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Surgery Date Set - in 2 weeks

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NanaPat

junior member
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Feb 12, 2009
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United States-So. Calif.
I was given my RTHR surgery date this past Friday...I'm scheduled for Tuesday, May 26th....two weeks away. My pre-op appointment is the 21st, but I have to be cleared by my cardiologist before that...I have atrial fibrillation. (Also, just for info...I'm female, 61 yrs., 5'9" tall and weigh about 230). I have some questions and could certainly use your input:
1. What durable medical equipment will I need? My husband wants to rent
a hospital bed for another room in the house because he wants to over-
haul our bedroom while I'm out of commission...so I'm wondering if a
commode next to that bed is a good idea...also how about one of those
tables that come across the bed (like in the hospital)?
2. I've heard something about 90 degree angles....am I not supposed to
bend over....how does one get into bed, or sit in a chair...or on the
commode?
3. Do I need to get a house dress or something loose like that to come
home in? How about sweatpants?
4. What about showering? We have a tub/shower - might be hard to
climb into.
5. I understand that the first night (in hospital) they'll give me a button
to push when I need pain meds, which scares me....sounds like that's a
REAL necessity....then the next day the doctor checks out how much
med you used and from that he determines what you get from that point
on....does that sound right?
6. I've read many remarks on BoneSmart that say stool softeners are
important, long do you think that might be necessary?

I appreciate everything I've read on all the different threads, thank you for being here for every one of us!
 
Hi I am glad you are on your way now. I am a knee so I dont know what you would need to make you comfotable. I think someone has a list of things they can post. But I am happy for you, you will be terrific. Please keep us updated on how you are doing..............Kim
 
NanaPat,

I'm 52 and will be having a RTHR on Wednesday May 27, so I guess we'll be recovering together. I can't answer all your questions, but some were covered at the hip replacement class I attended at the hospital.

In terms of the 90 degree rule: when you're sitting your hip needs to be higher than your knee (or at least not lower than your knee). You can sit on cushions or a firm pillow to achieve this. A raised toilet seat preferably with arms is mandatory equipment, required by the hospital, for me . I won't be able to sit on our couches at home for a while, but we did purchase some dining chairs with arms because they are easier to get out of without leaning too far forward. Actually, if you keep your leg straight out in front of you when you're sitting it's easier to keep the angle greater than 90.

At the hospital the physical therapist will teach you how to get in and out of bed. The PT who spoke to us said they would even raise or lower the hospital bed so its about the height of your bed at home so you can practice.

The occupational therapist demonstrated how to use some of the dressing aids that are available and they help you after your surgery as well. The staff at the hospital will assess your needs and make sure you have the equipment you need.

I was told to wear loose, comfortable clothing to the hospital because those are the clothes I'd be going home in.

I wouldn't worry too much about pain management. I can't imagine that they wouldn't work with you to find something that's effective for you long term.

If you have a chance to take a hip replacement class before your surgery I would take advantage of it.

Best of luck to you.
Diane
 
Nana, you will need someplace comfortable to rest. A hospital bed is fine. So is a recliner. I suppose the bed would be a good idea if hubby is going to remodel your bedroom for you while you are recovering.

You'll be able to get to the bathroom before you leave the hospital, so I don't think you will need a portable commode. And just a little table or TV tray next to your bed or recliner should work instead of one of those rolling hospital trays. They're expensive and hard to store afterwards!! You won't be in bed or resting ALL the time. You will be up and around periodically during the day and night.

There are restrictions on movements for a while at first. I'm more of a knee person and the forum Hippies will have to tell you how they dealt with sitting and getting into bed. There are ways to do it and stay within the restrictions.

If you don't have a grab bar in your shower, that would be an important thing to have installed. Usually plumbers can do it and it's an excellent idea even for people WITHOUT joint surgery going on.

As for clothing, you just need to be able to wear something that is comfortable for you. When in the hospital, the staff will need easy access to your incision area.

There is pain following the surgery, but it should be well managed with your medications and not a problem for you. You are only on the morphine drip (the button you talk about) for a short time before they switch you to medication by mouth which you will continue once you get home.

I know this is a big step for you, but you'll be fine. And you'll be so happy you had the surgery once you get through the first week or so. It will make a major difference in your life to have a hip without pain.
 
