Re: Digging in, and such....

April 3, 2004

At 6 weeks post op for a right side resurface with Dr. Mont, the

memories are pretty fresh. In my case (and hopefully in yours) the

hospital provides you a kit to take home. The items I received were:

an elevated commode, aluminum armpit crutches, a between-the-legs

foam wedge for sleeping, a sock installer, long shoe horn, a shower

brush, a strap for lifting the leg, and a picker/grabber gizmo.

At our local Red Cross I was able to borrow a walker, which became

useful in the shower. The commode is also designed as a shower seat.

Surgery was Thursday PM and I was discharged Sunday noon. I rode 5

hours home in an Audi sedan with little difficulty. Tilting the seat

back and sliding in on the bag made it easy. Pain was not an issue,

as I was still on the oxycontin, something you want to abandon as

soon as you can, as one of the side effects is constipation. I was

off it on day 5, and needed nothing thereafter. You'll need to stop

every hour or so, as you'll be consuming copious amounts of water,

and they recommend activity at those intervals anyway.

We also have a Volvo wagon, which I find easier to get in and out of.

My incision was on my side. While there was considerable swelling, it

was not difficult to sit. You'll need larger slacks or side zip

athletic pants, to account for the saddlebag that you'll be sporting.

The extra TEDS stockings are a good idea, although you'll be in the

initial pair for perhaps a week. No showers until the metal staples

were removed, which was at 2 weeks. Hardest thing about the

convalescence is getting the TEDS on the operated leg. You need a

helper.

Hopefully you have a good electric razor. No blades while you are on

blood thinners.

In my case, I stayed home for 2 weeks then returned to work on

crutches. Still no driving at 6 weeks, but after my checkup next week

I expect to have most restrictions lifted, and get off the Coumadin

blood thinner.

After the first 2 weeks everything gets easier. You'll do fine.

Fred Becker, CT

Rt. C+, Mont 2/26/04

> Hi Gang,

> 12 days away...and I need to start collecting what I'll need

> for surviving for the weeks after surgery. Here's what I have so

far:

> EXTRA TEDS.

> A PLASTIC TRASH BAG TO SLIDE MY BUTT ON WHILE GETTING IN AND OUT OF

> THE CAR.

> A BLANKET THAT IS ROLLED UP AND DUCT TAPED TO PUT BETWEEN MY LEGS

SO

> I CAN SLEEP ON MY NON CUT SIDE,(after a week or two?)

> CRUTCHES WITH THE COOL ARM PIT PADS.

>

> Do I need a toilet seat booster? And how about the ride home, will

I

> be sitting on my incision? I have a volvo wagon (sits low but rides

> smooth) and a New Nissan pickup (sits higher but rides bumpier).

Any

> tips on gettting the left (operated) leg in and out of the car?

> (passenger side). I have a groovy recliner, but will I be able to

> sit?

>

> Any time table experience is appreciated as well.

> Chris

April 3, 2004

Hi Fred,

Thanks for the reply. I'm concerned about not being able to

drive at 6 weeks. I have a 50 minute commute (automatic tanny) and

hoped to be back at work (desk duty) by the three week point. Why do

we have to wait so long to drive? Is it the act of sitting, or the

possiblility of a wreck?

And can anyone tell me if you had your staples/stitches removed

by your local Dr., or am I going to have to drive back up to JRI for

that. It's only 1-1/2 hour drive for me, but I'd rather stay local

it possible.

Chris

> > Hi Gang,

> > 12 days away...and I need to start collecting what I'll

need

> > for surviving for the weeks after surgery. Here's what I have so

> far:

> > EXTRA TEDS.

> > A PLASTIC TRASH BAG TO SLIDE MY BUTT ON WHILE GETTING IN AND OUT

OF

> > THE CAR.

> > A BLANKET THAT IS ROLLED UP AND DUCT TAPED TO PUT BETWEEN MY

LEGS

> SO

> > I CAN SLEEP ON MY NON CUT SIDE,(after a week or two?)

> > CRUTCHES WITH THE COOL ARM PIT PADS.

