Guest guest Posted February 27, 2006 Report Share Posted February 27, 2006 If you live alone and have no one to stay with you for the first couple of weeks, at least, doing both surgeries is pretty "iffy". Granted, different countries have different policies on this, but where I am (in Israel) the hospitals won't do bilaterals. Physiotherapy needs a "good leg" in the approach here, and after surviving two surgeries + rehab, I wonder how a person can move around after surgery on both legs at once. Under any circumstances, you have to prepare your home for your needs after surgery-- clear away as much as you can, so you have the maximum free floor area without obstacles that you can create, install grab bars in the shower and for the toilet, roll up all the throw rugs and mats you can, make sure that there are non-skid strips or mats in the shower & bath, etc. After seeing some of the complaints and problems on this forum, I can only say that I'm glad my surgery was done in a place where socialized medicine works, and the success rate for hip THRs is 96%. From: Joint Replacement [mailto:Joint Replacement ] On Behalf Of nina5555Sent: 27 February, 2006 7:46 PMJoint Replacement Subject: Bilateral THR Hi everybody, I am just wondering if anybody had a bilateral done in one operation. I am thinking to go to Belgium and Dr DeSmet suggested to do both legs in one procedure (ceramic on ceramic) and I'd be on my way home 2 weeks later. I live all by myself and I am terrified.Marina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 Marina I know you are getting THRs, but if you post on the surfacehippy group, a number of hippys have had bilats there, both by Dr. De Smet and the many other surgeons they talk about. Here is the link surfacehippy/ I am going to Dr. De Smet on 3/15/06 for a single hip resurfacing. I know many of the bilats from the surface hippy group have done very well. Why don't you post and say Pat Walter told you to post and ask how they have all done. It probably would be helpful to have someone at home with you to give you a hand. Even just a friend to look in on you in the begining. I know many use a recliner chair to sleep in since it is more comfortable. The Bilats are just a little slower in recovery. Some of the De Smet bilat hippys actually went by themselves to Belgium and traveled home alone too. Come talk to us at the surface hippy group too. I know you will get support at both groups. Dr. De Smet is one of the absolute best. You are in pretty good condition after spending your time at the Holiday Inn in Gent. You need to keep in contact with both groups for support. You can email me any time. I won't be a bilat THR, but we will both have the same Doctor. You can email me privately if you like. When are you thinking of getting your hips done??? Pat in Ohio soon 3/15/06 LBHR De Smet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 Hi Pat, thank you for the link. Actually I am in both groups but there is a huge difference between the two procedures. I first thought I could have reserfacing but Dr DeSmet said that my bones are too disfigured and that I would be better off with a THR so that is going to be that. I trust that he is the worlds best. My appointment is on the 27th of June and I will go by myself and when I return I also will be by myself. If I cannot make it at all I will have friends to come over but I am pretty much very self reliable so we will see The date is so late because Dr DeSmet wanted me to come into the new hospital and I would not have to go to the hotel which will be great. For now I am still in big pain but hope to survive the 4 months. I wished I had a home based income to supplement with but it seems like there is nothing serious out there...? Good luck for your surgery in a couple of weeks! You will do great! Dr DeSmet's is a specialist to preform the surgery without hurting the muscles, tendions and tissues so we heal very quickly. I just spoke with a patient of his from last year and he who is bilat THR stayed in the hospital/hotel for 2 weeks and then went with his wife to Paris for an additional week for sight seeing and put about 20 miles on his new hips Marina > > Marina > > I know you are getting THRs, but if you post on the surfacehippy group, a number of hippys have had bilats there, both by Dr. De Smet and the many other surgeons they talk about. > > Here is the link surfacehippy/ > > I am going to Dr. De Smet on 3/15/06 for a single hip resurfacing. I know many of the bilats from the surface hippy group have done very well. Why don't you post and say Pat Walter told you to post