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What is the worst thing I can do?

Posted , 10 users are following.

DawnDedee
DawnDedee

This is the question I asked my surgeon fresh out of surgery.  I figure it pays to know what the worst thing is and as long as I do not do that, then all will heal and be well.

What is the worst thing I can do to hurt my surgery?  His answer surprised me.  He simply said, "Smoke".

Have any of you asked this and what were you told?

Dawn, USA

0 likes, 19 replies

19 Replies

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  • AnnieK
    AnnieK DawnDedee

    Posted

    Sounds dubious to me. I never asked that question, but I think that there are so many horrible things you can do to seriously undermine your recovery that are way worse in the short term, such as, not following the restrictions, overdoing activity, not taking pain meds as directed, not having support people to help you and on and on. Smoking definitely hurts people over the long term, but it won't dislocate your new hip or pull a muscle or cause you to fall down.
    • DawnDedee
      DawnDedee AnnieK

      Posted

      Hi Annie,

      Guess I did not explain myself clearly enough.  I wanted to know over all, long term, what the worst thing to do was, aside from all the instructions I already knew and adhered to.  It is the way my mind thinks.

    • AnnieK
      AnnieK DawnDedee

      Posted

      Sorry! Yes, smoking would do the trick, as you explain it.
    • colinTN17
      colinTN17 AnnieK

      Posted

      Smoking could be a major danger if you drop your fag(uk meaning ) and try to pick it up without thinking about the 90 degree rule wink
    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK colinTN17

      Posted

      For our US cousins, that's UK slang for a cigarette ......

      but very good point there Colin.

       

    • DawnDedee
      DawnDedee AnnieK

      Posted

      When I styled hair in my first career, while communicating with my clients, I would always ask the question, what is the worst thing I could do to your hair?  Some would say cut my bangs too short, or for their ears to show, etc.  As long as I knew what the worst thing to do was, then I could please them by never doing what they disliked.
  • five04boy
    five04boy DawnDedee

    Posted

    I actually asked the same question and my doctors response was to feel sorry for myself and not be motivated to do anything along with smokeing...
    • DawnDedee
      DawnDedee five04boy

      Posted

      That is very good advice!  It is very difficult to spring back once one's mobility has been disrupted.  Luckily I have never been a smoker and choose not to stay in self pity for too long!
  • vicki00016
    vicki00016 DawnDedee

    Posted

    Smoking can delay wound healing and bone healing, increases the risk of a DVT and can also, in the long term, lead to a greater incidence of loosening of the joint and the need for early revision. A bit rubbish if you like to smoke!
    • DawnDedee
      DawnDedee vicki00016

      Posted

      Fortunately I have never been a smoker.  It just surprised me that this excellent surgeon in one of the most respected universities in my country, could sum it up so succinctly.  Thanks for the details you have shared here.
    • mic71403
      mic71403 DawnDedee

      Posted

      Bunje jumping was the only no no given... by my physio. Surgeon I never saw or spoke to!

      And yes, smoking is another....

      And I'd add too being lazy and not doing your exercises as advised!

      Mic

      X

    • DawnDedee
      DawnDedee mic71403

      Posted

      Yep, bunje jumping could do some hip re-arranging!  You never saw or spoke to your surgeon?
  • Gaby21
    Gaby21 DawnDedee

    Posted

    Twist
    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK Gaby21

      Posted

      Submit to yet another operation on my operated leg?

      Eat like I used to before I lost all that weight?

      On another subject entirely, Lohn Lewis just delivered my wife's new Kenwood mixer, but being a bit 'Hyacinth Bucket', she was disappointed that they don't come in their own vans now but use DPD to deliver.

      Graham - 🚀💃

    • DawnDedee
      DawnDedee Gaby21

      Posted

      Mine said to never twist while breaking the 90 degree rule.  He actually demonstrated it for me.  Now that I am nearing one year out, it has become apparent to me that it is easy to forget to not twist.  
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