Trying to be brave about up and coming hip op

Posted , 21 users are following.

Befor I force myself off to bed,Ive just joined up to say I am so terrified to have my hip done.I cant get out if it I,m in so much pain.I.m 69 now and ops have never worried me but the letter I got telling me all the things that could go wrong I can say put the fear of god in me.I will elaberate perhaps t.moro but for now I must try and get some sleep.

4 likes, 32 replies

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  • Posted

    Just had both hips replaced with no issues. It is a very common procedure. It is a scary going into it but not as bad as I thought it would be and totally worth it.
  • Posted

    Surgery bit is easy, you are asleep, you just have to give yourself up the surgeron and pray that he is a good surgeron, and has had lots of practice.

    When you wake up you will reaslise pretty quickly  that that grinding pain in your hip has gone, and you prabably have more movement in the hip joint than you have had for a long time.

    Problmes are you are very sore where they have cut you, and where they have wrenched your muscles to get at the hip joint and to be able reaplce it, do not be afraid to ask for pain killers, they will prabably give them to you without asking , take them you will need them for a while.

    About 10 days or so after suegery you will be able to get rid of the really string painkillers and step down to less strong, every day gets better after that.

    Do you exercises they show you, physios should see you in the hospital, ask for exercises sheet that show you what to do, and be very gentle with yourself, by 6 weeks you will be thinking why did i wait so long.

    I have done this twice over, and not particularly looking foward to a thrid round with the surgeons, but know I am going to need further surgery into the future.

  • Posted

    I too was terrified but I am 5 weeks out and feeling much better . I am 62 Take pain Meds every 4hours for first few weeks and do your exercises. Get your house ready put things up so you can get them pots canned goods you can't bend over for awhile. I got short night gowns to wear and boxer underwear found regular ones rubbed cut. Take all the help you can get and rest rest rest . Good luck to you 

  • Posted

    Hi Joan

    Its natural to be scared l was terrifed but l have had both hips replaced earlier in the year l had them done 8 weeks apart and by 4 weeks after my 1st hip replcement by 4 weeks l was begging my surgeon to do the other. 9 months on and l have had no issues. And had a knee replaced in that time. Every surgery comes with things that can go wrong try not to think about what can go wrong as nothing probably will the chances are minimum. I still have to get my other knee replaced soon but l would rather have hip replacements anyday as it took my OA pain away straight away and was much easier and a lot less painful than the knee. The 1st week or 2 is the hardest then it just gets better x

  • Posted

    You will be so happy once all that horrible pain is GONE, just gone. You'll feel younger and freer and loose. It just takes some time to get there.

    The surgery is a piece of cake. This surgery is one of the most successful ones around - well over 90% success rate. With all us baby boomers getting old, they do so many of them now.

    The recovery is not so bad. You will be achy, stiff and weak. But you won't be in as much pain as you were before at all. It WILL be boring and long and you will have bad days and better days. Every week you will see improvements.

    Good luck!

  • Posted

    Hi Joan,

    I think all of us hippies have so many mixed feelings as we prepare for THR .

    i had to be thankful because I knew going in it can be hard for a few weeks,

    In time I knew THR would improved my quality of life by leaps and bounds.

    i focused more on the outcome living life again not becoming a slave to hip pain but free to enjoy all the things in life.

  • Posted

    Dear Joan.  This site is wonderful, we have all been there, and wear the T Shirt.

    ​I never take those seriously as only 1 in all the thousands THR carried out have to report the symptoms.

    ​This was the best thing that we all had done.

    ​Ask questions, you will get answers from fellow hippies. 

    ​Yes we all have dark days whilst we recover but these get less and less through the journey.

     

  • Posted

    hi joan, 

    warm welcome to this wonderful forum of hippies where we share our personal stories and experiences - we come in all ages and stages and no better place to come to to ask questions - 

    there are already great responses given - we all remember how afraid we were to have this surgery - to be honest, I was clueless and only heard about all these people who were up and about, doing amazing things 2-3 weeks post-op - 

    well, that did not happen for me and that is why I came upon this site -

    definitely com back here okay? you might feel so much better writing down your fears - 

    we are here for you --- you are not alone anymore

    big warm hug

    renee

  • Posted

    Hi Joan,

    It's natural to be worried. I must admit when walking to the operating theatre with a nurse, I thought what am I doing..... But as everyone had said, it's a really straightforward op these days, thousands are carried out every year. Legally they have to warn you about potential problems, but they are rare.

    You'll feel so much better afterwards, no more bone grinding on bone. Once you've got over the op, you'll feel like a new woman! Wishing you all the best.

    • Posted

      Great advice! I know that's what I'll be thinking too. Once they start to relax you you'll be like ok I'm really doing this. I keep thinking what I'll be able to do after I recover that I haven't been able to do for so long😊😊

    • Posted

      My new song is I haven't got time for the pain. I'm over it! Maybe that's the point we have to get to!