Nana....It all sounds so overwhelming! !etween your friends here, and the hospital personnel, you will be advised of what you need! 0don't get yourslf crazy! I would definitely make sure you get the grab bars for your shower and bath areas! That will be very important those first few weeks! :)
 
NanaPat, I am 58 and had a RTHR 5 weeks ago. I am 5'10" so am tall like you. I wish you all the best in your upcoming surgery. You will be glad you did it! To respond to your queries:

1. The one piece of equipment that I really needed and still use (especially being so tall) is a commode with arms that stands over the toilet. A hospital bed might be nice to have but is not necessary. A bedside table is sufficient for keeping necessities hand. A bedside commode is not needed -- you will be able to walk to the bathroom by the time you are home. You really want to be moving around as much as possible after surgery anyway. It is important to your recovery.
2. You will be taught in the hospital how to get in and out of bed and in and out of a chair while maintaining the 90 degree hip precaution. I put extra pads on some of our chairs at home to make it easier to maintain the 90 degree rule. Being very tall, I especially needed the higher chair seats.
3. I came home in sweatpants. Just make sure the waistband stretches enough to pass over the incision area with room to spare. A loose dress would work, too. For PT you will need loose sweat pants or sport pants.
4. I have a walk-in shower so I didn't have to deal with stepping into a tub. Maybe you could use a tub chair that spans the side of the tub. The chair would have to be high enough so you can maintain the 90 degree precaution when lifting and swinging your legs into the tub. You will have a chance to ask the occupational therapist about the tub issue before you leave the hospital. You will also want to have a handheld sprayer on the showerhead.
5. The hospital staff are well versed on pain management after surgery. I used the morphine pump the first day and then was switched to oral pain medication. Both worked well.
6. I used stool softeners for the first week home. Did not need them after that but each person is different.

Good luck to you. Keep posting if you have more questions. This forum is populated with great people eager to help. I know they helped me.
Gail
 
A walker, crutches, and a cane. Maybe the hospital will supply, but if not all three are required. Be sure to get the crutch and cane properly sized.

Toilet: Unless your bathroom is up or down stairs from your bedroom, I preferred a raised toilet chair that fit over the notmal toilet than having something you have to empty just for the convenience of not walkign a few steps. You WILL be able to walk a ways when you come home, albeit with a walker at first.

Bathing: A walk in shower was nice, but if you don't have just make sure you use the walker and some assistance getting in and out of the tub/shower.

TIP: I used kitchen plastic wrap (Sahran Wrap) and some blue painters tape to cover my incision when taking a shower; worked like a charm, it never got wet and I took a shower every day after coming home during those rough early stages of recovery.

Tools of the Trade: They gave me a three foot long strap with a loop in the end and a wire inside so it would remain ridgid; short of looked like those invisible dog leashes. You will use this to help get your operated leg in and out of bed and in the early stages of PT. They also gave me one of those mechanical grabbers you see on tV to help people reach things on the top shelf or convicts picking up trash along the road side; it was useful.

Physical Therapists in the hospital should start teaching you how to use all of this stuff the day after your surgery. If they don,t ASK!

My favorite hardware was a big, soft Lazy-Boy recliner. It gave me an option for sleeping other than the bed, it was adjustable so i could continually change positions, and for my first two weeks I took most of my meals in it because it was just a LOT more comfortable than sitting in the straightback kitchen chair downstairs.

Good luck!
 
Nana Pat
the most exciting thing I just read is that we are both in socal. I am in Sierra Madre (near Pasadena) If you don't mind telling me where you are, we could be neighbors.

I am 51 and had my hip replaced last June. It is a wonderful surgery. I used my bed upstairs and my recliner downstairs for recovery. I found the reacher /grabber a most usefull tool and necessary for getting dressed. Also essential is the over the toilet seat riser with arms. I had crutches from a previous hip surgery. The hospital will have a walker for you when they first get you up. I preferred my crutches after day 3 and did not use a walker. We are all different.
I had pt as you will in the hospital, they show you how to get in and out of bed, your car, your tub/shower. You may have to get a shower seat to get into the tub /shower.
My incision was glued together so no need for plastic to keep it dry.
If you are near Pasadena I have a great place to borrow all equipment . I have done it for 2 different surgeries, they are great the stuff is new, no time limit, no charges.
I really would love to help, I am unemployed, recouperating from back surgery, totally here for you. Let me know where you are!!!
judy
 