and ask how they have all done. > > It probably would be helpful to have someone at home with you to give you a hand. Even just a friend to look in on you in the begining. I know many use a recliner chair to sleep in since it is more comfortable. The Bilats are just a little slower in recovery. Some of the De Smet bilat hippys actually went by themselves to Belgium and traveled home alone too. > > Come talk to us at the surface hippy group too. I know you will get support at both groups. > > Dr. De Smet is one of the absolute best. You are in pretty good condition after spending your time at the Holiday Inn in Gent. > > You need to keep in contact with both groups for support. > > You can email me any time. I won't be a bilat THR, but we will both have the same Doctor. You can email me privately if you like. > > When are you thinking of getting your hips done??? > > Pat in Ohio > soon 3/15/06 LBHR De Smet > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 Marina If you are going by yourself, be very light in your luggage. You want to take no more than you can carry in a backpack. So that means lots of wash and wear stuff. You will not be worrying about elegance most of the time. Also, have you made travel bookings yet? You casn fly to Brussels or to Amsterdam. I went to Amsterdam because connections from Vancouver are direct. Then train to Gent, changing at Rotterdam. Trains run hourly, no advance booking required. If you go to Brussels then train trip is shorter, but similar frequency. In either case you want the IC (Intercity) service, not the milk run. At the airports book ahead with your travel agent or airline for wheelchair service; some of them are miles long. In train stations you might get lucky and find porters, but it is better to make sure you have little luggage. If you have older stuff that you can throw away before you leave, it will make the return easier. If you decide on travelling via Brussels and want to use the taxi, it is about 100 Euros to Gent. You might be better to ask Hugo's advice, as you sometimes get a better deal through him. Chris De Smet RBHR June 23,2004 u LASR May 27,2005 > > > > Marina > > > > I know you are getting THRs, but if you post on the surfacehippy > group, a number of hippys have had bilats there, both by Dr. De Smet > and the many other surgeons they talk about. > > > > Here is the link > surfacehippy/ > > > > I am going to Dr. De Smet on 3/15/06 for a single hip > resurfacing. I know many of the bilats from the surface hippy group > have done very well. Why don't you post and say Pat Walter told you > to post and ask how they have all done. > > > > It probably would be helpful to have someone at home with you to > give you a hand. Even just a friend to look in on you in the > begining. I know many use a recliner chair to sleep in since it is > more comfortable. The Bilats are just a little slower in recovery. > Some of the De Smet bilat hippys actually went by themselves to > Belgium and traveled home alone too. > > > > Come talk to us at the surface hippy group too. I know you will > get support at both groups. > > > > Dr. De Smet is one of the absolute best. You are in pretty good > condition after spending your time at the Holiday Inn in Gent. > > > > You need to keep in contact with both groups for support. > > > > You can email me any time. I won't be a bilat THR, but we will > both have the same Doctor. You can email me privately if you like. > > > > When are you thinking of getting your hips done??? > > > > Pat in Ohio > > soon 3/15/06 LBHR De Smet > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 4, 2006 Report Share Posted March 4, 2006 Hi thank you for the information. I haven't booked yet but will go to Brussel and take a taxi from there - I really cannot walk worth a darn. I have to extend my german passport I don't think I can enter Belgium with an expired passport and my german ID is also expired. I will take only the most needed stuff. The good thing is that is will be spring there and a bit warmer...I lived close to Belgium (Germany - I am not German by birth) for some 33 years and have visited Belgium on occasion. And I am so excited! I could never walk without pain - it is hard to imagine but the visualisation is thrilling! Marina > > > > > > Marina > > > > > > I know you are getting THRs, but if you post on the surfacehippy > > group, a number of hippys have had bilats there, both by Dr. De > Smet > > and the many other surgeons they talk about. > > > > > > Here is the link > > surfacehippy/ > > > > > > I am going to Dr. De Smet on 3/15/06 for a single hip > > resurfacing. I know many of the bilats from the surface hippy > group > > have done very well. Why don't you post and say Pat Walter told > you > > to post and ask how they have all done. > > > > > > It probably would be helpful to have someone at home with you to > > give you a hand. Even just a friend to look in on you in the > > begining. I know many use a recliner chair to sleep in since it > is > > more comfortable. The Bilats are just a little slower in > recovery. > > Some of the De Smet bilat hippys actually went by themselves to > > Belgium and traveled home alone too. > > > > > > Come talk to us at the surface hippy group too. I know you will > > get support at both groups. > > > > > > Dr. De Smet is one of the absolute best. You are in pretty good > > condition after spending your time at the Holiday Inn in Gent. > > > > > > You need to keep in contact with both groups for support. > > > > > > You can email me any time. I won't be a bilat THR, but we will > > both have the same Doctor. You can email me privately if you like. > > > > > > When are you thinking of getting your hips done??? > > > > > > Pat in Ohio > > > soon 3/15/06 LBHR De Smet > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 4, 2006 Report Share Posted March 4, 2006 Hi Pat, I am so excited for you! It is just a few days away! I think after the surgery we will be running around like chicken with their heads cut off...that is an european saying - I am not sure how it sounds in english LOL but you know what I mean!?...I will take a book to read with me...not sure if I will be running around as quick as you will All the best for you and keep me posted! God bless Marina > > Hi Marina > > Good Luck to you too. I will watch for your posts and hope the 4 months go by quickly. I had almost a 3 month wait and can't believe that I will be flying off to Belgium a week from tomorrow. It seems like it will never get here, but then all of a sudden - it's time to visit Belgium. > > I have done so little for such a long time that I am ready for the recovery time. I am very well practiced for sitting and resting. But am hoping I will get a lot of walking in real soon. > > Keep in touch. > > Pat > soon 3/15/06 LBHR De Smet > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 5, 2006 Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 Hi , Welcome to the group! I had both my hips done in 2003 rehab. was tough but you can get though it in house rehab. better they can help you more, and god knows you will need help! I will but you on my pray list. God Bless Al <kellyb327@...> wrote: Hi. I'm brand new to the group. I finally found a wonderful surgeon who's agreed to do both hip replacements at the same time -- giving me back my life while my daughter is still living at home. The OS I've had for 13 years wanted to wait until I was much older, despite my not being able to stand or walk for more than 5 minutes without a cane or wheelchair. It really DOES pay to keep trying different doctors, if your insurance permits.I have a maximum out-of-pocket expense that'll be used up the minute I check into the hosptial. So my question (first of many, I'm sure!) is: Which is better post-surgery -- going into a rehab facility for a couple of weeks or going to live with my mother? She is wonderful and will be happy to take care of me; I just wonder if there are benefits to choosing a rehab facility.I love all the great suggestions and advice from this group, and will look to you guys for support and guidance in the coming months. My THRs will be in June and I'm incredibly excited to FINALLY "get a life"! Messenger with Voice. PC-to-Phone calls for ridiculously low rates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 5, 2006 Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 My husband only had one hip done so I have a feeling that it doesn't help much. But he was out of the hospital with in 24 hours, standing on it crutches for stability. We did fine having him at home. It was a lot of work for me. But I wouldn't have done it any other way. I don't know how two works. My husband used a walker for the first week to two weeks. And a reacher is a must. The red cross many have these things for you to borrow. Our does. Hope this may be of some help. Also I have no idea when you are to go in or need to know by but post your question in a few weeks again. This way some people who only look here and there may look then. Good luck. My husband says the waiting is the worst part and I agree. From: "" <kellyb327@...