Advice for THR recovery needed

[kopshannon]

Left Hip 8/18 .....

I am having a total hip replacement of my left hip at Lankanau in Philadelphia by Dr. Diermengian on 8/18. I had a bacterial infection in my left hip last January that normally only infants get. I was fine for a year and then it started hurting again. I am getting married in Punta Cana on Oct 4. It was all planned and paid for (with no insurance) before my hip started hurting again. The doctor wanted me to wait until after the wedding, but I can't stand the pain any more. We are leaving for the wedding 6 weeks and 3 days after the surgery! And it would be financially catastrphic to postpone the wedding.

I was very active until April of this year, running, golfing and ballroom dancing. I would appreciate hearing anything that would help with the recovery process!

 

[Josephine]

Re: The Hip Pre-Operating List...Let's keep up with you.....

I saw you register, kopshannon, so welcome to BoneSmart! I'm copying your post into a thread of it's own so you get more response.

 

[kopshannon]

Thanks Josephine.

I saw my doctor today for my pre-op visit. My aspiration showed no sign of infection which is terrific news. I will be awake for the procedure since the surgeon uses a spinal. He said I can bring in a headset and listen to music during the operation. It will be a posterior incision.

He says I'll be dancing at my wedding. I love his positive attitude!

 

[Wendi]

Re: Left Hip 8/18 .....

It won't be as bad as you think. I just had THR one month ago. I am using a cane for longer distances and doing great!!! I also had a spinal, but I didn't want to hear anything so they gave me a little something to lightly sleep. I am very active also and am really impressed. The first few days are a little rough, but you won't regret it!! I was in excrutiating pain and I have no pain. The incision is a little sore, but nothing like what I had.

You will do great!!!!

Wendi

 

[Tommy Utah]

I can back up Wendis post above. I am exactly one month post op from RTHR and also only use a cane for long walks and walking is getting better every day.

 

[rejoyce318]

My LTHR, anterior incision, was exactly one month ago today, too! Rothman Institute @ Jefferson, Dr. Hozack. I do still walk with a cane, because I limp w/out it - I try to remember to use it around the house. I have been driving for 2 weeks already, & still am receiving PT. I have muscle weakness & tightness, but it's way better than how I felt pre-surgery!

Best wishes with your surgery AND your wedding, kopshannon!

Joyce

 

[ceci1957]

Congratulations on the wedding and being pain free! I am nearly seven weeks post-op. Sometimes I use a cane, but I have to use a walker when walking long distances as I have another hip replacement scheduled Aug. 18. My piece of advice would be to get a wheelchair if you need it in the airports. I don't know where you are flying out of, but you could be walking a long way, unless they have those flat "escalator" things. I don't know what they're called because I never fly in or out of airports that have them. I hope all goes well with your surgery and have fun at your wedding! What a beautiful setting.

 

[electron]

great advice ceci

my wife wants me to "utilize" my disability while it's available and lord knows everytime I had to travel , I suffered and caused my family time lost.

wendi, tommi, rejoice,...
I'm at 5-1/2 wks and my limp is in and out depending on my fatigue.

I altered my meds and overdid my PT so I can't know where I should be,...but WHEN I have the energy and mind set,. I can avoid the limp for a short term.

to better walking

jon

 

[Josephine]

I don't know where you are flying out of, but you could be walking a long way, unless they have those flat "escalator" things. I don't know what they're called because I never fly in or out of airports that have them.

Travelators!...

 

[kopshannon]

Thank you all so much for the positive support. I'm so glad I found this site. Even with the wedding coming up so soon, this is the right decision. My left leg gives out on me frequently when I put weight on it and I have to catch myself as I start to fall. It would be another 2 and a half months to wait for the replacement if I had waited until after the wedding. I would be in a wheelchair at the wedding and that wouldn't be mcuh fun (or very romantic).

This is the week before surgery for me, so I'm not allowed any pain meds this week. Hope I can make it through! My fiance has been a wonderful help and babies me so I don't have to do much around the house. My office is on the second floor of a historical building, so there's no elevator. I just have one more week of struggling up these stairs. I will be working from home during my recovery.

Thanks again to everyone!

 

[*gmac*]

Kopshannon-
Our thoughts and prayers are with you on your day today. Type to you in a few days on the other side.
-Gary

 

[kopshannon]

Had surgery on Monday afternoon, home the next evening!

Hello everyone. Had my surgery between 4:30 and 6 Monday afternoon and was back home by 7 last night. Doctor's office said it was a new record. I did a lap all the way around the hospital floor and up and down 2 flghts of stairs with no pain! The incision site is a little uncomfortable at times, but I feel a lot better. Forgot to ice it most of yesterday and I had a rough nite. My leg swelled up over my lovely thigh high support stocking. I had 2 take 2 pecosets plus the oxycontin. I have some kidney issues that make me go to the bathroom every couple hours. I've had that for years, but it's not as comfortable getting in and out of bed.

Still waiting to hear from physical therapy. They are coming to my house and bringing a chair as high as a barstool with arms.

Surgery went very well. I keep forgetting to ask what kind of prothesis I have. I have no stitches or staples. Everything is glued shut. Amazing! Never needed the headphones. The anestheologist's asistant told me to lean into him sitting up and that's the last thing I remember until waking up about 8 in the recovery room. My heels are sore today, but I'm not used to laying in one position for so long. The doctor told me not 2 worry 2 much about being pigeon toed. I already was and he put me back together that way.

All in all, I feel pretty good and am SO glad I had it done before the wedding.

 

[clwhit]

Welcome home and to your new life! It's awesome, isn't it? No you can focus on all the preps for that wedding.

~Carol

 

[rejoyce318]

Congratulations, Kopshannon!
I'm glad you're recovering well.
Keep that ice handy, & rest even if you don't think you need it (learned that lesson!)
Joyce