Haven't seen Dr. Rector myself but he told my wife the surgery went well. I'm waiting for a solid food dinner, quite mad with hunger. Hospital staff has been great! So much kindness.
Things look so much better from the other side!
Everything you Hippys told me about surgery was right on. Thanks for the guidance.
Boomer
Congratulations on the new hip. Glad it is over and you are on the mend. Good Luck.
Pat
Boomer! Awesome news, welcome to the "now you have your life back but also eventually no excuses side". Great that it went well, have been waiting for you and rob to check in.
Boomer, awesome news! Glad things went well for you in surgery. I'm sure your recovery protocol has already begun. Enjoy the new hip and take it slow and easy and enjoy PAIN FREE!! Excellent to hear from you.
Curt
Boomer
Kudos on the new 1.2 lb cobalt chrome enhancement, and that things went so well. Ice, ice, ice, it will help immensely. Don't let the bruising that will increase for some days throw you, the worst is behind you.
Tace care of yourself,
Dan
I have a wonderful Game Ready ice machine chilling me down every 30 minutes!
Congratulations Boomer. Now you can focus on recovery. Remember that your body will need a lot of rest.
Your future begins here!
Best wishes.
Dan
Great news Boomer - congrats on a sucessful operation. I bet you feel relieved. Enjoy getting your life back!
Simon
Boomer, how ya feeling today? Hope things are going as smoothly as you had hoped. Hang in there.
Curt
Awesome mate well done and may god speed you a fast recovery!
Danny
Saw Dr. Rector this morning. Told me surgery went well, bone quality was excellent and the arthritis was worse than it appeared on the x-ray. Glad we got to it now.
No PT yesterday because we got a bit behind the pain cycle. Feeling little pain today, so we'll get going on the PT today. Great breakfast, and I will remember that first cup of coffee for a long time. My lovely wife delivered Starbucks!
You all know how the catheter removal is. Wow! I think I took a swing at the nurse, who was backing away.
Excellent care here. No surprises so far.
I'm proud to be a Hippy. What a great group to be part of.
Boomer
Great news Boomer!
Mine is tomorrow with Dr. Su and HSS.
This site really helps ease the anxiety.
Boomer and Jim, it is indeed a great group to be a part of, but I don't think its bad to be totally selfish on this one and say that its a great thing just for you! It was your pain that you endured, and while the support and info is incredible here, it is YOUR hip, surgery and new lease on an active life. Feel spoiled and enjoy!
Curt
Jim's,
The surgery was not nearly as bad as I feared. It's over in no time and no memories. Then it's just stiffness and some confusion. It starts getting better immediately. And, that God awful grinding hip pain is gone forever.
God Speed. You will like the other side.
Boomer
Sounds really good Boomer - take it easy and work hard ::) glad you're doing well.
Is it wrong I enjoyed the catheter been taken out? ;D
No Danny it's not mate ;)
The catheter was the worst part of my stay in Hospital. I remember telling the nurse that I didn't feel like my flow was as good as usual & she said that's normal, then I told another nurse, that I felt like I needed to go all the time - she said it's probably just the general anesthetic wearing off, then I told another nurse that I really still feel like I need to go all the time, so she tried another catheter bag type, next shift came in - supervisor nurse, I tell her the whole story, she finds a massive air bubble & spends the next half an hour milking (for want of a better word) me, 850 ml later oooohhhhrrr.... the relief ::)
Congratulations Boomer. I'm glad thing are going well. Welcome to the rest of your life.
Yeah Boomer! So glad to hear it went well!!!
Congrats Boomer and welcome to the other side. Things really get better each and every day. The time flies by as well. I'm almost at 4 weeks and can't believe how quickly the time went by.
As for the catheter that was the WORST experience of my life. Keep in mind I didn't have one installed during surgery I got it when I couldn't pee the night after surgery after I fell on my face and had a CT scan etc. I was awake when the nurse inserted it and I thought I was going to die. It still brings chills to my body thinking about it. Then the removal of it sucked but having it put in was 10000000 times worse than the removal.
