My 2nd hip resurfacing log. Dr Marchand

[PistolPete]

I thought I would keep a log that I would update daily at first and then weekly to track my progress and recovery.  I found going into my surgery reading others logs was very helpful.

I had my right hip resurfaced in November of 2011 with Dr Snyder.  My second hip was done yesterday 2/10/21 with Dr Marchand in RI.  The experience has been completely different this time around.  Last time they did general anesthesia and this time I got a spinal and then something to make me sleep.  Way better recovery post op this way and no foggyness waking up.  It did take a few hours though to be able to move my feet and toes so that was weird.  The surgery was textbook and no issues.

PT had me up and walking a tiny bit after surgery.  My pain levels are fine and I haven’t taken any narcotics at all up to this point.  Last night I didn’t sleep much at all.  Going pee was a bit of a challenge. First time I got up and used the toilet but got super dizzy when I went back in bed so they gave me a urinal.  It was hard to go but I figured it out.  I actually went a ton last night so no catheter like last time. 

This morning PT got me up and walking on the walker.  I’m already able to go foot over foot so that is great.  She had me do a bunch of other exercises which were def challenging.  She did comment how much stronger I am that most patients which is why I was able to do it without problems.  They are going to get me up again for more walking and then stairs.  After that I will be ready to be discharged.  I have a 2 hour drive home so that might be a challenge. I’m obviously not driving.  So far no issues

[Pat Walter]

Hi Pete
Thanks for the update. Glad things are going well. Always interesting to compare two surgeries. Many people find out they have different recoveries for each.
Sounds like you are moving right along. Good luck on your ride home. I look forward to reading more as you progress.
Pat

[rday12]

Congrats on the successful surgery. Your notes reminded me of my first night experience, when I was going pee constantly. I couldn’t believe how much I went.

I always marvel at the immediate weight-bearing stories, as I was no weight-bearing for 6 weeks post-surgery. The drive home should be no problem for you.

[PistolPete]

I made it home.  The ride wasn’t terrible.  Getting in the car was challenging but not too bad.  When I got out of the car though OMG it is sore and stiff.  Moving around is 20 times harder now than when I was at the hospital.  I’m trying to take it easy right now so I don’t over work it.  It is crazy sore though.  I’m still peeing a lot which sucks because I have e to get up like every 20 min or so.  I haven’t taken any Percocet yet but I might take one. I hate that stuff.  That said, he has me on meds for the next 28 days.  Last time I only took Tylenol after day 2.  He has me on Meloxocam and Gabapenton.  Pain is prob. a 5
Right now and about a 7 when I get up. 

[PistolPete]

Today is 2 days post op in the morning.  Last night was BRUTAL.  I did WAY too much and it got to the point I could barely even move.  I am still peeing constantly which made it difficult last night.  Basically every 20 min. I had to get up and go to the bathroom.  Then, when I made it upstairs into bed I was in agony.  I ended up taking a Percoset and it didn't really kick in for a few hours.  I brought the urinal with me so I didn't have to get up to pee which was a godsend.  Sleeping was challenging because I'm a side sleeper and sleeping on my back is just super uncomfortable.  I did manage to get some sleep so that's a major plus.  My left side obliques are REALLY sore.  I don't remember this from last time but I'm guessing it is from the surgery and being slammed when putting in the cup.

This morning so far I feel WAY better.  I have PT coming in 15 minutes so we'll see how that goes.  I'm going to try taking it way easier today.  I will do my PT exercises with the PT and solo but I will not overdue it.  Hopefully tonight isn't as bad as last night.

[catfriend]

Congratulations! I'll be right there with you on March 1. I'm surprised they kept you overnight. While I spent my first night in the hospital with my previous resurfacing this time it's day surgery.

[MarvinB]

Congrats, Pete!  Yeah, one of my nurses said the IV fluids and drinking lots of water and Gatorade would help flush the system, but peeing a river every half hour was the result!  I filled a whole quart urinal jug right after my surgery... the “golden moment” before they let me leave.  It was late and the staff at the surgery center actually cheered!  Lots of water flowing after the swelling started and subsided as well.  To be expected according to my nurses.  I really should’ve invested in the raised toilet seats at home, thinking the 18” high-rises we had would be ok.  Hang in there!

[blinky]

Go Pete!

This peeing...is it a man thing? I recall a guy in the hospital with me who could NOT pee and that was an issue. Prostate?