  • Posted

    Oh Joan I can definetly relate. It they have to tell you these things. These are fone all the time with great success. If I get the letter I'm Norbert reading it. My surgery is nov 17 and I'm a big baby! So glad you joined this forum. The people are wonderful and it helps a lot. You are no alone. We have to keep the faith and believe all will go well and you'll be out of that pain. What I hear most often is i should have done it sooner. you just have to say I have no choice I need my life back. All the best you please keep in touch.🙏

    • Posted

      Wishing you all the best, it's definitely worth it!

  • Posted

    Dear ?oan32093, I am 39 and I also was very scared of the things that can happen during and then sergery. But now, 16 days after surgery everything is perfect and I'm doing very well.

    Do not let fear take over and fight for a better life without pain.

    Wish you all the best!

     

  • Posted

    Dear Joan,

    Please don't fear this operation. The letter you received must be a variation on the standard consent form that we all get in a variety of forms outlining the potential risks of this operation. In fact, while there are risks and we tend to hear about them in this forum because - let's face it the primary reasons to come to a forum Ike this are to learn from others and to see support - esp when things have gone awry.

    But ... this operation I done so routinely now that success rates are very, very high. I am quite surprised that it was mailed to you as this is normally done in prison so that medical staff can explain components worrying you. No operation is risk free, but this procedure has a very good track record.

    I had my second hip replacement three weeks ago and I am very happy to have done them. Even partially healed, the bone on bone pain is gone and Imy function is completely back on my first hip (Feb 2016). My 2nd one is coming along too.

    I highly recommend this operation to others. The alternative - increasing pain and decreasing function simply wasn't a real option.

    The biggest factor to consider in all this is the track record of your surgeon - the training and nexperience s/he has with the procedure. This is the single most important predictor for success with this operation. When I asked my surgeon how many he had done, he smiled and asked this year or ever. He had done 150.

    It is reasonable to be worried before any operation, but please don't fret uNess there are personal circumstances that in crease your risk - in which case, it is inexcusable that they would have mailed you the form.

    Please come back when ready to talk about your concerns - this is a phenomenal group with immense experience and generousity of advice and support.

    With warm hugs and encouragement.

    Linda M

    • Posted

      I cant answer each wonderful note of support,but thankyou all for the interest you take it does help.I said last evening that I was afraid but honestly it was the letter sent by the surgeon.It was so explicit,eg,death,heart attack,stroke,kidney failure,confusion,infection,DVT,PE,bleeding,blood vessel damage,foot drop,leg length inequality,fracture,dislocation,Then said with my history,which is Ulcerative colitus,which has been in remission for over a year,not long after first being diagnosed,that is my only history,but here is the bit that really got to me,quote,I said with her past medical history she was particularly at increased risk of death!!! I,m sorry hippys but I defy you not to be terrified of those words,As a matter of interest did any of you get a letter like that.And did you have to inject blood thinner into yr tummy for month after,which I have to do and I know I wont be able to either,I.m not by nature a person who frightens easily but this has knocked me side ways,I know there are always some risks but do surgeons have to be so explicit when the success outweighs the things that go wrong,He really has as Ive said scared me to death,I feel stuck between a rock and a hard place.Crikey I have unloaded havent I,sorry guys,need some time now to calm myself,thankyou all,t,moro is another day.xx
    • Posted

      Hi Joan,

      I had the blood thinning injection in hospital, but I was sent home with a month's supply of blood thinning tablets. So that was fine. Maybe you could ask about having tablets instead?

      All the best.

    • Posted

      I did already ask about taking pills but they have said no and I have to inject in the tummy,I know it will be fine at the end of the day.just got to be a grown up about it and stop imagining the worst.take care lovey.
    • Posted

      ..."normally done in prison..."  Surely this must be a typo for "done in person"!

      confused

    • Posted

      Yes thanks - the predictive text snuck that one by me!
    • Posted

      checking in with you ....

      good Lord, that is intense - I probably would have freaked out too after reading a letter like that - 

      I did not get a letter like that but was told briefly about the risks during the presentation at pre-op -

      i also had to self-inject bloodthinning medication for 6 weeks - twice !!!

      I was horrified and  had asked for a home health nurse to come in and give it to me - well, that was silly - 

      I also asked for pills after 2nd THR but didn't get them either - explanation was vague ... 

      come back here anytime okay --- you still have to go through this period but are not alone ...

      big warm hug

      renee

    • Posted

      thank you for your message,I am seein g my GP wednesday and I.m sure he will reassure me,It always helps to have a chat and put it all into prospective.I hope your well,I look forward to this being behind me,Take care.big hugs back to you. 

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