Bilateral THR Excited to get two THR!
- Thread starter Zoebichon
- Start date
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2017
- Messages
- 36,784
- Country
United States
- Gender
- Female
Hello @Zoebichon Thanks for sharing the encouraging progress report. Updates like yours are the type I searched for as a pre-op lurker here.
Aside from the initial two weeks dealing with nausea and early morning headaches, it seems you’re doing very well! I’m glad you received reassurance from your surgeon’s office in regard to the incision you were questioning. The fact that you were released on the day of surgery, as a bilateral, is amazing to me.
May your recovery continue to be smooth sailing. Have a wonderful Friday and weekend.
Aside from the initial two weeks dealing with nausea and early morning headaches, it seems you’re doing very well! I’m glad you received reassurance from your surgeon’s office in regard to the incision you were questioning. The fact that you were released on the day of surgery, as a bilateral, is amazing to me.
May your recovery continue to be smooth sailing. Have a wonderful Friday and weekend.
Such wonderful progress!! For a bi-lateral, no less. And at only 4 weeks.. So very pleased and happy for you and your thread will inspire many.
The little open area on your incision does look superficial, especially when you factor in the layers of internal sutures used in closing the wound.. absorbable.. thankfully!
The little open area on your incision does look superficial, especially when you factor in the layers of internal sutures used in closing the wound.. absorbable.. thankfully!
Last edited:
Sohowarrior
member
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2022
- Messages
- 131
- Age
- 69
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Female
You are a rock star! Sounds like a fantastic recovery, keep on that road.
@Zoebichon, I am so very pleased of your progress, it gives me such encouragement! I wish you a continued smooth recovery!!
Just curious: were you very active/fit before your bilateral hip replacements? I just had my left THR on 2 June, but think I may need another one on the other leg down the road. For this left one, I tried to prepare as best I could by losing about 18 pounds of weight, doing yoga, stretchings and strengthening exercises, and I kept up walking daily until about a few days before my surgery, when the pain was too much (I went off my NSAIDs then).
Just curious: were you very active/fit before your bilateral hip replacements? I just had my left THR on 2 June, but think I may need another one on the other leg down the road. For this left one, I tried to prepare as best I could by losing about 18 pounds of weight, doing yoga, stretchings and strengthening exercises, and I kept up walking daily until about a few days before my surgery, when the pain was too much (I went off my NSAIDs then).
Such a great update...and, as Layla mentioned, the type of experience-sharing that is helpful for future hippies.
I found going down stairs also was tougher...the way it requires our muscles to load (?) and for many months I would toddler step down when there were no railings.
No falling is the most important rule!
You are right that your range of motion will keep Improving.
Tightness is a normal thing after this major surgery and those still healing traumatized soft tissue appreciate slow and incremental progression back to normalcy.
Regarding the small wound opening, I'm wondering if I might not cover with a small loose bandaid?
You should be proud of yourself, my friend.
BTHR is definitely doable, but I must say they would have had to boot me out the door had they sent me home the same day.
Your patience and positive attitude is helping tremendously with this recovery.
Hope your weekend is Sweet.
I found going down stairs also was tougher...the way it requires our muscles to load (?) and for many months I would toddler step down when there were no railings.
No falling is the most important rule!
You are right that your range of motion will keep Improving.
Tightness is a normal thing after this major surgery and those still healing traumatized soft tissue appreciate slow and incremental progression back to normalcy.
Regarding the small wound opening, I'm wondering if I might not cover with a small loose bandaid?
You should be proud of yourself, my friend.
BTHR is definitely doable, but I must say they would have had to boot me out the door had they sent me home the same day.
Your patience and positive attitude is helping tremendously with this recovery.
Hope your weekend is Sweet.
OP
OP
Zoebichon
member
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2022
- Messages
- 191
- Age
- 66
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Female
@Mojo333, yes, I’ve been told to wash it with mild soap and water, then to put a bandaid on it, just like you suggested!
