Surgery is six days away...how bad does it really hurt..

My husband had his surgery 4 weeks ago and was doing fine after a week, but he did need some help from me. You will not be able to change your compression stockings on your own and I think thats probably one of the biggest things. He hated them and really looked forward to the breaks when Id take them off for him.

Using the bathroom was very difficult due to the pain medicine stopping you from making a bowel movement. I would urge you to get some medicine to help with that since you wont be able to get around in the beginning.

Youll do fine!

I had muscle pain on day one after my surgery it was nothing compared to the pain I had before the op and the pain meds are great 

I never had really bad pain but keep up on your pain Meds for awhile don't let the pain get ahead of yourself use ice for pain. Put things up so you can get them can goods towels and toilet paper . Sounds goofy but where I normally keep toilet paper I could never get to without bending over.  I got boxer underwear cause regular ones hurt the cut. Also got short night gowns and gripper socks. Hospital gave me a sponge on a long handle to wash legs and a really neat tool to put socks on . I was on blood thinners for 4 weeks and had to wear support stockings which someone has to put on you also we have a 2 story house so we put a small refrigerator up in our spare bedroom really helps with water juice and ice . Good luck to you 

Hi morning angel, 

wow, what wonderful responses - sounds like you are well prepared - stocked up on groceries ( remember to have a big supply of toiletpaper !!!) , got your grabbers, walker, potty ... your granddaughter is staying with you for a couple of days and home health care ----

We all seem to agree that the terrible OA pain is gone when you come out of surgery ... My leg felt like an alien appendix the first day - surgeon warned me that day 2 could be a bit more uncomfortable but ask for more pain medication if needed ....

yeah, not such a good idea to watch the video before surgery ... Ask your surgeon to handle you with care  [biggrin]  ---

I had 2 THR surgeries within 6 months and was all by myself with home health nurse coming in every morning for 14 days -  

Will you also have a physical therapist coming to your home?  I worked at Home health Care agency when living in Los Angeles and remember how wel it was set up - RN to check your wound, Nurse and Aid to help you with daily stuff and PT ..

so different here in Holland ...

come back here okay ... you are definitely not alone ..

big warm hug

renee

I was worried about the pain too. We all are I think.

The pain was much less than I expected though, and you are able to decide what you need in terms of pain relief, they will follow your instructions and how you feel. For me they made me ill, so I took paracetamol, others take morphine based medication. The good news is either way these days you are not left in agony. 

Do you any neighbours or friends nearby? Many people manage on their own - it is better for you to carry your phone with you - and have someone coming in to check on you if possible. As others have said, it is all about preparation. You need to be set up for a good three to four weeks of essentials, so that you feel relaxed, you have everything around you that you need. Grabbers in every room is a good idea (I could never find mine) and some shows you enjoy watching - books, music etc.

Stay in hospital for as long as possible, so that when you do come out and your granddaughter is with you - you have help that way for as long as possible. Every day you will feel stronger and more capable.

Stay on the forum - it is a source of comfort and information, there will always be someone on here that can help any time of the day. All the best Morning Angel, think of all the wonderful things you can do once you are better, it is a brilliant operation and one of the most successful in the world.

I am going to give an honest reply with the notion we are all different . It hurts like hell . It shocked me how much it hurt ... I had posterior THR right hip and the scar is a foot long . Stayed in bed most of first week in shock and pain ! Husband went back to work second week but I could do the stairs about week two carefully . Still not up to much tho . Week three I remember as being frustrating . So now I am week 6 . Can do most things for myself but bending a problem and still in pain and stiff but getting there . So just in my experience the pain was awful and I was on loads painkillers . But it all depends on so many things . If you find your pain is awful and you remember this post .. Remember also that by week 4 it really is much different to the original kicked in the leg feeling . Good luck !! Xx

Ps forgot to say the arthritic pain goes immediately . This is just post operative pain .. Muscles , tendons, scar etc

Everyone is different, but my hip experience was amazingly positive. I kept waiting for the pain to start, and it never did. I took all the pain relief offered in hospital, and when I got home for the first 2 weeks I continued taking what was prescribed, and then gradually reduced it. I was just a bit achy at times, and the nights were mainly rubbish. Not pain particularly, just uncomfortable feeling.You've had loads of good advice already. Definitely try to get the constipation under control. I drank loads (of water!) and took prunes, seeds and fruit into hospital. One day a friend brought a lovely fresh fruit salad, had it for breakfast the next day, so refreshing. Hospital food not always that great.(You normally need to go to the loo before they let you out.) I was home on day 2, and v mobile.As others have said, hardest thing is getting support socks on, my husband always did that for me. Sounds as though you have got lots of support in place. Your grabber will be your best friend! I wish you the very best.