Bilateral THR New Hips, Jan 17th/2012

[djklaugh]

Matsan - as the others have said the "thunder thighs" do subside after a few weeks - and eventually you will fit back into your favorite pair of jeans - I lived in flannel PJ bottoms for months after my surgery - they were soooo comfortable that even after I didn't have to wear them I chose to ;0 But then I was retired and rarely had to go out in public.

I'm so glad to hear you are doing well after your surgery!

 

[Poppet]

Matsan the average length of time for a blood cycle is 12-16 weeks.. so you will feel fatigued and low on energy...

But it will be worth it

 

[Texas Girl]

I too am taking iron. I had to have 5 transfusions! Be glad you didn't have to have any. They had to disconnect my morphine pump each time which was no fun. in Hang in there, it gets so much better. Having two hips done has got to be alot to go through. Just let everyone take care of you and just rest, rest, rest. You are over the worst of it now!!

 

[Matsan]

Yikes Texas 5 transfusions!
I am really greatful I was able to get away without having any. I am going to be more fatigued with recovery but again I am lucky that I can be as I have good support. Thanks for the words of encouragement!

 

[Matsan]

Hello,
I am early in my recovey from BTHR, which so far has been going well. One of my worries pre-op and now post-op is about the risk of dislocation. I understand all he precautions to avoid this occurance, but what I am a little unclear of is in the longer term how careful I wil need to be. Prior to the last 2 years when I became limited with my activity from advancing OA in my hips I enjoyed a very active lifestyle. A little running, various exercise classess, curling, baseball and skiing to name a few.
How much as I going to have to limit myself to avoid dislocation in the long term? I am just thinking for example of a Zumba class or pilates, and...do I dare ski again??
Thanks for any information!
Gail

 

[bottomshollow]

Matsan, I have merged your second thread into your first. We prefer that you keep everything about your recovery in one thread as we have all your information in one area. This makes it much easier to answer questions or discuss concerns about your situation. Thanks for your cooperation.

 

[puddle fish]

Hi Matsan, I dont think there are any fixed rules its just see how it goes is how my OS explained it to me it all depends on how you heal the xrays muscle strength etc. My 90 degree and crossing legs restrictions were lifted at 6 weeks which allwoed me to try more although I couldnt actually do them. After 3 months he was happy for me to resume all activities as tollerated. 6 weeks will go very quickly.

 

[Matsan]

2 Weeks post-op today! Can not complain about anything. Mobility gradually improving, sleep patterns better than I thought they would be, only taking tylenol for pain (truly not needing anything stronger at this time), incisions have healed up nicely for the most part, staples out, one very small gap at right hip which has steri-strips on it.
Despite everything going perfectly, feeling a little down!! Crazy. Partly due to the realization that recovery is going to be long and slow going. Prior to surgery I really did not think about recovery.

I am very greatful that I was able to get both hips done at the same time. Can't imagine recovering from one hip, with chronic pain at the other, knowing I have to do it all over again in 3 months!

Counting my blessings, hope everyone else is doing ok or better! Gail

 

[cnydutch]

That's great Gail! Glad to hear your pain is managed easily and that you are sleeping! (that's unusual)
you are very close to turning a big corner, so don't feel down for too long. Very soon you will hit
a stage where you are becoming more and more independent, and you will find that dealing with the
boredom of recovery is more of an issue than anything. You are off to a great start!
how is PT going? Have you taken a shower yet? That was a big relief to finally do after the staples were out.

and i know exactly what you mean about having 1 recovery. I wouldn't do it any other way!

 

[AliPali]

Hello Gail,

I did Pilates between my 2 THRs and individually with my teacher since 2 weeks post my 2nd op. My teacher initially based the sessions' exercises on the ones given at the hospital. I then have had weekly sessions on the Reformer at 6 weeks until now. Of course bear in mind I had my THRs separately and my OS said 'no restrictions' post op...except to be careful.

Next week I am joining the main class for chair Pilates. My teacher is very understanding and will modify some of the exercises if necessary and I will have a lower resistance on the bar. My OS said Pilates was fine at 6 weeks for me but do bear in mind people's recoverys are all different. I just LOVE Pilates. Luckily my OS knew what Pilates involved and was very supportive.
My personal opinion is that Pilates, with a good teacher, is excellent for strengthening muscles and the stretching feels fantastic.
I find the gym boring so Pilates is good alternative for me..
Coincidently I am trying a Zumba Gold class tomorrow which is for beginners and older people. I think I will stand at the back of the class though!
I am sure, Gail, that eventually you will be able to do Pilates and Zumba unless your OS specifically says not. But do be patient.....People on this site have done almost any thing post op including skiing when they are ready except perhaps bungy jumping!