@Bootfit Starting in 2004, I joined Weight Watchers and began a walking program. I worked up to 4 1/2 miles of outdoors hilly fast walking 6 days a week. I was very religious about it! I walked through drenching rains, winds, and heat waves (thank goodness for gortex). I also did a full hour of calisthenics, hand weights, ankle weight exercises,and stretches every Monday, Wednesday and Friday . I lost 75 pounds.
At my thinnest, my hips began hurting - go figure, and I was diagnosed with mild osteoarthritis in both hips, along with bone spurs. I began PT and incorporated those hip excercises into my workouts.
I retired 7 years ago and continued my walks and excersises and added line dancing once a week and joined a senior hiking group. The hikes were amazing, usually 5 or 6, but sometimes 7 or 8 miles in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. During this retirement time, I regained about 25 lbs and my hip pains and stiffness increased so I gradually cut my long walks to every other day. I had way less pain when I skipped the walks!
During the five months waiting for surgery, I walked about 4 times a week and did keep up on my calisthenics up until the day before surgery. At my preop visit with OS, he said I had really strong thigh muscles and that’s why I rarely limped.
So I want to do a full recovery and get back to my beloved line dancing, hiking and long walks!
You sound like you are doing great, too!
@Bootfit Starting in 2004, I joined Weight Watchers and began a walking program. I worked up to 4 1/2 miles of outdoors hilly fast walking 6 days a week. I was very religious about it! I walked through drenching rains, winds, and heat waves (thank goodness for gortex). I also did a full hour of calisthenics, hand weights, ankle weight exercises,and stretches every Monday, Wednesday and Friday . I lost 75 pounds.
At my thinnest, my hips began hurting - go figure, and I was diagnosed with mild osteoarthritis in both hips, along with bone spurs. I began PT and incorporated those hip excercises into my workouts.
I retired 7 years ago and continued my walks and excersises and added line dancing once a week and joined a senior hiking group. The hikes were amazing, usually 5 or 6, but sometimes 7 or 8 miles in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. During this retirement time, I regained about 25 lbs and my hip pains and stiffness increased so I gradually cut my long walks to every other day. I had way less pain when I skipped the walks!
During the five months waiting for surgery, I walked about 4 times a week and did keep up on my calisthenics up until the day before surgery. At my preop visit with OS, he said I had really strong thigh muscles and that’s why I rarely limped.
So I want to do a full recovery and get back to my beloved line dancing, hiking and long walks!
You sound like you are doing great, too!
@Zoebichon, I too want to get back to doing hiking and long walks. I took early retirement 11 years ago, mainly because my husband had retired a few years before and I felt I wanted to spend more time with him doing things together. We had both led hectic busy working lives before retirement, and I felt it was time to enjoy the rewards. We still lead pretty busy lives (I work as a volunteer director of a Charity Foundation and do work with underprivileged children, my husband and I also manage a very small rental business as well). We both love travelling and hiking/walking/sailing. A couple of years before Covid times, we used to travel to hiking/walking destinations about 2 to 3 times a year (very often to the Canadian Rockies, but also to Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the US). When back at home, we also went hiking or walking whenever we could. Sadly, since a few years ago, my hip pain started playing up and such activities sort of ceased.
The last trip we went on was in 2018 to Greece.
My hip pain and sciatica on that trip was quite bad. Luckily, it seems that one could buy many painkillers at the pharmacies there without prescriptions!
So many trips to look forward to! Especially hiking in the Canadian Rockies
and the National Parks in the US!! Hopefully this THR means we can go again next year!! YAY!!!!!
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2017
- Messages
- 36,784
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Female
Happy One Month Anniversary!
I know you’re doing well through your recent update, just stopping by with best wishes on the one month date of you surgery. Have a wonderful week!
@Zoebichon
I know you’re doing well through your recent update, just stopping by with best wishes on the one month date of you surgery. Have a wonderful week!
