Guest guest Posted August 12, 2003 Report Share Posted August 12, 2003 " advice is ice, ice and ice. Janet's post mess. #12325 mentioned this and it was an invaluable reminder for me of what to do for pain and swelling. " I'll vouch for this. I kept the entire surgical site iced 24/7 for about 5 days, but that was with the Polar Care thing Dr. Gross provides. For those of you wondering what that is, here's a link. Looks like they cost about $160. Some may even be able to get insurance to pay for it, not sure. http://bracesupport.com/breg/polar%20care%20300.htm If that link doesn't work for some reason, just go to google and put in " Polar Care Ice " . It's an EXCELLENT source for constant icing and your leg never feels frozen or uncomfortable. I had no swelling and no bruising, which I attribute to both Dr. Gross and the Polar system. My leg did finally swell on the flight home, but that could not be avoided. The hospital had provided me with an ice bag, and the airline filled it with ice, but it simply wasn't cold enough. Once I got home and got the Polar thing back on, the swelling began subsiding. I really don't have a good explanation for not having any bruising other than lucky I guess. However, I did get up and started moving around rather quickly to circulate the blood/fluid. Maybe that helped with no bruising. I fly back for my 6 week check up on Thursday. Dr. Gross - 7/9/03 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 14, 2003 Report Share Posted August 14, 2003 Does anyone know if Dr De Smet uses this device, or something similar? Sounds like a really good idea to me. Sharry Icing/Polar Care " advice is ice, ice and ice. Janet's post mess. #12325 mentioned this and it was an invaluable reminder for me of what to do for pain and swelling. " I'll vouch for this. I kept the entire surgical site iced 24/7 for about 5 days, but that was with the Polar Care thing Dr. Gross provides. For those of you wondering what that is, here's a link. Looks like they cost about $160. Some may even be able to get insurance to pay for it, not sure. http://bracesupport.com/breg/polar%20care%20300.htm If that link doesn't work for some reason, just go to google and put in " Polar Care Ice " . It's an EXCELLENT source for constant icing and your leg never feels frozen or uncomfortable. I had no swelling and no bruising, which I attribute to both Dr. Gross and the Polar system. My leg did finally swell on the flight home, but that could not be avoided. The hospital had provided me with an ice bag, and the airline filled it with ice, but it simply wasn't cold enough. Once I got home and got the Polar thing back on, the swelling began subsiding. I really don't have a good explanation for not having any bruising other than lucky I guess. However, I did get up and started moving around rather quickly to circulate the blood/fluid. Maybe that helped with no bruising. I fly back for my 6 week check up on Thursday. Dr. Gross - 7/9/03 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 14, 2003 Report Share Posted August 14, 2003 I don't believe that they have anything like that, but while you are there, you might as well ask. I had to ask for ask ice bags, otherwise they will not give you any. Michigadar Mike Bilateral, Dr.DeSmet, April 2003 > Does anyone know if Dr De Smet uses this device, or something similar? Sounds like a really good idea to me. > Sharry > Icing/Polar Care > > > " advice is ice, ice and ice. Janet's post mess. #12325 mentioned this and it > was an > invaluable reminder for me of what to do for pain and swelling. " > > I'll vouch for this. I kept the entire surgical site iced 24/7 for about 5 > days, but that was with the Polar Care thing Dr. Gross provides. For those of > you wondering what that is, here's a link. Looks like they cost about $160. > Some may even be able to get insurance to pay for it, not sure. > > http://bracesupport.com/breg/polar%20care%20300.htm > > If that link doesn't work for some reason, just go to google and put in > " Polar Care Ice " . > > It's an EXCELLENT source for constant icing and your leg never feels frozen > or uncomfortable. I had no swelling and no bruising, which I attribute to both > Dr. Gross and the Polar system. My leg did finally swell on the flight home, > but that could not be avoided. The hospital had provided me with an ice bag, > and the airline filled it with ice, but it simply wasn't cold enough. Once I > got home and got the Polar thing back on, the swelling began subsiding. I > really don't have a good explanation for not having any bruising other than > lucky I guess. However, I did get up and started moving around rather quickly to > circulate the blood/fluid. Maybe that helped with no bruising. > > I fly back for my 6 week check up on Thursday. > > > Dr. Gross - 