scared to death
- Thread starter pink24
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craftdee
graduate
Hi @pink24 I thought it was impossible to sleep on my back too, raved about it at length in fact ... turns out it IS possible, not comfortable but it gets easier, you do get sleep. Before the op I couldn't lay on my back as my leg wouldn't lay flat on the bed; the first night in hospital I noticed that my leg lay flat AND the foot didn't tip over like it did before. Bonus. That said, I slept on my back without a problem in hospital but did struggle when I came home.. maybe the bed wasn't completely flat in hospital, or like I said in my thread at the time, maybe the drugs were better there
Still not as bad as I was imagining pre op, and not even as hard as my "practice runs" - and you do rest/nap in the day (despite yourself sometimes!) so great quality sleep isn't AS important in recovery as it is when you're trying to run your "real life" as well!
You may be able to lay on your side with a pillow between your legs from the get go, depends on your OS and your operation. if you have Anterior Approach you probably won't have this restriction at all. I had "extra" restrictions (lucky me
) in that I wasn't allowed to support my operated leg while laying on my back... if I could (and I DID "cheat" some nights when I'd had ENOUGH
) it made the world of difference. My first OS (before I bailed on the first surgery!) told me I'd have six weeks restrictions, if I could go a few weeks on my back he'd "let" me lay on my non operated side with a pillow after that... the OS who actually did the op got extra MRI reports and told me I'd "probably" have 12 weeks restrictions - he found more damage during surgery than investigations indicated, said the op was "technically challenging" then added the no leg elevation doozy in! He DID say that he isn't a policeman, so if I slept on my side he wouldn't know, but made me aware that back sleeping was highly preferable. But like I said, your OS may have his own opinions and emphasis
Ask your OS if it's a likely restriction, then try sleeping on your back again... I "made" myself last ten minutes the first night or so, added in 5 minutes a night after that, and found by the end of the week I was asleep before I had to add another 5 minutes. I put pillows next to me and between my legs to stop me rolling over and to get used to the sensation of having that restricted feeling too. When I woke during the night I ditched the pillows the first couple of nights, tried getting back to sleep first on the next couple of nights and actually managed to get back to sleep on the sixth night. I didn't bother the night before the op, feeling that getting a good night's sleep was more important. To be honest, "good" didn't really describe it - I don't think many people sleep well just prior to surgery - so I probably could have added it in as another "practice night"
I won't bother telling you to try not to worry too much, I kept telling my husband that people saying "don't worry" to me is like saying "don't breathe"
Donna
Still not as bad as I was imagining pre op, and not even as hard as my "practice runs" - and you do rest/nap in the day (despite yourself sometimes!) so great quality sleep isn't AS important in recovery as it is when you're trying to run your "real life" as well!You may be able to lay on your side with a pillow between your legs from the get go, depends on your OS and your operation. if you have Anterior Approach you probably won't have this restriction at all. I had "extra" restrictions (lucky me
) in that I wasn't allowed to support my operated leg while laying on my back... if I could (and I DID "cheat" some nights when I'd had ENOUGH) it made the world of difference. My first OS (before I bailed on the first surgery!) told me I'd have six weeks restrictions, if I could go a few weeks on my back he'd "let" me lay on my non operated side with a pillow after that... the OS who actually did the op got extra MRI reports and told me I'd "probably" have 12 weeks restrictions - he found more damage during surgery than investigations indicated, said the op was "technically challenging" then added the no leg elevation doozy in! He DID say that he isn't a policeman, so if I slept on my side he wouldn't know, but made me aware that back sleeping was highly preferable. But like I said, your OS may have his own opinions and emphasisAsk your OS if it's a likely restriction, then try sleeping on your back again... I "made" myself last ten minutes the first night or so, added in 5 minutes a night after that, and found by the end of the week I was asleep before I had to add another 5 minutes. I put pillows next to me and between my legs to stop me rolling over and to get used to the sensation of having that restricted feeling too. When I woke during the night I ditched the pillows the first couple of nights, tried getting back to sleep first on the next couple of nights and actually managed to get back to sleep on the sixth night. I didn't bother the night before the op, feeling that getting a good night's sleep was more important. To be honest, "good" didn't really describe it - I don't think many people sleep well just prior to surgery - so I probably could have added it in as another "practice night"
I won't bother telling you to try not to worry too much, I kept telling my husband that people saying "don't worry" to me is like saying "don't breathe"
Donna
badhipinak
junior member
Wow!
