Hip Talk Forum About Hip Resurfacing

Okay, so it wasn't really the very first step.


The true first step was realizing I was too broken to hobble on as is and it was time to look into a more extensive fix. Surfing the internet, seeing repeated references to this site, I ended up here, reading the information and the forum posts.


I reached out to some of the surgeons listed and found out which ones were still operating on women. My timing to consider hip resurfacing was terrible----right when the small BHRs were taken off the market.  I sent X-rays to Dr Gross and while we have not yet spoken, I received a message that I was a candidate for resurfacing on both sides. (Our respective vacations have delayed our ability to talk to each other. Life goes on even when you need new hips!)


My husband has wrapped his mind around the need for me to have something done as well. I have been sucking it up for several years and just finally reached the point where I can't. He sees it is time for more than PT and shots. Man of action that he is, when I started telling him what we would need to do to prepare the house, he took me to LazyBoy and bought a recliner. A love seat! I suspect he had been wanting his own recliner for a while. A custom model, it will come in two months. So surgery will have to wait on the recliner, eh?


I am a 53 year old woman, mother of two college aged kids, so a new empty nester, which also prompted the timing of my hip resurfacing. I have spent years being active and super active. I was a cheerleader and dancer in high school. A runner and aerobics fan in college and my early working years. Not long after my kids were born I became a marathon runner, something that complimented motherhood well, and ran forty races in ten years without a single injury.


What did me in was swimming, the safe sport. I started swimming about eight years ago. We have a great masters program here and I wanted to be a part of it. I had no swimming experience. In the course of a long fly set, I pulled my hip flexor and that led to a catastrophic wave of problems. I kept running when I should have taken time off.


In the five years since that happened, I have seen PTs and chiropractors, trained with a Green Beret trainer/medic, received PRP/stem cell shots. I was holding it all together until November, when I just couldn't anymore. Heck, I was still running a little last summer and did a sprint tri in late May. Now I have more bad days than good ones and am ready to move on.

I will add that I am expecting a surgery date in about three months. I hope to use this time to get ready: work on my upper body and core strength, preserve what leg strength and fitness I have, prepare the house. I am still swimming and spinning.


I welcome any advice and thoughts you all have.

You are very fortunate to have found Dr. Gross.  I truly hope that's where you land.

Congratulations on finding Dr. Gross and this forum!  He is one of the best, especially with problem situations that many other resurfacing surgeons won't touch.

Your new recliner will be your home for the first part of your recovery. Unfortunately, most recliners are so low that they are very difficult to get up from without a lot of pain as well as violating the 90 degree rule.  When my son came to visit me a day after I returned home, he saw how much agony I was in when attempting to get up out of my Lazy Boy.  He went to the basement and returned 30 minutes later with a wooden platform that he built in order to elevate my recliner by 8 inches.  This base temporarily screwed into the bottom of my rockers.  I left it attached for two months and then stored it for my next hip.  This elevation worked like a miracle. I've linked an older thread where I posted a photo of the platform and chair:  http://surfacehippy.info/hiptalk/index.php?topic=5576.0;nowap (http://surfacehippy.info/hiptalk/index.php?topic=5576.0;nowap)
Hope it works.  For some reason, I was unable to attach the same photo to this post.


Other things I would recommend in no particular order are:
-Go online and buy a Kreg Polar Care Kodiak ice machine with hip pad. You'll save at least $50.
-Go online and buy a Carex toilet sear riser with handles.
-Place a large, heavy duty garbage bag in your bed and use it to sit/slide into and out of bed.  Best tip anyone ever gave me.
-Begin taking non-laxative stool softeners well in advance of surgery and drink more water than you ever thought imaginable while in the hospital and right after you get home.
-Discontinue opiods as soon after you get home as possible.  You will be rewarded shortly thereafter with a wonderful bowel movement.  I quit the opiods after two days at home and things went perfectly.
-After you get home, walk, walk, walk, and then walk some more.  This is the best PT you can do throughout your recovery.


Good luck!

Thanks! I will go check out the thread on the recliner platform.


We have started measuring our toilet heights to pick out the best one(s) for me to use. Turns out they are not all the same.

Blinky --- I'm so excited for you. Recovery takes time but you will be amazed by how quickly you feel better. I'm now 2 years post op from my first hip and 18 months on the second and able to do everything I want --- I don't run anymore by choice, but I walk 4-5 miles a day, take high impact aerobic classes, weight train and do lots of advanced yoga --- you will regain your strength and stamina. It just takes time. I now have no back, hip or knee pain, I sleep with out pain, and I don't limp after only walking 200 yards. My range of motion is not as good as it was 10 years ago before OA, but it is significantly better than it was the year before surgery. It's awesome!!


