Looking for words of encouragement

jenny

i am 7 weeks post THR and i have been walking the dog over hill and through fields without a stick or any pain for the past few weeks. i knew all would be well by my third week. Be kind to yourself, do your exercises ( BUT not more than they say) and be patient. Any pain from the op reduces quickly and stiffness eases every day. i had a general anaesthetic and was home after 3 days with no ill after effects. Believe all will be well and trust your surgeon! Good luck x

Don't be too concerned about posts from people with difficulties in recovery. Naturally anyone with a problem is much more likely to post than the uneventful ones who don't have the same need for advice and reassurance.

So it might appear that difficulties are much more common than they really are. In fact this is one of the safest and most successful procedures out there. You will love the result .

Hi Jenny, try not to worry. Easier said than done, I know. I am nearly a year post LTHR and pain free. I had sedation and spinal block and it was fine. Felt very well afterwards. I would say two weeks after is probably worst time for recovery, but that was due to readjusting and not sleeping too well, but now I have been on a walking holiday to Austria and regularly go nordic walking. Wishing all the best.

Hi Jenny

I endorse what everyone else says about the op and the recovery period.

I remember being quite weepy beforehand; my hip failed and I had the op arranged so quickly that I hadn't time to take it on board and cope with planning for my life being turned upside-down. I think I was in a mild state of shock, certainly panic. That stage wasn't easy; I coped by planning, keeping busy, doing the pre-op exercises recommended by my surgeon, and reorganising my life.

My life was upside-down for about 3 weeks, then steady improvement all the way. I'm 74. My op was 8 months ago exactly. I'm now hiking, swimming and playing tennis again, and working in London twice a week (necessitating train and tube travel). Looking forward to skiing next year (I was told 12 months for that).

The improvement keeps improving in small ways that you scarcely notice. eg I suddenly realised this week that I've started lifting my right (operated) leg first when putting on pants and trousers, which I certainly was not doing a month ago.

Be brave, keep busy, and allow yourself to panic a bit. It will all be fine sooner than you can imagine.

Joan

Hi Jenny

There aren't too many people who look forward to surgery and feeling anxious about it is not unusual. Try to think ahead to when you will no longer have to deal with a wonky hip... . I'm 5 months post LHR and tried to keep myself busy before the operation to stop me thinking about it. Even though I had right hip done 5 years ago, I was still anxious. However, very very quickly, the whole thing was over. As others say, you can look forward to steady and continuing improving soon after the op.

Best wishes

Joan

Hi Jenny, I think we probably all felt anxious pre op, I certainly did, but the whole thing was so much better than I was expecting. Like many other people on the forum I had a spinal with sedation, brilliant. I couldn't believe how comfortable my hip felt afterwards. That horrible bone on bone pain had gone. (Most likely because the hospital give excellent pain relief.!)

When you get home do your exercises, take your pain meds, rest when you need to. After the first couple of weeks you should hopefully feel so much better. (I hated the nights but the days were fine!) Good luck!

sounds like me! I also burst into tears going into theatre. One thing that often isnt acknowledged is the fear and emotional impact of this whole process, even post op. You in all likelihood will be fine, all of the evidence points to that. Its ok to feel scared and anxious. You will be ok xx