@Zoebichon
OP
OP
Zoebichon
member
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2022
- Messages
- 191
- Age
- 66
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Female
Thanks Layla! No more baby aspirins as of today! My last steri strip finally fell off yesterday! Progress!
A couple days ago, I went to a one hour meeting at the local senior center where I do volunteer work. I was so exhausted afterwards! It was my first outing, except for my 2 weeks doctor appointment and lunch out after.
You have a wonderful week, too!
A couple days ago, I went to a one hour meeting at the local senior center where I do volunteer work. I was so exhausted afterwards! It was my first outing, except for my 2 weeks doctor appointment and lunch out after.
You have a wonderful week, too!
Still early days from what was actually two major surgeries. That energy drain can really kick in at times. But the good news is that it is all temporary.
Sounds like you are doing really well!
Sounds like you are doing really well!
Wyn wombat
junior member
Hi @Zoebichon, as a fellow Bilateral Hippie I am totally amazed with your recovery, I thought I was out of hospital fast after being let out on my third day, I too was walking regularly up too about 6 weeks pre op but having to stop due to my left hip giving way on me and growth of spurs on both hips, keep up the good work you are truly an inspiration
OP
OP
Zoebichon
member
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2022
- Messages
- 191
- Age
- 66
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Female
Today marks my 5 weeks since I had bilateral hip replacement surgery. I can now go upstairs (14 steps with a landing) without holding on. Coming down, I can do a few steps without holding on, although I keeps my hands hovering over the rail and bannister.
I’ve been walking unassisted for a couple of weeks but except for walking all over my home, I have decided not to increase my 1/3rd of a mile daily outdoors walk until my 6 week checkup.
I have taken to reading discharge instructions from lots of orthopedic surgeons, which are easy to find online. One OS, who does the anterior approach, which I had, said something that spooked me. Granted MY OS told me no such thing, but I nevertheless decided to not increase my walks until that next checkup. The OS said that he doesn’t have his patients walk too much (1/4th of a mile) until 6 weeks because it increases the risk of implant loosening.
These surgeons all say something different! Anyway I am holding back my distance until I see my OS on July 5th.
But I am going up and down the stairs multiple times a day, as needed. I am slowly getting my house back in order (hubby took good care of me and cooked but he really doesn’t notice dirt and dust)! I am grateful that I had enough energy and time to thoroughly clean everything before my surgery so I’m just trying to maintain now.
Minor pain in my left joint area and right thigh come and go seemingly randomly but Tylenol and a bedtime dose of Mobic seem to be enough.
I’ve been walking unassisted for a couple of weeks but except for walking all over my home, I have decided not to increase my 1/3rd of a mile daily outdoors walk until my 6 week checkup.
I have taken to reading discharge instructions from lots of orthopedic surgeons, which are easy to find online. One OS, who does the anterior approach, which I had, said something that spooked me. Granted MY OS told me no such thing, but I nevertheless decided to not increase my walks until that next checkup. The OS said that he doesn’t have his patients walk too much (1/4th of a mile) until 6 weeks because it increases the risk of implant loosening.
These surgeons all say something different! Anyway I am holding back my distance until I see my OS on July 5th.
But I am going up and down the stairs multiple times a day, as needed. I am slowly getting my house back in order (hubby took good care of me and cooked but he really doesn’t notice dirt and dust)! I am grateful that I had enough energy and time to thoroughly clean everything before my surgery so I’m just trying to maintain now.
Minor pain in my left joint area and right thigh come and go seemingly randomly but Tylenol and a bedtime dose of Mobic seem to be enough.
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2017
- Messages
- 36,784
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Female
Yes! It can be confusing, but like you, I imposed some restrictions on myself! I didn’t have any, other than to move thoughtfully / slowly and to stop if anything hurt. Because I went reading online like you and also here on BoneSmart, I figured what’s good for one, restriction wise, can’t hurt another (me). You‘re doing great and as a bilateral I’m always in awe at how a person recovers with two new hips at once. Amazing!