I used our recliner for several months. While I didn't need to raise it, my husband helped me in and out of it for a few days. I just needed to get the hang of keeping the surgical hip straight with out breaking 90 degrees. I used a standard raised toilet seat for about 4 weeks --- we bought two reasonable priced ones and kept one in the first floor powder room and one in our master bath. I loved the crutches I bought too -- they were ergonomic and so much more comfortable than standard ones. I splurged on them and bought them on line. The Polar ice unit is invaluable.


I wish you all the best!!
Juno

Thanks! I am excited as well. I want to have that phone call and get a date set.


So handles with that toilet riser? Or will I be able to get up with my crutches/cane?


Cheaper to buy crutches ahead of time? Will I be offered ergonomic ones at the hospital?


I will be flying, so I have to think harder about packing. What is worth schlepping both ways?

This is the toilet seat riser I was talking about:
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=carex+elongated+toilet+seat&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=64533213319&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14435959051882214402&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_8x393wmsbo_b (http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=carex+elongated+toilet+seat&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=64533213319&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14435959051882214402&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_8x393wmsbo_b)
It comes in elongated and regular.  The side handles are standard and can be removed if desired.  I found them great for stability.  Regardless of which riser you buy, make sure to attach large velcro patches to the rim of the commode and bottom of the riser to prevent the riser from moving side to side.  I used five cut sections I believe and the sucker never moved an inch the whole time.


Highly recommend that you use the Charlotte, NC (CLT) airport for your flights.  This airport is about 80 miles straight up I-77 from Providence NE Hospital, and their fares are a fraction of the cost into Columbia.  Very easy to get direct flights to and from CLT.  Compare on Matrix
https://matrix.itasoftware.com/ (https://matrix.itasoftware.com/)


Also, book a room at the Mariott Courtyard Hotel right outside the front door of the hospital: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/caene-courtyard-columbia-northeast-i-77/ (http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/caene-courtyard-columbia-northeast-i-77/)  You should do this well in advance of your visit(s).  Rooms disappear fast.

Just wanted to throw my two cents in. I think you should plan on taking the painkillers recommended by Dr. Gross for the length of time he recommends (I forget, maybe a week to ten days). I don't think your expectation (or goal) should be to be off them in two days time.

My personal opinion is that one (out of many) of the reasons Dr. Gross is so successful is his carefully structured approach to pain-management. A frequent regret I see on this site is from people who came off of their painkillers too quickly, and suffered significant pain until they could catch back up.

I like to advise people to stay ahead of the pain and take the painkillers as recommended. If, at some point (but certainly not the first few days) you want to taper off and see how it feels, I guess you could do that, especially if you were having bowel issues. But I think the best approach is to plan on taking painkillers as advised by your surgeon.

Best wishes,

Mike

Thanks guys.


I will go into this operation with my eyes open to both possibilities: major GI discomfort that will cause me to want to get off pain pills fast vs pain that requires steady management. I have never taken strong pain medicine before, so I don't know how my body will react.

Finally connected with Dr Gross. He called in the evening relatively late FYI. We spent about twenty minutes on the phone. He was in no hurry. He answered completely and in a way that was sufficiently detailed but also easy to understand.  I asked questions about me, my condition, my suitability as a candidate. My husband was in the room, so we went to speakerphone, and he asked more about the procedure itself. He (my husband) has not done any reading on HR so some of his questions were pretty basic. (I will note that our approaches to a problem are different: I research the hell out of it then make a firm decision on my own; he prefers to talk to people and work slowly towards a choice. He will act as a check on my decision making here.)


There were two surprises: I am in worse shape than I thought, like the window for HR is closing for me, and the doctor is supportive of doing both bad hips close together in time if I have the bone for it.


So on to scheduling. That and the Dexa may determine whether I decide to do one at a time or both in a week.

Good luck blinky!

Working towards readiness.


Pedaling on the spin bike, lifting weights, doing the p90x abs I can still do. Wanted to swim, but pulled a muscle in my trapezius so have to dial that down. Limited my weight lifting as well. Darn Murphy's Law.


Trying to eat right. I am not a bad eater, but there is always room for improvement, right? Fewer cookies and more fruit.


