At this time next week, I'll be going under at Boulder Community Hospital for LBHR with Dr. James Rector. Just had final pre-op visit yesterday, everything is tracking full speed ahead. Like so many, my anxiety continues to build. But he and his medical assistance Stacey were so positive; his parting comment was "see you next week, it'll be great!" Perhaps the most daunting thing on my mind now is the prospect of injecting myself with fragmin - Dr. Rector is very agressive in preventing blood clots - a shot a day for 20 days! Anyone share any experience with that?
This site has been most helpful in getting me to this point. To think, on Dec. 30 I didn't even know what resurfacing was, then to learn that one of the best BHR surgeons in the West is in my backyard - quite a blessing.
Now if I can just get my mind on work and other things until then...
Dr. Gross used to do that but I think he found studies that show aspirin every day is just as effective.
Post op I had to inject arixtra once a day for I think 3 weeks, it's not bad the needles are really small and sharp, really no big deal.
Chuck
Thanks, Chuck. Hoping so - I'm a bit of weinnie when it comes to things medical. BTW, where are you located? I love your Steelers profile pic; I'm from the 'Burgh myself, although have now lived longer other places (Florida, Georgia, now Colorado) than I did there, but grew up there until the age of 24. Still licking the wounds from SB loss!
I'm a week out from Dr Gross and will have a total of 12 injections. After that its aspirin.
I once fainted while getting a shot, so to say that I don't like needles would be an understatement.
Its really not that bad. The first couple times that you do it, you'll likely be a bit doped up on narcotics anyway and feeling brave. I'm off the narcotics during the day and don't think much of the daily shot. Don't get me wrong... I wont miss them.
Someone told me Dr. Gross started only aspirin, maybe they meant shots then aspirin only.
Chuck
I was supposed to self-inject Lovenox for 14 days, but my insurance wouldn't cover it. My doctor said that 12 days would be enough so I bought the 12 dose box now have 2 left. I had never given myself a shot before and was pretty hesitant the first time, but it's really no big deal.
In my first resurf I used TEDs but no anti-coagulants post discharge. The new protocol in my second resurf involved a 30-day course of oral anti-coagulants called rivaroxaban. It was approved in Canada and Europe in 2008 for blood clot prevention for hip and knee surgery patients and is currently undergoing trials for FDA approval. FYI
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rivaroxaban
Both times, I only used 325 mg aspirin for a month. No anticoagulants previous to the surgeries. TEDs of course for 5 weeks.
im on aspirin for 6 weeks after the hospital shots ..
bloody teds .. i hate the uncomfortable bloody things .. not using them now . but making sure i am keeping my legs as mobile as possible .. :-\
I got rid of my TEDs when I left the hospital. Sort of makes up for having to shoot myself up for two weeks, I guess.
Well, you could always get your spouse or significant other to give you the shots. It might give you the opportunity of finding out if they have any hidden unhappiness with you!
My doctor did aspirin only, and no teds. I'm glad about that...I don't think I would have wanted to give myself a shot. But, I'm sure it'll be easy after the first time or two. Good luck!
Dr. Gross was going to have me do 10 days of shots (a generic Lovenox equivalent), once a day then on day 11 switch to low dose aspirin, I believe it was for one month. I believe this is his standard regimen now.
Unfortunately 8 years ago I had a DVT (blood clot in my left leg) so he had me on the shots for 30 days and recommends I use aspirin forever. The HSR implants won't cause a clot, he just felt I should have been using aspirin ever since the DVT. I don't believe my primary care doc ever recommended it.
The shots aren't as bad as you think, it's a short needle and goes in easily. I don't like shots either. I was glad when they were over I think because it was just one more task to remember to do. More of a nuisance than anything.
I used to wear thigh length TEDS stockings every day on my left DVT leg only until I couldn't put them on due to my bad hips. I think I will start wearing them again soon because it does help with ankle swelling that I get when I'm on my feet for long periods.
bdoughty,
The shots aren't as bad as you think, you'll see. Good luck next week and let us know how you are doing.
Steve (newdog)
I must had my hip done on 2/23/11. I was told no more self injections, just aspirin..there might have been another drug.. Or maybe that injectable ismnow available as a pill? Not sure, but they did tell me there would not be any self injections.
Good luckmwith your surgery!
Quote from: 23109VC on February 25, 2011, 12:54:53 AM
I must had my hip done on 2/23/11. I was told no more self injections, just aspirin..there might have been another drug.. Or maybe that injectable ismnow available as a pill? Not sure, but they did tell me there would not be any self injections.
Good luckmwith your surgery!
I wonder if it depends on the individual blood workups? I just had mine a week ago and am on shots for 10 days. I'm also less active on the slow recovery path... dunno. Regardless, they will have you do what they think is best for you. :)
I had right THR on 2/3/11 and had shots for 14 day and TEDs for 14 days, going in for left THR on 3/3/11 and will have shots for 14 days and TEDs 14 days again and of course exercise 3 times a day!
Aspirin is all my doc thought was necessary. I like Bernie's idea, blood data might dictate certain anti-coagulant protocols.
Back to the subject on this - Bdoughty -hang in there! I think the pre-op anxiety was by far the worst part of this whole experience for me so far. Have a speedy recovery!
I need to change my signature - I'm 6 days post-op LBHR.
Good luck Wednesday. Be doughty bdoughty.
In 24 hours I'll be in surgery. Thanks for all the input. I picked up the injections - don't look too bad, should be able to handle. Appreciate the good wishes (particularly the "be doughty bdoughty"!)
Good luck! I was in your shoes 6 days ago.
I hope you aren't stressed out or nervous. I was not terribly steressed but I was nervous. In retrospect, there was nothing to worry about. The most painful part of the surgery day was getting the IV! Just a little prick....