@Zoebichon Dr. Google is frequently too confusing! I prefer to listen only to my surgeon about any restrictions and after surgery instructions. After all, he knows me and my situation - and all the other "Dr Google doctors" do not.
The surgeon for my BTHR told me to walk as much as I could ... in December in cold wet Oregon that meant doing laps across my house until the weather warmed up. I did do PT because the muscles around my hips were severely out of shape but that did not start until 2 months after the surgery.
It is wonderful to hear you are doing so well with your 2 new hips!
The surgeon for my BTHR told me to walk as much as I could ... in December in cold wet Oregon that meant doing laps across my house until the weather warmed up. I did do PT because the muscles around my hips were severely out of shape but that did not start until 2 months after the surgery.
It is wonderful to hear you are doing so well with your 2 new hips!
InkedMarie
post-grad
@Zoebichon i can tell you that I had two different surgeons for my hips, both anterior and both said to walk walk walk. Four and eight years out and both are good.
Surgeon #1 told me one story that I still remember. He had a lady who shaved her legs in the shower. Operative leg on the tub bottom, other foot up on the edge of the tub. She leaned slightly forward to start shaving and her hip dislocated. It’s been eight years and I don’t shave my legs like that anymore!
Marie
Surgeon #1 told me one story that I still remember. He had a lady who shaved her legs in the shower. Operative leg on the tub bottom, other foot up on the edge of the tub. She leaned slightly forward to start shaving and her hip dislocated. It’s been eight years and I don’t shave my legs like that anymore!
Marie
wander03
senior
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2021
- Messages
- 268
- Age
- 79
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Female
@Zoebichon My surgeon used the anterior approach as yours did, and he said there were no restrictions on my movements. But I am still mindful of how I move. I think it’s a good idea to follow the instructions of ones own surgeon. They know our particular situation better than anyone else.
OP
OP
Zoebichon
member
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2022
- Messages
- 191
- Age
- 66
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Female
Yesterday I had my 6 week checkup. Actually tomorrow will be 7 weeks for me but the ortho clinic called and rescheduled my appointment twice.
I was thoroughly checked for my hip strength and he told me it was excellent. He also checked my ROM and said it was very good.
I hadn’t checked my own ROM since I have been leery about dislocations!
My OS said there are two movements I should be very careful with for one year after my surgery. Getting into and out of cars and my bed. Sit, slide back, and swivel. He showed me how getting out of the car with one leg is still a dislocation risk. Oops, I think I have already done that once.
My incisions, which have never hurt me, are healing well; there are still scabs on the right side and the left is fully healed with no scabs. Also, my incisions are only 3 1/2 inches long, which I find incredible.
I had my first long walk with my daughter, on the 4th of July. We walked on a paved trail through beautiful Sous Creek, and I did my first hill. It was not a long hill but I sure was breathing hard at the top! I also walked as fast as I could to impress my daughter! She said I was not walking near as fast as my normal speed (I am a very fast walker) but I sure felt like I was going fast!
I’m going to very slowly increase my walks until I get back to my 4 1/2 hilly miles I did for many years before the severe OA and surgeries. Maybe by 3 or 4 months. Also looking forward to hiking again in our beautiful foothills and mountain areas.
I still spend most late afternoons and early evenings reclining with my legs up on my Lounge Doctor, which I love. I don’t nap but fall asleep by 8:30 every night. I am sleeping much better but still annoyed at waking to pee so often!
Today will be my first day of discontinuing the prescription molexicam. Tylenol only AM and PM. Next week I will try to stop the morning Tylenol. I haven’t taken the narcotic since day 13.
I am starting some very basic hip exercises, on my own. I’m starting very slowly so as not to get sore. So far, so good.
I’ve rather enjoyed my isolation at home (I don’t seem to get cabin fever) and I have never felt bored. So much to watch on YouTube and so much to read here!
