Johathan Lourie’s hip resurfacing story with Dr. Bose 2011
Jonathan Lourie 49 year old male. LBHR. August 2011. My story begins a few years back when I started to feel pain in my left hip. Not Yoga, acupuncture or massage seems to help for long term pain relief. So after much research and communication with many hip resurfacing doctors around the world, I decided to come to India for the operation. Dr Bose is probably one of the top 3 surgeons in the world and I decided that having the best surgeon was the most important thing, probably more important than the device they put inside and where you get it done. Dr. Bose has done thousands of operations of this kind, and nothing beats experience. So although 200-400 may be ok for some, I decided it was a numbers game, and preferred someone who had done thousands. I actually have private health cover, and the whole experience would have cost me less if I had stayed in my own country. This confirmed my conviction to the India trip, as the decision was not only based on money. I am very very happy with my decision. The people at the hospital are warm and sincere. The nurse care is exemplary, and all the doctors are professional and courteous. Everything was explained along the way, and there was no ego or arrogance when topics were raised. Dr Bose always emailed me in a timely fashion and offered me a direct service by providing me with detailed answers to all my questions. Dr . Appan Raj was very well informed and always provided educated, experiences precise answers to all my questions. The whole India experience was well oiled and coordinated by Mr. Mohan. Below is a breakdown in point form of my progress and tips for those wanting to make the trip. Tips · Travel very light (I came with a 8 kilo back pack (inc laptop). Bring movies on laptop. No need to bring towel and soap. · There are books, wifi, tv, fridge microwave etc in the room. Time seems to fly, and probably moved too quickly for me. · Bring 1 packet of tissue size baby wipes. Trust me on this one. · Exchange rate is better on the streets of Mumbai, so change into Rupees if you go via Mumbai before you come. It can save hundreds of dollars · Look at all the accommodation options, there are many other hotels and guest houses out there that may suit your budget. · Food was fine. The continental option was not fatty and provided enough salads. Bring one of your favorite chocolates from home to spoil yourself. · Stay away from alcohol and cigarettes if possible prior to coming and get fit by doing some general exercises. Procedure Day -2: I came to Chennai one day before check in day. Stayed at a guest house in the Egmore area. Rested and ate well and enjoyed the Indian culture. Day -1: Got picked up from guest house at 10am. Met coordinator Mr Mohan and filled in forms. This was a days of tests and meeting. Xray, ECG, blood ect. Moved into hospital room in Platinum ward. Met Dr Bose at 7pm for consultation, and we went through all of my concerns. Got to touch a BHR and was surprised it weighed a kilo. Very smooth cool device. Also had consultations with cardiac and anesthetist (Dr.Babu Ji) doctors. Caught up on emails, and things flowed well throughout the day. Not boring for a moment. Day 0: Stayed relaxed, Received a sterilized wipe down of the bad leg and operation was at 9am, I wished Dr Bose good luck and I don’t remember much except for Dr Bose coming out after the operation to tell me it was a real success. Couldn’t open my eyes until the next day. Very very tired. Anesthetist was wonderful and explained everything that was going to happen. Didn’t get to count to 3. Day +1: Pain was controlled but uncomfortable. Couldn’t lift my leg , couldn’t pee (I recommend only trying it in a standing position for the men that is). Took a few weight baring steps with a frame. Met Dr Bose in evening, explained what went on and showed pix of the operation. (upon request). Nurses wiped me down with huge wet ones. Day +2: Walked the corridor using a frame, and did the exercises even outside the PT allocated times of 10am and 3pm. Managed to pee, no stool however. Bandage was changed, iv and drain was removed, so I am not connected to anything except my laptop. Continued with PT when I remembered to do so. Movies, bbc and reading. Day +3: Slight reduction in pain. Walking more swiftly, and by the afternoon moved to hand crutches which I will take back home. Passed my first motion and was feeling less tired as I moves from pain killer injections to tablets. Received only anti inflammatory and pain killer tablets along with and blood thinner injection. Received detailed explanations regarding walking issues from Dr . Appan Raj who by the way was so informative and kind throughout my stay. Had my final Xray of new hip, and took a photo of it with my camera so I could sent it home via the net. This was my best day so far. Strength was back and all of a sudden felt better. Thinking healthy made me feel healthy. Sitting up and sitting down is still a problem, however by lunch time I was already feel a huge improvement. However, towards the evening, things turned on me and I started to feel worse. I don’t know why, as my temp and pulse were normal. Hope I get to feel better on day +4. Continued with PT when I remembered to do so, especially by feet flipping exercise. Decided to take some syrup to help