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Bilateral THR Jwadds Recovery (2 hip to be square!)

@Yogigirl yes I can do bridging, I can’t get down/up from the floor and my bed is too soft so will have to be when I go to the gym. There's one in my apartment complex, so I should go there.

@Mojo333 thanks for the sound advice, I agree... how do you know if the weakness isn't still injured muscles? :what:
The only way is to take it easy and start slowly, which I have up to now anyway, but I really need strength to get up even 1 stair/curb.

I'm so excited and happy that I had this done and that IT WAS DONE ALL AT ONCE! Like you say, Once and Done! :yes!::happydance:I can see the light and I can't believe I'm going to regain my life again!
 
X-rays are amazing! Really sounds like you’re doing amazing. I have a soft bed too, so I do mini squats hanging on to a thin counter height ledge. I focus on tightening glutes on way up and keeping everything slow and deliberate. I have been chair bound for a number of months so the glutes and abs work have made most difference for me.

You are a rock star!! So amazing to see a bilateral image. @jwadds ❤️
 
Hi can't believe all that you are doing after only 1 month so impressive. I am doubtful I will be so advanced. I as a bilateral too look to those who have preceded me and your post has inspired me to do more. Keep doing well and happy sailing.
 
@mikeycat I'm actually at 6 weeks as of yesterday. At 4 weeks I could hardly do anything, it's only been in the last 2 weeks I've improved dramatically. I have to be honest, I've hardly done any exercise or physio other than walking, and even then not that much. Mind you, I live on my own, so I've had to make meals, change the bed, do laundry, etc., so I counted that as exercise too. I really think that what they say at BoneSmart is true.... you need to let your body heal. Also, I don't have young kids to take care of anymore and I have a wonderful job where I have sick benefits, so I've been able to be off work.

You are only 2 weeks out. At 2 weeks I was struggling with everything! Once you start getting some decent night sleep, things will start to improve. I started to take Tylenol PM and then when that didn't work, I got a prescription for Zoplicone from my family doctor. Sleep and rest are really essential. I didn't get out of bed until noon some days as oddly enough, some of my best sleep was after 6am, I think I was so exhausted that my body gave up and finally slept.

I've missed your recovery thread (I'm now watching it) so I'm going to read it and I'll write more there. Please keep your spirits up, you are doing fabulously for only 2 weeks!
 
Thank you thank you. You are marvelous and on your own a true hero.Doing all those chores how incredible is that! Never never just say 6 weeks--it is miraculous. I have help with hubby though he is now worried when I tackle the stairs I am not. I will be alone next week save for the compression stocking people and the nurse who will remove the last staple. I admire your courage and determination and you are a role model. I am glad you have a job that affords you the time you need. I am 66 and retired. I have a 20 year old who will be here next week as my hubby sent for him--a worry wart. I am ok. As for the sleep thing-my nemesis-hate the nights. Glad you were able to get your sleep. Did you sleep on your sides with a pillow between your legs?
 
I actually have enjoyed being on my own, I love being able to do what I want, when I want. I had tons of food put away, got my groceries delivered (best thing ever!) and had lovely friends making me fresh bread and soup. It was tough getting to the bathroom at night on my own. I bought some depends (adult diapers), in case I couldn't make it in time. I had surgery at UBC hospital and was able to be there for 8 nights (very fortunate to have a private room most of the time) so I was not on my own initially. I can't say enough about UBC hospital, fabulous care and food. I never had the compression socks, but had the machine on calves that inflated on and off. I didn't have home care for nursing or PT, but that was probably because I was in the hospital for 8 nights and had PT there every day.

I slept on my side on day 18, it was a huge milestone because I'm not a back sleeper at all! I've slept with a pillow between my legs up to last night as I'm 6 weeks and no longer have the strict hip precautions. I am struggling with stairs. Need to work on leg/butt muscles. Yesterday was another big milestone... I noticed I can bend down to get the pot out of the bottom kitchen drawer and I can bend down to unload the dishes out of the bottom rack of the dishwasher. I could do these things before, but it was really uncomfortable and used the grabbers most of the time... yesterday I just seemed to bend over with no problem and do it without even thinking.

