Bilateral THR the journey begins . . .

[cr8tvt]

fyi -
i should also mention that i ice both sides constantly throughout the day (through a towel, so the swelling is just kept cool) -
and i try to be careful to not overdo it, e.g. walking generally feels good once i get going, but if it starts to hurt, even if it's before my targeted distance, i sit back down in my recliner with my legs raised and re-ice.

 

[cr8tvt]

day 14 - 2 weeks ago this evening was my procedure -
currently walking pretty smoothly with a walker (don't have the confidence yet to toss it) -
walked outside a bit yesterday (first time in shoes) and climbed a full flight of stairs and down with my PT -
re: pain meds - down to just a daily celebrex and an occasional tramadol (e.g. eve before bed)
constipation much improved (colace, senna, prunes and raisins and fewer pain meds). random aches (mostly in front and side of right thigh) much improved. starting to experience some knee pain (old injuries, not ready for replacements (he said hopefully)) - i think due to sitting around with my legs up too much. walking around improves them.

very happy i chose the bilateral. for those healthy enough and with good support at home, it's been great. thanks @NewlyHip

 

[Michegon]

Hi cr8, I had my bilateral 7/2/14. You seem to be doing great. Keep up the good work.

 

[waterman1]

Good deal my man, two weeks and counting. Give it one more week and you will be feeling so much better...

 

[cr8tvt]

thanks guys -
i've so effectively turned into a slug that i don't know what i'll do with myself when i get mobile -
(but i've lost weight, so go figure . . . )
when will they let me go back to the gym (so i can wear out some more body parts)? . . . .
i think my knees are feeling neglected - that's why they're starting to complain a bit after PT and exercises - - i'm hoping it's just that part of my quads that overlaps the knees that are complaining about getting stretched out a bit -

at this rate, i should be mowing the lawn by next week - sort of like pushing a walker . . . (just have to get somebody to tie my shoes . . . )

when will my butt stop feeling like i'm sitting on 2 huge bee stings?

 

[Zebra]

when will my butt stop feeling like i'm sitting on 2 huge bee stings

@cr8tvt , that's really great you are doing so well. I'm sure it has a lot to do with your positive attitude.

I thought it was kind of awesome how you saw the doctor, scheduled the procedure and just went for it.
So fast, too.

Just curious, with the "mini-posterior" , does that relate to the size of the incision (s) or is there
also less muscle and tissue trauma? Just wondering if it is something I should ask for.

 

[MajorHeidi]

Haha on 'mow the lawn ' thing.....
Nah... not ready for that. !!
You are doing great. Keep it up!

 

[cr8tvt]

@Zebra - i think it's both -
my incisions are about 4 inches each (just a guess, haven't measured them) -
i've seen some much larger.
the key is minimally invasive, which i think means doing as little cutting as possible to do what's necessary, but you're trusting the OS to make that judgement -

as far as asking for anything, part of your choice of an OS may include their approach (e.g. anterior vs posterior) but after you choose an OS, in my mind you're going with whatever they think best (otherwise it would be like asking Peyton Manning to catch passes). I believe Mayman likes mini-posterior because it gives him better access to the site for optimal positioning of the implant than anterior. But reportedly, when anterior goes well, there are less recovery precautions. However, my criterion for OS selection was best long term results with minimal risks. Short term discomfort I can deal with. And my left leg still feels so good it feels like it wasn't even done, I don't think it would be any better with anterior. My right must have been much tighter, and ditto. The soft tissue in my right leg just needs to get accustomed to its new hardware.

Go talk to some of the guys at HSS. You won't be sorry -
gotta get on with life . . .

 

[cr8tvt]

day 21 -
3 weeks ago was freak-out day -

current status (for those interested in knowing where they might be 3 weeks out):
walking with a cane, (but can also walk pretty well without it) -
doing stairs easily with cane and handrail -
so mobility is great, but still a bit stiff/robotic -
the key is walking longer and more often during the day -
and doing all PT exercises at least 2x/day -

only pain med currently is celebrex 1/day, and not sure i need that -
stopped constipation meds (colase and senna), just eating about 5 prunes/day (probably don't need those either, but i like 'em) -
haven't been in a car yet, probably could but there hasn't been any need -

swelling on the sides of my butt are still there, but lessening -
i've grown accustomed to sleeping on my back with minimal back pain, but my mouth opens so i get dry mouth (did not happen pre-op when i slept on my side) -
still can't sleep on my side (on the wounds) -

all in all, things are great -

 

[bottomshollow]

@cr8tvt, you are coming right along and doing great! It could be awhile before you can comfortably sleep on your sides. I only had on hip done, and frankly it took me about a year and a half before I could comfortably sleep on the operated side. Of course, I was lucky, I had the other side available. Back sleeping does lead to dry mouth. Some how we cannot keep the mouth from opening in that position.

