Re: Had enough of my stupid hip!

[Guest guest]

Hi Casey! I sure do remember reaching that " frustration saturation "

point - I think it came when my 4 yr old grandson wanted me to

play " cars " with him (as I always have - vroom, vroom!) and it was

too painful to get down on the floor.

I just wanted to comment on finding the right surgeon: I chose Dr

Mont in Baltimore, based on his surgical ability and the

overall " happiness factor " of his patients; and also based on the

ability of his office staff to get my insurance to pay for the

surgery. I was impressed with the credentials at JRI in LA; but

they were going to let me fight the insurance battle on my own.

But I took a ton of crap from a cousin who had already had one hip

with a THR - and needed the other hip done. She " loved " her local

doctor - what a great guy, etc; and couldn't BELIEVE I would walk

into surgery without ever having met Dr Mont ( " what if he's a

jerk? " ), or that I would drive 10 hours to get to him. I just

brushed the whole thing off with " I'm looking for surgical

expertise - not husband-material "

The upshot of all this? Her THR dislocated 2 hours after surgery

and she wound up back in the OR for a revision. She still uses a

cane. My surgery was totally uneventful, recovery was a breeze, and

I have my fun-filled life back. And it turns out that Dr Mont is

even a nice guy

Best wishes, and whatever your choice - you'll never regret the

decision to go with a resurf!! Deb C+ 5-2-02

> Thanks to all you surface hippies!

>

> I think I have had enough of my stupid but natural hip...thanks to

> everyone's input on this site I now think I have a clear idea

about

> what can be done with hips, the risks, the advantages etc. etc.

> After yesterday's pain I would have let anyone resurf my hip..and

> today is no better. My 78 year old colleague strolls happily along

> day in day out and I limp alongside him (trying not to show my

> pain)...and I'm less than half his age!!

> The good days still out number the bad ones but when it's bad it's

> not worth putting up with.

>

> Now all I have to do is figure out which surgeon is right for me

and

> how to organise myself on the professional and financial front.

This

> may take me some time but having made my decision is enough to

make

> me smile for the time being.

>

> I have confirmation from three surgeons from three different

> countries that resurfacing is possible and I don't really care if

I

> can't recuperate 2.7 cms in leg length...a future revision will

take

> care of that (unless my resurface lasts 40+ years or I get run

over

> by a bus in the meantime!.

>

> Casey

[Guest guest]

Hi Casey! I sure do remember reaching that " frustration saturation "

point - I think it came when my 4 yr old grandson wanted me to

play " cars " with him (as I always have - vroom, vroom!) and it was

too painful to get down on the floor.

I just wanted to comment on finding the right surgeon: I chose Dr

Mont in Baltimore, based on his surgical ability and the

overall " happiness factor " of his patients; and also based on the

ability of his office staff to get my insurance to pay for the

surgery. I was impressed with the credentials at JRI in LA; but

they were going to let me fight the insurance battle on my own.

But I took a ton of crap from a cousin who had already had one hip

with a THR - and needed the other hip done. She " loved " her local

doctor - what a great guy, etc; and couldn't BELIEVE I would walk

into surgery without ever having met Dr Mont ( " what if he's a

jerk? " ), or that I would drive 10 hours to get to him. I just

brushed the whole thing off with " I'm looking for surgical

expertise - not husband-material "

The upshot of all this? Her THR dislocated 2 hours after surgery

and she wound up back in the OR for a revision. She still uses a

cane. My surgery was totally uneventful, recovery was a breeze, and

I have my fun-filled life back. And it turns out that Dr Mont is

even a nice guy

Best wishes, and whatever your choice - you'll never regret the

decision to go with a resurf!! Deb C+ 5-2-02

> Thanks to all you surface hippies!

>

> I think I have had enough of my stupid but natural hip...thanks to

> everyone's input on this site I now think I have a clear idea

about

> what can be done with hips, the risks, the advantages etc. etc.

> After yesterday's pain I would have let anyone resurf my hip..and

> today is no better. My 78 year old colleague strolls happily along

> day in day out and I limp alongside him (trying not to show my

> pain)...and I'm less than half his age!!

