Re: 3 weeks post resurfacing, and calcium

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I'm back after a week off in Mexico with hubby to celebrate my 5th great week

post-op. The sun, sand and water was just what the doctor ordered (except he

didn't know about it because I flew under the radar, fearing he'd advise me to

stay in my La-Z-Boy). Anyway, my recovery is going so splendidly I've just

barrelled ahead with life in general. At just over 6 weeks I'm now walking

mostly without a cane, feeling very strong and stable. Am doing tons of rehab

exercises, including pool and gym almost daily. I credit my wonderful physio

who started working with me on day 4, insisting I squeeze my butt muscles

( " squeeze! squeeze! " ) when all I wanted to do was drag my sorry butt back to

bed. I'm so glad he pushed me. My theory (and this goes for pre-op): strong

muscles, especially core ones, are the best medicine.

But enough about me. Em, I'm intrigued by what you say about an " influx of

money. " Is this true? I've heard that our Vancouver General doctors are trying

to put through as many resurf patients as they can, but they can't keep pace

with the growing wait lists (in part, thanks to glowing word of mouth on

resurfs,

such as ours.) Who is your White Rock surgeon, and how long is his list? If he's

doing any kind of decent volume, I'd love to pass this info along to some of the

desperate people I know who are languishing on long lists.

n: I went off calcium before surgery but my doc (Masri) sent me home

from hospital with orders to start taking it immediately. I'm small boned, and I

guess the bearing pin isn't much bigger than my femoral neck. To make things

dicier, I'm lactose intolerant. The good news: At 51 I'm not yet in menopause

and my bone density is good, maybe thanks to taking calcium and eating soy,

sardines, etc, for many years. Question is, why didn't Masri seem at all

concerned about bone over-growth? Are other docs as concerned as McMinn?

Of course they all have their own style of practice (Masri and the VGH gang

also don't bother with TEDS, and the physiotherapists I've talked with agree

they're unnecessary for youngish, active, normal-weight people). On the other

hand, the VGH docs are totally shower-phobic. No water on/around incision

until after the staples come out; waterproof bandage a no-no.

a

> My hubby underwent BH resurfacing Wed. March 10 in White Rock BC

> Canada. He had to stand on the OR day, although he doesn't remember

> much about it, and was discharged on Saturday morning. He has hardly

> needed a pain pill from about day 2. Although he still has to use at

> least one crutch he is improving daily and is getting bored with the

> (enforced) inactivity. Physio started this week. Because he is a

> strong man, they are focusing on flexibility and realignment. He has

> limped and hobbled for so many years he needs to learn how to walk

> upright and straight. There was an influx of money from somewhere

> for this procedure so he and many others had their surgeries months

> ahead of when they previously expected it. I am grateful for this

> group - you have given me information I would not have otherwise

> received. Em