> >

> > Do I need a toilet seat booster? And how about the ride home,

will

> I

> > be sitting on my incision? I have a volvo wagon (sits low but

rides

> > smooth) and a New Nissan pickup (sits higher but rides bumpier).

> Any

> > tips on gettting the left (operated) leg in and out of the car?

> > (passenger side). I have a groovy recliner, but will I be able

to

> > sit?

> >

> > Any time table experience is appreciated as well.

> > Chris

April 3, 2004

Hi Chris

Driving: I drove at six weeks when I had my first hip resurfaced.

However the OS entered the hip from the side and cut muscle. This

time round my OS (a different one) entered from the back and parted

muscles at the side rather than cutting them. He expects me to be

able to drive next week (week 4)

Getting into the car: For me what works is....dropping the seat to

the lowest level and pushing it right back, with the back tilted back.

Then I can lower myself onto it,leaning back, so that the 90 degree

rule is not violated.

Kit for home: A small hand towel to roll up and put under your heels

each night while you are sleeping on your back, otherwise they may

get very sore. This has been my most useful aid.

All the best

ine

RHS April 03, LHS March 04

> > > Hi Gang,

> > > 12 days away...and I need to start collecting what I'll

> need

> > > for surviving for the weeks after surgery. Here's what I have

so

> > far:

> > > EXTRA TEDS.

> > > A PLASTIC TRASH BAG TO SLIDE MY BUTT ON WHILE GETTING IN AND

OUT

> OF

> > > THE CAR.

> > > A BLANKET THAT IS ROLLED UP AND DUCT TAPED TO PUT BETWEEN MY

> LEGS

> > SO

> > > I CAN SLEEP ON MY NON CUT SIDE,(after a week or two?)

> > > CRUTCHES WITH THE COOL ARM PIT PADS.

> > >

> > > Do I need a toilet seat booster? And how about the ride home,

> will

> > I

> > > be sitting on my incision? I have a volvo wagon (sits low but

> rides

> > > smooth) and a New Nissan pickup (sits higher but rides

bumpier).

> > Any

> > > tips on gettting the left (operated) leg in and out of the car?

> > > (passenger side). I have a groovy recliner, but will I be able

> to

> > > sit?

> > >

> > > Any time table experience is appreciated as well.

> > > Chris

April 3, 2004

Chris:

It's been just 10 days since mine (C2K) was installed by Dr. Gross.

Dr. Gross doesn't have patients use TEDS after hospital discharge - he

said he doesn't think they are very effective. While in the hospital,

I was on one of those machines that inflates " stockings " every minute

or so.

A trash bag definitely comes in handy to help slide into car seats.

I'm just using a pillow between my legs so I can sleep on my side.

When I switch to my back I put the pillow along-side my operated side.

I don't know why but it feels comfortable.

Sleeping was very hard the first few days but I am now sleeping

through the night fairly comfortably.

I used a walker once in the hospital but then they got me on crutches

because I have some steps at home. The armpit pads look cool but are

really unnecessary since you shouldn't be putting weight on your

armpits - you want to have good padding on the handgrips because

that's where you should be carrying the weight.

Dr. Gross insists on patients using a raised toilet seat or commode.

I was lucky enough to have inherited one. It required minor

customization to fit over our toilet.

Make sure to get your prescription for pain medication filled before

you leave the hospital. My wife got mine filled the day before

discharge. You may need it for the ride home. Our ride was 8 hours -

it definitely helped to have some pain medication.

Your recliner will be your best friend for the week after surgery (he

says typing this with laptop in lap and seated in the recliner).

I'm walking pretty well with crutches, still shaky without - I take a

few steps.

Dr. Gross doesn't use staples and the hospital supplied us with a neat

waterproof bandage I could use to shower. I have had a shower every

day since the day before being released from the hospital. He uses

some kind of glue combined with little tape strips. He said they will

just fall off in time. I have to use the waterproof bandage when I

shower for the first ten days.

Best of luck to you, drop me a line if I can answer any other

questions for you.

RC2K Dr. Gross 3/24/04

> Hi Gang,

> 12 days away...and I need to start collecting what I'll need

> for surviving for the weeks after surgery. Here's what I have so

far:

> EXTRA TEDS.

