Post Op Concerns ????

[Guest guest]

Well I'm finally ready to post my ordeal and concerns to date.

I'm 42 years old and very overweight. Dr. Gross and staff aggreed to

perform resurf on me after sending in pics and explaining that the

weight gain was partly due to inactivity from PAIN. Other than the

normal problems with limited range of motion, I am in very good

health.

My right hip was resurfed Mon June 9. Surgery/recovery went well and

I was up the next day and walked about 120 ft. They told me that was

pretty good even for a regular size patient let alone a 325 lb one.

No abnormal pain after the walk and despite the staff not checking my

ice machines, I felt good.

My left hip was resurfed Wed June 11. Surgery/recovery were notably

different. I felt as though my left leg had been run over by a

truck. Again, I was up the next day and walked about 80 ft. I know

I quit cuz i'm a whimp. LOL My right leg pre-op was the worse of the

two.

The next few days in the hospital were pretty normal despite going

the whole week with staff changing out the Ice in my machine, but not

checing to see if it was working. I found out Sat. that the pads

under my legs were supposed to be pumping " Cold " water to help with

the swelling. The pump had never worked all week long.

I questioned Dr. Gross and Lee Webb on the notable difference in the

legs post op and they assured me that both surgeries went very well

with no complications.

I switched from the walker to the crutches and did the stairs in

the " Play Room " up and down. I also did a flight of stairs in the

stair well. My left leg continued to feel really crappy compared to

my right.

Left the Hospital early Sunday morning. One of the nurses demanded

that I let them take me to the airport in their van vs. riding in the

taxi cab. I was so impressed. He took the time to teach me how to

get in and out as to not hurt myself. This came in very handi

getting into my own van at the airport at home.

My trip home was excrutiating to say the least. I had to board my

first plane by climbing 6 steps up into the small jet. OUCH! The

wheelchairs were very uncomfortable and although the skycaps and

helpers ment well, the chair rides were still very rough.

The next few days were spent getting acclimated with things around

the house. I have 5 Steps to go down to get outside the house (and

the same 5 getting back in). I have been walking about 200 to 500

feet at least once sometimes twice a day. Doing my exersises and

walking around more inside the house as well. I feel great otherwise

and am impatiently wanting to get back to walking without crutches

and back to work. I am two weeks post op right hip today.

OK. Here's where I need your help. I have this stabbing pain in my

left hip, much similar to the pain when my joint was inflamed before

surgery which would just bring tears to my eyes. It feels as thought

something has grabbed a tendon and strecthed it waiting to snap it

loose. It hurts more when I try and lift my leg to walk, than it

does when I have weight on it. I have read many posts were folks

feel as though something is terribly wrong and find that it is

normal. I hope this is my case. My Right leg feels better each day

and I have no abnormal feelings or twinges. My Left leg is scaring

me.

Lee Webb is on vacation this week so I'm turning to all of you again

for support and info.

I am extreemly exited having both done and out of the way now, so

barring complications, I am ready to a new life.

I flew to South Carolina from Ohio to have surgery. I did not have

anyone with me for support. I flew home alone as well. I highly

recommend Dr. Gross and staff for this surgery. YOU should really

weigh out all the options of having BOTH done the same week. This is

not for everyone.

Thanx to all for your comments.

Timmy T. in Ohio

Bi-Lat C2k Gross 6/2003