THR Solar7's Upcoming Surgery

[Finallydone]

@Solar7. I don’t know if people are trying to be encouraging or motivating by telling you how quickly and easily other persons have healed and gotten “back to normal “, but, as you know, it doesn’t work that way. I also feel that they don’t realize or respect the amount of pain, energy and effort it requires to function pre-operatively; not to mention the anxiety and fatigue that accompanies chronic pain.
Know that you’re not alone, think to yourself that you will be able to be actually supportive and helpful when it’s their time for joint replacement, and carry on as best you can. The surgery will happen, you will heal and get back to a more fulfilling life. In the meantime, ice, elevation, acetaminophen, NSAIDs and BoneSmart for understanding and support. We’re rooting for you!!!!

 

[benne68]

@Solar7 Have them watch a live (not animated) video of a Total Hip Replacement Surgery and then see what they think.

There's a good one on the OrthoInfo website of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, but I'm sure you can find others.

 

[Solar7]

@Jaycey - "A better word would be constantly 'realistic'" is definitely like I've been trying to get across. I don't know if they're necessarily thinking the surgery itself is a walk in the park, but want me believing I'll be up and at 'em because a positive mindset is a healthy one... but I don't want to shoot for the moon and be disappointed.

"BTW - I doubt you will be driving at 2 weeks out. You will probably still need pain medication and getting in and out of a car in the early days can be challenging." This is my same thought... and conceptually, like, where am I even going to go? To do what? lol.

@Solar7 I’m sorry people are giving you a hard time over how quickly you will recover. Perhaps you could mention to them that they are increasing your feelings of negativity and anxiety and stress. I found that doing small things like inviting a couple of friends over for a cup of tea (which they made) and a biscuit (bought) for an hour was more than enough socialising for me in the early days, and it definitely lifted my spirits to see friends and family in drubs and drabs in the early days until I was ready for more outings. Even at 8 months I struggle with late nights and lots of people but you know what, I do t think that’s new! I’ve just got a proper excuse now.
Some people will make amazingly quick recoveries, others take a bit longer but hopefully we’ll all get there in the end.
Onwards and upwards and enjoy the sunshine. Are you in the UK? Actually, I’m lurking indoors because it’s too hot for me outside. Take care.

I've mentioned it, but I'll double down, especially since the pre-op visit is Thursday. I'm going to avoid having friends over until I'm out of the walker and cane (purely out of vanity) and I don't have extended family that would really care to see me, so my parents and group chats will have to do for socialization for a couple of months. Which is fine, I do well mostly on my own, even though I have lots of friends.

I'm not in the UK, I'm in the US, but I was there last year when I broke my pelvis, and the heat (well, more like your lack of AC) did a number on me. I'm in Las Vegas where the temperatures regularly break 45 degrees celsius and it was still miserable in hospital.

 

[Solar7]

@Solar7 Ugh! Just what you do not need right now is people telling you of the "miracle" recoveries their 3rd cousin's wife's brother's best friend had (which story, like the game of telephone, is wildly exaggerated or totally fictitious). Or the ones who say your "attitude" isn't the correct one. I'd suggest that you tell all these folks that before you will discuss this with them again they need to go to YouTube, put "hip replacement surgery" into the search bar, and watch at least one of the real life videos about the procedure (do not do this yourself -- these videos are not ones to relax you and ease your worries!). Only after they have seen what actually goes on during this surgery can they (maybe) express an opinion.

I doubt anyone I ask to do that will actually turn the video on, lol. But yeah, you're spot on with how I feel this is going. I know very few people that have actually had the procedure that talk about it as glowingly as you mentioned that "the game of telephone" often does.

 

[Solar7]

Just a progress note past everyone's very helpful and supportive replies...

Ultrasound came back good, everything normal besides a slightly enlarged liver which isn't a shock since I drink more than I should, but nothing too alarming. Negative for the Hep C test.

It appears I'm out of the woods on testing. I sure hope so!

Now the hard part has been getting everything picked up so the maids can do a deep clean tomorrow. Oof. I haven't worked this hard since before I broke my pelvis. Lots of lifting, moving, packing, etc. Then the next day is the pre-op appointment, so no more pain meds to assist in anything. Gotta have most everything ready to go that I need any help lifting.

It's like Spring cleaning, but in September heat, with one working leg!

 

[Jaycey]

It's like Spring cleaning, but in September heat, with one working leg!