> A PLASTIC TRASH BAG TO SLIDE MY BUTT ON WHILE GETTING IN AND OUT OF

> THE CAR.

> A BLANKET THAT IS ROLLED UP AND DUCT TAPED TO PUT BETWEEN MY LEGS

SO

> I CAN SLEEP ON MY NON CUT SIDE,(after a week or two?)

> CRUTCHES WITH THE COOL ARM PIT PADS.

>

> Do I need a toilet seat booster? And how about the ride home, will

I

> be sitting on my incision? I have a volvo wagon (sits low but rides

> smooth) and a New Nissan pickup (sits higher but rides bumpier).

Any

> tips on gettting the left (operated) leg in and out of the car?

> (passenger side). I have a groovy recliner, but will I be able to

> sit?

>

> Any time table experience is appreciated as well.

> Chris

April 3, 2004

If yours is the left hip, you could probably drive at week 3 or 4. I

think the real issue is ease of exit if you needed to do so in a

hurry. My stitches (17 staples actually) were removed by the nurse

from the VNA who came by once a week to draw blood. She also changed

the dressing. The hospital arranged for the VNA support in advance.

After two weeks I was " discharged " by the VNA, as their work was

complete.

Thereafter, I went for two more weekly visits to my own GP lab for

blood work. This is to monitor the effect of the blood thinners. I

was also low on hemoglobin upon hospital discharge and was told I

needed 2 units of blood. I declined, so I had to have tests to

monitor the hemoglobin recovery as well. I didn't have time to " bank "

any blood before the surgery, as I was a last minute sub for a

cancellation. But I didn't need any units during surgery anyway.

I found that going back to work at week three, I needed a nap when I

came home. So keep that in mind as you contemplate 90 minutes behind

the wheel after a day at the office. Otherwise, it's a good time to

catch up on infomercials and crosswords.

Fred

Rt C+ Mont 2/26/04

> > > Hi Gang,

> > > 12 days away...and I need to start collecting what I'll

> need

> > > for surviving for the weeks after surgery. Here's what I have

so

> > far:

> > > EXTRA TEDS.

> > > A PLASTIC TRASH BAG TO SLIDE MY BUTT ON WHILE GETTING IN AND

OUT

> OF

> > > THE CAR.

> > > A BLANKET THAT IS ROLLED UP AND DUCT TAPED TO PUT BETWEEN MY

> LEGS

> > SO

> > > I CAN SLEEP ON MY NON CUT SIDE,(after a week or two?)

> > > CRUTCHES WITH THE COOL ARM PIT PADS.

> > >

> > > Do I need a toilet seat booster? And how about the ride home,

> will

> > I

> > > be sitting on my incision? I have a volvo wagon (sits low but

> rides

> > > smooth) and a New Nissan pickup (sits higher but rides

bumpier).

> > Any

> > > tips on gettting the left (operated) leg in and out of the car?

> > > (passenger side). I have a groovy recliner, but will I be able

> to

> > > sit?

> > >

> > > Any time table experience is appreciated as well.

> > > Chris

April 3, 2004

Hi

I was able to drive about about 22 days with an automatic........... in

fact it wasn't all that much different from the past as I hadn't been able

to use the operated leg to drive with anyway............

I don't think it has anything to do with sitting rather I think the driving

thing may either be a restriction from individual doctors and/or something

to do with insurance depending on which leg you have without a problem to

actually drive the car........ I cannot imagine it is much fun lifting the

newly operated leg up and down to drive in traffic and I think there are

some posts in the archives from people who got a bit of pain from

trying......... You may have to consider a lift from a mate or such like to

ease the burden for a few weeks. And I imagine anyone can take out the

staples........ mine were taken out by a nurse in the Rehab hospital.

Edith LBHR Dr. L Walter Syd Aust.........

> Thanks for the reply. I'm concerned about not being able to

> drive at 6 weeks. I have a 50 minute commute (automatic tanny) and

> hoped to be back at work (desk duty) by the three week point. Why do

> we have to wait so long to drive? Is it the act of sitting, or the

> possiblility of a wreck?

