Re: Having hip replacement surgery.

[Guest guest]

Hi Germie,

I just wanted to say that everyones differant . I was 57 when I had my Hip replace done five years ago and I had my knee replacement done three years ago I'm 62 now . I think the operations are done differant now and you are young so you should recover faster . Well I wish you the best of luck and a speedy recovery . Have a nice day.

Susie

-------------- Original message -------------- I am only 39 years old and I am having hip replacement surgery July 26th. I am really scared and wish to know what to expect.

[Guest guest]

Hi Germie_07,

I am 37 and just had my left hip replaced on May 3. I will have the other hip done probably in September.

It is scary..especially for our age. That seems like a surgery you should be doing 20 years from now. But there comes a point when the pain takes over your life and you have to do something. We also should not be in our 30's and not be able to enjoy life. I could not go to the grocery store or Walmart without "drugging up" first. I couldn't go on fun trips that would require a lot of walking. I quit being able to do things with my friends and family. I couldn't go on motorcycle trips with my Husband because I couldn't get off an on the thing much less spread my legs to sit on it. To walk from one end of the house to the other was painful.

If this sounds anything like you then get over the scared feeling and take back some control over your life. It is not as bad as you think it will be. Granted...the day after surgery when the physical therapists came into my room to get me up, I screamed bloody murder. But by the next day I was walking around the entire 3rd floor of the hospital. It is painful for the first few weeks, but it is not the same kind of pain. It is more of a muscle/surgery pain that you know will go away. Plus a lot of it is the fear factor. You are so afraid that any move you make is going to throw it out of socket. That feeling goes away too. After the first 3 weeks I was OK. By then I was back to doing things around my house. I could cook for myself, do laundry and light chores.

I am 9 weeks post-op now. I had in-house physical therapy for the first 6 weeks and now am going to outpatient physical therapy for 4 weeks. The "operative" leg feels great. It is not 100% yet, but it is getting pretty close. Now, I don't know if you have this situation but my right leg is now screaming at me even more. It has taken on double duty and really has been hurting me. But I know there is hope come September.

Don't be scared.....Just do it !!

Dawn/bamachic67

[Guest guest]

I am only 39 years old and I am having hip replacement surgery July 26th. I am really scared and wish to know what to expect. >>> Welcome to the boards germie. I'm a 35 yr old wife & mother of two. Had my initial THR done June 2003 but have since had 2 revisions done due to complications the last of which was Jan 2005. For me... I will have a life time of restrictions staying intact and my life went 360 degrees the opposite direction.... verse what I once knew prior to THR. I also had my leg lengthened during the operation which created a longer recovery.... but long story short of my case is..... my doctor, boards & self assumed one turn out while my body had a totally different out come in order for me. Fact of the matter is.... BODY's decision on what the out come was gonna be is WHAT IS!

Being scared is nature.... everyone worries about "the unknown" & list of "what might be".... you just remember that worrying isn't going to change a thing about what WILL BE. Try to think positive about it.... truth of the matter is the "majority" have

little to no problems after THR. Please know that the ONE HUGEST factor going into YOUR surgery is YOUR BODY..... that makes it an individual case per case "personalized operation". I believe the biggest mistake ANYONE can make going into it is having "an assumption of their outcome based on anothers". Truth of the matter is.... some aren't so lucky with their out comes BUT.... there is still a good life after a bad THR if you want it! Even though mine didn't go "as planned"..... I can't say that I regret my decision, only that the turn out didn't go so great in my case! It did HOWEVER.... LESSEN the amount of pain I was dealing with daily and hopefully my leg length being pushed will help to advance medical science for others down the line so all was not lost. But some of us have left our "old life" behind, are still in daily pain and THR hasn't offered "a better life" nor "fixed" the problem. Just know what your getting yourself into... RESEARCH & QUESTION yourself truthfully about just what you can live with in terms of pain etc. But what your needs in a quality life are... It boils down to a choice which can & does effect the rest of your life.... to what degree is unknown until it IS! Once it's done though.... there is no going back~ So take the time to check into alternatives in treatment which MAY be an option in your case. Seek a second opunion for safe measure..... be well informed about the good, bad & UGLY of it all because bottom line is.... there are NO PROMISES.