Doing those last bits of due diligence on the procedure:talking to people here locally and to people I find who have had HR or THR to get an idea of what to expect.

Oh! I meant to add finding out good places to eat in SC. Gotta have something to look forward to.

Still can't swim right a week after the strain. I did 1k slowly and carefully, trying to use my lats and not my traps. I saw massage therapist and when she worked on my hip flexor it released my traps. Yikes! So the elaborate compensation my body is doing to be able to walk is really messing me up.


This does give me a good opportunity to retrain the family, though. I have husband and sons moving heavy things for me, telling them I only have one good limb right now.


My abs are sore. Since I can at least do ab work.


Doing all the preliminary testing and making all the reservations. And, of course, some googling and reading to be sure this is the right choice.

Yea I had the same thing with other areas being affected because of my body compensating. It was a big part of what pushed me over the edge to schedule the surgery.

Better now. Swam 1.5k, 1k free and the rest drills. I can do one arm fly but not two arm fly because I can't pull my arms out of the water symmetrically yet. But it is coming.


Meanwhile my walking is deteriorating. I guess we go through good patches and bad patches, and I am in a bad one now. I feel like my quads aren't firing to lift my legs up. They will fire--- I can lift weights in a way that isolates them and makes them work---but they don't want to aid me in walking.


The good part is it makes me feel better about getting something done. 

Some good news: strong DEXA results so I am scheduled for bilat resurfacing the first week in November.


I felt like this would be the case so I (we) have been working to make it happen. Husband will be around, friends are on board for meals and help, parents and kids will do their parts.


Heck, we bought the recliner already.

Return to swimming! I had a good masters work out last week, and went carefully to a swim clinic today and felt good. I can swim free fine, but am not quite ready for fly. My left side fatigues and then I can't move my arms symmetrically.


So that's the good news. When I am swimming I feel good and I feel normal. When I walk I still look and feel awful. I am slow and awkward, waddling like a penguin. I am contemplating a cane. Around the house, doing chores, or going to the market, I am fine, but a longer walk, ugh. I had a sad moment when my college aged son, the one who is never around anymore, proposed that we go to a local amusement park and ride a new roller coaster. I would love to do that! We are the two who enjoy that sort of thing. I don't think the ride itself would hurt me, but walking through that vast park to get to the ride, waiting in line for my turn, I don't know if I can do that.

Not intending to post daily, just when something interesting happens.


So I am doing my due diligence on HR. Reading lots, but also having some face to face conversations with a few local OS and patients. I had an appointment yesterday with a local OS who has 1) operated on several people I know (THR and FAI) and 2) was recommended to me by a nerdy radiologist friend who sees a lot of hips. I didn't tell him what I was thinking, just said I have arthritis in both hips pretty bad and want to explore my options. I brought X-rays.


Two observations:


1) To brag a little, I can still pass the initial clinical tests where ROM and strength are assessed. I can squat and get up unaided, put my shoes on and tie them, walk normally for short distances. I can look good enough for the OS to say "how comprehensive was your last PT? Did they really focus on your core?" And then he sees the X-rays, drops the idea of PT, and tells me I look pretty bad. We come back to "how bad is your pain."


2) He made a good case for THR. This OS is pretty up to date, uses the anterior approach, uses poly on ceramic, largest head possible for my anatomy, gets me up and out of the hospital quickly, knows how to preserve my blood, etc. And....he doesn't give me any limitations. I pressed him hard on this, like will I be able to run, sit cross legged, kayak, do yoga, and he still said that though there are activities he would not recommend, there are none he would forbid. It seemed like he had been reading hiprunner.com. I asked how long my device would last, when would I need a revision if I really went out there and did whatever I wanted. He didn't/couldn't really give me an answer, but said he had a lot of faith in the device and that it could outlast me.


It was a very different response than what I expected.


FWIW I have a friend here in the same city also interviewing OS for a new hip. She is getting the more expected responses: six weeks of restricted activity, then a lifetime ban on high impact sports or face a revision, plus certain moves that are not advised, like sitting with ankle on knee. We are talking to different docs. We are the same age, both trim and active, I am more of an extreme sports girl. Maybe that affects our doctor selection? Maybe I am screening them differently?


So I will talk to some patients and see what they really do and how they really feel. It is easy for surgeons to tell you you will be fully functional. Best to ask patients what they can really do and how they feel. I am deeply skeptical that a THR will last me my whole life if I run on it. Heck, I don't think a resurfacing will last my whole life if I run on it. Am I being too pessimistic?

