April 21, 2009

All of my pre op was done from Park City UT, so I didn’t meet anyone until the day before surgery. His assistant Jill was incredible. All of my pre op concerns were answered quickly and easily via email and phone. I showed up the day before surgery and stayed at the guesthouse at the hospital. Don’t remember the exact name, but Dr. Mont’s office will give you the name. I met with Dr. Mont and Jill and had the last of my questions answered. Dr. Mont was very assuring that I would not end up with a THR. They also let me know they use the Wright C+ and Cormet devices. I then went for my last blood test at the hospital. Everything was smooth and easy like a well oiled machine.

I showed up the next morning at 6am and was taken in immediately. The hospital staff is very nice and accommodating. I met with the Anesthesiologist, and he reassured me that the spinal would be adequate and I would remember nothing, he was correct, don’t worry about the spinal. After recovery, I was sent to my room, and it was a very nice room, with an extra bedroom on the side for my guest.

The next day I met with Dr. Mont, he stated that it went very well and that my bone stock was extremely dense and a pleasure to work with (maybe due to years of pounding them ski racing). He then informed me that I received the Wright C+ device. The gist I got, and I could be wrong, was that the Wright C+ works well with dense bones. I really wasn’t worried about the device, I just felt comfortable with the fact that Dr. Mont is comfortable with it. I feel that is the most important part of the device choice, the surgeons experience and comfort with the device and installation. He knows I’m an athlete, and will return to ski racing in Sept in Chile. He assured me that in a few months, I will not even know I have the device.

I rode to NYC to my parents home after being discharged. The 3.5 hr ride was no big deal at all. Just needed a pillow, garbage bag (to reduce friction getting in and out) and an ice bag. Stopped once on the way home. Flying would have been a little difficult but doable due to the seat angle. Swelling was at a minimum too.

Overall, it was a very pleasant experience. There are no staples or stitches to be removed! The steri strips will fall off in about two weeks. My pain was minimal, I have only used an occasional Hydrocodone just to sleep. I was able to walk with crutches the day after surgery. I was able to climb stairs too. Pain is minimal and has not really been worse than pre op pain. About 5 days post op, I moved to one crutch. It is now 12 days, and I can walk with a limp and no crutches, but Jill insisted that I use one crutch for a bit longer. I am flying home on Thursday (2 weeks post op) and feel totally ok to do so.

Dr. Mont is a rock star and his staff too! I have had much orthopedic work in my lifetime, about 13 surgeries, mostly knees, 2 ankles and 3 various bones (and now one hip), so I am stating this from experience. Feel free to ask any questions…

Lou
RH Wright C+ Dr. Mont 4/9/09

May 4, 2009

Started swimming on day 19! Swam quite a few laps and did some water walking. It felt great! Dr. Mont said it was fine as long as incision was healed. Today is day 25 and I will be swimming for the third time.