>Reply-Joint Replacement To: Joint Replacement Subject: Bilateral THRDate: Wed, 05 Apr 2006 18:25:27 -0000Hi. I'm brand new to the group. I finally found a wonderful surgeon who's agreed to do both hip replacements at the same time -- giving me back my life while my daughter is still living at home. The OS I've had for 13 years wanted to wait until I was much older, despite my not being able to stand or walk for more than 5 minutes without a cane or wheelchair. It really DOES pay to keep trying different doctors, if your insurance permits.I have a maximum out-of-pocket expense that'll be used up the minute I check into the hosptial. So my question (first of many, I'm sure!) is: Which is better post-surgery -- going into a rehab facility for a couple of weeks or going to live with my mother? She is wonderful and will be happy to take care of me; I just wonder if there are benefits to choosing a rehab facility.I love all the great suggestions and advice from this group, and will look to you guys for support and guidance in the coming months. My THRs will be in June and I'm incredibly excited to FINALLY "get a life"! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 5, 2006 Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 Hi , For bi-lateral you should consider a rehab center for at least one week. I had bi-lateral about 5 months ago and got two weeks from my healthcare provider. It was the best thing ever. I had a traditional surgery with 10 " incisions which really makes the first few weeks fairly hard. The techniques they use to help you are worth every penny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 5, 2006 Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 Thanks so much, . What a great idea about the Red Cross -- that would have never occurred to me. They told me I'll be in the hospital for at least 5 days, so your husband being out in 1 is really inspiring. I hate hospitals, so I'm sure I'll try to make a break for it at the first possible opportunity. Sure would be nicer to go straight to my mom's house rather than a rehab facility, but she's in her 70s and I don't want to put too much strain on her. (Keeping my 13-year-old daughter ought to be enough to push her over the edge!) I go in in June -- waiting for the exact date. Your husband is right -- waiting is SO difficult. Especially since I've been begging my OS for 13 years to do it, but he felt that my " moderately severe " hips didn't warrant replacement yet. Guess he was waiting until they were " severely severe " ! I love having the feedback from the group! It's wonderful to talk to people who actually understand. >From: " Larsen " <Busterchi@...> >Reply-Joint Replacement >Joint Replacement >Subject: RE: Bilateral THR >Date: Wed, 05 Apr 2006 13:53:35 -0700 > > > > > > > > > >My husband only had one hip done so I have a feeling that it doesn't help >much. But he was out of the hospital with in 24 hours, standing on it >crutches for stability. We did fine having him at home. It was a lot of >work for me. But I wouldn't have done it any other way. > >I don't know how two works. > >My husband used a walker for the first week to two weeks. And a reacher is >a must. The red cross many have these things for you to borrow. Our >does. > >Hope this may be of some help. Also I have no idea when you are to go in >or need to know by but post your question in a few weeks again. This way >some people who only look here and there may look then. > >Good luck. My husband says the waiting is the worst part and I agree. > > > > >From: " " <kellyb327@...> >Reply-Joint Replacement >Joint Replacement >Subject: Bilateral THR >Date: Wed, 05 Apr 2006 18:25:27 -0000 > >Hi. I'm brand new to the group. I finally found a wonderful surgeon >who's agreed to do both hip replacements at the same time -- giving me >back my life while my daughter is still living at home. The OS I've had >for 13 years wanted to wait until I was much older, despite my not >being able to stand or walk for more than 5 minutes without a cane or >wheelchair. It really DOES pay to keep trying different doctors, if >your insurance permits. > >I have a maximum out-of-pocket expense that'll be used up the minute I >check into the hosptial. So my question (first of many, I'm sure!) is: > >Which is better post-surgery -- going into a rehab facility for a >couple of weeks or going to live with my mother? She is wonderful and >will be happy to take care of me; I just wonder if there are benefits >to choosing a rehab facility. > >I love all the great suggestions and advice from this group, and will >look to you guys for support and guidance in the coming months. My THRs >will be in June and I'm incredibly