You'll be amazed a year from now how all of this is far, far in the past; and you will hardly even think about those hips. This surgery is a real life changer!

Take care and keep us posted. We care.

 

[cr8tvt]

thanks @bottomshollow -
it really is a marathon -
by the time i can sleep on my side, i may need new knees -
glad you like yours -
i'll be in touch . . .

 

[Michegon]

@cr8tvt , I am 22 days out bi-lateral and mini-pos. also. I am lucky to sleep on my sides and am doing daily activities very nicely. I think because i was in so much pain for so long that now any pain i have just does not come close to pre-op pain. I only have a 4 inch scar that is very fine. I hope you continue to get better each day. I could not trim my toes with clippers until today when i ducktaped two sticks onto my clippers and got them. pretty proud of being McGuiver for a day.

 

[cr8tvt]

@Michegon - love the nail clipper extenders -
haven't touched my toes in 3 weeks - pretty weird . . .
toe nails still look ok from here - . . .

sounds like my incisions are similar to yours. i've tried lying on my side but the pressure is uncomfortable. i feel like i might be close, but that could mean tomorrow or a few weeks - you know how that goes . . .
maybe if i was a little forward -
i don't think the incisions are the problem, it's the swelling behind the incisions, especially on the right side -
feel like i have small saddlebags that get in the way -

i'm ok with most daily activities, but i'll feel a lot better when i can get in and out of a car easily, drive, sit on a normal toilet seat, sit in a regular chair - the last is critical for me because i play guitar in several jams and in a band. i need to be able to sit in a bar for a couple of hours with a guitar on my right leg (with a short break or 2). i feel like i'm getting closer on all of these, but again that could be days or weeks. i'm happy with my progress so far, but i just can't judge how things will progress going forward. i know that many reading this will think that i'm impatient, but that's not the case. i just want to know what to expect and when.

i'll also feel better when i can work out more - feel especially like my upper body is losing tone with all the focus on my hips/legs - maybe i can just focus more on that -
but again, i know that'll come with time -

 

[cr8tvt]

day 30 - ~ 4 weeks - progress report -
walking around the house without a cane, off all pain meds about a week, was able to sleep on my side last night for the first time, stairs are pretty easy (with the handrail) -
much better mobility and range of motion than prior to surgery -
all in all, much further along than i thought i'd be after 4 weeks -

if i could reach for the floor, sit on a regular toilet, and get in and out of a car more easily, i'd feel normal -

 

[bottomshollow]

if i could reach for the floor, sit on a regular toilet, and get in and out of a car more easily, i'd feel normal -

@cr8tvt, another 4 to 8 weeks will make a world of difference and find you pretty much back to "normal". TIME & PATIENCE, my friend.

Take care and keep us posted. We care.

 

[cr8tvt]

i know, i know -
but i feel like a kid who was just given a new bat and glove for x-mas and now i have to wait until summer to play with them -

 

[cr8tvt]

latest status report . . .
i'm 3 days short of the magical 6 weeks, and it really is amazing -
i only use a cane on stairs, i can put on sox and shoes and tie them (never thought i'd be excited about that . . .)
walking outside without a cane ~.8 miles in 20 minutes. not breaking any speed records, but just taking it easy until things are all copacetic. went out to dinner over the weekend, sat for 2 hrs on a regular chair (with a cushion) and aside from some slight butt discomfort toward the end and initial stiffness on getting up, i felt great.
i see my surgeon tomorrow for the first time since the surgery.
i have a feeling this is gonna be a 5 minute visit . . .
patience is the key, and keeping up with the PT without pushing it -
things are coming along very nicely - - -

should be back to my music jams soon (haven't tried carrying a guitar around yet) but i'd better get used to it because i just got booked to do a finger picking clinic at a guitar show in Atlantic City in September - almost back in the saddle -

 

[beachgal]

@cr8tvt, so SO happy for you! My role model! I'm just into my third week post op and hope my update at week six reads like yours!! Just the best report ever ! Congrats !!


Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum

 

[cr8tvt]

thanks @beachgal - given your progress and your level of PT, at 6 weeks you'll be out dancing . . .
i'm looking forward to hearing about it . . .

 

[Michegon]

@cr8tvt , I just got back from my, 40 days and 40 nights, OS meeting and he said i am healing as good as possible and to continue with anything within reason. He made a joke about 500lb leg presses and i told him i usually do around 1200lbs. He said, "Within Reason". It sounds like you are coming along nicely. Putting on socks and bringing my leg across the other is very tight, so i bought the ankle socks as they are easier. Good luck with Doc.