> And can anyone tell me if you had your staples/stitches removed

> by your local Dr., or am I going to have to drive back up to JRI for

> that. It's only 1-1/2 hour drive for me, but I'd rather stay local

> it possible.

> Chris

April 3, 2004

Hey Chris!

My time frame would be different from yours due to differences in docs and

travel- but hopefully not too different. For me it seemed to go quite well. My

surgery was on Sept 11, 2002. I left Ghent on the 19th. It was about an hour

taxi ride to Brussels- very comfortable- no problems. Weird airline

circumstances made me miss my flight back to the US the same day and I stayed

the night in Brussels (courtesy of the airline). Depart from Brussels on the

20th for a 9 hour flight to Boston. ( Again very comfortable- upgraded to first

class as a result of the airline mix up on the 19th). Overnighted in

Boston-rode the subway from the airport to the Back Bay district- stayed in a

very nice historical B&B. Did some sight seeing the next day- including their

famous " duck tour " . (A ride through the Boston city streets in a WWII

amphibious vehicle painted a decidedly screaming bright purple, and then into

the river for a dunk.) Quite comfortable and often hilarious. Then on

to the airport and another very long flight home to Spokane, WA. (Celebrated

being home with a bicycle ride (short) to enjoy emergence of fall color- felt

great- no problems)

I returned- drove to work- on October 1. (very well received- great to be back)

I work as a dental hygienist- Up down, take x-rays, awkward positions performing

dental hygiene functions on patients of various shapes and sizes. (Fairly

comfortable, often hilarious). Also returned to the gym at this point- began

weight training and low impact aerobics, then quickly on to kick boxing. (Quite

comfortable, often hilarious).

Minor aches and pains. Did have use of a raised toilet seat- made things

comfortable. Sitting is generally no problem, but they do want you to abide by

the 90 degree rule for a while. (Koen told me 6 weeks). Traded said toilet

seat to another Belgium resurfer for a box of chocolates during period of severe

Belgium chocolate withdrawal. (Remember- addictions are terrible things).

Do remember elation at finally sleeping comfortably on operated side at about 6

weeks. Prior to that I did have a lovely foam contoured pillow that would

cradle and elevate my operated leg. Or I could slip it between my legs for sleep

on unoperated side. I removed my stitches myself- thought the trip back to

Ghent would be a little long for such a short procedure- although tempted. I

only had about 6 basting stitches- the rest were internal and absorbed. Another

great moment was being able to finally put on my own socks and shoes in a normal

manner- also at 6 weeks. Prior to the 6 week mark it was not very easily

accomplished -uncomfortable and definitely hilarious.

It is a great trip back to a normal life. Just got back from climbing. ahhh

the season returns to Spokane. Two new routes today- redpoint- ouch- 5.10B and

5.10C.

It was- and is- a great journey. Best of luck and

Kind Regards,

Rock climbin' Jude

LBHR De Smet 09/11/02

Digging in, and such....

Hi Gang,

12 days away...and I need to start collecting what I'll need

for surviving for the weeks after surgery. Here's what I have so far:

EXTRA TEDS.

A PLASTIC TRASH BAG TO SLIDE MY BUTT ON WHILE GETTING IN AND OUT OF

THE CAR.

A BLANKET THAT IS ROLLED UP AND DUCT TAPED TO PUT BETWEEN MY LEGS SO

I CAN SLEEP ON MY NON CUT SIDE,(after a week or two?)

CRUTCHES WITH THE COOL ARM PIT PADS.

Do I need a toilet seat booster? And how about the ride home, will I

be sitting on my incision? I have a volvo wagon (sits low but rides

smooth) and a New Nissan pickup (sits higher but rides bumpier). Any

tips on gettting the left (operated) leg in and out of the car?

(passenger side). I have a groovy recliner, but will I be able to

sit?

Any time table experience is appreciated as well.

Chris

April 4, 2004

Another problem I discovered w/ driving (I had to drive 4 hours into Chicago

for all my post-op visits) is the tendency to lean forward more than one

should. Whether it's turning on the radio, or looking to see if traffic is

clear, or reading a far away sign, we lean in much more than we conciously

realize. The same seems to be true for me and typing on the computer...

Hope this helps!

--M

Re: Re: Digging in, and such....