Bilateral story

[Dan L]

Day 4 post 2nd bhr, mostly managing pain (ice, meds) and doing the exercises.  Day 1 was rough for first 12 hours after surgery, toradol finally got me down into an expected range of post op pain, the same thing happened last time.  Day 2 was remarkably good, pain med only every 6 hours, with zanaflex when needed.  Day 3 wasn't as good, started PT exercises which added to the pain, but the pain was managed well by the staff, including a final dose of toradol before I got in the car.  Crashed with the sleep of the dead for a couple hours when I got home, and overall got about 7 hours (in 3-4 chunks one as long at 3.5 hours) of sleep over night.

Longer incision, seems like a lot less swelling/bruising so far.  First full day home.  Zero appetite and HooverDam dynamic, despite pre surgery diet modifications and colace for more than a week before.  It feels like swelling is the culprit with the digestive issue, versus just the pain meds, but I could be wrong

Hip repaired in Oct is doing well, able to support myself on that leg when needed with no apparent issues.

Dr. Brooks provided his customary xray film of the now 2 implants, which almost blew into Lake Erie when my wife went to get the car during discharge, during strong winds from a storm which passed through yesterday.  It survived mostly intact, with a section that actually blew over the building, a small bit of one implant is missing from what is left. 

[Biscuit]

Great news, Dan, Dozer and I were thinking about you all week!  The storm yesterday was crazy, wasn't it??

Keep the updates on your second recovery coming - Dozer is looking forward to his second already (10 weeks away - Yay!).  He started back to work this week, half-days, and is anxiously awaiting driving privileges.

[hernanu]

I'm glad it's easier than last time, Dan - you sound like you're making good progress.

[Kiwi]

Good work Dan. All down hill from here!! You'll feel more balanced soon enough I'm sure.
Keep it going and remember to look forward to all the good stuff in the VERY near future!!

[Dan L]

One week out from my 2nd bhr, doing about as expected.  Some things seem a bit easier.

Have had a couple really good days out of the first 7, where I needed less meds and getting around the house was less difficult.  Sat outside in the sun yesterday and Saturday, which was a great morale boost.  Swelling of thigh and pelvic region about as bad as last time, and bruising now starting to spread downward and outward, but so far less than the first surgery in Oct 2011. Seeing the "black" of black and blue in and around pelvis, really dark bruising, and in areas one would rather not see such bruising.

Sleep has been better than last time, so far less urgent wakeups to pee, but swelling has not reached peak yet.  Getting a few hours at a time, at best, but able to fall back to sleep pretty easily.  Tylenol at night primarily, to alleviate digestive slowdown, seems to have helped that alot while providing sufficient pain control while laying down.

Hip repaired last year started to complain yesterday, after being up a bit to long making dinner, and that pain added to the one fixed last week, is slightly overwhelming (last time the good hip was injected 1 month prior to bhr and was pain-free for months during recovery).  Pain meds and ice continue to help during the day, taking less than last time.  Doing all exercises 3x per day, up to 30 reps (as pain allows) for each one: can see ROM improvements daily.

Overall positive so far, but realize the grind of recovery is just starting, so guardedly optimistic at this time.

[hernanu]

Keep it up, Dan - you and I know it's not easy, but it pays off. Sounds like you're doing well, just need to get through it.

[Dan L]

Thx Hern, you are absolutely right, only 358 days to zero restrictions and 5 weeks to walking/driving, keeping my eyes on the horizon as much as possible.

Thx again my friend.

[Two4One]

Great Job, Dan! 

You may need to watch doing a bit much too soon and not allowing inflammation to dissipate; that was a big part of my struggle in the first 2 weeks of recovery.  It also took about 2 weeks to get rid of my legs swelling up like overstuffed sausages bursting through their casings. 

You have a great attitude, and now both hips are done!!  Keep up the good work.

2fer

[Aerial]

Sending you good wishes for a speedy recovery.  Your at that magical 7-10 day mark where things will start to improve quickly!

[Dan L]

Two4 and Ariel,

Thanks very much, day to day pain management now, and good/bad days.  Right in the 7-10 day spot now.  We'll see how it goes.

Dan

[Dan L]

Now 2 weeks out on 2nd BHR and doing very, very well.  Was able to get rid of the pump and calf stockings today (for DVT prevention) and got a clean bill of health on the ultrasound of lower extremities this morning (no blood clots).  With risk of jinxing, lots less bruising this time (only down to just below knee, and side/back of that leg), more/easier flexibility, can kind of do socks on the new BHR leg if sitting on the side of the tub, and overall much less pain and stiffness, so far anyways.  Sleep has been much better with this one, even while tethered to the dvt prevention pump; it should get much better now that the pump is history.  I can sleep on the 10/2011 BHR side for short times, which is a god send because I'm not a back sleeper, can't lie on operated side for more than a couple minutes.  Started the additional standing BHR exercises today.  Eight hour OTC tylenol at night, and zanaflex for muscle stiffness, and very minimal pain meds past 48 hours.