> The good days still out number the bad ones but when it's bad it's

> not worth putting up with.

>

> Now all I have to do is figure out which surgeon is right for me

and

> how to organise myself on the professional and financial front.

This

> may take me some time but having made my decision is enough to

make

> me smile for the time being.

>

> I have confirmation from three surgeons from three different

> countries that resurfacing is possible and I don't really care if

I

> can't recuperate 2.7 cms in leg length...a future revision will

take

> care of that (unless my resurface lasts 40+ years or I get run

over

> by a bus in the meantime!.

>

> Casey

[Guest guest]

Hi Casey! I sure do remember reaching that " frustration saturation "

point - I think it came when my 4 yr old grandson wanted me to

play " cars " with him (as I always have - vroom, vroom!) and it was

too painful to get down on the floor.

I just wanted to comment on finding the right surgeon: I chose Dr

Mont in Baltimore, based on his surgical ability and the

overall " happiness factor " of his patients; and also based on the

ability of his office staff to get my insurance to pay for the

surgery. I was impressed with the credentials at JRI in LA; but

they were going to let me fight the insurance battle on my own.

But I took a ton of crap from a cousin who had already had one hip

with a THR - and needed the other hip done. She " loved " her local

doctor - what a great guy, etc; and couldn't BELIEVE I would walk

into surgery without ever having met Dr Mont ( " what if he's a

jerk? " ), or that I would drive 10 hours to get to him. I just

brushed the whole thing off with " I'm looking for surgical

expertise - not husband-material "

The upshot of all this? Her THR dislocated 2 hours after surgery

and she wound up back in the OR for a revision. She still uses a

cane. My surgery was totally uneventful, recovery was a breeze, and

I have my fun-filled life back. And it turns out that Dr Mont is

even a nice guy

Best wishes, and whatever your choice - you'll never regret the

decision to go with a resurf!! Deb C+ 5-2-02

> Thanks to all you surface hippies!

>

> I think I have had enough of my stupid but natural hip...thanks to

> everyone's input on this site I now think I have a clear idea

about

> what can be done with hips, the risks, the advantages etc. etc.

> After yesterday's pain I would have let anyone resurf my hip..and

> today is no better. My 78 year old colleague strolls happily along

> day in day out and I limp alongside him (trying not to show my

> pain)...and I'm less than half his age!!

> The good days still out number the bad ones but when it's bad it's

> not worth putting up with.

>

> Now all I have to do is figure out which surgeon is right for me

and

> how to organise myself on the professional and financial front.

This

> may take me some time but having made my decision is enough to

make

> me smile for the time being.

>

> I have confirmation from three surgeons from three different

> countries that resurfacing is possible and I don't really care if

I

> can't recuperate 2.7 cms in leg length...a future revision will

take

> care of that (unless my resurface lasts 40+ years or I get run

over

> by a bus in the meantime!.

>

> Casey

[Guest guest]

Hi Casey,

Thanks for your messages yesterday - it is always interesting to

share similar stories and experiences. In answer to your question

incidentally, I am 41 years old.

For me in the end there was no contest between making up the

difference in leg length with a THR or having a resurface. As in

your case, I have lived with a shorter leg all my life (but not any

pain until the last couple of years) and am not even aware of the

difference really. It was my OS who was more concerned initially

about the leg length, as he obviously noticed my limp more than I did

and wanted to make it up if he could.

During my early consultations I did not know a lot about either

procedure so was not too concerned which I had - I was totally

ignorant now I think about it. It was only by doing a lot of

research, finding Richie's website and reading virtually all of the

old posts on surfacehippy that I was able to find out so much about

resurfacing and people's experiences - it has been a Godsend to me

this site and the advice from everyone on it - thank you all!

I had not realised just how invasive a THR was, and agree with you

that to be pain-free, even with a slight limp, has to be better than

having bone removed - especially at our age!