with the bowl movements which proved to be a good decision. Had a little burning and some itchiness in the incision area which is a good thing. Getting better !! Day +4: Got to have my 1st shower since the operation, after having my bandaged changed. Walked up stairs and feeling the same appetite is fine like all previous days. Not much to report. Day +5: Still tired in the morning, but my best day but far. My mobility has improved extensively and walking is a lot easier. Using the stockings are a pain especially since you cannot shower with them, I will probably dump them.I have the strength to raise my leg and although muscles and tight and repairing I can feel them easing up. It will only get better from here exponentially and look forward to a getting fit and walking pain free. Some of the pain is in the similar position to where my hip pain was, but I am told that will disappear in time. Lots of P.T , ankle paddling and stretching. Life here I come. Feel free emailing me if you have any questions regarding the operation or after care. (jlourie@gmail.com ). This is the beginning of my second life. I am looking forward to being able to walk around the park and the mall without suffering for days after… without anti inflammatory tablets I will be in Chennai for a few days, and after my visit to the doctor will head on home towards the end of August 2011. Surprises along the way · The BHR was stress tested in the laboratory and found to be functioning WELL over our life time, so even though we do not have a history data beyond 12 years or so, it’s very possible it will outlive us. It has therefore suggested that it better to return to impact exercises that are weigh baring which will in fact increase the longevity of the prosthesis and surgery due to metal and bone integration. · I was surprised how one day things just wouldn’t work, and the next day they just did. The body has a way of finding the way back to balance and normality without having to teach it. Nature is a wonderful thing, and human development is incredible.BHR with Dr Bose continued – 8 months on Well its now April 2012, and 8 months have passed since my operation with Dr Bose. I feel it’s time for an update, especially for those considering a hip resurfacing. I am 49 years old and not a day goes by that I am not grateful for having done the operation. It has been one of the best things I have ever done in my life and I appreciate the skills and assistance I received from the people involved in getting me back on my feet. Today I can do everything. Run, ride, swim and exercise as much as I want and WITH NO PAIN. I can walk around the mall with my family and not be in pain for 2 days following. No pain killers. Just getting on with life. Anyway.. After my 7 days at the hospital I boldly took a 14hr train ride to the West coast of India. Karola was waiting for me. I figured I would be sitting or lying down on the train so why not? With my 2 walking sticks and small back pack. I managed to get around on busses and rickshaws. I didn’t have any particular place in mind but after speaking to the information desk at the train station I decided on Kovalam followed by Kochin. I can recommend both places for recuperation. Walking on the boardwalk along the beach was just what the doctor ordered. Fresh grilled fish at night and walking around all day was a great way to recover. I keep up the exercises I was shown in the hospital and managed to move over to one walking stick by day 8. I always listened to my body and decided to return to 2 sticks on day 10 as I seemed to be pushing things too fast. It turned out to be a good idea as by day 12, I was much stronger and easily managed things back on one stick again. I found the best form of exercise was the walking so I kept it up. Unfortunately my incision was slow to repair and the top 2 cm of the incision was still weeping blood and was slightly darker than the rest of the wound. So I sent the pictures via email to Dr Bose and he recommended as a precaution to get some anti biotic and continue changing the bandages. By day 18 all seemed to be better and the bleeding stopped. After 3 weeks in India I flew home via Chennai and went back to the hospital for my final checkup. It was 2.5 weeks after the operation that I stopped using the crutches and was walking (with a slight limp). If I was tired, I would go back to a single stick for that extra support throughout the day. Back home I continued my stretching at least 3 times a day and every day showed improvement. I took every opportunity to climb stairs and focused on trying to reduce my limp. I devoted special attention to my left foot, which curled inwards slightly when I walked. Even today, it tends to turn inwards slightly every once in a while when I walk and run. Over the months I slacked off a bit and stopped doing my stretching and I feel if I had continued my daily workout, my repair time would have been quicker, but that’s life. Even after 8 months I have to stretch otherwise things seems stiff, but that is part of my regular exercise regime. I find riding a great way of stretching, and after an hour or two of riding I feel fantastic. I still have my scar, but I put vitamin E cream on it and hope that it will fade over time. Life is gr8 and just the simple task of putting on socks and shoes makes my day. I am grateful. Jonathan |