April 2018 Update

I haven’t posted on this forum in a while. Life continues…we all get busy but the hips are working fine. I just got a Happy Birthday email from surface hippy and I knew I had to reciprocate. When going through my hip issues, this forum has been an excellent source of comfort and support. It’s been a while. I honestly don’t even remember when I had my surgeries. I guess if I look below I can reflect on those days but they have long been passed. My hips are working fine have completed 3 ironman’s and a whole bunch of other races. I just want anyone who is thinking about resurfacing to know that it worked out well for me. It allowed me to live a very active lifestyle. Today I have other issues (rotator cuff, herniated disc, and others) that limit my activity. Not the hips. I thank God for all the post hip surgery active years. Going to figure out this back thing as I don’t want these two sexy hips to rot from non use.

Read more of Ed’s Story here  http://ironman4youth.blogspot.com/2012/09/fighting-to-starting-line.html

March 17, 2011

Surgery successful. Was able to bet BHR. AVN not pitala major issue. 4 hours total. Got spinal tap and didn’t feel a thing

March 19, 2011

Second day is so much better. used walker up and down hallway. Pain is about a 6 when i try to move, Feels find laying down or sitting. Catheter removed yesterday, met with Social worker regarding my post op recovery plans and taught how to give myself shot of Loveenox. It was not painful at all.
Every step I take I feel better. I just want to do laps around the hospital but I don’t want to push until my post op appt at the end of month. If anyone is reluctant to do this, don’t be. The surgery went smoothly, The only day that gave me a big challenge was day one

March 20, 2011

Just got home. Pain is pretty intense when I move. I was hoping to be one of those people who came home with no pain but I guess that wasn’t me. I have not had a bowel movement since Thursday. Don’t want to take any more Percocet because it really clogs me up. Any home remedies for bowel movement?
I am looking forward to taking each day slow.

 

March 22, 2011

It’s the 5th day after surgery and I am having a hard time. Not so much the hip, it’s the damn headaches from trying to ween myself off the drugs and lack of sleep. Seriously, the hip just feels like a bad Charly Horse (you know when someone punches you in the led). My doc told me “Not” to be conservative at this time with pain meds. Taking Percocet will help with the pain, thereby improve PT, thereby making recovery faster and sleep easier. I get it but I hate meds (and what they do to your bowel movement). Just need to listen to the Doc and stop trying to second guess everything. Just took a Percocet and headache has almost disappeared and I feel goooooddd!!!!! Looking forward to some more PT tonight.

March 23, 2011

If I could have done both at the same time, I wouldn’t blink. I would rather just get it over with ASAP. My surgeons didn’t want to do both at the same time because of the difficulty of my case. I had sever AVN plus they wanted me to have a good leg to assist in the recovery process.

They want to do the other hip within the next three months. As an entrepreneur, time off means lost of income (I am a Public Speaker). I took a big hit because of the situation surrounding the quick failure of my hip. I know I am a little hesitant to take time off again but I really want to get back on with my active triathlon training regime. What most people don’t understand is that there are “opportunity costs” associated with a second surgery. In the final analysis, you have to decide what these cost are, speak to your surgeon about them, and if it will not affect your health, make a good decision. It will means less sacrifice on your part in the long run. Now I got to get back to these weird PT exercises.

March 24, 2011

I am 7 days post op and I will tell you it’s the best investment I made. I am starting to feel like nomral. In fact I am scared if I heal to quickly I will forget I had surgery and start running. Do your research and get advice form others on the site and don’t look back.

To be honest, I don’t know what device they used. I think it is BHR but not sure. I just got to a point where I trusted my surgeons ( I had two – long story) and was over thinking things too much. I am not saying don’t find out everything and ask all questions – I just got too consumed in worry. I did not realize controlling the “worry” was part of the preparation.

All the best, Ed

March 29, 2011

When I took my first step the day after the operation it felt like being hit by the “D” Train (Bronx baby). The pain was from my hip area. I was in such a sweat, loss all color in my face – the PT and nurse grabbed me and fanned me with sheets until i got some color back.