@mikeycat and @Yogigirl, my bilateral sisters, please know you both will get there! Keep the faith and allow your body to heal... your disability is temporary! I am incredibly grateful to be living in an age of medical technology that has given me my life back. I think if it was 40-50 years ago, I would've been in a wheelchair for the rest of my life! @Mojo333, @hbl and @JennyLynne all paved the bilateral way for me and I learned a lot reading their recovery threads, I'm very grateful everyone at BS for sharing their stories and the incredible support that we all give each other. Amazing community ❤️
 
You're going to be finer than frog hair.:froggies:
You are doing very well and lots of good things to come!:egypdance:
 
You are totally right. My hubby said the same thing as I would have eventually been in a wheelchair. I am so amazed, humbled and inspired by your progress and that you are now bending WOW! The stairs strangely enough have been ok. I lied to the PT when asked how hard it was for me because she will have me doing a lot more. She did have me walking with a cane --eh gads-not ready. I want to get into the shower but have to wait for the final staple to be removed on Monday.I had terrible food but skilled nurses and docs. I left after 3 days but have weeks here at home and re-hab but I think I was advanced to begin with though it sure dont feel like it. I was in the bathroom at the hospital by myself the second day.I like being alone too as people make me nervous so I understand you you brave courageous double hippie friend. Oh I was able to feed my cat 2 bowls of different types of food without spilling--yea. Can hardly wait for the 6 weeks like you and to get rid of those restrictions.
 
Good for you--beach and all. I was worried about the staples too but they are really fine things and feels like about a hundred and then some came out but they had this plastic remover and it was easy. Last one out today. Strangely enough it is streamlined and my sis says it will be a thin line.You said you felt like you were sleeping on bricks. When does this sensation go away? I feel it when sitting as I haven't slept on my side--yet.
 
I goes away very gradually. I still have some "brick" sensations, but I adjust position until it goes away. I tend to sleep on my front side to minimize the feeling. I was told in the handouts I could sleep on my side as soon as it's comfortable (eg no restrictions) so I wasn't worried about that, just don't curl up to the fetal position. I also felt it sitting on the toilet seat (very painful actually) that too goes away gradually. I can't remember, did you have the posterior approach? They go through a lot of muscles, tendons and ligaments so there is trauma there for quite awhile.
 
Posterior lateral. I saw the incision(s) and it was streamlined and very little redness and quite nice though there was swelling. I hate that my rump not small to begin with and every thing about me is muscular is even bigger. It has since gone down and I can sit in the chair.Do you have a pillow between your legs?
 
Yes mine is the same... [Bonesmart.org] Jwadds Recovery (2 hip to be square!) they said posterior but it's on the side of my butt, about 6-8 inches, 22 staples in 1 side and 24 in the other. Yes I slept with a pillow between my legs, I still do. Doc says I don't have to anymore, but now I'm kind of used to it so I'll give it up when I'm ready. because I frontside sleep I have the pillow under the bent top leg, but the bottom leg is straight so the pillow is between my top leg and the bed. Just to stop me from crossing the leg past the midline.
photos day 14 after stitches came out... that is my pretty side, left not so much...
 
That looks fabulous a very pretty scar.
@jwadds its fabulous how well you’re doing...my surgeon said side sleeping was ok with a pillow between knees but it feels so sore when I roll on my side at all. I’m hoping that goes soon as I literally crave side sleeping...I’m so not a back sleeper
 
Me neither @Yogigirl, it was sore for me too at day 20, I did it anyway just to relish being on my side... you will get there!
I also had a pressure sore developing on my tailbone so back wasn't exactly comfortable either. Just used diaper rash cream and it went away... was definitely glorious to get on my side!
 
Ok I'm kinda getting used to back sleeping but I am a side sleeper. I have all my staples out a truckload but very fine staples but I am still oozing a little so nurse returning on Thursday . I will have a shower then and possibly start sleeping on my side but I still have log legs and wear compression stockings to my thigh. Do you still have the log leg effect?
 
Good morning @mikeycat. Oh yes I had log legs.. where each leg feels like it has 50 lbs tied around your ankles? It also goes away, gradually. My problem at this point is lack of strength. Going to the gym this morning ... won’t be there long, lol ....
 
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