One month post op

[Showbart]

Hello All,

I'm one month post op, right hip with Dr. Matthew Heinrich and the Depuy ASR. Where shall I start. I'm 48 yo male & I've never had major surgery. I live and had the procedure done here in Austin, Tx at St Davids medical center. I was nervous. I was first on the schedule and had a 5am check in. This was all expedient and I was glad I was first in line. Met my anesthesiologist Dr Joe Kocks(cox) who was wonderful. Saw Dr Heinrich in the OR (we had a pre-op office visit the week before) and I must say, this man exudes confidence (like most surgeons) and I have always felt trust in him completely. The atmosphere in the OR was casual yet very professional and we were all BSing for quite a while. Of course you know what happened, the next thing I remember I was waking up in recovery.

I have to say that physically this thing kicked my butt at first. It didn't help that I lost more blood than most patients (but not all) as it turns out I'm a bleeder. Runs in the family. My Mom had many surgeries and always had to be transfused. I got 3 whole units of blood and boy did I feel better. Was told and have confirmed that blood loss is an issue during hip arthroplasty. My coagulant factors were all checked and monitored but this may be due to platelet abnormality of some kind. It's not understood why it happens.

The installation went perfectly. It was computer navigated and Dr Heinrich said he could've gone one size in either direction and still have been perfectly centered and anatomically correct with his first choice, the middle one, chosen as the most natural. They allow up to 2 hours for this but Heinrich kicked it in gear and got me closed up quick. He later said that I "put him to work". 3 of those present commented to me later on the amount of blood I lost.

This was anterior with a 7" incision. Lucky me on another front, when he got in, and we had discussed this pre-op, I was very heavily muscled in the area, especially right at the capsule. So in addition to detaching the IT bands he had to detach a couple more muscles. This most certainly contributed to additional blood loss. This also set me back 2 weeks to allow for more soft tissue to heal. Upon checking the joint, prior to dislocation, he confirmed it was fully dysplastic with the ball moving freely inside the pelvic cup when he pressed on it.

I feel as though this should be in 3 installments. Mainly due to time constraints (I gotta go!) but also because it really is in 3 chapters; Surgery, hospital stay and home recovery (and home could be broken down by week(s) too!).

For those who've not had, but are considering this procedure, I hope the info about the blood loss is not too scary and/or may put you off resurfacing. I'll address this more later in a way that will help. Constructive criticism very much so, as it may have to do with procedural issues at the hospitals, which can & do vary.

[Pat Walter]

Hi

Congratulations on your new hip.

If you give me your name or first name, I will be happy to post your story on the main website along with your future additons.  Also the exact date of your surgery.


I look forward to reading the rest of your story.

I hope your recovery continues to go well.

Pat