February 23, 2007

As I noticed today’s date, I realized that 6 years ago, I was in Baltimore getting my hip re-surfaced by Dr. Mont. Since I rarely even think about it anymore, other when someone mentions it to me, I kind of lost track. I guess it works. For those of you on this site looking for relief from your hip problems, as I was in 2001, I certainly recommend re-surfacing. Back then I met a few guys through this site that were ahead of me and I was able to contact them to discuss their experiences. It certainly helped me make my decision to go forward with it. When we each got our new hips, we were encouraged to report back on all the details on this site. I found my original report, post #1105, back in the ancient history section. I’m sure things are even better today, but for me, it couldn’t have worked out any better. Good luck to all of you looking for help.

Brian Carder
Toledo, OH
C+, 2/23/01
Dr. Mont

Baltimore on Feb 23, 2001

Thanks, it went very well, I think. Here is a brief recap of my conserve + surgery on 2/23, and the days since. My wife and I drove to Balt on Wed and stayed in a very nice B&B (Grammercy). Thurs went to the MDA day (was the only guy so I had the class to myself. Friday was scheduled for surgery at 1, be at hospital at 10. Happened to go to my car after breakfast around 8 and found my cell voice mail ringing. Dr. Mont’s office called Wed afternoon and wanted to move me up to 10, be at hospital by 7. Since I didn’t get message until 8am I was panicking. Called hospital and they said to get in asap. We did and they got me ready for 10:30. Changed into my gown and ted’s (stockings) and waited around on a bed. Had to sign a bunch of forms (in kind of a hurry), talked to anesthesia (spelling?) and things started moving pretty quickly. Pushed into OR and next thing I know it was over. I had a general anesthesia so I was completely out. Woke up, it seemed like one second after they said we were ready to go, and a nurse was telling me that everything went fine and I was doing great. I was in 0 pain, on my back with a big foam “wedgie” pillow between my legs. My wife was brought in and I was kind of just floating. They told me it took over four hours mainly because of the size of my legs. (I have tree trunks for legs.) I guess I was put back in a private room and realized how I was hooked up. I had a cath, an IV in my hand, a drain and pump from the hip, and a push button morphine drip that I could work every 6 minutes. I was not in pain much so I tried not to use the pump. Mostly I was terribly thirsty. They brought a full dinner but did not eat much. My back hurt just from being in one position for so long. Seemed like the longest night of my life, kept going in and out of sleep. In the morning a doctor checked on me, a nurse pulled the cath and within a couple of hours they had me up on a walker. They had me walk to the bathroom and back and then put me back in bed. Met Dr. Mont and had a nice long talk. Said everything went well and he kidded me about how hard I was to do because of my size. My bones are in excellent health, very large and dense. There was a lot of arthritis in the joint. That 1st afternoon, I was again up and in a recliner chair, and pushed down to the “Preakness Room,” where the PT’s get everyone together for exercise. Second night I slept a little better, day 2 was again spend in my chair, two visits to the Preakness for PT. I could get out of bed by myself by this time. During my second PT, they had me up on crutches and walking the hall. Also did a flight of stairs. The second night I put myself to bed around 11 and was able to sleep reasonably well. Day three (Sunday) I was up by myself, got myself cleaned up and dressed, and was ready to go. Went to morning PT to practice my stairs. Got discharged in the morning around 10:30 and after a little red tape my wife and I got in the car at noon. I was able to get in the front seat of my Durango ok with a little help and we headed for the highway. All in all, It went very well. I am now day 6, sitting in my living room sort of back to work (phones, etc.) My wife Debbie has done an incredible job as a nurse. My biggest problems are my wound still seeps quite a bit so we have to change the dressing twice a day. Also, my right leg did swell quite a bit. Very little pain in my hip. My biggest  complaint was when I got ready to go on Monday I asked a nurse if I needed the stockings and she said no, so I took them off. I never wore them until about the third day home and my leg was swollen. When I called Jennifer at Dr. Mont’s office, she was quite upset that the discharge nurse did not tell me that I needed to wear the TED’s for six  weeks. I have since got them back on and the swelling is going down. I have my 1st home PT session this afternoon. Thanks to all those that emailed and called. I hope everyone else is as lucky as me. Please ask any questions. I would enjoy responding.

Brian Carder
Toledo, Ohio