Very interesting, eh!


I'm interested in the brand/model of the THR proposed that will outlast you. Do you recall, I'd like to research it.


Thanks!

Biolox made by Ceramtec.


You could have knocked me over with a feather when I heard I could run on it.


What I read on mainstream THR sites still has the standard cautions about high impact activity and pretzel-like positions. And as noted, some OS still warn against running. I have seen bloggy websites where people with THR do run, however. None of these guys has been doing it for years and years. As I continue with my due diligence I will talk to other OS.


The one funny part of this last meeting was that while this doc didn't do resurfacing, he said he knew there was a guy in North (sic) Carolina who was highly successful at it.

Keep in mind the basic theory for a long survival life with metal on metal resurfacing versus polyethylene on ceramic (or metal) total hip replacement.

Both wear and shed debris from the surfaces. Both shed even more debris when they are not aligned optimally.

With a properly aligned resurfacing device, the metal on metal debris that sheds is managed and excreted by the body. The body is already familiar with these substances because they are already present in the body. 

With polyethylene and ceramic, the debris cannot be managed by the body regardless of how well it is aligned and it accumulates around the device.

When the polyethylene device finally "wears out", it usually means that too much debris has accumulated and the device loosens from the bones because of a reaction called aseptic loosening which is the leading late term failure for THR.

With the most modern polyethylene, the theory is that they can keep the debris low enough that it won't reach that point where there is too much for a longer time.

So the question still remains, will the rate of debris shed from this latest type of polyethylene be low enough that the device will survive longer?

Chuckm

Thanks. I am interested in loosening of the stem, that long necked stem.


Note that I know the name of the head, not  the details of the stem or the cup. I asked for that info and it will be sent to me.

The stem and cup is what I am referring to. The polyethylene debris buildup eventually leads to a reaction called osteolysis which is a destruction or resorption of the bone. It is the bone that eventually lets go of the stem and or cup - no matter what it is made of or who makes it. 

And that is the main reason to reduce impact on a polyethylene device. The longer it takes to build up debris the longer it is likely to last.

Don't get me wrong there are plenty of happy THR people out there who are enjoying themselves and who are active. But the young patients will face this problem so that's why they don't recommend it for younger patients and especially younger active patients.

But the latest polyethylene does show promise not to shed debris nearly as quickly so that is probably why some surgeons are claiming it could last longer. But like resurfacing, time will tell.

I still say that even if you are a woman, as long as you pick a really good surgeon that your outcome will be good with resurfacing.

Chuckm

Chuckm

What MattJersey said, plus what are his stats? How many of these types of operations, how many revisions, complications, etc.

These are all good points and take me back to my original reasons for choosing HR: wanting to stay active, having an easier revision, and more recently, finding a top notch surgeon. I was surprised when THR was offered as a alternative that satisfied #1 and claimed to take #2 out of the  picture. I had assumed that a 53yo active person would wear down whatever device was put in her hip before she died.


The local doc does not have super high volume, an average of one hip a week. He didn't give me hard numbers on revisions and complications, more squishy impressions of how his numbers look. I am sure what he says is true, and also true he isn't asked for hard numbers very often, if ever.


About the attributes of the THR I was offered: Probably it is relatively new (though he said it isn't a super new, cutting edge device; it is supposed to be tried and true) and so there are no long term numbers on its performance. Once I find it exactly what it is, I can find out more.

Taperfil by DJO.


If I am looking at the right device, it IS pretty new: implanted since 2013. So there won't be data on how well it works/how long it lasts. Could be great, could be meh.


It looks like some other short stem THR devices designed for anterior placement. I could see how those are doing.


Anybody with greater Google skills than I have is welcome to contribute!

So the recliner is in a month early. I take that as a good sign. Heck, I could have surgery now!


jk I have kids to launch to college first.


In another sign that the universe is smiling on me, I am dreaming of making journeys to SC. No surgery takes place in these dreams, but I experience a pleasant and successful trip.

"I experience a pleasant and successful trip"


That's the ONE thing you can count on!  Propofol is wonderful.  Your dreams already know this 8)

Ha! Something to look forward to.


Two well functioning limbs so am swimming more regularly. As my world narrows due to the OA pain, I need the swimming to feel normal and to be able to sleep at night. I am fortunate enough to live near a great masters program and a 25m outdoor pool that is open year round. My coach continues to challenge me despite my limitations, not letting me coast on the "I can't kick" excuse. (I can kick, just not very well.)