Now just the battle with patience to allow healing, boredom, and continued tempering of enthusiasm to assure I do not do too much, and have a setback.  The 10/2011 BHR is a bit painful at the end of the day after hauling me up and down the stairs and around the house all day.

50 weeks away from no restrictions at all, 4 weeks away from driving and walking without crutches.

[hernanu]

Sounds really good, Dan - the soreness is good, you're asking more from that, I found that it made that side much stronger for me in the long run. I have to exercise the last side more just to keep up.

[Dan L]

Thx Hern, appreciate the support.

Question, how long did it take for each hip to be "even" with each other, mine are roughly the same amount of time between as yours (about 4.5 months etc)? 

Thanks again

[Two4One]

Hi Dan,

The hips are not even pain wise at 11.28 weeks post op.  My R Hip is the worst at a 4-5, and the L hip's 2 is on easy street.  Mainly, I believe my 2 1/2 hours of driving most days of the business week is keeping the R Hip inflamed.  Yesterday morning, I started icing again.  Brrr! :P

When I have a chance to drive less on weekends, thankfully, my R Hip calms to a 4.

Two4

[hernanu]

Thx Hern, appreciate the support.

Question, how long did it take for each hip to be "even" with each other, mine are roughly the same amount of time between as yours (about 4.5 months etc)? 

Thanks again

Dan, the two sides are still not equal, but extremely functional. I noticed that, I went to my old house to remove about 28 containers filled with books, vynil records and miscellaneous stuff (punching bag, etc), all of course heavy.

I ran them up from the basement using a narrow stairway with a landing, took me about two hours (with several rests). Both hips got tired, my right (last) was feeling it pretty much every time I went up, much more towards the end, the left was fine until the last ten or so, when it started getting sore.

I don't remember how I felt before the OA, since I moved more than a few times, but I think I was sore then. I'm so sensitized to my hips now, I have to tell myself that it is normal to be sore after working like that. I of course unloaded them at my place, but I had a cart to use which made it easier.

After six hours or so of moving and arranging heavy boxes, I was sore, but not just in the hips. I took a shower, went out to meet some friends and realized that being tired and a bit sore was normal. My hips were fine and actually less sore than some other parts of me (that's right - I'm talking to you, feet!!!).

Guess my point is that fully strengthening everything evenly is taking me longer, but both of my hips are more than strong enough to be fully functional and then some.

[Two4One]

Wow!  Nanu, you are a big strong He - Man!  I'd say your

hips are more than strong enough to be fully functional and then some.

!

'One

[hernanu]

It is nice to be getting back to doing the usual stupid stuff I did before. I still got a bit more sore on the last hip, but no lasting soreness, it was pretty much gone the next day.

(chuckle - big strong he man...  ::) )

[Dan L]

Now 4 weeks out from my second BHR, and doing very well.  Pain is minimal, stiffness and such when arising from seated position, which is also normal.  This one feels at least a couple weeks ahead of the first one in terms of recovery, and working hard to stay patient and stay on the crutches for 2 more weeks.  There are days when the discomfort in the BHR from 10/2011 is equal to this one, which is to say, mostly minimal.  Started back to work from home this week, a week ahead of last time.

Got out in the yard yesterday and raked up around a flower bed, which was "interesting" to do with one crutch, but was nice to be able to do just the same. 

Have also lost some weight since prior to the surgery, which after adjusting for the 2.4 pounds of implants, is about 5+ pounds lost, presumably due to the loss of appetite for the first few weeks after surgery.  Still seems weird since I'm forced to be mostly sedentary while on crutches.

Very, very happy I got this done, and looking forward to many good years to come on these hips.   

[Two4One]

Alright, DAN!!!!
Weight loss is weight loss, so keep up the good work.  It looks like you've got the ratio of work and rest down, and I'm soooo pleased for you!

2-4

P.S.  I finally pulled a half pound off.  Measly, I know, but I'm not changing my stats until I reach 163, which should happen soon due to loss of appetite.  I tell you what - I'll take any weight loss any way I can get it.  ;)

[Boomer]

Dan,

I'm a bit late with my congratulations to you for having the second hip taken care of. it must feel wonderful to finally have the surgical part of the experience behind you once and for all. Wow! Now you get to put all of your effort into your reccovery. Outstanding.

Congrats on the weight loss as well. Walking with crutches is not easy. Your building upper body strength and burning calories every time you head off on the crutches. Keep moving. It's all good now.

Boomer