I'm having my hip done on the 19th as well!
I may be the odd dog out as I'm getting a general though. I've had them twice before for knee ACL tears and I like that you wake up quick and its all over.
I hope we ALL have the best of success and quick recoveries!
I'm having my hip done on the 19th as well!
I may be the odd dog out as I'm getting a general though. I've had them twice before for knee ACL tears and I like that you wake up quick and its all over.
I hope we ALL have the best of success and quick recoveries!
craftdee
graduate
Not such the "odd dog out" @badhipinak ... I had General too; we are DEFINITELY in the minority though 
I was more than happy with it; I woke up quickly, clear headed and had no problems like nausea... they've come a long way over the years! The main reason I had GA was I did NOT want to hear any of the "industrial" bits of the op and they would only use the words "probably won't" when I asked about it; suited me being out for the count before I even saw the operating theatre and awake when I was well clear of it It meant I didn't have to wait for the sensation to come back into my legs too, so I was up and stable on two crutches a few hours after getting back to my room. I have sensitivities too to a lot of medications, the itching that can come with the pain killer they put in the spinal would no doubt have "got me", and you just have to wait until it leaves your system, whereas if taking it orally (as you do after GA) it only lasts a few hours and you can stop taking it if you have a problem
I have to have my other hip done, not in a hurry to do it though, and I still think it'll be GA for me - even though a gazillion BoneSmarties have found Spinal to be the "way to go". A case of "Horses for Courses" I suppose :cool:
I was more than happy with it; I woke up quickly, clear headed and had no problems like nausea... they've come a long way over the years! The main reason I had GA was I did NOT want to hear any of the "industrial" bits of the op and they would only use the words "probably won't" when I asked about it; suited me being out for the count before I even saw the operating theatre and awake when I was well clear of it It meant I didn't have to wait for the sensation to come back into my legs too, so I was up and stable on two crutches a few hours after getting back to my room. I have sensitivities too to a lot of medications, the itching that can come with the pain killer they put in the spinal would no doubt have "got me", and you just have to wait until it leaves your system, whereas if taking it orally (as you do after GA) it only lasts a few hours and you can stop taking it if you have a problemI have to have my other hip done, not in a hurry to do it though, and I still think it'll be GA for me - even though a gazillion BoneSmarties have found Spinal to be the "way to go". A case of "Horses for Courses" I suppose :cool:
Legin
big-cheese
I had GA too as my psoriasis is on the spot the block.would go in. I woke fine. I have had the.old numb and opp.tho.for.some thing else and.it was fine. Cept I.was.told to.stop.making surgeon laugh other wise ooooopsie
Legin THR Sep 14
Legin THR Sep 14
OP
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pink24
junior member
@Nana moon 27 tried the signature thing we will see at the end of this if its worked 
got some lovely new pjs today and I am in good spirits but still in denial me thinks
@badhipinak my operation is an afternoon operation but we will or should be on the same page most of the way through this
@Legin you make me laugh I bet I am chatting away my fear is that my OS has rather large ears and I am hoping that after they pump me with happy juice i don't start with smart remarks or jokes
got some lovely new pjs today and I am in good spirits but still in denial me thinks @badhipinak my operation is an afternoon operation but we will or should be on the same page most of the way through this
@Legin you make me laugh I bet I am chatting away my fear is that my OS has rather large ears and I am hoping that after they pump me with happy juice i don't start with smart remarks or jokes
OP
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pink24
junior member
@Nana moon 27 yeah it worked well I will be back tomorrow to speak to all my fantastic new friends sleep tight all 
badhipinak
junior member
Wow! I don't know my surgery time yet. I hope it's morning or I'll be HUNGRY!