You will feel so good to have your hip pain gone! You will do great!
Thanks. Believe me, I've certainly endured my share of pricks (little and big) over the years! Leaving for Boulder shortly (hour trip) for 12:30 go time. Next post will be from the other side and I'll be a true hippy.
Done and done. Just about 23 hours post-op, out of bed, sitting up. More stiff than painful right now. Going for a walk this afternoon. Dr. Rector said all went perfectly and all involved say I'm right on track.
Congratulations! Welcome to the "other side"!
Congrats!!!!
Congratulations on your entry into "the club"!!
I now have eight days to go for my double membership. At this point I'm really glad we only have two hips.
That's great! congrats on the new hip and that everything went well.
Congratulations! If you have time, why not write a review of your surgeon for Surface Hippy.
Mac
congrats! take it one day at a time! you will improve bit by bit every day... dont' rush anythng. get a raised toilet seat! i got a cheap one at Walmart for like $20. i waited a few days to buy uthat and it was SO much nicer to "go" once I had it!
i'm at day 8 and doing well. i'm off my pain meds,and feel mostly stiff and tight, but not really pain.
congrats again!
Please keep us updated. Your success is an inspiration for those of us about to take the journey. What is one thing that you regret not doing/asking/taking? What is the one thing that you would recommend to all others?
Best wishes and recover well.
Ed
The hardest thing to me was the waiting. Like most of us on this site, I wanted to do my homework, understand what it is all about, hear about others' experiences. All that was helpful, but it did contribute to building my anxiety - so perhaps once I made up my mind, I shouldn't have been looking at these sites every day! In all, it's been much easier than I imagined, despite all the stories of people who had the same exeperience. I supposed it's human nature to have the idea in the back of your mind that your case is one that might go bad. It does happen, and you feel so bad for those folks.
Thankfully, it's gone smooth - althought I was a bit light-headed today and they're going to keep my butt in the hospital for an extra night. Can't think of any questions I'd wished I asked. Best advice I can give would be to do your research and if you decide this is best for your, pick the best surgeon you can get to. Do the prep work (get equipment, set up the house, eat well, exercise as much as possible), then try your best to put it out of your mind until right before it's time. One thing I did like was Dr. Rector encouraged use of iPod, etc. before and during surgery. I made a nice little hospital "mix tape" of relaxing music.
Bill
LBHR, Dr. James Rector, 2 March 2011
Awesome! I took my iPad to the hospital and they had wifi so it was great....I was doing status updates on this forum from my bed! Technology is great. My wife has an iPhone 4 that will video chat and we used that from the hospital and hotel to video chat with our kids during our wek trip to South Carolina....
Glad you are doing well. Keep us posted on your ecovery. If you have concerns or questions, post them. No such thing as a stid question!
I-Pod during surgery - good idea!! I want them to blast James Brown's "Get on Up." I'm gonna download it now and bring in my boom box.
Wish me luck, six days and counting.
I have heard of others listening to music while in the OR. I "feel asleep" from Versed or some other sedative, so it wouldn't have done me much good listening to music. I didn't care about much after they gave me prophylactic oxycontin. I'll bet the surgery crew cranked up the tunes in the OR after I "fell asleep" anyway.
Good point about the week or 2 before and just not reading or researching. The internet is great for researching stuff, but when it comes to close and personal medical issues, you can get yourself pretty freaked out. I studied this stuff for about a year prior to my LBHR (a couple weeks ago) and I was much less motivated to come here. I stayed away from Hip Talk for a bit just to give my head a rest. I also put a lot of confidence in my decisions because of the research I did. I spent the time that I felt I needed to become confident in the decision to get an HR and confidence in a very experienced surgeon. Lots of folks here said the same thing, once you get on the surgery schedule, take a mental break and just try to get your head out of it before surgery.
I'm trying to remember if the music was still playing when I woke up in recovery!
Nine days post surgery and progressing nicely, walking a bit farther each day, expanded PT yesterday - and feeling it. I had been starting the day (after eating and meds) with PT and a walk, then ice, repeating sequence in p.m., with a final PT round before bed. With expansion, it's been bit tougher to motivate for the 2nd/3rd rounds, trying to build back up to it. After yesterday's introduction, i ended up taking a pain pill about 3:30 and another at 11, 1st time I've taken more than 1 since coming home. Did help me get a good night's sleep and felt OK when I awoke. Also got OK for 1 crutch around the house.
First "outing" tomorrow. My wife is taking me along while she has her hair done (good for a couple hours). It's one of those contrived "town square" shopping centers. Better than many, I suppose, and I can while away some time at the Tattered Cover book storethen stroll across the way to a pub for my 1st post-op beer.
Hope to be using cane and driving by 2 week mark; we shall see.
I also signed myself up for a 34 mile bike ride scheduled for the 1st weekend in June. I think it's doable - hope to get on stationary bike next week - but even if I don't make it, at least I have a goal to shoot for.
Congrats....take it day by day and don't rush it. I am at 2.5 weeks post op and I'm off two crutches. I use one for outings where I'll walk around... I can walk without a crutch, but it feels netter to have one....I figure by 3-4 weeks maybe I'll be off any walking aids... But if I take 5-6, fine with me. We all heal at different rates... Better to take it slow, let stuff heal, and not rush it and hurt yourself!
I figure I've got 6 months until I'm truly "all better", so it won't make a difference one way or the other if I'm slightly ahead or behind the curve for getting off crutches, canes, etc.
Hope you have a speedy and successful recovery! What were you listening to on the iPod?
I created a hospital "mix tape" with favorite mellow tunes, about 3 hours or so, and just set it on shuffle. Helped chill before and after, and one presumes during as well.