If you have specific questions shoot.... please know my remarks aren't meant to scare you anymore. I let my story be known so that others might not have the heartache I've known with it ..... "having expectations based on others out comes". Sometimes what you hear & what you get are like black verse white! I wish you the best of luck and hope your soon walking well.

[Guest guest]

Hi

The absolute truth is that it is never as bad as you imagine, our minds are

powerful things. I

have had both of my hips done at 37, the first night after surgery was

uncomfortable!..... not

agonisingly painful but uncomfortable, after this one night things seemed to get

better and

better for me

Only difference is I had hip resurfacing not traditional THR.

My best wishes to you and I will think about you on 26th

jane - in Wales

..

> I am only 39 years old and I am having hip replacement surgery July

> 26th. I am really scared and wish to know what to expect.

[Guest guest]

It's hard to say what to expect since everyone's different and every surgery is different. I had two THRs and each was a little different recovery.

But, in general, expect to be rid of your arthritis pain. Yes, it will be replaced by some post-op pain and soreness around the incision, but for me (and lots of others), that post op pain is nothing compared to the original arthritis pain. And it doesn't last that long (usually).

Expect to be on your feet using walker or crutches and doing PT while still in the hospital. You will need someone to assist you at home for the first week since that is the time you will be most limited in your activity.

Expect to be on bedrest (more or less) the first 2-3 weeks to avoid swelling and to help your healing. Do your exercises faithfully and do get up and walk around using your walker/crutches for short periods of time. You will find yourself getting stronger and stronger each day and able to do more and more, but still be aware of the restrictions to protect your hip.

You will eventually switch to a cane when you can move better. That is the start of beginning to feel more normal ... especially when you're young and you get all kinds of stares when using your walker! I think I could have parted the Atlantic Ocean the way people moved out of my way when they saw me coming!

With both my surgeries, I found that after about three and a half weeks, I was feeling so much better, getting antsy, wanting to get out and do more and tired of sitting/laying around at home. When I had my left hip done, I was able to drive by that time and I did return to work after 4 weeks. With my right one, I am having a bit more post op pain and I am not yet driving (I am exactly 4 weeks post op from that one). I don't work in the summer so I don't have to worry about going back to work till September. But I am taking walks to the corner and back using my cane. I will wait another 2-3 weeks before starting to drive this time around since the right foot is the driving foot and I want to protect it a little more before I start hitting gas/break pedals.

The main point I want to make is that I am so happy I had these surgeries done and that I didn't wait until I was older and in a wheelchair. I am now pain free from arthritis and anxious to get back to an active lifestyle!

Good luck with your upcoming surgery. It's normal to be scared. I certainly was both times! But I'm sure you will do fine and be happy you went through it.

Having hip replacement surgery.

I am only 39 years old and I am having hip replacement surgery July 26th. I am really scared and wish to know what to expect.

[Guest guest]

Hi Sassy Lou,

I just wanted to thanked you for the way you said everything I'm one of the ones where the Hip replacement didn't work that good for me but then again I just had a x-ray of my Spine and found out I had bad Arthritis in my Spine my dr didn't say what kind I guess it doesn't make any differant he just said to keep moving the best I can and I found out the pain in my hip replacement is Bursitis and all you can do is exercise for that .Well I hope things work out for you ,you are still young I'm 62 .Well you have a nice day .