Hi Nanapat, My hip replacement is scheduled for June 9th and I appreciate all the answers you received from your question. I will need most of this equipment also but I live in a 55+ community house which is one level and has the bars on the shower walls (one is a step in tub and ther other is a walk in) I need toliet riser seats. I do have a roller walker I bought for my sister but was wondering if I will be going to need it if a cane or crutch will do. I am not sure of the 90 degree rule.I am 5'9". Is there other pain medication other than the morphine? The last time I was coming out in the recovery room I remember looking at the clock on the wall and it was all clear and they asked me what my pain level was and I thought I said none but they must have thought I said 9 and all of a sudden the clock went fuzzy and that really scared me.

The closer the day comes the more nervous I get but I keep telling myself that pretty soon it will be June 10 and not 9 and on the road to recovering and being able to sit a horse again.

I wish you good luck and I am sure we will be talking again soon.
Sheila
 
Sheila, In answer to your questions, some people are fine with a crutch; others prefer a cane. It is really a case of what will be easiest for you to use. Personally, I prefered the cane with my knee. You can try one out in the hospital or get one ahead of time to have. There are many, many choices for pain relief. If you have problems with one or the other, they can always switch you to something else. The important thing is to TAKE it on schedule and communicate with the doctors and nurses about what is working and what is not.

I can understand why the experience you had would make you a little nervous, but if they gave you an extra dose of pain medicine it just gave you an additional time to sleep. They would never give you more than appropriate for you. It is also likely that you were still going in and out of full consciousness too and just dropped off to sleep. This is what happens when you are coming out in the recovery room.

Keep focusing on how great things will be after the surgery. The waiting is honestly the most difficult part! Come here when you need support. We'll be here for you.
 
That's what I thought, Jamie. Sheila, I was a recovery nurse for years and trust me, I took very special care of all my patients all the time. You may not know what's going on but we do - all the time!! You'll be safe as houses.
 
NanaPat, as a direct anterior, my experience was a bit different, but I think GailW answered all your questions wonderfully!

I agree the hospital bed is not needed, unless you don't have another bed to sleep in while yours is not set up due to remodeling. (I used our guest room for a couple of weeks to avoid disturbing (and being disturbed BY) a snorer hubby & rather large dog! As for stool softeners, it's a pretty good rule of thumb to expect to take them for the same amount of time you take any narcotic pain meds, since constipation is a common side effect.

The only other thing I'd add is that you take your list with you to your pre-op appointment and ask the very same questions of your OS! Don't be shy--they've heard it all & you'll feel even more reassured! All the best to you! :)
 
Nana, Diane and Sheila--Others have answered your questions more adequately than I could have. I write to encourage you to have faith and not to be too nervous. I will be 6 week our from BTHR tomorrow and I can remember well the stress I had before the surgery. Now, however, I am so happy to have it over and to be on the mend that I cannot imagine why I ignored it for so long. While there are risks, they are manageable and everyone at Bonesmart was and continues to be very helpful and supportive.
The week before my surgery, my wife went to Cosco and got 2 pairs of the largest lightweight sweatpants they had. They were about $10 each and I lived in them, both at the hospital, coming home and thereafter, until I was able to fit back into regular clothes.
Best of luck to all.
 
All the replies I've read so far are right on the mark. The most important pieces of equipment for me were:

Raised toilet seat
Side hand rails by the toilet
Shower chair (the first time I took a shower standing up I was so proud!!)
I had a bag that fastened to my walker with velcro - it was invaluable for carrying just about everything. After the first few days, I was home alone quite a bit during the day. I used the bag to keep the phone close, to carry food from the kitchen to my chair and to transport books, pens, snacks...whatever I needed. What a wonderful invention!!
Grabber - this was so helpful to reach anything I needed. I had one in three different rooms. I seem to always drop the tv remote - thank God for my grabber!!
Also, once I was able to go out, I discovered that I should use the handicapped stalls in public restrooms. They have wonderful rails that are helpful for sitting down and getting back up!!
Best of luck to you!!!
 