They just unhooked me from the spinal tap pain meds so it was probably my body saying “Oh snap – what did you just do to me?” I never want to go there again. I am going to tell them to keep the pain meds coming for my second HR, at least till day two.

Anyway, I am 12 days post op and walking with a cane (don’t really need it), the pain is now a 3/4 and bearable. Taking OTC Ibuprofen to help with swelling. Need to ice more but I just hate doing all this stuff. I think my biggest challenge is depression. I have been unable to walk for six months and I just want to take my dog for a WALK.

March 31, 2011

14 day post op done. Staples out and moving forward. still on 90 degree restriction. Started driving – a little uncomfortable but with a few adjustments to the steering wheel and recline and a knowledge of how to get in and out the car (really works), feeling much better.

April 3, 2011

As each day passes I fell like I’m normalizing. Sometimes I want to push myself (walk a mile, swim, etc.) to prove to myself that I am getting better. I have to avoid those self-defeating behaviors that will only set me back. I am trying to trust the PT, Surgeon and the numbers. Statistically, we have a 95% chance of this working.

For me it is a realizing that I am so vulnerable. I was upstairs in my room and heard a noise downstairs. Fear came over me because I had no way of fleeing the situation. My first instinct would be to run, jump out a window, just get to safety. When I realized there was no way that was going to happen I felt so powerless. Thank God it was just fallen mop. When you cant follow your most basic instinct – flee (i can’t fight), it does something to you. I will never get a gun but I am thinking abut a bow an arrow (lol).

Like so many others have said, each day I get better. I am going into my third week and start counseling this week to help with some of the anxiety and depression. Time seems to be going by so slow these days but I’m starting to enjoy going to bed at 9:00pm. I got some Ambien which helps me sleep.

I took my pt down to my basement gym and he basically said I can do all upper body exercises but just to watch how I get on the bench or position my body and not to break 90 degree rule.

I have a treadmill and elliptical and he said to do each for no more than 15 minutes and a few light leg extensions on the bench. I do the rest:

He really urged me to work out at home than going to the gym to avoid infection. I though he made a good point. I am only 3 weeks post op so I think your incision is more healed than mine but I would be careful. Gyms are a cesspool of funky bacteria.

April 8, 2011

It’s been three weeks since my Right Hip HR with Drs. Craig Thomas and Reinalda Horton. For all my triathlon buddies, here’s some advice. Recovery is not a sprint; it’s a 1/2 Ironman and I am still in the swim.

Weight bearing 100% post-op. I am off the crutches, just don’t need them. It just happened. Walking with cane fine but got limp. Told not to go off cane for another two weeks. I’ve been walking 1/2 mile each day. I split 50m with cane, 50 without. My unoperated hip hurts more than usual. I wish I just got both done at the same time. I feel my recovery will be shortchanged by the lack of range of motoin on unop hip. Back hurts a little too. Hope to clear it up with pt and core strengthening exercises soon.

Doc told me to stop Lovenox shots at two week mark and start taking baby aspirin. Sleeping is good now. Can roll over with no problem. Still have 90 degree restrictions. I wish I could put on my own damn socks. I couldn’t if I wanted to. Hip is too tight and stiff. Thank God for the sock pully thingy.

Told to try to walk stairs normally, a little scared so I still do one foot down followed by other foot. All the PT seems not to be helping increase flexibility. I think once 90 degree restrictions are off I will be able to stretch the muscle and loosen things up.

Got clearance to drive at two weeks but it wasn’t a good idea. Now I feel ok with it but still not comfortable. I am 6 ft tall with long legs. I drive an Ford Expedition but still feel I need more legroom to drive comfortably. Staying out of car as much as possible until I feel better.

Going to see therapist about issues related to surgery, disability and life. Also planning to visit Walter Reed Army hospital to visit soldiers who lost their limbs in battle. Got the idea from a post. Maybe if I see those who are really going through it I will find some patience to deal with this little bruise.