I see one more local doc and continue to ferret out folks who have had hip surgery in my community. Dotting the i's and crossing the t's, making sure I am comfortable with my decision to go for HR.

So I saw the second and final local doctor today. He is part of a large and thriving sports med practice. I was seen first by a resident, who took her time and answered my questions to the extent she knew the answers---she didn't know how many hips the doc did a year, for example. The doc himself was brusque and fast talking. If I had not done a lot of research, I would have been upset and lost. As it was, I let him talk, then asked the questions I had left unanswered by the resident. I didn't tell him what I already knew/was thinking, just let him talk, then asked pretty standard Qs, like what device do you use.


This doctor has moved from the anterior to the anteriolateral approach after suffering too many (2/15, so not really that many) incidents of nerve damage. He told me what muscles he cuts through and what areas of weakness will arise. (and that PT will help, but to be aware) He didn't tell me not to run, but did say he wouldn't advise it. Quite amazing to me that no one tells me not to run! Are they all on hip runner? Or do they know runners will try to run no matter what you tell them? He does impose lifetime bans on certain motions, like sitting with legs crossed and squatting. That surprised me. I thought I would be told not to run, but not that couldn't sit with my legs crossed.


He uses a pretty standard Stryker poly on ceramic device, not a short necked device. Accolade and trident components. Ball size maybe 36. (The previous OS gave me a larger one).


He does more procedures, 150 a year. He also does lots of knees. Because this is a really busy practice, he is scheduling three months out. That also kind of surprised me. General anesthesia.


The one thing that threw me in this meeting was he told me I needed to do something asap because I was in such bad shape. On X ray I mean: I look good clinically and always get the speech about PRP shots.


My take away: 1) THR will be limiting. That's why I want HR. Can I go the rest of my life without bending over? 2) maybe I should be on Dr Gross' cancellation list? If I am that bad off? I did submit that question.

Judging by the research done and conclusions reached it seems like you're in a similar place to most of the forum users.


I was looking back in the thread to see your date scheduled but couldn't see it, and saw a couple of other things which reminded me how May this year, operated on 28 April, is a bit of a distant memory. Whilst I still remember, here are a couple of thoughts:


Your scheduled date will arrive pretty quick, and as ready as you are I expect you will still take a big gulp as you get closer to the operating theatre. Only natural. But you'll wake and within a few days will realise you're not far from being in a much better place. Patience required though as there are painful moments when you twist more than intended or something. You will feel you have spoiled all the good work, but you won't have. Then a few weeks later, as these occasions diminish, you'll be as happy as you can be.


Regarding toilet risers in earlier posts. I didn't get one. When I was in hospital and had to go there was no riser, and I asked if I needed one. They all, nurses and physiotherapist agreed no. Only really tall patients need them. I am 5'8".




Painkillers. It is rightly noted that you want to stay ahead of the pain. I didn't find pain a particular issue, and took my painkillers regular but tried to reduce early, and during the night I found it most irritating. But, I definitely overdid the painkillers immediately post op, overdoing the advice of the physio who noted that managing pain is important to enable the exercises. So I had extra oral morphine even though I now realise I wasn't really that bad off. This was counter productive and meant I didn't really get walking on crutches until third day post op, when all of my buddies were walking next day. I was upset about that. So, manage pain but don't go mad!


Patience: I recall being eager for the op, and then even moreso for the recovery. I think you might find yourself feeling the same. I learned this was a mistake too. I was monitoring every twinge, how much of a limp, pain levels and worrying far too much. Basically, the first six weeks take time to pass and there will be a lot of ups and downs. Nothing serious, but enough to have you worrying. With the benefit of hindsight I put myself under unnecessary stress. So, be prepared for that. (And I don't really buy that going mad with exercise works. Enough per doctor's advice, diligently, carefully, especially the strengthening exercises. But I think going mad on walking a lot might actually slow the process.)


Sweats. Get some towels for overnight. Hopefully you won't be affected but I think this was one of the more unpleasant (not painful of course) side effects, and started about a week in, and ended about after 3 weeks. I am convinced this is due to the pain meds. But don't under do those. Catch 22.

Thanks. Yes, I am eager to get this show on the road. I have about eight weeks to go, unless I get a move up.


