the kitchen by the second week, maybe, but couldn't get food out of fridge or bring it to another room, or do any cooking at all until week 4.

    - I had to wear those TED hose (Thrombo-Embolic Deterrent) at night for two weeks, and it is impossible to get them on and off by yourself if you have the 90 degree restriction, which I did.

    I had a very difficult first few weeks, and I had no complications! I have to have another surgery soon, and I believe that it is always wise to prepare for the worst and then be happy if you find that you are over-prepared. 

    • jennifer1946
      jennifer1946 AnnieK

      Posted

      Hello!  Thankyou for all the information! The equipment bit is sorted as I have looked after someone after this op and so I knew what I needed to get in place.I will have help available luckily...for the stocking problem for example..I live on the 6th floor of a blockof flats here in Athens and all the neighbours are retired and available and willing to helpout at any time(and most of them owe me favours!!!!ha ha),my son and daughter live nearby....we have every shop imaginable within 5 minutes' walk so Iwon't be putting anyone out if I ask them to get me some shopping.About getting in and out of bed I will just have to wait and see how it goes and act accordingly. I am very fit like you,same age...so if you needed that help I have to be prepared that I may too.A These forums are a blessing ...to be able to share so many things with so many people....Best wishes and good luck with your next surgery.
    • AnnieK
      AnnieK jennifer1946

      Posted

      Sounds like you are going to be well-prepared, and it is wonderful that you have help nearby. Best of luck to you! 
  • DawnDedee
    DawnDedee jennifer1946

    Posted

    Hi Jennifer,

    I have had three hip replacements, the first two were anterior approach and the third, a revision, was the lateral approach.  While recovery is quicker with the anterior approach, either method will take a lot of pre-planning if you are to recover on your own. I was on my own for my first two, with only my children in the home who were luckily at ages where they could get me something that I needed, and I had physical therapy in my home.

    Can you transfer to a skilled nursing center after your surgery?  That is the best way during those early weeks when you will not be thinking as clearly due to pain medications and at your weakest because of the brutal surgery. I stayed at one of these facilities for 19 days after surgery and it was wonderful.

    Will your insurance pay for skilled nursing/physical therapy in your home? 

    At home, think about how you will ready, for what I call, your "nest".  The place where you will spend the bulk of your time resting.  Think of what you will want near you at all times.  Computer, books, phone, space for your medications and water...,Plan your meals, stock up on food, keep food within reach.  Obtain all of the aids, grabber, toilet riser, a bed side toilet is very handy during the first two weeks, bath board/extended shower bench.  Clear your home of all clutter if you have any.  

    Buy new shoes for after surgery, closed toe, closed heel, slip ons with a good grip on the bottom.

    Everyone here will love helping you with lots of ideas.  Wish you the very best and please let us know when you have your surgery.

    Dawn, USA

     

    • jennifer1946
      jennifer1946 DawnDedee

      Posted

      Hello Dawn and thankyou for your reply.These forums are really wonderful aren't they?!  I have made a note of all your advice..

      About rehabilitation centre .....well,sadly Greece is falling apart and there ia absolutely NOTHING available as regards after care....there are private places of course but not many of us have private insurance so we have to rely on the almost nil services the so called national health system provides.Most of the hospitalsare without basic stuff....sheets and pillowcases for example!!! and I want to get my op done quickly before the situation is critical(in the hosptals that is).I could have my op done in UK but I would have to wait 6 weeks before being able to travel and I want to be in my own home here near my children and grandchildren AND enjoy the glorious weather while I am recuperating!  I will have help if I need it so I will try to cope alone,

      implementing ALL the tips I've been given here,and shout for help when necessary!  I don't know if I will be able to give myself the daily blood thinning injections but I have a neighbour who is experienced ! In this country we learn to do a lot for ourselves and it's the nature of the people to always be ready to rally round and help out.I don't  know yet when the op will be but I will certainly report back here! Thankyou again.Warmest greetings from sunnt Athens!

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