Thank you ALL for the very informative information! It's sure comforting to hear from folks who KNOW what they're talking about!
Pharman: Appreciate all the info and really like the idea of a velcro bag on the walker.
Tbone: The large sweatpants sound great and if our CA weather continues to be hot, I could cut them off for shorts.
PRGal: Thanks for the hint to take my list to the pre-op appointment...don't know why I didn't think of that myself...LOL!
DianeC: Best of luck on your surgery the 27th....keep me posted....we'll share stories!
Also....I asked about hip surgery classes and they said there wasn't anything offered. I'm very disappointed.
GailW: Appreciate your suggestions (and others agreed with you) that a commode with arms for over the toilet is a good idea. We have an extra tall toilet (my request when we redid our bathroom)....I think ours is an inch or two taller than the norm, but I believe the portable commodes are a bit taller than that, besides the arms sound very helpful....I'm going to measure the one I saw today at the hospital supply store.
Mudpro: Love the 3' strap idea for lifting your leg in and out of bed...am going to check into that!
Sewell44: I'm in Riverside....think we're about 45 min. to 1 hr. apart. I wonder if we have a similar place to borrow equipment...is your store well known, or local only?
Sheila: Good luck on your June 9th surgery...I'll be a pro by then with 2 weeks post op experience....LOL

Again....thanks to all of you for your input and experience!

I had several tests and procedures this week...ugh. Had the blood test, chest x-ray, visit to primary doc (who just filled out the forms for x-ray and blood test). I thought he might actually listen to my heart or something....oh well. Then today was the nuclear stress test at my cardiologist's office. That wasn't fun....it made me feel weird for several hours afterward and the walking on the treadmill was NOT fun. But at least it didn't last too long. My pre-op appointment and anesthesia clinic appointment are coming up on Thursday the 21st.

Boy I sure am in pain when I walk....seems to be getting progressively worse with each passing day. I understand now why the OS told me I'd know when it was time for surgery and come crawling into his office begging for the operation....LOL He was definitely right! :-)
 
Don't think I've mentioned it before, but my OS says he operates on the front of the right thigh (leg), making a smaller incision than the usual 12-13" incisions made on the outside of the hip. Is that what some have referred to as 'anterior'?
 
Hi Nana just incase i didnt talk before surgery. I will be praying you have a fast a speedy recovery. Sounds like you are prepared as one can be. Cant wait till you get back with all the good news that you are well on your way to recovery.......Take of your self.........Kim
 
NanaPat,
I am 7 weeks post op. I am 58 yrs old, female and a little chunky. Had a MIS computer navigated right total hip replacement.My incision is right over the side of your hip and is small. Maybe 6-7 inches with a slight curve. Best thing.... NO MORE horrible groin pain or lack of ROM!!!

I agree with what the other's have already said...best device for me in the hospital and rehab center were the reacher, sock aid and leg lifter!!! Also, think about bringin a make up type bag to keep small objects in.....chap stick, pen, cell phone, mints, gum, eye glass case etc. I kept it on my tray table so I could reach anytime of day.

At home my bedroom is on the second floor and even though I could go up and down, (not a pretty sight at first) I chose to have a bed in the dining room. It was not a hospital bed. I used the bed for resting during the day and for inhouse PT. You will need a place where you can be laying down for some of the PT.

As for the 90 degree rule, that will be up to your OS. I was so lucky not to have the 90 degree limitation. LOL I had no in, out, back movement.

Bathing I used a shower chair that was half in the tub and half out. I still use it to shave my legs. LOL can not do that in the stand up shower stall so I shave in the jacuzzi tub before my shower.

Don't worry about the hospital, surgery staff or recovery. They are all professionals and will take great care of you. I had a complication in recovery and the staff couldn't have been better.

You mentioned clothing. Baggy sweat pants are great. Shoes that have velcro instead of ties. I got a pair of Dr. Scholl's sneakers that look like Mary Jane's with a velcro stap. You will have problems getting your sneakers, socks and shoes on. With the aids you will be able to do it yourself.

Best of luck!!!! You are going to feel so much better.

Kathy
 
Nana, best of luck to you.....you are now ONE PREPARED LADY for your surgery!!! We'll always be here when you need support or have a concern. God bless you, hon!! Relief is on the way!
 
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