Who was really scared to have surgery ...

[bothdone]

hipnhop

Very best wishes for your surgery.  I hope everything goes well for you.

Ed

[jjmclain]

Good Luck HipnHop! Hopefully we will both be back to training for Ironmans soon! I used Dr. Andy Engh of Anderson Orthopedics in Virginia for my surgery. First class all the way! Sounds like you now have a better situation with an experienced surgeon assisting.

[hernanu]

I was scared the first time, but hopeful. The worst part was driving up to the hospital, but another part of me was really excited to get rid of the pain and lack of activity in my life. I relaxed as the staff got a hold of me; they were so patient and friendly. I started cracking bad jokes, hitting rock bottom when the poor guy who came in to shave my leg for the procedure got asked (by me) if it was going to be a Brazilian cut. Suffice it to say my family members in with me were seriously embarrassed. I blame it on the IV drugs I was getting, but all agree that I would have done it anyways.

The second time around, the only thing I was really worried about is that it wouldn't go as well as the first. It did, and both times were excellent. The first time, I was out as soon as they started to wheel me to the operating room, the second time I actually saw the operating room and then passed out. Both times, I woke up in good shape and good humor, no pain and the staff making sure I knew everything went well.

Hipnhop - sounds like you got the best situation out of the circumstances, a well experience surgeon, in his hospital with his staff. Good luck, it sounds like you're well covered.

[chris finn]

the poor guy who came in to shave my leg for the procedure

Ive got virtually no hair on that part of my leg...and Im a hairy person....what are you??...a gorilla??  ;) ;D

[hernanu]

Ha!  ;D I have almost no hair there either, I didn't get shaved the second time around, just thought it was typical. I've got native american blood in me, so a lot less hairy than most.

[hipnhop]

Im in trouble. I'm like a Wooly Mammoth. Think I will shave with clippers tonight. Dont want the razor itch.

[Gino]

I had my right BHR end of June '10 and the left end of October '10. I knew I had to go thru with it, the pain was very bad and my ability to move was very restricted, but having never had surgery before I was very apprehensive about it, espeically the spinal part. The idea of someone jabbing a needle into my back (I have bum discs L4-5) gave me the heebie-jeebies. Plus when I get really emotionally torqued I get atrial fibrulation (they're not going to operate if you're in a-fib), so my doc subscribed some Xanax to take the night before to lessen my anxiety and sleep. Worked like a charm. As the time to go into the OR and get the spinal came, I just resigned myself internally to the reality and just went with it. They gave me something just before wheeling me in, probably Versed, and I barely remember bending over on the table to get the spinal. Lights out. Seemed like only moments later, lights back on, all done. The recovery, from everything I've read here, was textbook. Swelling was the most uncomfortable part. When the second one came along, it was much easier. Still took a Xanax though!!  ;) Second recovery, same as the first, maybe a bit easier.

Now, almost 9 and 5 months out respectively I almost forget I've had them done. ZERO pain. Range of motion and activity improving daily. It's life changing.

Some fear is normal. But don't let it stop you - do it!!!!

[chris finn]

A spinal!?!!?! ...screw that  :o ...I was given the option to have one but I turned it down.

[gary2010]

I think it's natural to be concerned when you have to rely on someone else for your survival and well being, especially if you are used to taking care of yourself. You need to pick personell you trust, surgeon and aneasthetist.

[Gino]

A spinal!?!!?! ...screw that  :o ...I was given the option to have one but I turned it down.

Different strokes for different folks.

[FlbrkMike]

I had an epidural for both surgeries, which numbed me from the waist down, but is not a spinal per se.  I also had general anesthesia, which means a breathing tube down the throat.

I wasn't given a choice in this but was the surgeon's and anesthesiologist's call, which is fine with me because they know a lot more about it than I do.

The epidural was left in for about 24 hours post op because it was also the entry point for the PCA.  This was a baseline plus patient controlled level of dilaudid, a narcotic pain reliever.

I didn't have any problems with the epidural, except that it also required me to have a foley catheter until 4 hours after it was removed.  Also the dilaudid caused some very annoying itching around the "private parts".  I found out "after the fact" that they could administer benadryl to help with the itching and never had any.  I also had a slight throat irritation (not enough to really complain about) from the breathing tube for a day or two.

[Tarhoo2]

I was very anxious about my first BHR, but the pain I was experiencing, along with the impact it was having on my life, far outweighed my fear of surgery. I would also say that the process at the Inova Joint Replacement Center, where my BHR's were done, was well organized and very reassuring. The first one went so well that I actually looked forward to having the second done 3-1/2 months later.

With regard to anaesthesia, I am with Chris, at least for those who don't have problems with general anaesthesia, which I don't. Before my first BHR, the anaesthesiologist tried to convince me to go with a spinal, because my head would be so much clearer when I came to in recovery. Quite honestly, I didn't really want to be "alert" after the surgery.

[Neild5]

It took a lot of effort on both my and the wife's part to get me past the anxiety of having general anesthesia.  22 years ago was the last time I had surgery and they miscalculated the dose and I stopped breathing  for 4.5 minutes while they had to do all sorts of emergency things to bring me back.  Once I got over that I am so happy that I did it and wished I had done it several years ago.

[Tarhoo2]

Obviously alot changes in 22 years. Glad you had your resurfacing and are happy. My BHR's have been life-changing for me and I couldn't be happier. Four years later, I remain very grateful for the talents of Dr. Engh and the excellent care I received from the folks at Inova's Joint Replacement Center.

[doris]

I was also terrified to have the surgery but more terrified not to!  My pain was so bad and my quality of life was going down - I really had no choice!  It's been so worth it.  When you wake up after surgery and no longer have that deep debilitating pain - it's awesome!