Like you, I also had some pretty good days, and used to think perhaps

I could postpone the Op a bit longer. Sometimes I used to think

perhaps I had imagined the pain, when it had eased off, and then I'd

battle with myself and think, hang on you can't imagine pain like

that.

I think for a lot of us in this kind of situation with these long

established problems we just got used to living with pain and it

becomes part and parcel of life, then as it gets worse we try and

ignore it and think it will ease or go away, or it's just a bad day,

but it doesn't ever go away totally.

Anyway, just like you had yesterday - another bad day came along for

me in November and a colleague of mine at work who knew I was in pain

that day said to me - get on the phone to your OS and just book it.

I did just that and have not looked back, even though it's early

days!!

My OS had already told me in October that he thought I would probably

only last another 6 months before needing something doing - so I

wouldn't have gained much.

I also understand that you can sometimes do more harm than good by

leaving it too long - bone can wear away and in some cases make

surgery more difficult and possibly in the case of a resurface,

impossible.

Life's too short - it is the best decision I've ever made and I am so

looking forward to ditching my crutches and getting on with life.

Before my Op I had the odd day of feeling sorry for myself and

thinking this kind of Op was for old people in their 70s and 80s and

should not be happening to me in my early 40s - you are even younger

and have years ahead of you.

I am just so grateful we live in an age where things are so much more

advanced now and we have different options - we are so lucky.

As you said - now you have made the decision it is just a case of

deciding who you go with - keep us informed of developments.

I'm sure you won't be disappointed whoever you choose. Very best of

luck and we're all with you on this!

Caroline

> Thanks to all you surface hippies!

>

> I think I have had enough of my stupid but natural hip...thanks to

> everyone's input on this site I now think I have a clear idea about

> what can be done with hips, the risks, the advantages etc. etc.

> After yesterday's pain I would have let anyone resurf my hip..and

> today is no better. My 78 year old colleague strolls happily along

> day in day out and I limp alongside him (trying not to show my

> pain)...and I'm less than half his age!!

> The good days still out number the bad ones but when it's bad it's

> not worth putting up with.

>

> Now all I have to do is figure out which surgeon is right for me

and

> how to organise myself on the professional and financial front.

This

> may take me some time but having made my decision is enough to make

> me smile for the time being.

>

> I have confirmation from three surgeons from three different

> countries that resurfacing is possible and I don't really care if I

> can't recuperate 2.7 cms in leg length...a future revision will

take

> care of that (unless my resurface lasts 40+ years or I get run over

> by a bus in the meantime!.

>

> Casey

[Guest guest]

Hi Caroline,

I actually replied to your much appreciated post (or tried to) but I

don't see it...maybe it only went to your email instead of to the

board.

I just wanted to thank you and to say how helpful it is to talk to

others with similar hip problems. This website really is a godsend! I

had an osteotomy back in '88 and I felt like I was the only one in

the whole wide world even though I knew I wasn't. I just wasn't

connected to the whole world back then.

Best of luck (and roll on Jan 13th!!)

Casey

> Hi Casey,

>

> Thanks for your messages yesterday - it is always interesting to

> share similar stories and experiences. In answer to your question

> incidentally, I am 41 years old.

>

> For me in the end there was no contest between making up the

> difference in leg length with a THR or having a resurface. As in

> your case, I have lived with a shorter leg all my life (but not any

> pain until the last couple of years) and am not even aware of the

> difference really. It was my OS who was more concerned initially

> about the leg length, as he obviously noticed my limp more than I

did

> and wanted to make it up if he could.

>

> During my early consultations I did not know a lot about either

> procedure so was not too concerned which I had - I was totally

> ignorant now I think about it. It was only by doing a lot of

> research, finding Richie's website and reading virtually all of the

> old posts on surfacehippy that I was able to find out so much about

> resurfacing and people's experiences - it has been a Godsend to me

> this site and the advice from everyone on it - thank you all!

>

> I had not realised just how invasive a THR was, and agree with you

> that to be pain-free, even with a slight limp, has to be better

than

> having bone removed - especially at our age!