I peed normally but also swelled up from water retention and swelling.

[PistolPete]

They told me they give you something that makes it so you can't pee and the anesthesia messes with your bladder.  My first surgery I could NOT pee and actually passed out trying to and smashed my head off the floor and needed an MRI.  This time it was a little challenging trying to pee but I was peeing a TON. 

Go Pete!

This peeing...is it a man thing? I recall a guy in the hospital with me who could NOT pee and that was an issue. Prostate?

I peed normally but also swelled up from water retention and swelling.

[PistolPete]

That is CRAZY that they don't keep you over night.  I'm glad I was able to stay the night.  It was nice getting PT the day off and the following before going home.  Good luck with your surgery.  It will be a distant memory.

Congratulations! I'll be right there with you on March 1. I'm surprised they kept you overnight. While I spent my first night in the hospital with my previous resurfacing this time it's day surgery.

[PistolPete]

Today is day 3 post OP.  So far so good.  Feeling a lot better.  I've been doing my PT exercises and getting up and walking the hallway.  With my grabber, shoe horn I'm able to be more independent.  I was able to move my bowels twice yesterday and again this morning so that's a huge victory. The hospital called yesterday morning and asked about that and the importance of going.  My last surgery took me 5-6 days to do a BM.

I took a shower last night which was interesting.  Right before I got really bad chills and started shivering.  I took the shower and it was really bad when I got out.  Lasted for maybe 10 minutes.  I got in bed and pulled the covers up and then I was fine.  Not sure if it was from the Percoset as it is a known side effect.  I did take it about 20 minutes before this started.  I did cut it in half and took a 1/2 pill in the morning and another 1/2 in the early evening.  Not sure if that was the cause.  I'm not taking any today and so far doing well.  I took a few steps without using much or any pressure on the walker.  My hip is stiff but I'm not in pain.  It is difficult to do simple tasks obviously but so far so good.

The bruising is starting to settle in.  There was a noticeable difference between yesterday morning and yesterday night.  It is still spreading and getting darker.  I've been icing it.  There is def. some swelling but it's not out of control.  Overall I'm in good spirits and def. way further along this time around than the last.

[PistolPete]

Today is Day 4 Post Op.  I think my recovery is going great.  I'm in good spirits and I've been doing a lot.  I'm not taking any pain meds aside from the Tylenol and a nerve drug.  My PT told me to avoid the exercise with the straight leg leg lift.  You are basically laying on your back and wrap a towel around your foot and lift your leg up and back down.  I decided to try it without the towel and I'm able to do them.  Also, with the in and out laying leg slides I'm doing them without putting plastic down on the bed.  Walking is getting easier and I'm putting less and less weight on the walker.  Last night I started getting the night sweats.  Last surgery these lasted about 2 weeks and were absolutely brutal.  Last night was pretty bad.  I had to change my shirt because it was drenched in sweat.  Last time around I thought it was because of the anesthesia but this time I spoke with he anesthesiologist and he said that is not a side effect from it.  Speaking with the nurse from the hospital she said it is common post surgery to have a fever and as long as it is below 101 don't worry about it.  I'm wondering if I'm spiking a fever in my sleep?  If it happens tonight we are going to take my temp right away and see if that's what's going on.

Swelling is starting to kick in and bruising is growing by the day.  No incision pain but last night it was itchy so I guess that's good as it should mean it's healing. 

[Minniemuis]

Thank you for keeping this diary, It is really useful for a newbie like myself to read your story. BTW, what is Percocet?

[Saddlepal3]

Percocet is a narcotic pain killer. https://www.rxlist.com/percocet-drug.htm

[PistolPete]

Thank you for keeping this diary, It is really useful for a newbie like myself to read your story. BTW, what is Percocet?

You're welcome.  Going into my 2nd surgery and it being 10 years later I didn't recall how long the recovery was.  This time around I tried to find as many logs as I could and they were SUPER helpful.  Everyone basically said that the first 2 weeks were really difficult and things got better from there.  Some people went thru depression during this time and had lots of ups and downs.  I literally read a ton of them and preferred the ones that were daily for the first few weeks and then a few times a week and then weekly and monthly.  I hope this helps others.