Wow - not fun! Please try and take things slow and steady. Bad hips do not like heavy lifting. My first hip collapsed due to lifting boxes and pushing furniture trying to move house pre-op. Hope you have air con!

 

[Solar7]

So I put in all of that work only for the maids not to come, because the company had a scheduling problem. I'm cursed, haha. But it's done, and they're supposed to come Friday. I was exhausted all day yesterday while I did it, a bit sick to my stomach, and now it's nearly 4 AM, my stomach is fine, and still can't sleep!

I feel like I come to you all with a problem at every turn here. Very stressed about this afternoon's pre-op appointment around 3 PM. If I sleep soon, I should still get 8-9 hours before getting up for it, and then get to enjoy opening night of the NFL. Super sorry if I'm a bother to the pre-op forum.

 

[Mojo333]

No bother, @Solar7
Everything is more frustrating when you are suffering with a bad hip along with an increasing anxiety about upcoming surgery.
My usual cheerful demeanerturned to a sour disposition by the end of my pre-op journey...
Sleep deprivation, chronic pain and general bad attitude.

You are going to be so glad to get to the Healing Side.

 

[Solar7]

No bother, @Solar7
Everything is more frustrating when you are suffering with a bad hip along with an increasing anxiety about upcoming surgery.
My usual cheerful demeanerturned to a sour disposition by the end of my pre-op journey...
Sleep deprivation, chronic pain and general bad attitude.

You are going to be so glad to get to the Healing Side.

Thanks so much! I try to be as thankful as possible for everyone here that helps me through this.

What stinks is that I've just found the right cocktail of medication that seems to make me so much more comfortable... or I'm just getting used to being semi-disabled. Maybe some of the PT has helped. Regardless, I find myself more and more capable and definitely say yikes to myself about the decision.

But yeah, I've been really really ornery to people around me the past few days. Some of it is justified, but I know a lot of it is just being burnt out. And then another part is just having my space invaded and losing my space and autonomy for a while. Nothing to hide, but I don't think most people would like to invite others to rummage around their bedroom/home. Especially not leading up to needing help with the toilet and shower in a week and change.

I'll say it again... oof!

 

[djklaugh]

@Solar7 The pre-op run up to surgery is, IMO, the worst part of the whole process! All the get ready, endless questions from providers and family and friends. The invasions both to home and body and psyche. Sigh! Been there, done that. And yes the closer surgery date came, the grumpier I got. But do hang on to your sense of humor - laughing really can help so find your favorite funny stuff - laughter releases endorphins which are natural pain relievers and tranquilizers.

I too had to get a cleaner before my surgery but was fortunate to have a young friend be in that business. While I anticipated using her service for only a couple of months, I enjoyed it so much she is still a line item in my budget ;)

No worries - this is a great and safe place to let loose of all the worries and concerns ... so just do it!

 

[Jaycey]

Especially not leading up to needing help with the toilet and shower in a week

You are not going to be incapacitated. You will be moving around on your own before leaving the hospital. Toileting is the first test - getting there on your own within hours of waking up from your op. If you are using a walker or crutches they will go into the shower with you. Or get a shower stool to sit on.

It's nice to have someone in the house when you are first showering on you own - just in case. But many of us managed alone and were just fine.

 

[Solar7]

My parents and I had another screaming match tonight. Seems like it's daily.

My GP got the paperwork wrong... again, and didn't send the correct pre-op clearance. My surgeon's office listed the wrong doctor (literally my old spinal referral in the same office) for my controlled medication release, and I had to correct them to get the right paperwork back with my surgeon's name to sign instead. Too many typos on the paperwork too, but nothing too concerning at first.

Obviously in the stress to get it done right, there's tension between yourself, your at-home caretakers, and your overall healthcare team, especially as it comes to the "clearance" letter. Around 10-11 PM I got some updated paperwork for approval through my insurance... and it was 100% wrong. My primary care provider wasn't listed, instead filled with a guy who quit almost a year ago. My primary surgeon? Another guy in the office I left that does the lateral approach. And then the spinal surgeon I don't see.

Called my mom for some help with this... and just pure outrage, told to call and wake up my dad. More outrage, and told to just give up in it until next week or just keep calling around to sort it. We're actually under strict deadlines, and I don't feel like I'm getting any help. I'm also getting yelled at for struggling to sleep.

I'm almost questioning my own sanity, lol. If it weren't for friends that are reassuring me I'm a coherent person, and see me often enough in person and text with me, I'd be convinced I was losing it!

