THR 3 weeks post op and I have regrets

I'm sure you can shovel snow if you want to. I've shoveled lots of things since replacement, but not snow. You just have to keep the doing dumb things down to a minimum and keep falling as the don't do that thing.
 
How many weeks or months after THR did you shovel ?
 
I hired a lawn company to shovel because I would be too afraid to do it, but I am curious when other THR tried shoveling.
 
@Scared one
My two knees just healed with no issues in 2013 and 2015 and on I went.
Life was definitely better!!!!
I was an ex-athlete and I was mad as hell at my knees but got them sorted.
I don't kneel anymore as it hurts - but there are other ways of getting up off the floor when playing with the dog or doing pilates etc.
That is such a minor inconvenience compared to the pain I had before those ops. It stopped me doing so much and I limped at times.
No one ever knows about my new knees unless I tell them.
Life has been busy and better although I don't run anymore.

I did not expect my hip to fail.
It happened so quickly.
I was horrified.
Really didn't want the invasion of this hip replacement. Not at all..... but suddenly pain was restricting my everyday life - it stopped me driving safely and even turning over in bed.

So after a few weeks anguishing and trying to convince myself this was sciatica or similar I listened to my surgeon and went for it.
Last week had my THR.
I'm about week behind you I think - my op was 19th Oct.

Now it's the slow process of recovery but that life limiting pain has gone already.
I do know that in the new year I will be out and about pretty much as normal, socialising and eventually open water swimming, sailing and enjoying hikes again.
But without the pain drain!
I truly understand your angst and resentment of this invasive procedure.
I've had it too - despite the success of my knees.
This recovery period is tough. It's depressing for many of us, boring and a big chunk out of life and its routines.
We also have time to dwell and worry - but infection and dislocation is far rarer than a straight forward success. Phew.
However, this slow recovery time is going to pass for us both and then our challenge will be to get those toned legs back, do cardio and weights.
Strengthening those muscles is going to be fun.
Maybe a gentle start but as they get stronger and we become confident in our bodies again life, honestly, will be good.
We can both do this and get our lives back! :)
 
I am officially 3 weeks post op today.
I am still using a walker but practicing with a cane inside my house. I went to PT to help with walking and transitioning to the cane.

I still have the fear and the regret. I hope it goes away and I can get back to life and some resemblance of normalcy. By choice I am still observing all of the hip precautions but It is getting old fast

You have a very positive attitude:
I hope your recovery goes well
Would love to know how it goes since we are a week apart
 
That is probably a question best answered by your surgeon. It took me 10 weeks to get back to cutting grass. It also depends wether your shoveling or just pushing a snow blower.
 
still have the fear and the regret. I hope it goes away and I can get back to life and some resemblance of normalcy.

I truly believe it will with time. Most of us allow our minds to go to the bad place on occasion, mainly leading up to surgery and into the early weeks or months of recovery.

I know you realize this, but worry won’t prevent any of the issues you’re stressed about from happening, but the odds are in your favor that you won’t suffer a dislocation or infection. As far as regret, you can’t undo what’s been done. Your only option is to move forward and I believe the stronger you become and the more you’re able to get back to the things you love, fully engaging in life again, your worries will fade.

The day will come when you don’t give your surgery or prosthetic much thought. I asked my parents if that day ever comes before my THR. Each of them had both hips replaced. They both assured me the day would come when it wasn’t in the forefront of my mind. They were right and while it took quite awhile, I’m there. I do remember multiple times daily that I experienced THR, but I believe it’s become a habit upon certain movements, like getting up off the floor, climbing on a step stool, walking on a wet or slippery surface, stuff like that. Otherwise, I pretty much don’t think about it as it functions as my natural hip did. Try to stay busy if this is really weighing on you mentally right now. Engage your mind with people or activity, squeezing these troubling thoughts out. Trust that it will get better, because it will.
Hugs
@Scared one
 
@Scared one As Layla said eventually you will forget that the hip is a "new" one. These days I rarely think of them at all ... until I log in here :heehee: I posted this on 3/23/2012 - about 3.5 months after I had both hips replaced.

