Was due to have a total hip replacement and cancelled due to anxiety

...recovery which has been my dread ...

Hi Mary-

  You have "Pre-surgery jitters", THR version. It is very common. [ I could tell you stories ...] Not too much you can do about the mechanics of joint replacement surgery--the docs have perfected the techniques over the last 40 years. To the experts, you have a commonplace hip problem, and they have a set of tools that will repair your joint in 90 minutes of effort.

Of course, that puts you in the dreaded recovery mode. Everyone on this discussion board will tell you: recovery is just not that bad. You will be uncomfortable for a week or so, and very tired for a month or so. You will get medication for the former (Take it.), and advised to rest a lot for the latter (Do it.). As for the anxiety, my advice is not to obsess about the surgery, or the immediate aftermath. No need to suffer future pain, as they say. Try to focus on the upcoming Christmas holidays, when, for the first time in years, you will be pain-free and enjoying a nice holiday in a pleasant warm place.

Hope this helps.

Hello Mary. I'm sorry you've cancelled your op. I had right hip replaced on Thursday. I was so anxious and scared, it made me unwell. Could t eat, couldn't sleep, but I felt I couldn't bear pain any longer. Everyone was so kind and aware how I was feeling.

after surgery, it was wonderful to feel pain free. Only you know how you feel and if you can cope,but please think about the benefits. Xx

Hi Mary,

Please feel free to message me privately if you want but I'm in Manchester. I had a posterior thr 12 weeks ago and recovery was absolutely fine. I accept I have recovered really quickly and we'll- I feel this was due to my age and fitness though. I think whatever approach you have recovery is an individual thing. I'm really sorry to hear you have anxiety and if I can be of help to get you to op and beyond give me a shout as I'm a counsellor/trauma therapist and would be happy to help. My surgeon was a Mr Ghalayini who operates in Stockport and other areas. He was fab. Good luck, Kirsty

So sorry you felt you had to cancel. The anterior approach is a relatively new way of doing things, one of the advantages being that muscles are parted and not cut. Many aspects of recovery can be better, however the recovery from the conventional posterior/ lateral approach is not that bad, viewed I must admit from a distance. 

The antieior approach is not is not the predominant method in England far fewer surgeons are trained and expert. Additionally I think it requires a specific type of operating tablet, the Hana which costs mega bucks. You may well find a surgeon in the UK who does the approach but personally I would think again about the long established successful procedure more prevalent in the UK

Best wishes

maggie

Hi Mary, I've been on low dose medication for quite some time for anxiety, I completely understand how you feel and how it can stop you in your tracks, you end up being fearful of everything.

I am having a LTHR tomorrow, to say I am nervous is an understatement, my husband took me out for lunch and I barely ate, I've got butterflies every two minutes and my mind is going over the worse possible scenarios repeatedly, its just dreadful, but I will still go in tomorrow because living with all this pain is stopping me from doing so much, I keep thinking of all the tears I've cried the agonising bursitis I've suffered and the awful bone pain in my groin, that will all go away, so I've just got to do this.

The hospital phoned me up earlier to confirm I was coming in and did I have a cough cold or diahorrea, well I said yes I'm coming and no to the ailments, then after I hung up I looked at my husband and asked him if he thought I had a cold, (I don't) and he laughed and said no you are fine, that is anxiety and doubt because I'm worried my health isn't 'perfect' enough to have an operation, and I may get complications or worse.

I've just read this back to myself and I know I sound potty but that is fear it isn't rational, so my mantra is to be kind to myself and just breathe it will all be ok.

Are you getting help with your anxiety? Hopefully if you can tackle it you will then be able to have an operation.

I really wish you the very best of luck with everything.

Take Care Lulu

Hi Mary, I was due to have my left hip replaced tomorrow (right one in 6 months) I have been a nervous wreck as I have Hughes Syndrome (high risk blood clots etc)I also take 4 different high blood pressure tabs a day and I'm diabetic, I have various recent letters from surgeon's advising I'm high risk for any op BUT after worrying myself sick I can't tell you how disappointed I am that I now have to wait allbeit only 2 weeks.I'm having my op at Trafford General not sure what approach but instead of dread I'm now focusing on getting through the next 2 weeks and getting on with it. As ever body else has said you can't go on in pain you'll be fine Mary once done we can go for a long walk/bar crawl together X for