 

[Solar7]

Let me sprinkle in one piece of positivity here, I do have more overall trust in my surgeon than I did before. He's immediate with responses to any questions I have, and seems to use the best in leading tech to get me through this. He's meticulous in his planning.

I work in tech, and he's the kind of guy I'd trust with the actual algorithms and development while I do the presentations.

 

[Solar7]

Something I didn't mention and that got lost in the drama of the day... my surgeon has reversed course and now suddenly wants me out of the house getting PT 3-4 days after everything goes down.

This is after calling home PT "useless" and "trash" in my first appointment moving forward with surgery... but somehow, PT 20-30 minutes away is better? Hm. All I keep thinking of is how the Bonesmart community insists upon giving time to heal, and that PT isn't necessary.

At the very least, I've decided to cut out the insurance-approved single PT company, and pay out of pocket for someone that doesn't have me in a mill, and can help track recovery. Better reviews from the community, and more personal attention. So I'll just have to keep advocating for myself.

 

[Jaycey]

my surgeon has reversed course and now suddenly wants me out of the house getting PT 3-4 days after everything goes down.

I would ask why the sudden change in strategy. New hips really do not need PT. Walking is the best exercise. Strength training can come later when that hip is healed.

 

[Solar7]

my surgeon has reversed course and now suddenly wants me out of the house getting PT 3-4 days after everything goes down.

I would ask why the sudden change in strategy. New hips really do not need PT. Walking is the best exercise. Strength training can come later when that hip is healed.

It's so difficult to get in touch with the care team, but I'll try on Monday.

I'll take a phrase from my pilot dad - I'm "running out of runway."

Having experienced both the UK and the US's healthcare situation now... I'm slightly giving the edge to the UK, but we'll see how the hospital experience goes.

 

[Solar7]

Wondering if anyone knows anything about the risks of having acne on my body on my trunk/side of my buttocks pre-surgery.

I've had this all of my life and am on antibiotics, but I have some larger pimples higher up. The area of the incision is pretty clear though.

 

[Mr.fun]

@Solar7 why bother arguing. Seems very exhausting to me and toxic. I am on the younger side for a hip replacement. I also beleived the 3 month recovery. You will read 3 months and your back to your daily activities. but is that truthful. Well I guess that all depends on what they mean by daily activities. My daily activites used to be running everyday. So no I do not fit into the 3 months of recovery. Driving at 6 weeks(yes) but not with out pain. I find that a lot of people who have had this surgery will even down play all of it. Im 7 months post op and still struggle with pain ROM and stiffness. I have said this before..if I was older and walked with a walker or cane prior to my hip replacement and now can walk unassisted I would be happy with the outcome. However Im a younger and my daily activities are not just about cooking cleaning and general hygein. Im guessing that for me to get back to my daily activities it will be closer to 14-17months. Everyone has a certain level of expectations/mobility that they want from this procedure. Dont entertain the fools around you.

 

[Solar7]

@Solar7 why bother arguing. Seems very exhausting to me and toxic. I am on the younger side for a hip replacement. I also beleived the 3 month recovery. You will read 3 months and your back to your daily activities. but is that truthful. Well I guess that all depends on what they mean by daily activities. My daily activites used to be running everyday. So no I do not fit into the 3 months of recovery. Driving at 6 weeks(yes) but not with out pain. I find that a lot of people who have had this surgery will even down play all of it. Im 7 months post op and still struggle with pain ROM and stiffness. I have said this before..if I was older and walked with a walker or cane prior to my hip replacement and now can walk unassisted I would be happy with the outcome. However Im a younger and my daily activities are not just about cooking cleaning and general hygein. Im guessing that for me to get back to my daily activities it will be closer to 14-17months. Everyone has a certain level of expectations/mobility that they want from this procedure. Dont entertain the fools around you.

I certainly don't want to argue with anyone. They're trying to be positive people. They want to see me up, out, and about as soon as possible. Which is fair. but as someone mentioned in another reply, some of these people get irritated when results don't match their expectations. When I get invited to go out to a sporting event for my friend's birthday in November, and say I can't make that 6-8 weeks out from surgery, they're personally offended.

I wouldn't say I was an "active" person before, so it's not like I'm expecting to run around and play sports, and yes, walking around without a limp will be nice, but I have a lot of work to do. And yeah, it's not just cooking, cleaning, and general hygiene.

 

[Mr.fun]

Im sorry to hear that your friends are not more understanding. This is a difficult time for you. When we go through major surgeries and our health goes down hill for a while. We tend to find out who are real friends are. wishing you the best with your recovery.