Congratulations Boomer. Best wishes for a speedy and pain free recovery.
Boomer
Great to hear the grinding pain is gone, has to be a huge relief, best regards for a smooth recovery.
Dan
Hi Boomer.
Glad to hear that you are on the other side. I just realized that you are 5 days out, how are you doing? I hope that you are able to crutch around and enjoying the Game Ready machine. That things is awesome.
You are on the other side. Congrads.
Lori
Lori,
The Game Ready Machine was wonderful. Every time the cold water kicked on I would let out an uncontrolled sigh of relief and pleasure. You know what I mean.
I'm a little behind in my recovery. Been crunching around and doing stairs every hour or so but nothing to brag about. I have my first outpatient physical therapy today, which will give me some guidance so I work on doing things correctly.
Off the narcotics and using just Tylenol.
Dr. Rector's a special guy. Hard to know during the initial consultations, but at the hospital, his presence was everywhere.
Thanks for checking in on me.
Boomer
Boomer,
I could not agree with you more. I am really impressed with Stacey too, she is really a nice lady that takes care of the patients over and beyond. I was very lucky to use the R team, they are amazing. Dr R was there for me at the hospital, when the staff was freaking out that I passed out, he stayed calm. My incision is barely noticable and I have nearly full range of motion. I have gotten my life back and so have you.
It is a sad day when you have to return the game ready machine back to Haggar, I still wanted it, and I got to keep it until my 3 week appointment. Not only the cool water, but the compression was an amazing healer and got me off the pain meds. Bummer is that my insurance did not cover it. :( I am still fighting, but we will see.
Glad to hear that you are down to Tylenol, you will be down to one crutch in no time.
Lori,
I saw Stacey in pre-op but never saw her again. I thought this strange.
Day 2 the dressing came off my drain wound and soaked everything with blood. Nightmarish situation to wake up to. Happened about 9 am. Two nurses were on me immediately and though I don't remember everything clearly, I do remember them saying several times, "he's a Rector patient. We need to do it this way. We need to get him cleaned up before Dr. rector gets here."
The staff was clearly motivated. Dr. rector showed up just as they were finishing. He looked things over and took control of the situation with just a couple of words. "The dressing came off of your drain wound. It shouldn't have happened, but it looks good now. Your incision looks fine. You're going to be OK. You're still going home today."
The fear of seeing my blood everywhere was gone as soon as Dr. rector spoke to me. You were right about everything you posted when I was pre Hippy. You Hippys make is so much better for the Newbies. I'm looking forward to getting back into the mountains this summer. Seems like a long shot considering I can only get around the house with a walker. But, I'll get there.
Thanks for staying with me.
Boomer
Congrats, Boomer, so glad to read you are on your way to a new life! Keep up the great posts and recovery. Lu
I think I am having one of the least interesting, and slowest paced recoveries posted on this website, and for that I am very happy. I'm doing my home based stretching exercises twice a day as recommended. Ankle pumps, heel slides, side slides, bridges and hamstring stretches. The most basic forms of movement. They get easier each time, but I still see benefit from them. Outpatient physical therapy twice a week, where they push me a little further each session. The sessions are difficult enough now, that they leave me a little tight and sore that day, but all of this is gone the following morning. Yesterday, 15 days after surgery, the PT was helping me learn to walk again unassisted. Slow walks of 20 yards or so, unassisted, with the PT helping me adjust my foot placement and stride. No trouble walking, but some difficultly taking even strides and placing the foot on my injured leg in front, instead of the the outside. I'm icing like crazy. On the days that I don"t have physical therapy, I manage to do a couple of short walks outside with walking sticks as support. I'm used to walking long distances in the mountains with walking sticks, so using them is helping me recover my natural gait, while giving me the support I need for safety. I don't think I have walked more than a quarter of a mile at any given time. I spend the rest of the day puttering around the house, icing and sleeping. Getting tons of rest. In fact I described my day to friend in the following way. I eat, do PT, ice, rest, eat, walk, stretch, ice rest etc, all day every day. I'm not using any machines for physical therapy yet, and won't do so until after my three week check up next week.