Getting those second opinions undermined my confidence in my body's ability to hang in there. I did email Lee and she did suggest some things I can stop doing to be sure I last long enough. Probably a good paradigm shift for me. When I got that surgery date, I started listing all that had to be done, including what I would do to get physically ready, like lifting weights, swimming MORE often and MORE meters per workout, etc. The same habits of overdoing and sucking it up that got me into this mess came into play again. So I have put my fins away, will focus on pulling, and will pull out a cane if I have to walk a long way.


I will check out the normal heights of our toilets. I am 5'7. Some of our potties are pretty high, some are low. I think the lower ones are all upstairs. My husband is dreading the raised toilet seat.


The pain vs constipation/PT issue will be interesting. I will go in aware there is a trade off.


With summer winding up, I will be busier and have less time to stew over this. We launch one more kid to college soon. That is a distraction, and then when he is gone I am freer to grab a cancellation date if one pops up.

Got my preop assessment moved up so I can be a candidate for an earlier HR if a space opens up. In the meantime, swimming without fins and lifting. I tried to basically pull through the whole main set today. The water was unseasonably cool, which made me feel great. It anesthetized the hips and made me feel like I could go on forever.


Oliver Sachs passed alway over the weekend. I am a fan. Reading his obit, I saw he had written on recovering from a serious leg injury, and so I ordered that book to save and read during my recovery.

Aaargh! So not every doctor has the reliable staff and patient focus of Dr Gross. My internist cancelled my preop appointment, No explanation, and it was done through the patient portal not even with a phone call. I have been out of town and came home to find this out. So tmro I have to call and see what happened and why. I have been researching new, younger practices that might be taking patients in case I need to switch doctors over this. When I first saw this guy years ago, he was highly recommended. Now I see it is not unusual for him to cancel appointments out of the blue.


I have time, it will be fine, but very annoying. Why couldn't he get someone else to cover? This is a big practice; there are plenty of other doctors.

So made the new appointment and let's hope this date holds.


In the meantime....thinking about how I will live for six weeks after bilateral hip repair. No driving. Husband home for two of those weeks....with parents for one week....home with son(s) and maybe not husband for weeks four through five...everyone back for week six.....thinking about how it will go....


I hit upon a food delivery service called Blue Apron that sends ingredients and recipes for X number of meals a week. It looked like an option for me when I am stuck at home, puttering around the house, cared for by either husband or college aged son(s). My men don't cook, but they can read directions, and are up for a challenge. It looked like an interesting option. I sent a link to Son1 to get his reaction.


His response? soylent.com "Much easier, Mom."


(Who remembers Soylent Green? The movie with Charleton Heston?)

Creeping towards readiness.


I had that PreOp appointment, finally. I am sure everything will be fine. The irony is that the office cancelled the annual they insisted I schedule. Again, no notice to me except on the portal. If I hadn't checked, I wouldn't have known and would have shown up. No problem, though, since I didn't really want to keep that appointment anyway. I wonder if they have a computer program or an admin who goes through and looks for duplications on the schedule, otherwise it doesn't make sense that they canceled me.


Hotel and plane reservations made. H insisted on doing it. I told him to do it weeks ago but he didn't, I don't know why. Maybe he thought I would suddenly get well?!?!


I sound crankier than I am. Everything is moving forward.

And the PreOp report made its way to Dr Gross's office. Concerned given the appointment cancellations, I got a copy of the report myself just in case, but it was all fine.


I need to take iron pills. All my numbers are normal, including iron, but since I am going to have two operations in a row, my iron levels need a little boost. To have the best outcome possible, I will take them, but dread the likely constipation. I had to take iron when pregnant and remember that side effect. So I will be buying iron and prunes today.


H and I did have some fun looking up where we could go to eat calf liver. We do eat it and like it, but seldom do because, typical middle aged man, H worries about his cholesterol. So we will have a nice liver outing out of this.

Helpful hint if you need iron: there is a $40 off coupon for Finerva you can print out if you google it.

This might be TMI (Too Much Information) as they say, but along with the prescription for iron pills (post-op) Dr. Gross also gave me one for a stool softener.

Quote from: oldsoccerplayer on October 02, 2015, 06:09:46 AM
This might be TMI (Too Much Information) as they say, but along with the prescription for iron pills (post-op) Dr. Gross also gave me one for a stool softener.

Anticipating that the anesthesia and opiods would cause constipation, I began taking several stool softeners per day at least one week in advance of the operation, and continued on until success was attained afterwards. This turned out to be a very wise move (literally).  As most here know, stool softeners are not laxatives unless combined with a laxative agent. Hopefully, the pure softener will prevent the need for a laxative after surgery. 