No pain meds. Don’t want to take motrin for bad hip. Just wish I could detox myself off all that junk. The lingering hip issue might make that impossible. Another reason to get both down together.

So tired all the time. No metal energy to work. I promised I was going to rewrite my first book, devise of survey, get in some good reading – nahhhhhhh. I just veg out on True Blood (Great DVD Series), play Scrabble, video games an dpost on Surface Hippy. I realize that taking 4 weeks off means taking 4 weeks off. Don’t short change yourself – relax and let your body do its job.

I lost all desire to go to gym or pool right now. Convinced by too many posts that the risk are not worth it. Will likely wait till 5 to 6 weeks before I go to gym or pool. Feel I could it t now but MSRA infection is real. My son just got over one (he’s a 19 year old college student). They did not even want me to see him in hospital.

All in all I don’t regret it. I have no hop pain on the operated side. Just tightness and a little soreness.
April 10, 2011

Went to the gym yesterday and rode stationary cycle so easily and with no pain. I was amazed. I had the seat up high to limit range of motion but I was able to ride comfortably. In fact, I noticed no difference in power pre and post surgery. I had resistance on a 8 out of 20 and held rpm at 84 for 20 minutes. Felt good to break a sweat. Tried to do elliptical – after 5 minutes gave it up. Too much pain. Both of these exercises were cleared by my PT. Did some upper body exercises and did my PT routine afterwards.

Last night – Slept like a baby

April 15, 2011

Here are my goals for this year. I am avoiding long distance running for 6 months but will do a lot of deep water running and light road work. I plan on making this happen:

May 7 – Metric Century
May 29 – 2 Mile Lake Swim
June 12 – AquaVelo (1.4 swim and 56 Bike)
Aug 13 – 100 Mile Century
Sept 24 – Aqua Velo 2.4 mile swim 112 bike

Oct ?
Left Hip BHR

2012 – IRONMAN!!!!

May 3, 2011

Six Week Report

For starters, I have my first Surface Hippy “EYEBALL” with Philwad next week. He;s coming into my area and we plan to meet. It will be so cool to put a face to the text. I might try to get him out on a 10 mile run (just kidding).

Guess what? I can put my socks on!!!! I am so elated. No more sock thingamajig. I even was able to take my dog for a one mile walk and I didn’t need to use a cane. My Doc lifted my restrictions this week and just told me to listen to my body.

I am riding my stationary bike 1 hour 3 x a week and swimming another 3 x a week. I can finally get in aero position (first time in 7 months with no pain). Each workout I try to spend 1/4 of the workout in aero to get used to feel and stretch. No problem with range of motions but have not tried to stand up and pedal. I think I will wait a few more weeks for that. Anyone else tried to ride out of saddle? Plan to take bike on open rode at week 8.

I’ve resumed weight lifting and pretty much back to where I was before surgery except no heavy leg work. My leg workouts are leg extensions, seated leg curls, seated calf raises and leg press on machine not past 90 degree mark.

Scar tissue hurts a little and feels real hard. Doc said to massage it every day. Any other recommendations?

Only issue is slight limp, a little back pain and NON OPERATED HIP PAIN (boy i wish I had both done at same time). It is real hard to stand on non-op leg to do certain exercises. I really need to get the other one done. I dont want to take any more pain meds but it looks like I might have to. Doc asked if I needed any more meds and I said no. Wrong answer! I should have told her I was in so much pain I couldn’t walk. Despite my x-rays (she says my hip is that on a 70 year old), she gauges need for surgery by pain. I am going to have to crank up the pain act. I have a high threshold for pain and will continue till I can’t walk. I don;t want to wait for then.

As for the limp, Doc said my abductors/inductors are very weak. PT and trainer at gym are helping me focus on exercises to strengthen muscle area to see if limp resides. If you have any real good exercises send them my way. I think I get the most benefit from weighted side legs.