I am now able to sleep a bit on my un-operated side. Getting 5 to 6 hours of sleep a night. Napping to make up for it in the daytime. Eatting much more and much more often than I did prior to surgery. Not gaining any weight, so I know my body is using massive amounts of calories just for healing. The only medication I take now is two tylenol before physical therapy, and sometimes two tylenol before bed, if the day has left me sore and stiff. Calcium and iron supplements as recommended by Dr. Rector.
I have not made any large improvements, nor taken any significant steps in my recovery. Everything is happening very slowly, but improvements are noticeable. The PT's measure both my strength and range of motion each session to enable us to document the improvement. Strength and range of motion are improving with each session. What a surprise right?
I wanted to share my most uninteresting recovery story with recent Hippys and soon to be Hippys. I am following the home based PT program carefully, and working hard at outpatient PT. Lots of good food, rest and ice. It's working, and I am slowly getting my mobility back. I expect to be walking with a cane for another week. Dr. Rector will see me on December 22nd, and based upon what he sees, we'll decide if I should keep using the cane or go on without it. He can also help me decide if its time to start using some machines like the elliptical trainer or stationary bike.
I have nothing interesting to report!
Boomer
Boring and uninteresting sounds pretty good to me!! I believe the boring and uninteresting tortoise won something! Happy holidays Boomer.
Curt
Moving in the right direction, that is what counts. Continued good luck to you in your recovery. At 15 days you are doing a lot more than some with the PT. It will all work out!
Boring Boomer - Yeah, I agree with Aerial, you're not that far out from surgery. There are many ways to make it more interesting on the negative side, like laying on your back for 4 hours on a hard floor doing your PT over and over again thinking that more PT is better, or maybe going for a really long walk every day for the next few days, also not good, or how about driving when you're not quite ready for it and slamming on the brakes with your operated leg, ouch.
Get to know your recliner, your ice, and your video games and just chill. I do think, though, that you'll be seeing bigger leaps in the positive direction soon.
Stay obtuse!
I'm with Tin - sounds like you're doing it the right way. Good progress at 15 days. Congrats.
Boomer
Sounds like everything is going well for you. It is not boring - it is a good thing to slowly recover a little at a time. I think you will find a few plateaus eventually. Meanwhile, slow and sure is a great way to go.
Thanks for sharing your story. Good Luck.
Pat
Boomer, I'm glad that your recovery has settled into the ''least interesting'' category. Keep it up, you're doing great!
Boomer,
That sounds like a perfect recovery to me. Take care and stay boring!!! :)
Luanna
Boomer;
Sounds very familiar, and boring is exceptional in this instance, as far as recovery goes. Sounds like you are tracking well overall. Best wishes for continued progress in the right direction, and hope your 12/22 dr appt goes well.
Dan
Boomer; you're a wise man.
Kiwi and Dan,
Wise would be nice. More likely, I am just too old and slow to get myself in trouble.
Still plodding along with my recovery. Walking a mile twice a day with walking sticks. Have recovered a nice walking gait, with no limp as long as I use the sticks. Something about the arm motion of using walking sticks that makes walking easier and more natural for me. Some stiffness on the outside of the hip after walking, but no pain. Doing home base PT and out patient PT. Nothing unusual. At home I work on flexibility, and at the rehab center they are working on making me stronger. I walk without crutches in the house. Still have an ice bag attached to me most of the time.
I'm not minding the recovery experience. It's nice to have the time to do rehab in an unhurried fashion, and then get the rest/nap the body needs.
Thanks for the feedback. Kiwi, glad to see your recovery has gotten back on a smooth track after your brief moment of concern.
Boomer
Glad to see you're doing well, Boomer - how's the shoulder?
