Surgery With Dr. Gross April 4, 2022

[BBhip]

I have been lurking in the group for over 1 year reading all the stories good and bad. This site is deep with knowledge and experience and Pat is doing a wonderful job keeping it going.

I first noticed I had issues with my left hip around 2010 at the age of 32. I would have soreness after playing basketball in my left groin. I continued to play despite the pain but I had to do something about it after it started to affect my sleep. Long story short they found I had a mildly arthritic left hip. My local orthopedic surgeon also noted there were signs of arthritis in my right hip. By this time it was 2012. He recommended I stop playing basketball and consider arthroscopic surgery considering my age. We live in Barbados where only non surgical techniques and traditional hip replacement is available. I struggled for the next 6 years but decided that i really needed to find a way to figure this out. Around 2018 I found out about Professor McMinn and reviewed all of his youtube videos on hip resurfacing. I also read any of his papers I got my hands on. I was convinced this was the operation I should get. It was further reinforced by the Andy Murray and Isiah Thomas stories.

Last year I joined surface hippy and was blown away with all of the information on this site. The next step was trying to figure out how I could get this surgery which was not available on my island. It was a lot of back and forth between my insurance and my local orthopedic surgeon but I was able to eventually convince them I would get the surgery in the US. I settled on Dr. Gross based on all of the reviews here and his wonderful site including his published work. His record is one of the best in the world.
Fast forward to March 30th 2022 I found my way from Barbados to Miami to North Carolina to South Carolina. I met with Dr. Gross and Dr. Lee Webb on March 31. I learned I was his first Barbadian patient which made me proud, lol.

Yesterday was surgery day. I arrived at 6am to the Surgery Center, I was immediately prepared by his wonderful nursing staff with IV and the various monitors. I briefly spoke to the anesthesiologist then i was wheeled into the surgery theater. I remember moving over to the surgery table and after that it was like someone turned out the lights. I woke up with my wife by my side and soon after I was being prepared for the first steps. That went well and I was allowed to go back to the hotel just before 2pm.

Dr. Gross' operation is a supremely well oiled machine. I cant praise it enough. Now it is over to me to stick to the plan and work on my recovery. If all goes well on the insurance side, I will be back in July to complete the right side. I will keep you up to date on my recovery.

[Domer]

Thanks for sharing your story so far BBhip.  I'm exactly one month behind you with my surgery scheduled with Dr Gross on May 4th.  I'm flying in from Michigan.  How many days are you staying before flying back home?

Hope it continues to go well!

[BBhip]

Hi Domer,

I arrived on March 30, met with Gross and Webb on March 31. Surgery was April 4. We will leave the hotel on April 8 and head to Atlanta to stay with my cousin until April 17. We will take the long trek home to Barbados then.

[bionicbiker]

Hi BBHip,

Glad to hear things went well.  I met you in the hotel following my surgery on 1st April.

I echo all your comments. They have this procedure down to a tee.  I was quite anxious about the surgery and pushed off having anything done for many years..... until I could barley walk. 

Domer, FYI,

My travel arrangements were as follows;

Wednesday: travel day.
Thursday Morning.  Pre op with Dr Gross / Lee Web + X-ray / bone density scan
Friday: Surgery then released to hotel in the evening
Saturday: Meet with Dr Gross
Sunday: Travel day

Apart from some flight complication on the way out (due to weather) it was a very smooth process.

[BBhip]

It was wonderful to meet you bionicbiker. I know you will make a 100% recovery.

I will try to update on my progress. I am focused on doing the exercises in the bed and moving around on the crutches. I'm using the ice machine to control the swelling. No issues so far. Pain is under control. Soreness when I put weight on the leg but it is manageable.

[BBhip]

3 Weeks + 2 Days Update:

I'm back in Barbados now and all is going well. I have been walking fine over the last 2 weeks with one crutch. In the house, I can move around great without any crutch, including going up/down stairs. I definitely notice the weakness in the operated leg but it is manageable. In addition to the Dr. Gross exercises, i walk one km 3 times a day with a single crutch. In week 4 I will test whether I am ready to go crutchless. Today I added 10mins of zero resistance on my stationary bike.

Sleep is probably my biggest issue. I tend to sleep the first 4hours uninterrupted but then I wake up multiple times for the remaining 2/3 hours. I cant find a comfortable position during this period. It feels like my quads and soft tissue surrounding my hip are giving me the issues. I guess it is very early and this will resolve with time. I notice leg extensions lying on the bed are much harder than leg extensions sitting. Much more discomfort in lying position.

I continue to be very happy with the progress and look forward to the 6week checkup with Dr. Gross so I can add more exercises to the recovery process.

[imgetinold]

Congrats, BBhip!  In a year's time this will seem like old news.

Stick to Dr. Gross' recovery plan, and don't overdo it.  After about 3 months you'll feel so much better that you'll be tempted to do things you shouldn't.  Just a word of caution. 

Cheers!