This is going to be a busy week. I have to fly 800 miles home, pack up, get the house sitter organized then fly another 1500 miles to Seattle.
Then it's get into a hotel, get some supplies ( I'm buying some prunes) along with the 10 pairs of sweats I ordered from Amazon for the trip.
Pre surgery on Friday and then PLAY for the weekend with the wife.
Geez, I'm tired already!,
This is going to be a busy week. I have to fly 800 miles home, pack up, get the house sitter organized then fly another 1500 miles to Seattle.
Then it's get into a hotel, get some supplies ( I'm buying some prunes
) along with the 10 pairs of sweats I ordered from Amazon for the trip.Pre surgery on Friday and then PLAY for the weekend with the wife.
Geez, I'm tired already!,
Legin
big-cheese
So chortling. Yup be careful getting the man.with.the.knife annoyed might not.be.the.best idea. On third day I heard a nurse ask where are you going. I.replied.I am making a.break for it. I was heading for dooor. Same nurse put emollient on leg later wasn't the gentleist.
Legin THR Sep 14
Legin THR Sep 14
OP
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pink24
junior member
yikes 6 days to go !!!!!!!!!!!!!
mydog
member
Pink - You will be fine! Geeze - I wish I had 6 days to go...I am losing it! Couldn't get the subway home tonight and had to travel up many long staircases to take the rail. Was in tears. Really, they were streaming down my face. I am so scared to have this done, but in so much pain tonight....well, wish I could crawl up on an operating table and do it myself... Let's see how I feel six sleeps away shall we?
But don't worry dear...it will all work out! We are here for you.
Let's see how I feel six sleeps away shall we? But don't worry dear...it will all work out! We are here for you.
craftdee
graduate
"Only" six days @pink24 - they'll be the longest and shortest days in the process; it's less than a week, so you can now say "this time next week I'll be...." not worrying about what's to come re the surgery for a start
Go over your "what do I need to do before surgery" list again. Remember a haircut... and a pedicure is a great idea (not easy to get to the toes post op :cool Schedule yourself a massage, something every day helps with the ticking off process.
We've been there, where you are, this side is easier... and "this time next week you'll be..." HERE
Donna
Go over your "what do I need to do before surgery" list again. Remember a haircut... and a pedicure is a great idea (not easy to get to the toes post op :cool
Schedule yourself a massage, something every day helps with the ticking off process.We've been there, where you are, this side is easier... and "this time next week you'll be..." HERE
Donna
Legin
big-cheese
not long then. Follow Craftdee advice re stuff to do. You ladies always better organised. I just sort of went along with it mainly working going ow ow ow. Oh yes and.inwas.banned from carrying coffe mugs as ow often meant spill. I do remeber night before packing bag and thinking oooooooops forgot to buy............ and haircut wasn't a problem for me. Hmmmmm pedicure for head.
Sorry rambling on. It will be ok and in no.time you will be.back here blethering away. Keep smiling
Legin THR Sep 14
Sorry rambling on. It will be ok and in no.time you will be.back here blethering away. Keep smiling
Legin THR Sep 14
OP
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pink24
junior member
5 days and my elbow and knee are both killing me I think its all tension jitters getting worse now feel like im going insane imagining whats going to happen to me
hair booked for Saturday both my girls are nail technicians so pedicures are free for me
cant thank you all enough for your support @craftdee @Nana moon 27 @Legin @mydog and all the others not tagged.
I am ready to run away
hair booked for Saturday both my girls are nail technicians so pedicures are free for me
cant thank you all enough for your support @craftdee @Nana moon 27 @Legin @mydog and all the others not tagged.
I am ready to run away
Nana moon 27
alpha
Don't run Andrea,
You're not alone. We've all been through it and are ok xxx ((((hugs)))) xxx
You're not alone. We've all been through it and are ok xxx ((((hugs)))) xxx
Hoppy Nanny
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Hoppy Nanny
big-cheese
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Much worse than the op....! X
Sent from my iPad using BoneSmart Forum
Sent from my iPad using BoneSmart Forum
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OP
pink24
junior member
melt down melt down i am being such a wimp today
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