Funny you should ask about the shoulder. Since I'm home for awhile, I incorporated physical therapy for the shoulder into my hip routine. Trying to avoid surgery on the shoulder, and I have a fifty/fifty chance of doing that if I keep up with the exercises to make the shoulder stronger. Once I scheduled surgery on my hip, I gave up on the shoulder exercises. There just wasn't enough time to do both. Now I'm a bit wiser and work the shoulder every day. I have learned a lot about physical therapy as part of getting ready and recovering from my hip surgery. I realize now, that I need a daily routine to address the things that are getting old. It's really an everyday thing now.
Boomer
Cool. We want you all fixed up.
Thanks Boomer, although I must have over did it in the pool yesterday as I has another large multiple muscle spasm last night. Hence, why I think I need to take a leaf out of your approach to rehab!
Getting there...
Boomer, you are soooo right. Now that the hip pain is gone and weeks are marching by, I find that I make noises again when I get up, bend down, etc. No not the clunking or clicking type (though some of my unoperated joints do protest loudly), but the type of noises my father made.
I think that I've gotten so used to the loss of the chronic pain that I now pay way too much attention to the everyday pain that comes from passing decades and my new increasing activities. Knees, wrists, ankles, etc. When I try to remember how BAD the old pain was, and I would rather not thank you, it makes me smile to have the multitude of smaller pains that I've earned along the way. Just get me moving, throw in a few Alleve or Advil and I relubricate and get through another day, happy to be getting a second chance with my shiny new hip.
HAPPY, HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND MERRY XMAS ALL YOU HIPPIES!!! MY RECOVERY WILL INCLUDE EGGNOG WITH BOURBON FOR THE ENTIRE WEEKEND!!
Curt
I had my three week follow up with Dr. Rector today. He told me, and showed me on the x-rays, that the protheses were positioned "perfectly". I couldn't tell about the cup angle, but the cap on my femur was definitely installed dead center. The devices look huge on the x-ray. I can certainly see something this large and robust lasting me the rest of my life, but of course I'm already 57! Dr. Rector, who is normally pretty dry, was clearly pleased with his work. Nice to see that kind of enthusiasm when someone is talking about your new Birmingham Hip. What a nice meeting we had. I expect all of your Hippys remember your follow up meeting fondly.
I've been released to drive, ride a stationary bike, use the elliptical and walk as much as possible. I've also been cleared to sleep on my sides. I can even tie my own shoes, which I accomplished for the first time today at Dr. Rector's office.
Just a few days ago I was struggling with PT, and sleeping, and lots of issues that become very petty, when your surgeon tells you that your hip was installed "perfectly". What was I thinking? All I have to do now is lead an active life, and my body will continue healing and getting stronger. Live Strong.
I'll be drinking a toast to my new hip, Dr. Rector and his team, and to all of you Hippys tonight. What a great day this was! Tip one back for me if your looking for an excuse.
Happy Holidays to All. We received 8 inches of fresh snow here today in Denver. We're having a White Christmas.
Boomer
Quote from: curt on December 21, 2011, 08:51:06 AM
Boomer, you are soooo right. Now that the hip pain is gone and weeks are marching by, I find that I make noises again when I get up, bend down, etc. No not the clunking or clicking type (though some of my unoperated joints do protest loudly), but the type of noises my father made.
I think that I've gotten so used to the loss of the chronic pain that I now pay way too much attention to the everyday pain that comes from passing decades and my new increasing activities. Knees, wrists, ankles, etc. When I try to remember how BAD the old pain was, and I would rather not thank you, it makes me smile to have the multitude of smaller pains that I've earned along the way. Just get me moving, throw in a few Alleve or Advil and I relubricate and get through another day, happy to be getting a second chance with my shiny new hip.
HAPPY, HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND MERRY XMAS ALL YOU HIPPIES!!! MY RECOVERY WILL INCLUDE EGGNOG WITH BOURBON FOR THE ENTIRE WEEKEND!!
Curt
I'm having an eggnog and rum right now, one of my favorites I was hoping my gait would be stable enough to enjoy some libations (responsibly of course) this weekend. I have had my first "clunks" this week, 2 1/2 weeks post op. I think the swelling has to go down enough for things to have room to make noises! Boomer, I am jealous that at 3 weeks you have been the go ahead for stationary cycling and the elliptical. Did your doc use the posterior approach? I have a wonderful elliptical at home that I would like to get on. I am three weeks this Monday. Dr. Gross doesn't allow cycling or elliptical until 6 weeks.