7/9/03 > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 14, 2003 Report Share Posted August 14, 2003 Sharry, I didn't see any ice at dr De Smet. Ria LBHR De Smet 27/06/03 Icing/Polar Care > > > > > > " advice is ice, ice and ice. Janet's post mess. #12325 mentioned > this and it > > was an > > invaluable reminder for me of what to do for pain and swelling. " > > > > I'll vouch for this. I kept the entire surgical site iced 24/7 > for about 5 > > days, but that was with the Polar Care thing Dr. Gross provides. > For those of > > you wondering what that is, here's a link. Looks like they cost > about $160. > > Some may even be able to get insurance to pay for it, not sure. > > > > http://bracesupport.com/breg/polar%20care%20300.htm > > > > If that link doesn't work for some reason, just go to google and > put in > > " Polar Care Ice " . > > > > It's an EXCELLENT source for constant icing and your leg never > feels frozen > > or uncomfortable. I had no swelling and no bruising, which I > attribute to both > > Dr. Gross and the Polar system. My leg did finally swell on the > flight home, > > but that could not be avoided. The hospital had provided me with > an ice bag, > > and the airline filled it with ice, but it simply wasn't cold > enough. Once I > > got home and got the Polar thing back on, the swelling began > subsiding. I > > really don't have a good explanation for not having any bruising > other than > > lucky I guess. However, I did get up and started moving around > rather quickly to > > circulate the blood/fluid. Maybe that helped with no bruising. > > > > I fly back for my 6 week check up on Thursday. > > > > > > Dr. Gross - 7/9/03 > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 14, 2003 Report Share Posted August 14, 2003 No, De Smet doesn't use the Polar Care. You are to provide your own ice bags, I believe. You could always take your own Polar Care, I suppose! You'd probably need a power converter, too. It is a wonderful device. 6/12/03 Dr Gross RHR C2K > Does anyone know if Dr De Smet uses this device, or something similar? Sounds like a really good idea to me. > Sharry > Icing/Polar Care > > > " advice is ice, ice and ice. Janet's post mess. #12325 mentioned this and it > was an > invaluable reminder for me of what to do for pain and swelling. " > > I'll vouch for this. I kept the entire surgical site iced 24/7 for about 5 > days, but that was with the Polar Care thing Dr. Gross provides. For those of > you wondering what that is, here's a link. Looks like they cost about $160. > Some may even be able to get insurance to pay for it, not sure. > > http://bracesupport.com/breg/polar%20care%20300.htm > > If that link doesn't work for some reason, just go to google and put in > " Polar Care Ice " . > > It's an EXCELLENT source for constant icing and your leg never feels frozen > or uncomfortable. I had no swelling and no bruising, which I attribute to both > Dr. Gross and the Polar system. My leg did finally swell on the flight home, > but that could not be avoided. The hospital had provided me with an ice bag, > and the airline filled it with ice, but it simply wasn't cold enough. Once I > got home and got the Polar thing back on, the swelling began subsiding. I > really don't have a good explanation for not having any bruising other than > lucky I guess. However, I did get up and started moving around rather quickly to > circulate the blood/fluid. Maybe that helped with no bruising. > > I fly back for my 6 week check up on Thursday. > > > Dr. Gross - 7/9/03 > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 15, 2003 Report Share Posted August 15, 2003 I brought two ice bags and never opened them because the hospital provides you with large plastic bags full of ice. I read last year that they don't provide bags for ice, but they did when I was there. Michigandar Mike Bilateral, Dr. DeSmet, April 2003 > > Does anyone know if Dr De Smet uses this device, or something > similar? Sounds like a really good idea to me. > > Sharry > > Icing/Polar Care > > > > > > " advice is ice, ice and ice. Janet's post mess. #12325 mentioned > this and it > > was an > > invaluable reminder for me of what to do for pain and swelling. " > > > > I'll vouch for this. I kept the entire surgical site iced 24/7 > for about 5 > > days, but that was with the Polar Care thing Dr. Gross provides. > For those of > > you wondering what that is, here's a link. Looks like they cost > about $160. > > Some may even be able to get insurance to pay for it, not sure. > > > > http://bracesupport.com/breg/polar%20care%20300.htm > > > > If that link doesn't work for some reason, just go to google and > put in > > " Polar Care Ice " . > > > > It's an EXCELLENT source for constant icing and your leg never > feels frozen > > or uncomfortable. I