What to wear at rehab hospital post op

[mere]

Hello there........this will be my first post in the 'post op' area since I am not due to have my left THR until April 6th. I want to thank all of you for all of the help I've gained while reading through all of the various postings throughout this site.

I haven't seen any threads about what types of clothing are considered comfy when one is transferred to a rehab hosp after a THR. I didn't even think of this topic myself until my mother mentioned that it might be REALLY uncomfortable trying to even get pants on afterwards. I can understand this too, but then again how else can a lady do PT/Rehab w/out wearing pants.

Any add'l info about what to wear while in the rehab hosp. will be most appreciated. FYI I am having a posterior incision.

Is it not standard procedures to be transferred to a reahab hosp after THR? I'm just curious why I see postings on everything else but this topic. If anyone could kindly lead me to any posts that answer my concerns stated above, or simple answer them here, I would most appreciate it.

Many thanks in advance!
Mere

 

[KerryP]

I'll take on the clothes part of your question... I bought some nylon shorts that are loose and slippery. They're good for wearing around the house and as pj's both. I found them on the Champion site, but I think you'd be able to find them in department stores. They also have 3/4 length pants, I'd like to get a pair of those if the swelling doesn't go down.

I'd recommend loose and elastic waistband. The slippery factor is important because moving your rear end around takes all the help you can give it! I don't think anyone's big on fashion during recovery. Once you're home a nightie is fine, but for the first while getting in and out of bed is anything but graceful and I liked having shorts on at the hospital (they told me to bring my own clothes).

 

[mere]

Thanks so very much for your reply. I was thinking about buying some really loose soft pants, but your nylon suggestion makes a lot of sense too!

All the best to you,
Mere

 

[nanamac]

Hello Mere. I chose to go to a rehab hospital after my THR as my bedroom and shower were on the second floor. It was a good choice for me.

They do expect you to get dressed daily as well as clean/wash up. It is part of the occupational therapy. I chose elastic waist, loose fitting flannel and light sweat/pajama pants and tees or sweatshirts.

You will probably be swollen from all the IV's so the looser the better.

They will have you put on socks (probably compression stockings) to get used to the sock aid. Closed back slippers, shoes or sneakers are ok but NO open back scuff or flip flops. Elastic shoe laces are a good thing too.

At least this was how my rehab hospital "rehabed" us. Best of luck to you.

 

[mrsgibbo]

Once i was home 5 days post op I tended to wear loose pjs or jogging bottoms. After a couple of weeks I was back to wearing my leggings or jeans. I havent worn a skirt once since the op as at first I had the dreaded compression socks ( very attractive!!) and I now I would stuggle to get tights on. Hoping the weather improves soon and then I can wear skirts again with bare legs.
Cathy

 

[lisanewmc]

I'll agree with the loose soft pants/ trousers. I also found Bridget Jones knickers, one size bigger than usual were best considering the wound. I'm still finding socks difficult but never had one of these aids that so many mention on here. Good luck.

 

[staffsknot]

Hallo, Mere,

Not sure that I am qualified to offer advice about what ladies might wear. Men don't have the equivalent of Miss Jones knickers, but we do have baggy white underpants and long johns, neither of which I have ever worn, preferring skimpy brightly coloured underwear, because I have this fantasy that I am still in my teens in spite of all the evidence to the contrary. My 89 year old mother in law, who regularly sees me tending her large garden, whilst wearing said garments (Me not her), suggested some longer underwear to help protect my scar. She mainly talks rubbish but in this instance she was spot on. I acquired some fashionable boxer style underpants in bright colours and everybody was happy, except any hospital staff unfortunate enough to cop a sight of them.

Trousers were not a problem. I had some chino style in soft cotton and they fitted me from day two, even given that my thigh was twice as thick as usual.

I did once try wearing a skirt, actually a kilt at my daughter's wedding at a posh hotel near Dalkeith. The results were traumatic and humiliating. They make me blush to think of it now, more than 10 years later. However, bizarre I looked, I am sure I would not have been improved by the Socks of Torture, so you are right about that, Cathy.