Aerial,
Dr. Rector uses the posterior approach.
I haven't had any clunking yet. I never had much swelling or bruising either. And no "monkey fist in the butt".
I'm going to use the treadmill for a few more days, and then it will be the stationary bike. I think the elliptical sounds a bit too aggressive for me. I don't have much range of motion yet, but riding my bike on the trainer should help with that.
Boomer
QuoteI have learned a lot about physical therapy as part of getting ready and recovering from my hip surgery. I realize now, that I need a daily routine to address the things that are getting old. It's really an everyday thing now. - Boomer
Words to live by.
Quote....issues that become very petty, when your surgeon tells you that your hip was installed "perfectly". What was I thinking? All I have to do now is lead an active life, and my body will continue healing and getting stronger. Live Strong.
I'm having an issue with my surgeon that I hope is petty, and I hope in the scheme of things I will be able to more equitable. Boomer, your above quote resonates with me....Thanks, it's helped me tone down my Irish temper and Welsh stubbornness and helping me to just give it some more time and to see if hindsight brings wisdom. So, for now I'm
not going to go negative on the board over this issue and have adopted a more wait and see how things shake out perspective
Boomer, riding your own bike on the trainer is also just going to make you feel so good!
Woodstock,
You are so right. Nothing better than getting back on your own saddle. Still, I am concerned about getting on the bike for the first time today. Before surgery, I required a stool, and it was still a tenuous, risky proposition getting my right foot over the top and clipped in.
No complaints about anything from me anymore. It's all good from now on. Even if I need ropes and pulleys to get over the top tube for awhile.
Glad to be monitoring your fabulous progress. Being a little nutty gives you an edge.
Come Spring, we'll both be back out tearing up the trails. How good will that feel?
So today it's 10 minutes warm up on the treadmill, 10 minutes no resistance riding on the bike, a walk with my dog in the snow andcthenvthe home based PT to stretch everything out. I'm still going slow and easy.
Boomer
Do you have a set of flat pedals? I used flats for my first two trainer rides. Just step on the pedal with a running shoe and step right over.
I'm going clipless now but still not increasing wattage very much, just working on cadence and smooth motion.
Be careful in the snow, it's too good right now to have to start over.
Right after my first knee surgery, six years ago, we had a big snowfall at my Woodstock House. I went up and shoveled my way in from the road so I wouldn't have to walk in the deep snow. I worked out great until I went back out to get our bags and went flying right down the stairs! Scared the crap out of me but there was no new damage.
Boomer, you rock. I have a Soft Ride I did a Century on that I have not been on practically since forever. I refused to sell it. I also have a 3 yo Hybrid (clip-less pedals) that I loved riding through park trails that's been gathering dust for 2.5 years. It will be so sweet to ride my bikes again and join the local bike club again.
Please share more about your bike training and what your surgeon allows. I'm really happy for you!
Two4one,
I'm clipped in and I increase my time in the saddle by 5 minutes every morning. I did 20 minutes this morning after warming up on the treadmill with a slow 15 minute walk. No pain. Pure joy being back in the saddle.
Dr. Rector is a cyclist, so he was comfortable with me clipping in as long as I have a stable base. I've been clipped in for 20 years, so riding any other way would be unnatural.
I have no restrictions at this time. Rector told me to get on with my life. I'm not crazy, so no running or skiing for a year, but anything goes in the saddle. Come spring, I'll be back in the mountains climbing again.
Two4one, nothing finer for getting strength and range of motion back in your hips than spinning the wheels. You'll be getting after it shortly and will love how good it feels. Spingtime will be wonderful.
Woodstock, are you really riding flats? I don't even own any flats. Did two one mile walks in the snow today with my ski poles. Beautiful sunny day here in Denver. Needed to nap for two hours, but it enabled me to avoid watching the Broncos. No pain, no soreness. I think this fellow Rector knows what he's doing.
