7 Days and counting to op

[MarilynRS]

 :)     Early recovery time-frames, especially for simultaneous bilateral folks....

Hi all -- I would like to do a little informal survey about recovery and recovery times --  from surgery through the "I think I've been hit by a truck phase" and "my goodness, how can my legs, thighs, behind, etc possibly be twice as large as normal? swelling phase" of recovery, up to "I can walk around pretty well now with my two crutches/canes phase." 

I am planning to fly to South Carolina, and become a bilateral Gross hippy.  However, from my small town in Oregon to Columbia, SC appears to be a minimum flight experience of 11.5 or 12 hrs, to far more hours.  I'm also looking at whatever other airports might be near to Columbia, but you get the idea...  with getting to the airport early, and the final drive to my house, it will end up being a very, very long day to get home. 

Because of this, I have decided I would like to stay at least a week, maybe 10 days, in SC post-surgery.  I'm just wondering if I would better plan more days?  How many?  I've been scrutinizing the recovery stories and I just thought maybe it would be helpful not just to me, but to others traveling, to have a reality check on what it would be like to travel from day 2 or 3 post-op all the way up to 15 days or so that seems to be common if US people go to Belgium, India, etc -- also with long travel times.  Maybe a little poll?

I've read lots of great single side recoveries, not as many simultaneous bilaterals, but it would seem all experiences would be helpful.  Please post the good, the bad, and the ugly.  (And how does one deal with non-raised public toilets anyway?  just wondering!)

Thanks for all help.  I'm scheduled for mid-July and need to dial in my flight dates.  Thanks,  Marilyn
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[Pat Walter]

Hi Marilyn

Everyone has a different recovery - whether one hip or bilateral. There is no real standard.  I stayed in Belgium for 9 days after surgery before I flew 8 hours home. I only had one hip done.  The bilats stay a bit longer.  I think you would be wise to stay the extra week or so before flying home.  I would ask Lee Webb what she suggests.  The Residence Inn and facilities in Columbia are very nice.  Always ask the important questions of your doctor.  Good to get info right from the expeirenced surgeons.

I have hundreds of personal stories posted on the main website under the Hip Stories http://www.surfacehippy.info/hipstories.php  There are a lot of bilateral stories.  Some are very detailed.  It would be a good investment of time for you to spend an evening or two reading the stories.  You will be much better prepared for your surgery.  I know you will get replies from folks here, but I like to remind people about the hundreds of stories that are also posted.

Good Luck.

Pat

[Debbie]

We haven't heard from some of you who just had the single side done.  I hope you are doing well.  I am six days post surgery and feeling better.  I had a rough 18 hours due to H and H blood levels and alergies to pain meds.  They were trying to get me up out of bed, but I was so lightheaded that I could not go anywhere.  I ended up passing out in the restroom about 22 hours after my surgery, but luckily I knew it was coming and they were able to lower me to the floor in a decent position and they do not think it did anything to the new hip since I have had little pain.  As a result of my blood issues, I had to have a transfusion.  I was not thrilled and did not really want to do it, but my blood levels were not coming up on their own.
Within twelve hours of finishing the transfusion, I was up out of bed walking around with the walker and feeling much better.  I live in an upstairs condo, so I had to be able to do stairs in the hospital before they would release me.  I could do as many stairs as I wanted to by 72 hours after surgery, so I got to go home. YEAH!
My issues now are two:
1.  I am taking very little pain medication due to allergies and nausea, but I also don't have much pain.  My PT says most people would still be taking more at least for the discomfort.  I have trouble sitting comfortably for long and I have trouble laying down for long without discomfort in my lower back and incision area.  Any suggestions?????
2.  I am experiencing some "clunking" when I do heal slides or try to raise my leg off of the ground in a marching motion.  Even when I lean over my crutches and relax to look in the refrigerator it clunks some.  Dr. Ball said that some people do experience clunking but most seem to go away in two to three months.  He thinks patients may just get used to it vs. it actually going away.  He was very happy with the placement of my Wright device.  Any ideas????

[Pat Walter]

Hi Debbie

They had me put a pile of pillows under my legs when I was laying on my back in Belgium after my surgery.  It helps with the back pain and also is good to keep your "nose above your toes" to keep blood from clotting in your legs.  I did not wear TEDS when I had my legs proped up.  Also about 5 days post op I was able to start to lay on my unoperated side with a pillow between my legs.  I did a lot of sleeping and napping in my lazy boy recliner too. That seemed to feel a lot better in  when I finally got home from Blegium.

I had a whole lot of clunking.  Dr. De SMet said it was from lose muscles around the new hip. It was very obvious for along time, then gradually went away.  I will still get it now and then 3 years post op - but very seldom.

So don't worry about it now.  It feels strange, but just think of it as your new hip talking to you.

Many people don't need strong meds after surgery.  I only took Advil after leaving the hospital for the incision tenderness.  I had no major pain.

Sorry to hear about your other problems. Sounds like you are on the mend now.  Be patient and you will soon be enjoying that new hip.

Good Luck.

Pat