Feriva. I need to proofread better!


Thanks, guys. Looks like this could be the bigger issue for me.


I will try to manage the issue with dietary changes, but if it can't be done in the next week, I will buy something to help out.


When I had this problem when pregnant, we were living abroad and there wasn't anything OTC I could buy. I had to use food, including old home remedies like soaking prunes in 7-Up overnight and drinking the juice!

I had forgotten about this one.


[size=78%]I wish I'd had CN's foresight.[/size]



I thought, I'm young-ish, very good diet, food at BMI hossie was excellent, I won't take anything, even post op. Wish I had.

What stool softener do you recommend?


Another nitty gritty question: did anyone who did bilat check out between surgeries? Or do you feel too beat up to leave the hospital? Related question for anyone who went to SC: did your spouse or SO stay in the hospital with you overnight?


I was thinking I would check in and stay in until this was over. By myself. As the day gets closer, it is becoming clear that my husband saw it differently. He was expecting to check me out and be in the hotel with me, or even to spend the night in the hospital with me. Sweet, I know, but realistic?


I think he should go play some golf! He can bring me coffee and snacks.

Quote from: blinky on October 03, 2015, 09:33:59 AM
Related question for anyone who went to SC: did your spouse or SO stay in the hospital with you overnight?

Yes, my girlfriend stayed with me at the hospital and would have it no other way. Was not a problem at all.

On a side note while I was in surgery they gave her a pager, something the hospital was experimenting with, where she got notifications of how things were going during the procedure. It was pretty cool. And Dr. Gross came out right after to let her know how it went. She was already in my room when I woke up.

Even surgery prep she was there.

Thanks. H thinks he wants to be with me. I appreciate the support, but he is a restless sort and I think he will be going nuts.


The iron pills haven't been too bad btw, at least not until we took a trip out of town. At home I could manage the side effects with diet and exercise. On the road, not so much. Just a helpful hint.

What stool softener do you recommend?

The cheapest one you can find where you shop for medications.  Mine was called Laxa-basic 100 Stool Softener.  Each soft gel contains 100 mg of docusate sodium (adult dosage 1-3 per day).  After looking at countless brands containing the same active ingredient and strength with prices varying by as much as $12 per 100 caps, I decided to chance it with an off brand.  No problem at all!

Thanks!


Home and so more normal now, but I will be ready for the next bout.


Three weeks out btw. Feeling pretty ready. My physical condition is deteriorating which helps me feel as though I have made the right choice. I am swimming, lifting, and doing some abs. It seems like every time I make a trip, I come back in worse shape. Bad beds? Fatigue? Being off my schedule? Maybe being heroic during the trip and so overdoing things? This last one was to visit College Age Son 2. The focus was on him and his needs, seeing the campus, etc, so lots of walking and irregular eating and sleeping. Mentally a good break, but physically tough.


I think some of the increased pain and trouble moving is also mental: I was in suck it up mode for a long time. I thought if I just worked harder, I would feel better. Now I am not in suck it up mode any more, I am in waiting for surgery mode, so I am feeling more pain.


Thinking about what to pack and how to carry it. I can make a four day trip with just a backpack. But that backpack is pretty darn heavy! I think  I may have to break down and use a larger wheely bag.

Two weeks out.


Feeling ready. Physically deteriorating. I am sure this is from both mental and physical causes. Sleeping less well, able to do less exercise (tearing it up in the weight room, though, and pulling like a fiend in the pool). Handling the iron pills better now that I am at home and in charge of my diet again.


Bright spots: friends are offering up their help for meals, driving me around, even staying over if H has to go out of town. I could end up twenty pounds heavier at the end of recovery! We will miss a big BBQ festival this year, and a friend has offered to save us a big plate and deliver it the night we get home. (Not that SC doesn't have BBQ.) H, who has been slow and distant about this whole process, in denial, has embraced my choice and is rallying. He knows more about HR than I thought and will explain it to his friends. He is cooking a few nights a week and loaded the dishwasher for the second time ever in our marriage. I think he wishes Dr Gross didn't prescribe iron pills so we could go out and eat liver or at least steak. (H is a very healthy eater; 5-7 fruits and veggies, only low fat protein, mostly fish.)