>

> Like you, I also had some pretty good days, and used to think

perhaps

> I could postpone the Op a bit longer. Sometimes I used to think

> perhaps I had imagined the pain, when it had eased off, and then

I'd

> battle with myself and think, hang on you can't imagine pain like

> that.

>

> I think for a lot of us in this kind of situation with these long

> established problems we just got used to living with pain and it

> becomes part and parcel of life, then as it gets worse we try and

> ignore it and think it will ease or go away, or it's just a bad

day,

> but it doesn't ever go away totally.

>

> Anyway, just like you had yesterday - another bad day came along

for

> me in November and a colleague of mine at work who knew I was in

pain

> that day said to me - get on the phone to your OS and just book

it.

> I did just that and have not looked back, even though it's early

> days!!

>

> My OS had already told me in October that he thought I would

probably

> only last another 6 months before needing something doing - so I

> wouldn't have gained much.

>

> I also understand that you can sometimes do more harm than good by

> leaving it too long - bone can wear away and in some cases make

> surgery more difficult and possibly in the case of a resurface,

> impossible.

>

> Life's too short - it is the best decision I've ever made and I am

so

> looking forward to ditching my crutches and getting on with life.

> Before my Op I had the odd day of feeling sorry for myself and

> thinking this kind of Op was for old people in their 70s and 80s

and

> should not be happening to me in my early 40s - you are even

younger

> and have years ahead of you.

>

> I am just so grateful we live in an age where things are so much

more

> advanced now and we have different options - we are so lucky.

>

> As you said - now you have made the decision it is just a case of

> deciding who you go with - keep us informed of developments.

>

> I'm sure you won't be disappointed whoever you choose. Very best

of

> luck and we're all with you on this!

>

> Caroline

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Caroline,

I actually replied to your much appreciated post (or tried to) but I

don't see it...maybe it only went to your email instead of to the

board.

I just wanted to thank you and to say how helpful it is to talk to

others with similar hip problems. This website really is a godsend! I

had an osteotomy back in '88 and I felt like I was the only one in

the whole wide world even though I knew I wasn't. I just wasn't

connected to the whole world back then.

Best of luck (and roll on Jan 13th!!)

Casey

> Hi Casey,

>

> Thanks for your messages yesterday - it is always interesting to

> share similar stories and experiences. In answer to your question

> incidentally, I am 41 years old.

>

> For me in the end there was no contest between making up the

> difference in leg length with a THR or having a resurface. As in

> your case, I have lived with a shorter leg all my life (but not any

> pain until the last couple of years) and am not even aware of the

> difference really. It was my OS who was more concerned initially

> about the leg length, as he obviously noticed my limp more than I

did

> and wanted to make it up if he could.

>

> During my early consultations I did not know a lot about either

> procedure so was not too concerned which I had - I was totally

> ignorant now I think about it. It was only by doing a lot of

> research, finding Richie's website and reading virtually all of the

> old posts on surfacehippy that I was able to find out so much about

> resurfacing and people's experiences - it has been a Godsend to me

> this site and the advice from everyone on it - thank you all!

>

> I had not realised just how invasive a THR was, and agree with you

> that to be pain-free, even with a slight limp, has to be better

than

> having bone removed - especially at our age!

>

> Like you, I also had some pretty good days, and used to think

perhaps

> I could postpone the Op a bit longer. Sometimes I used to think

> perhaps I had imagined the pain, when it had eased off, and then

I'd

> battle with myself and think, hang on you can't imagine pain like

> that.

>

> I think for a lot of us in this kind of situation with these long

> established problems we just got used to living with pain and it

> becomes part and parcel of life, then as it gets worse we try and

> ignore it and think it will ease or go away, or it's just a bad

day,

> but it doesn't ever go away totally.

>

> Anyway, just like you had yesterday - another bad day came along

for

> me in November and a colleague of mine at work who knew I was in

pain

> that day said to me - get on the phone to your OS and just book

it.

> I did just that and have not looked back, even though it's early

> days!!

>

> My OS had already told me in October that he thought I would

probably

> only last another 6 months before needing something doing - so I

> wouldn't have gained much.

