Becoming bilateral for Christmas

[Juno]

Thanks for reading, responding, and commiserating! It helps. :)

Anna -- good to see you in the board. How are you doing? How far along are you now? I hope it's all going well.

[REM]

Happy to see every one is progressing. This past Friday was four weeks for my first hip. My grandchildren spent the night Thursday and Friday morning as I was walking around the house my six year old grandaughter had this remark. Pop, you don't walk like this anymore (as she mimicked my old walk). Made me feel everything was worth it.

Richard

[Munch]

Anna, thanks for the thought!  Juno, glad you're back on track.

Richard, that's great to hear of your 4 week accomplishments ...best walk since before surgery, eh?  I've had a progressively worse limp for over 10 years, long enough that myn14 year old son has ever seen me walk without one.  Hopefully in a few weeks I'll hear someing like what you just heard.

Not there yet though, if I try to walk without crutches I look like a slow and unsteady penguin right now. With my 2 crutches though, I'm happy to say that yesterday I walked a half mile (10 days post op bilateral) and today a bit further.  I don't want to overdo it but feel like I should be able to walk a mile pretty soon.  And no narcotics since one week post op. 
I hope these updates might help others looking ahead to what a bilateral recovery might be like..and they'll be good for me to look back on when i write up my whole recovery timeline.   

[Anna]

I'm 4 1/2 months now Juno. I'm doing pretty well. Everyday tasks are fine now apart from my ROM is still not great. I strain to put my socks on but I'm getting there. I can walk for miles which is great but my hip doesn't seem to be warming to my bike much. I went out yesterday and I'm just getting pain after a few miles. Guess I need to rest a bit more and not push it too much!

[REM]

Munch, I meant to respond to you earlier. Since we are both recent bi lateral by the same Dr.
I don't know if it made a different in my recovery but I never used crutches. I had two walkers, one without wheels and one with 4" wheels a seat and brakes. I found for outside walks the wheeled walker was much easier then crutches. Also with the seat I could put stuff on it and move it in the house if I needed to.  Also I had an electric lift chair that I used. It was great to sleep in and made it easy to get up. Today is 4 weeks since my right hip. I am progressing so well, somedays I think I am dreaming. The weather in  South Carolina is so mild right now it is great for getting outside and walking.
Richard

[Munch]

Hi Richard,  thanks for the post.  I can see how a walker with wheels could be nice. I went to the grocery store yesterday and walking while holding the shopping cart felt very fluid vs jerking one crutch with opposite foot and the the other..but I am getting more fluid on the crutches so will likely stay with what I've got. And boy do I look forward to being as far past surgery as you are!

Best,  Charlie

[Juno]

Well, post op three weeks today! Happy New Year to all :)

I've noticed how much easier this second surgery has been for me. I think it has to do with knowing what to expect an also to decreasing my expectations! I've been kinder to my body this time and it has paid off. I transitioned from one crutch to the cane 5 days ago and haven't looked back. I'm walking around the house with no cane and no limp. When I go outside for my longer walks I use the cane. Very little muscle pain and ROM is coming back quicker this time. Sleeping well and while I'm still not turning onto the operated side, I'll be able to do that soon enough. I'm off work for two more weeks and confident ill be feeling increasingly stronger by then.

So, all in all--- good news!

[Miguelito]

Glad to hear things are going well! It is nice to read an upbeat post. As I will soon be having my second hip done (and am not looking forward to it, unlike with the first) your post came at the right time.

Happy New Year!

Mike