Bilateral THR Twice as Nice - JennyLynne's recovery

JennyLynne

post-grad
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Hi everyone... scheduled for bilateral replacement on Monday, April 15! Hospital just called with 9am arrival time and 11am surgery time.

I am a veteran of the knee boards. I had TKR on my left knee, almost 2 yr ago. I am 45 yrs old and I have a 7 yr old son and a fairly demanding career, and can't wait to get back to feeling like ME again!

Same surgeon as TKR, which was a great recovery - so I am very optimistic... though today the pre-op jitters are really getting to me.

Always grateful for this space - the information and the support. Look forward to getting to know the "hip"-sters this time around!
 
Monday is your big day. As you know from past experience the pre-op jitters are normal.
Focus on the prize, getting your life back and engaging effortlessly with your son in ways that have become difficult or impossible. It's coming.

I'll leave you the Recovery Guidelines to peruse through the weekend if you have time, while you're still clear headed. You know we'll be here to send you off with love, hugs and best wishes. Roll on Monday!

Hip Recovery: The Guidelines
1. Don’t worry: Your body will heal all by itself. Relax, let it, don't try and hurry it, don’t worry about any symptoms now, they are almost certainly temporary
2. Control discomfort
rest
elevate
ice
take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)​
3. Do what you want to do BUT
a. If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you
b. If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.
4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these
5. At week 4 and after you should follow this
6. Access to these pages on the website

Pain management and the pain chart
Healing: how long does it take?
Chart representation of THR recovery

Dislocation risk and 90 degree rule
Energy drain for THRs
Pain and swelling control: elevation is the key

Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it

Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

BIG TIP: Hips actually don't need any exercise to get better. They do a pretty good job of it all on their own if given half a chance. Trouble is, people don't give them a chance and end up with all sorts of aches and pains and sore spots. All they need is the best therapy which is walking and even then not to excess.

We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery.

While members may create as many threads as they like in a majority of BoneSmart's forums, we ask the at each member have only one recovery thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review history before providing advice. @JennyLynne
 
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:wave: I know a lot of folk on the forum don't believe in it, but I had the same Surgeon for my TKR in March last year as I did for my Revision Hip last month. Poor guy planned on doing the hip last October but when he opened me up he was greeted with infection! :yikes: So he put a Spacer in and sent me on my way! Now I am on my way to recovery. He has done a remarkable job three times much to my delight.

Sending you best wishes for Monday ... but you know you are in good hands.
 
@Izabel I didn't realize it was controversial to have the same surgeon do both. My doctor does hips and knees. In fact I think most that I know do so. I feel very confident in his ability - he is highly regarded in both areas.

Sorry to hear about your troubles but sounds like you are on a good path now!:)
 
I don't know that it is controversial, it's just that everyone seems to go for the one that has done the most hips or the most knees or specialises in revisions. :what: :shrug: But it concerns me that these things are done in day surgery and someone said their doctor had done 12 surgeries that day! :yikes:
 
:wave: soon to be bilateral pal.

"Both at Once!?!" Seemed to be everyone's exclamation when hearing I was surgery bound. You will hear it often.
Getting our life back is why we do this.
.the waiting is the worst part.
Hope you're weekend is sweet.:flwrysmile:
 
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@JennyLynne LOL as Mojo said you will get the looks of shock and disbelief and the "OMG, both hips???" comments ..... maybe even from some nurses ... at least I did way back when. Though BTHR is more frequent now I think. Wishing you best of everything and I will be thinking of you on Monday.
 
Prayers for angel blessings and comfort on Monday, especially with the pre-op jitters. I’ve had my fair share of surgeries and they’re always there. Love and support to you and we’ll look forward to seeing you on the “other side.❤️
 
Wishing you the best on Monday, I'm nervous about getting one done end of June and you're doing both. My hat is off to you! :egypdance:
 
Be thinking of you and the others slated for Monday. I'm probably going to wait until tomorrow night to start a thread here. Been doing a bunch of things to try to stay busy. The jitters are very real for me! Looking forward to following your posts. I can't believe it's so close now....
 
Best wishes for tomorrow, Jenny.
We'll be thinking of you and looking forward to hearing from you when you feel up to posting.
Tomorrow...your new life begins. I'm excited for you!
Wishing you comfort.
@JennyLynne
 
See you on the healing side...bye bye hip pain:yahoo:
 
Hey everyone!!! On the other side... double new beauties!

Went up to OR at 11am, don’t remember much after first minute. Had a spinal. Surgery took about 1 hr 45 min.

I woke up in recovery WIDE AWAKE! So much different than general. So much better!

Got to my room about 3pm. Spinal is wearing off now and they started me on some oxy. Pain is at a 3, so I’m pleased.

PT was just in and want to wait a little longer before getting me up- feet still numb.

Had some graham crackers and apple juice. Hoping they let me order dinner because I’m hungry!!

Just talked to my little dude and he sounds great. I was able to get our former nanny to pick him up from school and he’s so happy about that! He loves her and I’m sure pizza is in the near future [emoji4]

All in all, a good first report


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