I am collecting books to read and lists of shows to watch. I am also thinking about what reasonable short term goals I could set for myself for post op. Here is a thought: my swim team does an hour swim every January. We swim for an hour, that's it. Of course, we each try to hit a personal goal, like break 3k or 4k or beat last year's distance.  This year, I think  a reasonable goal for me would be to just swim for an hour. No goal in meters, just to stay in steady motion in the water for an hour. Might not be flip turning, might still be gentle off the wall. I would be approximately ten weeks post op.

You're almost there Blinky! I'm sorry to hear that you're deteriorating but at least the end is very much in sight. Like you said, perhaps there's some psychological aspect where the wall you put up to block the pain is crumbling now that your mind knows the surgery is almost here. You'll be through it before you know it!


The help you've lined up from friends and of course H sounds fantastic, you're going to do just fine!


I'm surprised at how quickly my days have gone by. Haven't even gotten to the stack of books I planned to read yet, and not many movies or TV shows either. I'm glad that I'm at least not bored!

One week out.


Is it strange that I am counting the days the way a kid would count them for Christmas? Not just with eagerness, but with the advanced math methods of Xmas day counting, like not counting the day it is or the day of the event, just the intervening days.


Anyway. Feeling ready. Have the packing list but not all items on it. Getting ahead on work. Husband training going well. (Sorry, guys. The truth is I do a lot of things around here without thinking about it. That makes it harder to explain and delegate.) I am sure we will have surprises, especially related to the 90 degree rule and how to function with that in place. I can see myself dropping things and having to call a close by friend to help me pick something up! Trying to approach the situation with good humor. Preparing to be grateful and not micromanage.


Trying not to anticipate too much, but trying to be prepared at the same time. I have had one previous operation, a minimally invasive female surgery. It was a piece of cake. I prepared everyone for the worst (well, not the absolute worst, but you get the picture) and then sailed through it. Recalling the emotions then: curious about the procedure and did lots of research, only truly anxious right before when I went under, waking up and thinking 1) I am alive! and 2) it doesn't hurt! For that operation, not much pain at all. Also not much appetite, unusual for me, and had to consciously decide to eat more to feel more energetic. Carefully phased return to activity. I can't do a head to head comparison of these two procedures; the first one was potentially more serious (excluding cancer diagnosis) but I didn't have any real physical pain before or after.


On the topic of anticipation: planning on being out of it for about two weeks, then gradually returning to the world. I hope that is reasonable. I don't mean hitting the gym in two weeks, I mean doing some work at home, attending a concert, that sort of return to normal.

You will soon be on the other side, and with all the prep it should be plain sailing.


It is funny but when you look back with hindsight in a couple of months, you will be surprised how easy it was. Even with little planning, if things go normal, it is surprisingly straightforward.  For example, you will drop something, and you will bend over with your leg poking backwards, bending over your good bent knee. A doddle.


I think one week and you'll be having to employ vast quantities of self control to stop yourself over doing things.


Good luck! (Which you won't need, I am sure.)

Even with 2 hips resurfaced, you'll find you can still pick something off of the floor without violating the 90 degree rule by (with your feet apart) reaching for progressively lower things to hold onto (like a table, then a chair) while walking your feet backwards.


Good luck!

Ha! That's a helpful hint. I will remember that.

Good luck tomorrow blinky!


How'd it go today at the pre-op visit?

Hi! Great, thanks. About to leave for The Big Moment Number One.


PreOp was very reassuring, reassuring that this is the right choice. Hospital was clean, quiet, full of helpful, happy people. Dr Gross' staff was efficient, knowledgeable, enthusiastic about the procedure. Lee was great, knows her stuff and can direct you to the best places to eat (we approach every new place we go as a chance to see and do fun things, including eat). By the time I saw Dr Gross, most of my general questions had been answered already, but he was happy to show me my X-rays and talk about my particular case, show me the device and talk about it. He and Lee are passionate about this procedure and want to do it right. They have great confidence in their ability to perform resurfacing and give me back my active life.


This experience has so far been a model for how all medical procedures should be.


I will offer details later.

Good Luck.  You are in good hands with Dr. Gross and staff.

Looking forward to reading your recovery updates.

Pat

Good luck Blinky, I'm nearly there too and had a similar experience at my pre-op. Spoke to soon about the scrub though as I now have some nice new 'shower gel' to use.


See you on the other side (so to speak)

Down to nine fingers with the O2 monitor on, so I will just offer a tease for now and say it went well and I feel great.

Great news blinky!

I lost count of how many times I "temporarily" took off the O2 monitor and then promptly forgot to put it back on :)