I can’t believe the relief an progress made by this device. Each week I see more and more progress. It gets better every week. Lord just hurry up and give me some patience!

 

June 13, 2011

I’m happy to report that i successfully completed the Eagleman AquaVelo just a few days shy of my 3 month BHR anniversary.

My new hip met the challenge of a 1.4 mile swim and 56 mile bike race with strength and vigor. I felt no pain in the operated hip during and after the race. I PRed in the swim with a time of 40 minutes and averaged 17.4 mph on the bike.

What was even more amazing was being able to run through Dulles airport with a 30 pd bag on my back immediately after the race. I made my flight and am sitting on a five hour flight to Tacoma, WA.

My doc cleared me for all activity last week. She asked me to just use my head and stop when it hurts. I’m working the elliptical like a cheap suit in preparation for running and training for an Ultra Aquavelo in Sept. I just hope the non operated hip holds out for a few more months.

Wherever you are in the recovery process, things will get better. You will get to where u want to be if u work at it and practice common sense. The hip was designed to give us our active lifestyes back. It did what it’s supposed to do. I look forward to running a 5k before my 6 month anniversary.

It gets better.

Edward DeJesus

July 8, 2011

It’s been almost 4 months for me and the main thing i feel is the scar tissue. I try rubbin it, slappin it, kickin it and it still feels tight and a little itchy at times.

Every week I get better. Today I hit the heavy bag at the gym. I was moving like Muhammad Ali. “I’m so fast I can turn off the lights and get in bed before the room gets dark” type of speed.

I don’t mind when people treat me special. At a recent AquaVelo (Swim/Bike) race I tried wearing a shirt saying that I had my Hip Resurfaced 3 months ago. I was hoping that the other athletes would feel sorry for me and let me pass. They showed no mercy.

October 8, 2011

I haven’t been posting for the past two months. I started a P/T which leaves little time for anything but sleep. I’m trying to get my financial house in order before my second BHR (Nov 8th). Not looking forward to it but we all know how that goes.

Operated hip is doing well but I had to slow down on exercise because of pain in non-op hip. Leaving one hip undone will really slow down your ability to get active again. I know I need to be patient but I’m tired of being a patient. I want to run.

I’m looking forward to a 2012 Ironman. That’s my goal so let’s get this bad boy fixed so I can do what I got to do.

December 17, 2011

I didn’t think it was going to happen but I just got word that Kaiser has approved me for external HR with Dr Craig Thomas in D.C. Thanks to Rob and all others who helped me with my appeal. Now to get rid of [pain and get Bi-Lateral and put these bad boys to some work.

February 12, 2010

I am in the hospital recovering from my left hip resurfacing. Thanks to all who encouraged me through the madness. Got around on a walker today, pain was about an 8. A little dehydrated due to surgery being delayed 7 hours.

February 11, 2012

This is my second BHR. I am 7 days post op. Sleep sucks. Just like the first BHR – Sleep sucked. I don’t consider it sleep any more. I just consider it periods of 45 minutes of power naps spread throughout the day. The good news is that by weeks three last year, I was sleeping like a baby. I mean I slept half the day and loved it.

March 1, 2012

Today I am 4 weeks post op and walking two miles, stationary cycling 1 hour and engaged in an aggressive P/T program. I got clearance to do light running two months post op (no more than a 5k at low pace). By six months I plan on beginning an intense endurance running program. I don’t know if I will be able to pull out 7 min miles but I hope to work up to it.

April 12, 2012

ran two miles at a 11.33 min/mile pace and could have gone faster. All I kept thinking about was how you guys are gonna jam on me. Little soreness, knees felt weird (haven’t run) for 1.5 years. Doc said I was clear to do run – just to listen to my body. Going to keep walking more, continue water running, elliptical and add a mile a month. Sprint Tri in June and plan to walk/run course. I may be pushing a little more than most but I want to share that wherever you are in the recovery process – you are here to get your active life back. No matter at what level.