had no swelling and no bruising, which I > attribute to both > > Dr. Gross and the Polar system. My leg did finally swell on the > flight home, > > but that could not be avoided. The hospital had provided me with > an ice bag, > > and the airline filled it with ice, but it simply wasn't cold > enough. Once I > > got home and got the Polar thing back on, the swelling began > subsiding. I > > really don't have a good explanation for not having any bruising > other than > > lucky I guess. However, I did get up and started moving around > rather quickly to > > circulate the blood/fluid. Maybe that helped with no bruising. > > > > I fly back for my 6 week check up on Thursday. > > > > > > Dr. Gross - 7/9/03 > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 15, 2003 Report Share Posted August 15, 2003 Thanks to all of you who replied about ice at Ghent. I think I'll chance it and hope they have ice bags as they did when was there. Too bad they don't have the Polar Care. Sharry Icing/Polar Care > > > > > > " advice is ice, ice and ice. Janet's post mess. #12325 mentioned > this and it > > was an > > invaluable reminder for me of what to do for pain and swelling. " > > > > I'll vouch for this. I kept the entire surgical site iced 24/7 > for about 5 > > days, but that was with the Polar Care thing Dr. Gross provides. > For those of > > you wondering what that is, here's a link. Looks like they cost > about $160. > > Some may even be able to get insurance to pay for it, not sure. > > > > http://bracesupport.com/breg/polar%20care%20300.htm > > > > If that link doesn't work for some reason, just go to google and > put in > > " Polar Care Ice " . > > > > It's an EXCELLENT source for constant icing and your leg never > feels frozen > > or uncomfortable. I had no swelling and no bruising, which I > attribute to both > > Dr. Gross and the Polar system. My leg did finally swell on the > flight home, > > but that could not be avoided. The hospital had provided me with > an ice bag, > > and the airline filled it with ice, but it simply wasn't cold > enough. Once I > > got home and got the Polar thing back on, the swelling began > subsiding. I > > really don't have a good explanation for not having any bruising > other than > > lucky I guess. However, I did get up and started moving around > rather quickly to > > circulate the blood/fluid. Maybe that helped with no bruising. > > > > I fly back for my 6 week check up on Thursday. > > > > > > Dr. Gross - 7/9/03 > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 15, 2003 Report Share Posted August 15, 2003 Thanks for all the good info !!. I am leaving next Tuesday for Belgium, time is hurrying by, so this last minute advice is a big help. By the way, for everyone else on this site, I will not be checking in after Monday, August 18....and won't be back until September 4th, if all goes according to plan, so if I forget to say it before I go, thanks so much for all the good words of advice and support. I'll check in agan as soon as I feel up to it when I get back, and give you my take on it all Sharry De Smet 27/08/03 Icing/Polar Care " advice is ice, ice and ice. Janet's post mess. #12325 mentioned this and it was an invaluable reminder for me of what to do for pain and swelling. " I'll vouch for this. I kept the entire surgical site iced 24/7 for about 5 days, but that was with the Polar Care thing Dr. Gross provides. For those of you wondering what that is, here's a link. Looks like they cost about $160. Some may even be able to get insurance to pay for it, not sure. http://bracesupport.com/breg/polar%20care%20300.htm If that link doesn't work for some reason, just go to google and put in " Polar Care Ice " . It's an EXCELLENT source for constant icing and your leg never feels frozen or uncomfortable. I had no swelling and no bruising, which I attribute to both Dr. Gross and the Polar system. My leg did finally swell on the flight home, but that could not be avoided. The hospital had provided me with an ice bag, and the airline filled it with ice, but it simply wasn't cold enough. Once I got home and got the Polar thing back on, the swelling began subsiding. I really don't have a good explanation for not having any bruising other than lucky I guess. However, I did get up and started moving around rather quickly to circulate the blood/fluid. Maybe that helped with no bruising. I fly back for my 6 week check up on Thursday. Dr. Gross - 7/9/03 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2003 Report Share Posted August 16, 2003 I have a Brand new one. (It was sent to me from the factory. If anyone is interested I'll let it go for $70.00 US plus actual shipping to your door. Timmy T. Bi-Lat C2k Dr. Gross 6-2003 > > Does anyone know if Dr De Smet uses this device, or something > similar? Sounds like a really good idea to me. > > Sharry > > Icing/Polar Care > > > > > > " advice is ice, ice and ice. Janet's post mess. #12325 mentioned > this and it > > was an > > invaluable reminder for me of what to do for pain and swelling. " > > > > I'll vouch for this. I kept the entire surgical site iced 24/7 > for about 5 > > days, but that was with the Polar Care thing Dr. Gross provides. > For those of > > you wondering what that is, here's a link. Looks like they cost > about $160. > > Some may even be able to get insurance to pay for it, not sure. > > > > http://bracesupport.com/breg/polar%20care%20300.htm > > > > If that link doesn't work for some reason, just go to google and > put in > > " Polar Care Ice " . > > > > It's an EXCELLENT source for constant icing and your leg never > feels frozen > > or uncomfortable. I had no swelling and no bruising, which I > attribute to both > > Dr. Gross and the Polar system. My leg did finally swell on the > flight home, > > but that could not be avoided. The hospital had provided me with > an ice bag, > > and the airline filled it with ice, but it simply wasn't cold > enough. Once I > > got home and got the Polar thing back on, the swelling began > subsiding. I > > really don't have a good explanation for not having any bruising > other than > > lucky I guess. However, I did get up and started moving around > rather quickly to > > circulate the blood/fluid. Maybe that helped with no bruising. > > > > I fly back for my 6 week check up on Thursday. > > > > > > Dr. Gross - 7/9/03 > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2003 Report Share Posted August 16, 2003 Sharry, Have a good trip to Belgium, good luck with the operation August 27, I think of you! I will leave to Belgium tomorrow for my control on monday. Love, Ria LBHR, De Smet 27/06/03 Icing/Polar Care > > > " advice is ice, ice and ice. Janet's post mess. #12325 mentioned this and it > was an > invaluable reminder for me of what to do for pain and swelling. " > > I'll vouch for this. I kept the entire surgical site iced 24/7 for about 5 > days, but that was with the Polar Care thing Dr. Gross provides. For those of > you wondering what that is, here's a link. Looks like they cost about $160. > Some may even be able to get insurance to pay for it, not sure. > > http://bracesupport.com/breg/polar%20care%20300.htm > > If that link doesn't work for some reason, just go to google and put in > " Polar Care Ice " . > > It's an EXCELLENT source for constant icing and your leg never feels frozen > or uncomfortable. I had no swelling and no bruising, which I attribute to both > Dr. Gross and the Polar system. My leg did finally swell on the flight home, > but that could not be avoided. The hospital had provided me with an ice bag, > and the airline filled it with ice, but it simply wasn't cold enough. Once I > got home and got the Polar thing back on, the swelling began subsiding. I > really don't have a good explanation for not having any bruising other than > lucky I guess. However, I did get up and started moving around rather quickly to > circulate the blood/fluid. Maybe that helped with no bruising. > > I fly back for my 6 week check up on Thursday. > > > Dr. Gross - 7/9/03 > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2003 Report Share Posted August 16, 2003 Thanks Ria! Good luck in Belgium too. Sharry Icing/Polar Care > > > " advice is ice, ice and ice. Janet's post mess. #12325 mentioned this and it > was an > invaluable reminder for me of what to do for pain and swelling. " > > I'll vouch for this. I kept the entire surgical site iced 24/7 for about 5 > days, but that was with the Polar Care thing Dr. Gross provides. For those of > you wondering what that is, here's a link. Looks like they cost about $160. > Some may even be able to get insurance to pay for it, not sure. > > http://bracesupport.com/breg/polar%20care%20300.htm > > If that link doesn't work for some reason, just go to google and put in > " Polar Care Ice " . > > It's an EXCELLENT source for constant icing and your leg never feels frozen > or uncomfortable. I had no swelling and no bruising, which I attribute to both > Dr. Gross and the Polar system. My leg did finally swell on the flight home, > but that could not be avoided. The hospital had provided me with an ice bag, > and the airline filled it with ice, but it simply wasn't cold enough. Once I > got home and got the Polar thing back on, the swelling began subsiding. I > really don't have a good explanation for not having any bruising other than > lucky I guess. However, I did get up and started moving around rather quickly to > circulate the blood/fluid. Maybe that helped with no bruising. > > I fly back for my 6 week check up on Thursday. > > > Dr. Gross - 7/9/03 > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 14, 2003 Report Share Posted November 14, 2003 Hi, Sharry. There was no sign of such a device during my recuperation. However, I can't say I felt the need either. To prepare for my recuperation, I bought grab bars, a shower stool, some hospital scrubs to wear--vastly oversized for swelling. I haven't needed any of this stuff. Aside from pain during the first few days, which certainly is expected after surgery, even pain and discomfort have been minimal. I think I got some pain meds by IV, but they didn't make much of an impression on me, which I suppose is pretty good news. Nearly all of the pain meds given me for my return to the US, I never used. Tylenol Arthritis Pain is my only pain med these days. That is a revolution, for me! Thanks, Dr. De Smet! Tomorrow will be the one monthiversary for my resurfacing. I still use one crutch, and still tire easily. This due to how far down I let myself slide before taking the step to get my hip fixed. Recovery of incision has been remarkable. I don't think about it anymore. I have to remind myself to be careful. I need to hoist my butt up in the air and walk much more than I do--another bad consequence of sitting still to avoid the pain. I had so many risk factors going in, I was terrified of this procedure. Despite a few problems during or after surgery with blood sugar and blood pressure, none of the risk factors seemed to make any difference. Where I expected a hard time recuperating from anesthesia--based on previous surgeries some time ago--there was literally *no* problem, other than the logy feeling after surgery, which went away in good time. All in all, a remarkably positive experience! Parenthetically, I'd recommend anyone travelling to Europe for this, be sure to drink enough water--sometimes it's very hard to come by. Carry extra bottles if necessary. Also 'arm' yourself with food--snacks, staples, substance food stuff to supplement what you might receive in hospital. Being diabetic, and having blood glucose all over the map during and after the surgery, left me with a hideous assortment of stuff they called food, and rather unfortunate efforts to change my meds to control my blood sugar, in my best interests, of course, which I suspect did me more harm than good. Language problems contributed to this. Of course, I have to accept responsibility for that, as *I* chose to go to Belgium without benefit of speaking their language. I walked in the pool at the Holiday Inn as soon as possible after surgery, which was a little difficult because the bottom slopes dramatically after a shallow area, and have regularly done so at our local YMCA where the flat 4' depth is just right for me. It has been amazingly therapeutic for me and always leaves me feeling better though very tired after 70 minutes of nonstop waterwalking. I truly think it has been the single best thing I could have done. Hope this is of interest and help to those anticipating a visit to Ghent. Oh, they are *not* well equipped to deal with the heatwave. The hospital was quite warm, despite, having what they called air conditioning, but the Holiday Inn room a/c worked well. In the motel restaurant, however, later in the day, full sun was quite uncomfortable while I was there. I learned to find a seat under a ceiling fan, if I could. Best wishes... danz Icing/Polar Care " advice is ice, ice and ice. Janet's post mess. #12325 mentioned this and it was an invaluable reminder for me of what to do for pain and swelling. " I'll vouch for this. I kept the entire surgical site iced 24/7 for about 5 days, but that was with the Polar Care thing Dr. Gross provides. For those of you wondering what that is, here's a link. Looks like they cost about $160. Some may even be able to get insurance to pay for it, not sure. http://bracesupport.com/breg/polar%20care%20300.htm If that link doesn't work for some reason, just go to google and put in " Polar Care Ice " . It's an EXCELLENT source for constant icing and your leg never feels frozen or uncomfortable. I had no swelling and no bruising, which I attribute to both Dr. Gross and the Polar system. My leg did finally swell on the flight home, but that could not be avoided. The hospital had provided me with an ice bag, and the airline filled it with ice, but it simply wasn't cold enough. Once I got home and got the Polar thing back on, the swelling began subsiding. I really don't have a good explanation for not having any bruising other than lucky I guess. However, I did get up and started moving around rather quickly to circulate the blood/fluid. Maybe that helped with no bruising. I fly back for my 6 week check up on Thursday. Dr. Gross - 7/9/03 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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