I am back to my once a week two hour volunteer job and I have friends there that were great to see again. I will be going back to my once a week line dancing, in the beginning class only, even though I was getting pretty good in the intermediate/advanced class!
I turned Medicare age (65) a few days ago and immediately signed up for the silver and fit at my local brand new YMCA, just one mile away. It is free with my Medicare plan. They have water walking, water exercise classes, active older adult classes, plus elliptical machines. It’s a huge gym and I haven’t been to it yet but looking forward to slowly easing into it.
I still love reading everyone’s recovery stories. I am even brave enough now to read many of the heartbreaking stories on chronic pain, infections, revisions, and dislocations. So many of these stories just sort of end and I am left wondering if they ever achieved a successful hip replacement.
I was thoroughly checked for my hip strength and he told me it was excellent. He also checked my ROM and said it was very good.
I hadn’t checked my own ROM since I have been leery about dislocations!
My OS said there are two movements I should be very careful with for one year after my surgery. Getting into and out of cars and my bed. Sit, slide back, and swivel. He showed me how getting out of the car with one leg is still a dislocation risk. Oops, I think I have already done that once.
My incisions, which have never hurt me, are healing well; there are still scabs on the right side and the left is fully healed with no scabs. Also, my incisions are only 3 1/2 inches long, which I find incredible.
I had my first long walk with my daughter, on the 4th of July. We walked on a paved trail through beautiful Sous Creek, and I did my first hill. It was not a long hill but I sure was breathing hard at the top! I also walked as fast as I could to impress my daughter! She said I was not walking near as fast as my normal speed (I am a very fast walker) but I sure felt like I was going fast!
I’m going to very slowly increase my walks until I get back to my 4 1/2 hilly miles I did for many years before the severe OA and surgeries. Maybe by 3 or 4 months. Also looking forward to hiking again in our beautiful foothills and mountain areas.
I still spend most late afternoons and early evenings reclining with my legs up on my Lounge Doctor, which I love. I don’t nap but fall asleep by 8:30 every night. I am sleeping much better but still annoyed at waking to pee so often!
Today will be my first day of discontinuing the prescription molexicam. Tylenol only AM and PM. Next week I will try to stop the morning Tylenol. I haven’t taken the narcotic since day 13.
I am starting some very basic hip exercises, on my own. I’m starting very slowly so as not to get sore. So far, so good.
I’ve rather enjoyed my isolation at home (I don’t seem to get cabin fever) and I have never felt bored. So much to watch on YouTube and so much to read here!
I am back to my once a week two hour volunteer job and I have friends there that were great to see again. I will be going back to my once a week line dancing, in the beginning class only, even though I was getting pretty good in the intermediate/advanced class!
I turned Medicare age (65) a few days ago and immediately signed up for the silver and fit at my local brand new YMCA, just one mile away. It is free with my Medicare plan. They have water walking, water exercise classes, active older adult classes, plus elliptical machines. It’s a huge gym and I haven’t been to it yet but looking forward to slowly easing into it.
I still love reading everyone’s recovery stories. I am even brave enough now to read many of the heartbreaking stories on chronic pain, infections, revisions, and dislocations. So many of these stories just sort of end and I am left wondering if they ever achieved a successful hip replacement.
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2017
- Messages
- 36,784
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Female
Hey there,
Sounds like you’re doing exceptionally well and have a game plan for getting back to life and all you love. I’m happy for you!
And a double hippy, no less, you’re one of the brave and blessed to be able to do the “one and done”.
A great rest of the week to you.
@Zoebichon
Sounds like you’re doing exceptionally well and have a game plan for getting back to life and all you love. I’m happy for you!
And a double hippy, no less, you’re one of the brave and blessed to be able to do the “one and done”.A great rest of the week to you.
@Zoebichon
Shenick
junior member
Congratulations on your great check up report. It sounds like you have lots of activity to look forward to - you deserve it after coming so far. - Enjoy!
