Hi everyone...last weekend I visited the SWLEOC (South West London Elective Orthopaedic Clinic) in Epsom as they had an Open Day for patients shortly going in for hip or knee surgery. It's a fairly new concept and it was very impressive...they took us through the pre-op place, then bypassed the operating theatre and took us to see the post op, wards and generally discussed with us the care we will receive. Once you arrive on the day of your operation you do not go back on yourself - therefore there's no cross-contamination; it's so well thought out. I'm going there tomorrow for my pre-assessment and my operation is scheduled for 2nd April. I'm just beginning to get butterflies but I know I'm going to benefit so much from the op. If anyone has any tips, recommendations etc I would appreciate hearing from you. Many thanks Jan
Jan,
Not much you can do now, you have done the important stuff like research and making sure your using a good surgeon and the hospital is of sound practice and from the description you have given, your's is good. It is natural to be nervous, you are having major surgery and with all surgery comes a risk, but remember how many people have had this procedure, over 90k...and the outcome is very good and you will be PAINFREE and you can get back to some normality, and it's worth it honest.
I found the pre-op really helpfull in the sense I was then completley satisfied I could do no more and so I gave myself over to the up comng surgery. Were all so different but I found it usefull to feel positive on the day of the surgery...I made a point of talking to everyone I came into contact with...I think they were happy in the end to get the drugs into me, but I think that helped me to wake up in a positive way in the recovery room " even though I had a slight complication".
You will be fine...keep us posted with your build up to the day and all the very best.
Terry
Dear Jan,
I had my right hip resurfaced here in Hong Kong six weeks ago ( yes we have an excellent resurfacing surgeon here too!).
I have a hospital/needle phobia so the whole build up to my surgery day was very stressful. My doctor suggested that I have a chat with the anaethetist about my fears which I dutifully did. I sat and sobbed and poured my heart out and he was very calm and reassuring and went through the whole proceedure slowly with me. It made me feel much better.
Long story short, I made it to the hospital (with the help of a Xanax!) and I am so glad I had the operation. The hip pain had gone when I woke from the operation which was like a good deep sleep.
I have now been back at work for a week ( I am a teacher). Prior to the operation I tried to build up the strength in my legs as much as I could by cycling and using the cross trainer in the gym about 40 mins in total 5x a week as I figured it would help with my recovery.
I also asked the surgeon to put me in touch with other people he had operated on recently with which he happily obliged. I communicated with them by email and again was comforted by their experiences and support.
I suggest you find out where the op scar will be and make sure you have some comfy knickers to wear afterwards that do not rub on the site. I resorted to some "Bridget Jones" style ones from M&S which fitted comfortably!
Do keep us posted on your progress. Wishing you the very best.
Debbie