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Is Anyone Getting Both Hips Done At Once

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Misty

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Jan 22, 2009
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United States, Philly, Pa. Area
When I make my calls and appointments I have to make the decision to have just my left hip done or both at once. Is there anyone else here waiting to have both hips done at once?
And, I have to ask a question. Do some hospitals or physical rehab. centers allow you to have a computer with you? Has anyone taken a computer with them or had access at the hospital or rehab. center to use a computer? Than I could communicate with you guys after my surgery. Take care.
Misty
(Jan)
 
My hospital had wireless....I had my ipod so used that. I had a netbook but figured I'd be too out of it to do much with it.

I know of people having both done at once....I only needed one.
 
Mine wouldn't do both at one time for me. Sure woulda been nice to have it all taken care of at once though. No computers where I was and I have no laptop or Ipod.
 
When I go back to see the OS on the 31st...I will ask if I can get both done...I am obese:pzld: so I do not know.....
Cfourhorses
 
I have nursed countless people who've had bilaterals. They do excellently well. One anaesthetic, one lot of pain and rehab. Takes a bit more out of you but better than having to go through it twice over, I always think.
 
I wish now I'd had both done at once - it wasn't offered to me though, and when I scheduled the first surgery, the other hip wasn't nearly as bad as it is now anyway. I'll bet you could do a search in the forum and find old posts from people who've done 2 at once. And I think Firemandan posted recently and had 2 done.

I'm sure any hospital would let you bring a computer. I had my iPhone with me and my hospital had wireless. I thought about having hubby bring his laptop but I spent most of my time napping or watching the Home & Garden network, ha. If I'd gone to a rehab place after I'd probably have brought it though.

ps. I can tell you this, too- having my other hip so bad is slowing down my recovery with the new hip somewhat, cause I just can't do much. (like do more walking) My new hip feels great but i'm still taking vicodin because of the other side, so i can't drive. It's kind of frustrating to go through the whole thing but still feel like a cripple - it's not like I can just hop around on the good side, lol. I just talked to a friend who did both knees at once - he was really glad he did it that way.
 
How do you press" for it?
What do you say to the DR. to sway him??
Does being obese make it worse for both @ once?
How long until one come's home??

Cfourhorses
 
Well, you really can't "sway" the doctor. What you do is bring up the subject of having both done at once and see if it is something he would be willing to do. Some surgeons just don't do both at once and if that's the case, it would not even be wise to try and push. What you can do is be prepared with your reasons why you prefer to have it done that way. If he doesn't do that procedure, he might recommend another surgeon who would.

I don't think being obese would make a difference one way or the other in having one hip or two. They work with you in the hospital and you are not released until you have the basics of walking, stairs, getting in and out of bed, using the bathroom, etc. mastered. Usually that is around 3 days in the hospital. Some people opt to go to in-patient therapy afterwards which can be a good thing for those who don't have someone at home to help them for the first week or so.
 
[Bonesmart.org] Is Anyone Getting Both Hips Done At Once
(or she!)
 
Both hips being done tomorrow at 7:00 am. I have a lot to do right now but I'll write back to you in a couple of days. Look for my story in the MIS Hip area of this blog.
 
A lady who keeps her horse @ the farm as me is married to a retired OS. He does not advise to have 2 hips done at the same time because there is a high morbidity rate and much loss of blood. I guess that settles it for me...not a risk I am willing to take.:evil:
Cfourhorses
 
Some surgeons do seem to be vehemently opposed to doing bilateral hips or knees. Mostly they seem to be surgeons who take longer than average to do one op and therefore probably don't do so many.

A very great number of people have bilaterals done and do extremely well with them. The surgeon I worked with many years ago used to do at least two BTHRs a week and another two more at another hospital. He also did a couple of my friends. True some of them were a bit knocked out in the first few days post-op but they soon caught up the long term results were terrific!

It all depends upon the surgeon. You need someone who gets the op done with speed, efficiency and accuracy. My experience of several hundred BTHRs over the years was that with the right surgeon there is a comparatively little loss of blood. Plus there is the added safety of only one anaesthetic and one period of risk for thrombosis, one rehab period.

The fact that your friend's husband is retired tells me it's quite possible he is working on old information and that his opinion may therefore be 'not entirely accurate'!! :wink:

I'd have a BTHR if the need arose. No sweat!
 
Do you know of anyone who did pass away because of having both hips done at once?
Thanks,
Cfourhorses
 
I don't know of anyone who died as a result of any joint replacement ever!

But morbidity is not the same as mortality. It just means a person is in a lower state of health or well-being. These medical terms are easily and frequently misunderstood!
 
Ok, thanks. I will ask my OS his opinion about doing my 2 hips @ once on the 31st when I see him again.
Cfourhorses
 
I think that's best, Cfour.....you have to trust the surgeon you worked so hard to find. He knows MUCH BETTER what he can and can't do. Unfortunately many, many people have opinions on medical matters....some are good and others not so good. I'm with Jo that I wouldn't put a whole lot of trust in an opinion from anyone who has been out of the medical profession for any length of time. Things change way too quickly!
 
I just canceled my 3rd Dr.'s opinion on the resurfacing I made a couple mos. ago.
He was 100 miles away and if I am going w/the THR's no need to go that far away where I have no support system.
I will stick w/ the OS nearby that has an excellent reputation.
The retired OS I spoke of did my husband's knees, (not replacement...do not know exactly what all was done).
I will ask the OS I chose on the double hip surgery....so far he seems to be right-on with everything else & have not heard anything negative about him at all.
Thanks,
Cfourhorses
 
Misty: I am a fan of bilateral surgery. Plus, I see you are from Philly. I traveled from the D.C. area to Philadelphia to a very good doc who does bilaterals. I am coming up on 1 year and I cannot tell you how great I feel. Looking back, doing both at once was the right decision.
As for computers, I brought my computer and blackberry. I used my computer very little, but the blackberry was great to have.
All the best to you
 
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