July 17, 2012

I am back to running. It is almost six months for me. I am doing 6 miles at a easy 8 – 9 min/mile pace. Anything faster really bothers me and I feel it on the run. I completed a sprint and Olympic distance with a slow run. I didnt place but at least I finished. I am doing a walk/run strategy for my IM at 9 months post op. I am giving myself 11 minute miles. If I finish faster I walk the remaining time. I know these strategies usually fall apart but at least I won’t try to run the whole thing.

After this IM I think I am going to call it a wrap. Just Sprints and whole bunch of Aquavelos. Although the BHR is made for active lifestyles, I am getting the feeling it is not made for 30-40 miles per week of pounding. When they come out with that device, I will be the first one in line. Keep updating us and thnaks for the motivation and realistic thinking.

October 28, 2012

I am almost nine months out and just completed a 10k. I completed a Olym tri four months out and was in miserable pain post run. This run was no problem. . I notice the pain comes with increased speed. If i push anything below at 10minI/mile, im gonna feel it. Also the leg turnover doesnt come easy. Its a slow process which i think best not to push. I just know speed is coming back slowly. Its my goal to beat my marathon pr of 3:43 next year and of course, IM Texas in sub 13.

August 26, 2012

My race for Ironman began on Sept 27, 2010. Today, August 26, 2012, two years later, at the Louisville Ironman, it’s time to celebrate. I’ve been ready for this race for two years. The race is easy, getting here was the hard part. I hope those of you struggling with similar issues, be they mental, physical, emotional, financial will ask the right question: What am I going to do today to make my life better?” Then you fight your way to the starting line. The rest is a piece of cake.

Today, I am going to become an Ironman—not because I swam 2.4 miles, biked 112 miles and ran 26.2 miles within 15 hours. I become an Ironman today because I had the courage to start.

March 10, 2013

Hey ya’ll. just wanted to drop in and say to all you potential HR folk – “what the hell are you waiting for?”  It’s been.. blah blah blah (you can read my story here numerous times). When I was in the throws of pain, confusion and desperation – Surface Hippy,and the members on it, where a great source of information and support.

God Bless this site.  I haven’t been on because I have been too busy doing everything.  My 2012 race season was off the hook.  2013 is gonna be sick. Got Ironman Texas in 8 weeks, then a few long distance swims, the Army ten miler, a few Sprint Tris, NAtion’s Tri and to top it off – the Marine Corps Marathon (shooting for a 4:30).  The only thing that is going to slow me down is this new job.

Here are a few pointer from an Old G:
Keep doing the Pt exercises.  I stopped and realized how important they are to my continued recovery. Even 2 years post op on my right hip on 1 on my left, I still need PT to strengthen muscles and joints. Running, swimming and biking doesn’t do it.

Keep weight down
Broke 190 lbs and felt it. Going back down to 175-180. Notice a big difference.

You can walk real fast
After running 1-13 miles. I get sore. Walk/running is real effective and I still am able to average 10-11 minute miles on long distances. But some speed walking vodes. These people are serious and getting 10 minute miles.

Some times you got to go fast
I am busting a few sprints here and there. I notice with each one I am getting faster. My goal is to whip my 18 year old son’s butt in a 400 meter.

Beware the THR folk
They are out there competing. I thought i was the only Real Ironman till a THR guy passed me on the run. Damn it!

Get it done and get your life back.  You guys can check me out at http://ironman4youth.blogspot.com/2012/09/fighting-to-starting-line.html

August 14, 2014

It has been a while since I posted here.  As I crossed the finish line of my recent International Tri this weekend, I thought about all the help that got me there. Surface Hippy was such a great support in my bi-lateral journey.  The advise, compassion and expertise helped me make it through and I will always be grateful.

For many of you about to get your first HR , it only gets better.  A few months ago someone contacted me. He assumed the reason I stopped posting was that I hurt myself or had a leg amputated.  Why would he think that?  If anything, If i had a problem, SH is the first place I’d come.

I am four weeks away from my second IM since bi-lateral.