[PistolPete]

Day 5 Post OP:

WOW, I woke up this morning and before getting out of bed I did my PT exercises.  Easy peasy.  I got up and showered and even dressed 100% by myself WITHOUT needing to use the grabber or anything to get my pants on.  SCORE.  I then was curious if I could walk with one crutch so I went down stairs and BOOM walking on just one crutch without any issues on DAY 5.  Last time around I know it was 2 weeks before I got to this point.  I have PT coming in a few hours so I will see what their thoughts are on this but I'm not unstable at all.

Pain levels are completely manageable.  My fiance thinks I'm lying about it and thinks I'm doing too much.  haha. I was in really good shape going into this and super strong.  I exercised up to 2 days before my surgery and only didn't go the day before because it was snowing out.  The month prior to surgery I used the exercise bike every day to keep the muscles around my hip strong.  I'm def. thinking all of this has dramatically helped to this point.  I have my follow up in 8 days and plan on going back to the gym the following day to do some really light exercises just to get back into a routine.

[catfriend]

Thank you for keeping this diary, It is really useful for a newbie like myself to read your story. BTW, what is Percocet?

You're welcome.  Going into my 2nd surgery and it being 10 years later I didn't recall how long the recovery was.  This time around I tried to find as many logs as I could and they were SUPER helpful.  Everyone basically said that the first 2 weeks were really difficult and things got better from there.  Some people went thru depression during this time and had lots of ups and downs.  I literally read a ton of them and preferred the ones that were daily for the first few weeks and then a few times a week and then weekly and monthly.  I hope this helps others.

Even though it's only been five years for me I can't entirely remember my recovery, either. I kept a blog for that recovery, and have found it helpful to review in preparation for my March 1 surgery. Looking back, I can see that day two post op was my worst day. By the time I was where you're at now - day 5 - I was doing MUCH better. I was in public on day 8, and went to a restaurant on day 9 (on my way to my first follow-up). You seem to be doing similar.

Good to see that you're on the stairs sooner this time out.

I do wish I had kept a better log of how much I was walking when. I graduated from my hall to my street to around the block to my community center track to parks, but I didn't keep notes of just how much I walked when, and I definitely don't remember.

It is like you're looking for, though: at first you note improvements each day, and then weekly, and then longer, and within a few months you're most of the way better.

[petemeads]

I wore my Garmin from day 7 when I first ventured outdoors with 2 crutches, for a very slow mile+ around our estate, until the end of my first year - very instructive, and good for comparison with my THR which initially seemed worse but rapidly got better when that came along a couple of years later. Still wear a Garmin for activities, everything gets recorded when running to show balance L/R and stride data, interesting to watch trends.

[PistolPete]

That is a great idea.  If you're ever down you can always reference back to see where you were and that is always encouraging.  I want to venture outside but we've been getting nothing but snow and ice.  We got an ice storm overnight and more snow in 2 days.  It's been snowing basically every other day with no end in sight.  I'm def. not walking with the risk of falling.  I'm praying this cycle ends soon though as my street PERFECT for walking as I live on a cul-de-sac and we have hardly any traffic at all.

I wore my Garmin from day 7 when I first ventured outdoors with 2 crutches, for a very slow mile+ around our estate, until the end of my first year - very instructive, and good for comparison with my THR which initially seemed worse but rapidly got better when that came along a couple of years later. Still wear a Garmin for activities, everything gets recorded when running to show balance L/R and stride data, interesting to watch trends.

[PistolPete]

Day 6 Post Op:

Yesterday was GREAT!!!!!  I spent basically the entire day on just one crutch.  My PT and OT came and they were blown away with my progress.  The PT agreed that one crutch is fine because I was walking great with it but she did say if my gait gets worse to go back to the walker.  She gave me a bunch of new standing exercises to do so def. making progress.  Yesterday was GREAT.

Today so far (9:30am) I'm SORE.  Swelling is up for certain as well as bruising.  I did my first round of PT exercises but I think I'm going to take it a bit slower today.  It is like lifting weight.  If you go super heavy one day you will then use a different group of muscles the following.  If you do the same muscle group every day it won't recover.  I will be curious to see how things go for the remainder of the day.  That said I'm still feeling good.  No real pain, no issues doing a BM, and I even got my TED socks on by myself.  My OT showed me a trick.  It was HARD but I did it.  HAHA.

I'm also in good spirits.  Some of the other logs I read people were getting depressed esp. during the first few weeks.  I'm not feeling any of that.  I am going to clean up my diet starting tomorrow as I'm def. getting squishier.  My goal is to be shredded for the end of summer so I don't want to get out of hand right now.