I agree that if you are uneasy in frumpy clothes it can be v. diff. to sort out something comfortable and easy on the eye. Fortunately, there's plenty of choice nowadays. Gone are the days when you are not properly dressed unless you are wearing a such and such.

All the best with your recovery, Alan

 

[lisanewmc]

Oh Alan your post is the funniest thing I've read in ages! I love your turn of phrase. I have an image now in my head of your mother in law advising you on pants. I did actually laugh out loud reading this.....can't add a smiley though as I'm on my phone.

 

[travelne1]

Stayed in the hospital gown when taken from surgery to room for 3 days. Went home in jeans but they were a little difficult to put on. Wore loose PJ bottoms for 2 weeks (couldn't do much anyway so what the heck). You'll slowly work your way back into wearing jeans and stuff. Just remember, its not a fashon show...
Best of luck and remember to do as your told and TIME heals...I got that from all the bonesmart friends online. :biggrin:

 

[Gideon]

I bought a few pairs of lounge pants. They were easy to put on and gave me the freedom to move for PT.
Look around, I found very fashionable ones that looked like everyday pants.

 

[mrsgibbo]

Quote:
Not sure that I am qualified to offer advice about what ladies might wear. Men don't have the equivalent of Miss Jones knickers, but we do have baggy white underpants and long johns, neither of which I have ever worn, preferring skimpy brightly coloured underwear, because I have this fantasy that I am still in my teens in spite of all the evidence to the contrary. :hysterical:

:th_heehee: Alan I'm sure you look very dashing in your skimpy undies. Age is a state of mind. Keep shocking the mum in law is what I say!!!:hysterical:

 

[grateful]

Hi Mere, everyone's given you good advice on what to wear: something comfortable.

As far as whether you go to rehab or not... In the States, that is largely up to your local health-care team. I've had two hip replacements since last November. Before the first one, I really thought I wanted to go to rehab for at least a few days. I'd heard that people progress faster if they go; and I was afraid too much would be asked of me by my family if I went directly home.

However, at the hospital, they determined that I had plenty of help at home and that there was no need to go to rehab. As much as I disagreed, it turned out they were completely right and I recovered quickly and smoothly at home. The second hip, earlier this month, I didn't even consider doing inpatient rehab.

In short, the hospital social worker and outpatient specialist will work with you to figure out what is best for you immediately after discharge. One thing I can tell you - if you think you want to pay for a rehab center on your own, the cost is beyond the pale and you will quickly change your mind.

Let us know how everything goes! Kim

 

[Limpy]

Lisa and Allen- Granny pants! I had not thought of that. :th_heehee: Will there be no end to the humiliation? I will get giant white ones to go with the surgical socks. LOL

 

[B-Ma]

I was in rehab for 10 days, at the beginning I wore long cotton nightshirts because pants were too hard to get on and off, then I switched to loose drawstring flannel pants, and some elastic waist pants that were too big on me. I also bought some huge cotton underwear that didn't press on the incision. My surgery was in the winter so you will have to adjust for the weather. This week I put on a pair of jeans for the first time since the surgery. Somewhat uncomfortable, but I enjoyed wearing them again. Good luck with your surgery and heal soon.

 

[forbesy]

Shorts for me and pj bottoms, your on your way mere all the best for your surgery on the 6th April.
Remember lots of this in recovery as well. :sleepz:

 

[lisanewmc]

Lisa and Allen- Granny pants! I had not thought of that. :th_heehee: Will there be no end to the humiliation? I will get giant white ones to go with the surgical socks. LOL

Sorry about that.....lol. By the way the 'socks of torture' I was given were actually navy blue- you perhaps could find out if there is a range of colours to choose from....that way you could co ordinate your granny pants and stockings to full effect! ;0)

 

[Junebug]

I was in a rehab hospital for 11 days after surgery - it was the best decision for me as I know I would have attempted too much on my own at home. I wore loose fitting skirts and dresses (easier to put on) and then grabbed a pair of shorts to wear under whenever I went for physio (usually twice a day). Pants were too hard to put on, and quite honestly, the communal washrooms were not very clean to want to have your pants dragging in the muck!