>

> I also understand that you can sometimes do more harm than good by

> leaving it too long - bone can wear away and in some cases make

> surgery more difficult and possibly in the case of a resurface,

> impossible.

>

> Life's too short - it is the best decision I've ever made and I am

so

> looking forward to ditching my crutches and getting on with life.

> Before my Op I had the odd day of feeling sorry for myself and

> thinking this kind of Op was for old people in their 70s and 80s

and

> should not be happening to me in my early 40s - you are even

younger

> and have years ahead of you.

>

> I am just so grateful we live in an age where things are so much

more

> advanced now and we have different options - we are so lucky.

>

> As you said - now you have made the decision it is just a case of

> deciding who you go with - keep us informed of developments.

>

> I'm sure you won't be disappointed whoever you choose. Very best

of

> luck and we're all with you on this!

>

> Caroline

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Caroline,

I actually replied to your much appreciated post (or tried to) but I

don't see it...maybe it only went to your email instead of to the

board.

I just wanted to thank you and to say how helpful it is to talk to

others with similar hip problems. This website really is a godsend! I

had an osteotomy back in '88 and I felt like I was the only one in

the whole wide world even though I knew I wasn't. I just wasn't

connected to the whole world back then.

Best of luck (and roll on Jan 13th!!)

Casey

> Hi Casey,

>

> Thanks for your messages yesterday - it is always interesting to

> share similar stories and experiences. In answer to your question

> incidentally, I am 41 years old.

>

> For me in the end there was no contest between making up the

> difference in leg length with a THR or having a resurface. As in

> your case, I have lived with a shorter leg all my life (but not any

> pain until the last couple of years) and am not even aware of the

> difference really. It was my OS who was more concerned initially

> about the leg length, as he obviously noticed my limp more than I

did

> and wanted to make it up if he could.

>

> During my early consultations I did not know a lot about either

> procedure so was not too concerned which I had - I was totally

> ignorant now I think about it. It was only by doing a lot of

> research, finding Richie's website and reading virtually all of the

> old posts on surfacehippy that I was able to find out so much about

> resurfacing and people's experiences - it has been a Godsend to me

> this site and the advice from everyone on it - thank you all!

>

> I had not realised just how invasive a THR was, and agree with you

> that to be pain-free, even with a slight limp, has to be better

than

> having bone removed - especially at our age!

>

> Like you, I also had some pretty good days, and used to think

perhaps

> I could postpone the Op a bit longer. Sometimes I used to think

> perhaps I had imagined the pain, when it had eased off, and then

I'd

> battle with myself and think, hang on you can't imagine pain like

> that.

>

> I think for a lot of us in this kind of situation with these long

> established problems we just got used to living with pain and it

> becomes part and parcel of life, then as it gets worse we try and

> ignore it and think it will ease or go away, or it's just a bad

day,

> but it doesn't ever go away totally.

>

> Anyway, just like you had yesterday - another bad day came along

for

> me in November and a colleague of mine at work who knew I was in

pain

> that day said to me - get on the phone to your OS and just book

it.

> I did just that and have not looked back, even though it's early

> days!!

>

> My OS had already told me in October that he thought I would

probably

> only last another 6 months before needing something doing - so I

> wouldn't have gained much.

>

> I also understand that you can sometimes do more harm than good by

> leaving it too long - bone can wear away and in some cases make

> surgery more difficult and possibly in the case of a resurface,

> impossible.

>

> Life's too short - it is the best decision I've ever made and I am

so

> looking forward to ditching my crutches and getting on with life.

> Before my Op I had the odd day of feeling sorry for myself and

> thinking this kind of Op was for old people in their 70s and 80s

and

> should not be happening to me in my early 40s - you are even

younger

> and have years ahead of you.

>

> I am just so grateful we live in an age where things are so much

more

> advanced now and we have different options - we are so lucky.

>

> As you said - now you have made the decision it is just a case of

> deciding who you go with - keep us informed of developments.

>

> I'm sure you won't be disappointed whoever you choose. Very best

of

> luck and we're all with you on this!

>

> Caroline

>