One down. One to go w. Dr. Gross

[Pat Walter]

Hi

Relax, you just had surgery.  You can't expect a leg that was just operated on to do very much for you.  Each hip and each leg will act differently.  Almost all surgeons will tell you if you had a quick recovery with one hip, it does not mean the second will be the same.  None seem to have a reason for it, but each hip operation has a life of it's own.

Try not to be too worried - you just can't go dancing yet.  Relax and take it easy.  Many people have a leg that is just like a big stump that won't do anything for them for awhile.

Good Luck.

Pat

[ScubaDuck]

Hang in there MG.  I worked out right up to surgery too.  But muscles are cut, twisted, stretched, pulled, tweaked, pushed, etc.  It takes awhile for them to get back to normal.

I recall being shocked at how weak my hip flexor was.  And there was definitely pain with certain motions.

Keep ahead of the pain and do your exercises is the only advice I can give.  And drink lots of water.  And feed yourself healing foods.  And...

Best wishes.

Dan

[hernanu]

 :) ...... Amy, you just had bilateral surgery. Take it easy, let things happen for a bit. We are all type A's here it seems so patience is a (2 X 4) letter word, but is required here.

Don't be down - you'll see the progress soon, but as I'm sure you've heard: This is not a sprint. Work with your hips to heal and you'll be fine. The payoff is that any discomfort / pain / I can't do what I want to... is not accompanied with OA and there is no OA pain in that joint in the future.

I think you're doing fine, and I do admire you doing both.

[einreb]

so I'm not sure why I'm having such trouble.

The perception that folks are walking around pain free day one are false... don't compare your progress with anyone else.  its your own path.

You just had ridiculously major surgery and your body is gonna freak for a few weeks.  The next few days will be particularly tough.  Things getting rewired, getting strength back, etc.  Certain muscles are going to be phenomenally weak and almost useless (abductors).  Gain by yielding!

Bernie

[Woodstock Hippy]

As everyone has already said, for right now just relax and take it easy.  This is going to feel like a miracle in a short time.  Until then, you might have some rough patches that you have to roll through.  Right now it might seem tough, but it will smooth out real soon.

[Hippyliz]

Amy, give yourself (and Dr. Gross) a break! You have just experienced significant physical trauma! Get yourself in survival mode and just move forward to the next meal. One of my best friends is a physician who specializes in healing, and she is always telling me that soreness and mild depression are the body's way of telling you that you need to REST!! This is indeed a "rough path" and it sucks that you have to go through this. We are thinking of you!
Liz

[mountaingoat]

I appreciate all the thoughtful responses.

I know that this is major surgery and I just need to take it easy for a while. I guess I just wasn't prepared for how much discomfort I would be having in the first week. I cried this morning when I tried to get out of bed because I was so frustrated when my legs kept giving out on me. This has been humbling for me is for sure.

I've already been through 2 hip surgeries (scopes) which weren't a lot of fun to recover from either. But the big difference with those was that the stakes weren't quite as high....in this instance, I have to worry about fracture or dislocation which is a lot bigger of a deal than re-tearing an arthroscopic repair.

I know I'm going to go a little bit crazy in the next few months without any form of cardiovascular exercise. I'm usually an almost daily exerciser so this is going to be a big part of the challenge. I know that I need to view it all from the perspective of long-term benefit vs. short-term discomfort.

I'll be discharged tomorrow and then I fly out on Saturday back to Colorado. That plane ride is going to be so brutal but I cannot wait to get back to see my daughter so I'll just have to deal with it!  ;)

[John C]

Hi Mountaingoat,
Even though I had only one hip done, I certainly can relate to your frustration with a leg that is not ready to work yet. I remember having to lasso my foot with the leg lifter, and lift it in and out of bed. Before too long, your legs will let you know that they are ready to start working for you again, just don't rush them.
Assuming that you check with Dr Gross to be sure that it is okay in your case, I think that I have good news for you. You mentioned not being able to do cardio workouts for a few months, but I am not sure that you will actually have to deal with that. Within the first month or so, you will probably be cleared to get in the pool, and that will allow for some great cardio workouts. That was a real high point for me, and I would try to go for a workout in the pool almost every day. With swimming, water running, and other exercises, you can get a great, and varied, cardio workout to rival any other. For us cardio addicts, it is a wonderful thing for you to look forward to.

[WTW15]

Hang in there Amy - you are so "fresh" - you will get  a little bit better every day - just stay on the meds and let the nurses and family HELP YOU!!!  Take little strides each day and you'll be amazed where you are in a week. 

Will you fly in to DIA?  Do you know when?  Just throwing it out there that maybe a short cup of coffee meeting???  Boomer is in Arvada, I'm near Golden and Alex is in the area too - depending on when you head back this way and how everyone is doing, maybe a pow-wow would be in order ;-)  We all take so much strength from this group - it's wonderful to know that it will get better!!!   

{{{HUGS}}}} 

[imgetinold]

Amy,

Most folks here, myself included, were daily exercisers.  And yes--for me at least--that is the hardest part of recovery.  But as for discomfort:  in a week you'll be so much better, and in two you won't believe it.

Just stay on top of the pain meds early on and ice, ice, ice.  You'll be off them before you know it.

Andy

[Two4One]

Greetings AmyGoat!

One week, the first week, you'll need a significant other to swing your legs in and out of bed.  You will also need to be 'wiped down' after your bathroom breaks and a spotter when you shower.  That and immobility is the worst of it. 

If you stay on top of your pain medications, along with an anti nausea medication your surgeon prefers, you can stay out of pain for the most part.  (My case is quite unusual, and I've had my pain medication, before and after surgery, managed and now am being weaned off narcotics by a Pain Management Doctor.  My opinion is to be open and honest with your surgeon, and he/she will likely be responsive to any pain needs you may have.)

The best of the first week is doing your bed PT and Chair Time with a passion!  I promise you'll feel and have a real sense of accomplishment when you are able to swing your own legs, one at a time with the 'Foot Noose', in and out of bed.  You'll feel your arms and upper body get stronger. 

My very best advice is threefold:  get an adult sippy cup, sold at Meijers, Walmart, or any Big Box Store, that is a Water Thermos and drink from it constantly!  That will force you to go to the bathroom practically every five minutes, you'll get some cardio by doing an extra lap with your walker through the house each potty break, and you will flush out the 10+ lbs of water weight they pumped into you in the hospital.  Secondly, take advantage of any people your insurance pays to come work for and with you.  You'll be less depressed and have a professional there every step of the way.  You will love your In Home R.N., PT, and OT, guaranteed!!  Last, but not least, have someone go to a medical supply store get some inexpensive wheels for the front legs of your walker so you you scoot with the best of 'em!

Godspeed/The Universe/Best Wishing you a recovery full of unexpected delights.

2fer