" Another milestone today - I wrangled two big feisty Maine Coon cats into their crates for a grooming session! And had to chase the bigger one upstairs, haul her fuzzy butt out from under the guest room bed, then carry 20+ pounds of wriggling, complaining feline down the stairs again to get to her crate. I sure could not have done this alone 5 months ago! In fact the last time they went for grooming my house mate had to do most of the cat wrangling and carry them to the car for me!":kitty:

To do that I had to trot up my steep, no hand rails, and curved stairs keeping cat tail in view. Then get down on the floor and onto my stomach. Haul cat out from under the bed (gently but firmly). Stand up with her in my arms. Carry her down stairs being careful not to step on her tail as she was almost as long as I am tall. She was a 20+lb Maine Coon cat. AND I did all that without once thinking I had 2 new hips!

Patience - I know it's hard to come by - but it will help and when you look back on this time of healing I think you will realize it lasted much less time than it took for the hip to get so bad it needed to be replaced.
 
So at 3 1/2 months post THR you were able to crawl under a bed ?

Is there a special way to get down on the floor after THR or can you do it however you want ?

I feel panic thinking of doing anything at all
 
@Scared one I did not even think about how to do it at the time - just did it. Standing to knees to belly on the floor. Scooch under the bed, grab cat, back out, stand up.

You will get to the point where you don't have to think about such things. Relax, for now your job is healing! And that does take time. Worrying about what might be is just going to slow down the healing.
 
I honestly can't remember the exact timeline of when I could do certain things. I can tell you that at 3 mos stay off of a ladder! That's what really set me back, thought I was good to go to do what I wanted to do. Standing on a ladder set me back weeks in recovery. I can also tell you that early in recovery a weedeater is the devil.
You're 3 weeks in, very early on and not the time to worry about what ifs. Enjoy the down time and do a little walking. All of the rest will come in time, and it will take some time.
 
Is there a special way to get down on the floor after THR or can you do it however you want ?

Ask your surgeon at your next post-op appointment when he‘s okay with you attempting to get down on the floor and back up. Have your PT demonstrate the safest way so you’ll know how to do it on your own when necessary.
 
I will ask him at my next appointment which is in 4 weeks

I have to admit thus far I still regret having this surgery. :(

can’t do this , can’t do that
Have to think about every little move
Need help with almost everything
Can’t go anywhere or do anything
Don’t want to end up in the over did it club

I find it frustrating :(
 
can’t do this , can’t do that - for now
Have to think about every little move -for now
Need help with almost everything - for now
Can’t go anywhere or do anything - for now

I think you are thinking too much in the short term. Of course you are limited after a traumatic surgery, you would be with any other also. But it's temporary. I wonder did you go into this thinking that you'd be able to do whatever you want very soon from release from the hospital? Maybe that is where your disappointment comes from...an error in your assumptions or information.
Please know that as recovery progresses and your hip heals, you'll be able to do more and more - just not everything at once. I believe the vast majority of us on here totally relate to your frustration. Recovery certainly is not all unicorns and rainbows, and it is a big test of patience and faith, and a
lesson in humility. But you can see many happy outcomes in the post op updates. You'll be there too, in time.
 
Screenshot_20211028-094113.png

All these were taken within the first 2 years after my double hip replacement...
I was in pain, running on little sleep, and depressed and gaining weight prior to BTHR.

Hang in there, friend.
 