Life is very good. Ditched the cane today. I don't even remember where I left it. I'll be hitting the bike early AM for 25 minutes before opening gifts. I've got a new hip that's working perfectly. Merry Christmas!
Boomer
I bought the flat pedals from Performance, cheap, to make it easier to get back on the bike. I put them on my Kestrel that's been semi-permanently mounted on the Computrainer to make it easier. After the first two rides I felt loose enough to just step over the top tube and I put the Speedplays back on.
I'll get back on the trainer this morning, but I need more strength before I go outside.
No mountain bike for me until sometime this summer. I push that thing pretty hard and I crash a lot. I don't want to ride easy, and I want to make sure that I can handle the crashes.
I agree with you about taking it slow. I won't ride outside until March, and then it will be on our bike trails. I'll wait six months before riding the hard tail.
I'm not stepping over the tube. I'm climbing over it with considerable effort and little grace. Getting off takes some time as well.
Truly Fantastic, Boomer & Woody! 8)
Santa,
(or 'Sugar Daddy' as Hubs has been referring to himself while I've been living the good life pre op),
May I please have super cheap, happily used, Ski Poles to walk in the snow with?
Yours, Two4One
Oh man, you guys are really getting me to picture the sheer awesomeness that's going to be mine....just around the corner now. I forgot all about my 3rd 'bike'- Stationary Bike in Basement. YAY!!!!! Double Freakin' Yay!!
Belated congratulations, Boomer, and welcome to the club. I remember a year ago at this time I was in agony and just told how bad my hip really was, with recommendation for THR. Research led to BHR and Dr. Rector, surgery last March. Today, I barely even think about it. I'm doing everything I want - bike, gym, swim, hike, have even started shooting hoops again (but can't play until one-year mark). Truly remarkable. Just do what you're supposed to do and you'll be there in no time too.
Hi bdoughty,
I love the word 'doughty', a powerful Can Do handle!
Quotesurgery last March. Today, I barely even think about it. I'm doing everything I want - bike, gym, swim, hike, have even started shooting hoops again (but can't play until one-year mark). Truly remarkable. Just do what you're supposed to do and you'll be there in no time too.
You wrote my list for the spring, except for hoops, but who knows now that the sky's the limit?
A Big Thank You,
'One
Quote from: Two4One on December 22, 2011, 10:11:19 PM
QuoteI have learned a lot about physical therapy as part of getting ready and recovering from my hip surgery. I realize now, that I need a daily routine to address the things that are getting old. It's really an everyday thing now. - Boomer
Words to live by.
Quote....issues that become very petty, when your surgeon tells you that your hip was installed "perfectly". What was I thinking? All I have to do now is lead an active life, and my body will continue healing and getting stronger. Live Strong.
I'm having an issue with my surgeon that I hope is petty, and I hope in the scheme of things I will be able to more equitable. Boomer, your above quote resonates with me....Thanks, it's helped me tone down my Irish temper and Welsh stubbornness and helping me to just give it some more time and to see if hindsight brings wisdom. So, for now I'm not going to go negative on the board over this issue and have adopted a more wait and see how things shake out perspective
two4one, can you share with me the issues you referred to?
Sure..but it's tiny. I'll pm you. I am making my own meals now and making so many strides I'm having trouble keeping up my posts 'cause I'm so active with my fine new hips.
I'll Pm You, mslendzion. I am 100% satisfied with Dr. Schmitt's work - no clunking, no waddles, lots of strength right away after being bedridden for 2 yrs pre op, Fantastic ortho wing at DMC Huron Valley Sinai, great references, a visit from a former patient while in the hospital!, the list goes on.....I think he's a good guy, but he IS a surgeon....we both have big egos & maybe crossed our wires. I see him on Wednesday; the issue was so unimportant and won't affect any other patients, so I'm sure it will be a sunshine and puppies lovefest when I show Schmitt what his hips can do!!! 8)