Susie

-------------- Original message -------------- I am only 39 years old and I am having hip replacement surgery July 26th. I am really scared and wish to know what to expect. >>> Welcome to the boards germie. I'm a 35 yr old wife & mother of two. Had my initial THR done June 2003 but have since had 2 revisions done due to complications the last of which was Jan 2005. For me... I will have a life time of restrictions staying intact and my life went 360 degrees the opposite direction.... verse what I once knew prior to THR. I also had my leg lengthened during the operation which created a longer recovery.... but long story short of my case is..... my doctor, boards & self assumed one turn out while my body had a totally different out come in order for me. Fact of the matter is.... BODY's decision on what the out come was gonna be is WHAT IS!Being scared is nature.... everyone worries about "the unknown" & list of "what might be".... you just remember that worrying isn't going to change a thing about what WILL BE. Try to think positive about it.... truth of the matter is the "majority" have little to no problems after THR. Please know that the ONE HUGEST factor going into YOUR surgery is YOUR BODY..... that makes it an individual case per case "personalized operation". I believe the biggest mistake ANYONE can make going into it is having "an assumption of their outcome based on anothers". Truth of the matter is.... some aren't so lucky with their out comes BUT.... there is still a good life after a bad THR if you want it! Even though mine didn't go "as planned"..... I can't say that I regret my decision, only that the turn out didn't go so great in my case! It did HOWEVER.... LESSEN the amount of pain I was dealing with daily and hopefully my leg length being pushed will help to advance medical science for others down the line so all was not lost. But some of us have left our "old life" behind, are still in daily pain and THR hasn't offered "a better life" nor "fixed" the problem. Just know what your getting yourself into... RESEARCH & QUESTION yourself truthfully about just what you can live with in terms of pain etc. But what your needs in a quality life are... It boils down to a choice which can & does effect the rest of your life.... to what degree is unknown until it IS! Once it's done though.... there is no going back~ So take the time to check into alternatives in treatment which MAY be an option in your case. Seek a second opunion for safe measure..... be well informed about the good, bad & UGLY of it all because bottom line is.... there are NO PROMISES.If you have specific questions shoot.... please know my remarks aren't meant to scare you anymore. I let my story be known so that others might not have the heartache I've known with it ..... "having expectations based on others out comes". Sometimes what you hear & what you get are like black verse white! I wish you the best of luck and hope your soon walking well.

[Guest guest]

Hi Sassy Lou, I just wanted to thanked you for the way you said everything I'm one of the ones where the Hip replacement didn't work that good for >>> Hate hearing that things haven't went all that well with your case either Susie but hopefully in time with your keepin on the move things will ease up a bit for you. I too have alot of back problems since my surgery~ mines DDD though & curved spine due to limping for as long as I did. One can certainly hope so keep the faith and remember even on the rough days 2 be greatful for what you have. I'm happy that you were greatful for my words... I'm sure that not all will agree but I stay a hipster advocate not just for myself.... as a means to vent. But because I know I'll have another surgery due down the line..... but more importantly to be the voice I wish I'd heard heeding the warnings BEFORE surgery. Not that I have many regrets or had other choices all were pretty well exhausted in my case.... although I know regrets & worry change nothing~ nonetheless it would've saved me time trying to pick myself up after such the let down, had a been just a lil more braced for the list of possible out comes and not just listened whole~heartedly to every word told to me. I've adjusted to my new ways.... and still find it challenging at times~ but I'm way more determined

then some who loose sight of their hope somewhere along the way. I just want people to know BOTH SIDES and invest the time to clearify ANY & EVERYTHING that crosses your mind about it BEFORE being cut. So when looking back.... they have no regrets about "what might've worked differently" or "had they tried this BEFORE that". Your quality of life is worth the time & effort it takes preparing yourself.

[Guest guest]

even with restrictions you are still doing things, just differently.>>> Exactly! It's not differently then experiencing any other life change~ having a baby... U change your life style, loosing a loved one~ makes it mark, dealing with illness.... a struggle does not mean that your whipped... unless that's the way you choose it to be! Determination to find a better day REGARDLESS of what your dealt.... makes for terrific out comes~ BAD LEG or NOT.

[Guest guest]

--- H <ginjin_jh@...> wrote:

> Hi germie, I am 31 years old. My hip replacement

> is scheduled July 20 (just two weeks away - Arh!) .

> I am not sure what to expect either. I finished

> with all my prelinimary requirements last week:

> blood withdrawen, primary sign off, ekg and

> rheumatologist sign off ( I have lupus). I am

> hopefully that the bone pain I feel will go away. I

> am also hopeful that recovery will be good. Share

> your fears with your surgeon. Mine has been great

> in answering my questions. Another great resource

> has been this group. Good luck and we can compare

> notes after surgery. JennH

>

> germie_07 <germie_07@...> wrote:I am only 39

> years old and I am having hip replacement surgery

> July

> 26th. I am really scared and wish to know what to

> expect.

>

>

>

>

>