Good Morning and Happy Thursday :wave:
I’m going to ask you a question another member asked of me early on into my recovery.
Are you getting out to smell the roses at all? If not, possibly you should plan a meeting with a friend for coffee, or a meal out with someone. You could get dropped close to the door, bring a cushion to sit on if you feel the need, many have done so, and enjoy conversation and a little people watching to break up your day and the nagging thoughts you seem to be dealing with. While this feels heavy right now, we all get it, please trust us that it will get better. Sometimes we need to force ourselves to go through the motions if the end result will benefit us. Try taking baby steps back into life. A car ride someplace relaxing while listening to music you love. A short walk in a local park, or in your neighborhood. A ride to a local beach for a scenic view or short picnic if the weather permits.

Then there are things you can do right at home to fill your day, occupy your mind and hopefully enjoy - Crossword puzzle books, adult coloring books. Plan out a future vacation, or weekend getaway, start a Pinterest board, peruse home decor ideas on Houzz, start a recipe collection, play online games, watch Netflix, or movies on the Hallmark Channel etc.

Phone calls are also a pick me up and a way to help fill the day. Nothing like the support of a friend or loved one when we’re feeling lonely or isolated. Check out the Social Room here also, if you haven't yet. That can provide hours of entertainment through games and threads to read. Social Room

I wish you a day of peaceful comfort.
@Scared one
 
Ohhhh I empathize with this @Scared one ……
I’ve had a number of orthopedic surgeries in last 2+ years…..all successful so far but I felt horrible, frustrated, panicky etc after each of them. I’ve had a cervical fusion in my neck that now has a titanium plate & 6 screws in there. I had a rotator cuff repair on my left shoulder. I had a left TKR in Oct 2019. Oh and a left THR on Sept 13 so I’m 6+ weeks out. Through all of them, even though I know better logically and rationally, I was paranoid and regretted doing the surgery. Pain, discomfort, poor quality sleep all lead up to “going down the rabbit hole” and catastrophizing everything.

The earlier surgeries all ended up being a huge help. I have full ROM in my neck -omg what a gift. My shoulder feels great. My knee was long and difficult but I got there. And now I’m working on this left hip.

It’s day by day. Some will be better than others. I found looking at progress week by week ((not day by day) to be more appropriate-for me.

When I start to go down the rabbit hole-and it still happens, even RE things that have nothing to do with my surgeries, I try to be a little nicer to myself, reframe the negative thoughts and then try to focus on something else. I love audiobooks, podcasts so they help divert attention. I’ve become quite the crossword fanatic. I play Words with Friends (online Scrabble) with friends and others. I try to take a short walk. A journal can help - it lets you pour all those xxxxx-y feelings and thoughts out on paper. It’s a way of exorcising them. And btw, you may have heard this but feelings are just feelings. They’re ”real”you feel them but they are NOT facts. Please try to not let them derail your recovery. For every post on here re problems, there are many many more successful situations w great outcomes. Please try not to let the worry take over. If you need, perhaps talking w someone directly (doctor, counselor, clergyman, social worker etc) can help. I don’t know where you live but in the US there are mental health support services all over the place.
Hang in there - you WILL be able to do this
 
I will ask him at my next appointment which is in 4 weeks

I have to admit thus far I still regret having this surgery. :(

can’t do this , can’t do that
Have to think about every little move
Need help with almost everything
Can’t go anywhere or do anything
Don’t want to end up in the over did it club

I find it frustrating :(
Don't take this the wrong way but you're past the point of returning so just look forward. Frustration is life. Over did it club is just one of those experience is the best teacher type things, we all did it and we all got over it. Focus more on all of the things you will be able to do. Trust me I'm not the life coach kind of person. The one thing I was amazed and overjoyed with immediately post op was my increased range of motion. Just for that I looked forward to being able to do things I couldn't do before without great pain.
 
I don’t think my surgeon explained the reality of this procedure they way he should have. I didn’t expect to be back in the gym right away but I also didn’t realize or understand the depth of this. That being said, it is comforting to hear from all of you and it makes me feel a little better that this is normal and it will pass eventually.

it is inspiring to see photos and hear personal stories

thank you all :)
 

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