excited to FINALLY " get a life " ! > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 11, 2006 Report Share Posted April 11, 2006 I found the wait for his surgery to be over the worst. I was in the waiting room. They said 2 hours- 2.5 most. 3 hours later I'm a bundle of joy to be around. You know the shows where the people are sitting waiting the out come that was the first two hours. The I asked the OS to talk to me. Mainly so I knew he was out. send a nurse, copy boy, the gardener I didn't care. This one lady that I was by her office went to lunch she said well I guess I will not see you after lunch she came back and I was still waiting. So she got on the phone and started calling people. Found out he had been in recovery for an hour. he was ready to go to his room. Later I found out she was the director of the hospital heads rolled that day I'm sure. So that is the only wait that is worse then the wait you have now. I could have slept for days after that stress. While he was in there awake in the OR and being shown his hip that was flat. OS took that to the school. Keep your head up it is all well worth it. E-mail if you want to talk, I'm here I can listen. I have MSN so shot away. I'm on the computer lots. Busterchi@... H From: " BRYSON" <kellyb327@...>Reply- Joint Replacement Joint Replacement Subject: RE: Bilateral THRDate: Wed, 05 Apr 2006 15:25:47 -0700>Thanks so much, . What a great idea about the Red Cross -- that would>have never occurred to me.>>They told me I'll be in the hospital for at least 5 days, so your husband>being out in 1 is really inspiring. I hate hospitals, so I'm sure I'll try>to make a break for it at the first possible opportunity. Sure would be>nicer to go straight to my mom's house rather than a rehab facility, but>she's in her 70s and I don't want to put too much strain on her. (Keeping my>13-year-old daughter ought to be enough to push her over the edge!)>>I go in in June -- waiting for the exact date. Your husband is right -->waiting is SO difficult. Especially since I've been begging my OS for 13>years to do it, but he felt that my "moderately severe" hips didn't warrant>replacement yet. Guess he was waiting until they were "severely severe"!>>I love having the feedback from the group! It's wonderful to talk to people>who actually understand.>>>> >From: " Larsen" <Busterchi@...>> >Reply-Joint Replacement > >Joint Replacement > >Subject: RE: Bilateral THR> >Date: Wed, 05 Apr 2006 13:53:35 -0700> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >My husband only had one hip done so I have a feeling that it doesn't help> >much. But he was out of the hospital with in 24 hours, standing on it> >crutches for stability. We did fine having him at home. It was a lot of> >work for me. But I wouldn't have done it any other way. > >> >I don't know how two works. > >> >My husband used a walker for the first week to two weeks. And a reacher is> >a must. The red cross many have these things for you to borrow. Our> >does. > >> >Hope this may be of some help. Also I have no idea when you are to go in> >or need to know by but post your question in a few weeks again. This way> >some people who only look here and there may look then. > >> >Good luck. My husband says the waiting is the worst part and I agree. > >> >> >> >> >From: "" <kellyb327@...>> >Reply-Joint Replacement > >Joint Replacement > >Subject: Bilateral THR> >Date: Wed, 05 Apr 2006 18:25:27 -0000> >> >Hi. I'm brand new to the group. I finally found a wonderful surgeon> >who's agreed to do both hip replacements at the same time -- giving me> >back my life while my daughter is still living at home. The OS I've had> >for 13 years wanted to wait until I was much older, despite my not> >being able to stand or walk for more than 5 minutes without a cane or> >wheelchair. It really DOES pay to keep trying different doctors, if> >your insurance permits.> >> >I have a maximum out-of-pocket expense that'll be used up the minute I> >check into the hosptial. So my question (first of many, I'm sure!) is:> >> >Which is better post-surgery -- going into a rehab facility for a> >couple of weeks or going to live with my mother? She is wonderful and> >will be happy to take care of me; I just wonder if there are benefits> >to choosing a rehab facility.> >> >I love all the great suggestions and advice from this group, and will> >look to you guys for support and guidance in the coming months. My THRs> >will be in June and I'm incredibly excited to FINALLY "get a life"!> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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