Good luck with your ongoing recovery and don't rush it. Healing happens in it's own good time.

Ali x

 

[bottomshollow]

Hope things are continuing to go well for you. Have to find ways to stay mentally busy since the physical has to be curtailed for a while. I did a lot of reading, working crossword puzzles, and watching TV. Tho' those things did get old after a while. And just sitting outside and enjoying nature isn't something we can do this time of year. But it should become easier once you can become more active. Just have to keep in mind all the things you are going to be able to do pain free you've been unable to do for the past few years.

Take care and keep us posted. We care.

 

[inimeg68]

Hi Matsan,
I was trolling over in the pre-op section looking for January Bilateral people and wondering how things were going post op. You were one of the first ones I came across. I'm having mine done on 2/11/13 and 2/13/13. I'm not scared, just a little anxious and wishing I was in your position. I see from reading your posts that you are progressing well and it gives me a little comfort. Thanks a million for keeping us "Anxious Annie's" informed. We are all going to be OK.

 

[Matsan]

Ahh yes the shower, a great source of pleasure and also feel so good afterward, muscles relaxed and more mobile!
I am up at nights, but read or watch a show and generally settle back to sleep without to much of an issue, I had anticipated sleep to be a nightmare so am pleasantly surprised.
I am doing the exercises the physio gave me at hospital discharge and walking a fair bit around the house with a walker, making sure I use my core and not depend on it too much. Aside from that no formal PT, will start the the week after next.
Not sure if I am taking it too slow??
Thanks for the note cnydutch...appreciate it! Gail

And BOTTOMSHOLLOW, you are SO right, I already have far less pain than I had pre-op!

 

[Matsan]

Hi inimeg68!
I SO get you wishing you were done!!
I was there in my last couple weeks pre-op. It was good for me though, up to then I had doubts about going ahead (I had cancelled twice previously, this worked out ok though as initially I was only going to have 1 done and 3-4 months later the second).
Honestly as I said above, I am having less pain and even sleeping a bit better a two weeks post-op!
The first week was a challenge, but I followed the advice from this site like a bible and I do attribute this to my positive expierence thus far!!
Hang in there! a new beginning is in sight! Talk more later!

 

[Matsan]

Thanks so much Ali!
So good to hear about your activity level. I honestly was so focused on getting to and through surgery I did not give any thought to after the fact!
You have given me some good ideas though as I know my local Gym/physio offers classes with highly qualitified insturctors who likely could do the same for me in the future!
Thanks again, have a great day! Gail

 

[dtmbf]

Gail, you're sounding fabulous! Yeah, recovery does get tough & we all want it to be all better all at once, but you are really doing great. I don't think I was as far along as you at 2 weeks - I know for sure I wasn't sleeping all that well. Way to go!

 

[Matsan]

Hi Mary Beth, you are SO right about the wanting to be better all at once! Despite knowing better. As far as sleep, again I honestly was convinced my nights were going to be so terrible I was pleasantly surprised when they were not so bad. All in the frame of reference!! Additonally I am a big advocate of "Super Sleep" from Costco, a melatonin preparation. And if sleep cycles are really bad I am not above taking 1/2 tablet of Imovane. (As long as I am not on narcotics!)

 

[Matsan]

Good morning fellow hippies! I had such a great day yesterday! was able to do a lot and it felt great....until last night, glad I still had some prescription medications still on had, wow did my body ever let me know I perhaps did a bit to much.
Question for any of you, my left hip/leg seems great, my right leg does not "listen" to me quite as well and when I have been walking for any distance I feel a deep ache on the outside of the leg a little way up from the knee. Not pain, but feels like something is not right there...I am sure it is nothing and of course there are going to "random acts of pain" Just curious if anyone else has expierenced this. Thanks for any thoughts!
Gail

 

[bottomshollow]

Your body is undergoing some realignment since your surgery. So muscles and things are having to operate under a different set of rules so to speak---and they are not fond of change so they let you know. Give them some time, and they'll get in line as they should and stop fussing with you. And keep in mind that every ache and pain you will experience may not be related to your surgery at all.

Take care and keep us posted. We care.

 

[dtmbf]

My right hip lagged behind the left in recovery also and responded way differently to anything I did. It was never the "hip" but more the soft tissue that had been under stress and strain for years. Plus I know I became hyper vigilant about how I felt - every ache & pain was scrutinized - I drove myself batty. So yes, I think you are following the path many of us have, especially when both hips are done at once. You have something to compare -right vs left - and I was firmly told the 2 hips do not recover at the same pace. So you probably just overdid it a bit, and by tomorrow you'll get back to baseline.