Aerial's post-op story

[Aerial]

Slept better last night and was able to sleep on my non-operated side with a body pillow.  I stopped taking narcotics yesterday.  I'm not certain if I will stay totally off them.  I feel slightly more pain but I would like to clear out my head.  I was taking an extended release and a short acting pain relief.  I'm going to try Tylenol today and see how that goes.  I have still been icing alot which I think is critical.  The swelling seems to be moving around lot.  It started near the incision and lower back and now is in the groin area and above my knee (and even into my shin).  I don't have a lot of bruising, just swelling.  I have not had another muscle spasm thankfully.  I think I did too long of a walk which brought on the spasm.  I did a shorter walk yesterday and was fine.  The spasm was the worst.  While I don't want to be gross, constipation is a real problem.  I have been supplementing with Benefiber but the combination of anesthesia, narcotics and an altered diet from a low appetite really throw ones system for a loop.  I finally "went" today. The other thing I want to mention is that my husband ended up taking 5 work days off to stay with me, followed by 2 weekend days.  He was originally going to take three days off.  I really needed someone around for more than three days.  It's amazing what you find yourself needing help with not to mention unexpected nausea and muscle spams.  I also recognize this is my experience and everyone has a different recovery.

[sdunn4]

Aerial, 

Good luck!  Everything you are experiencing sounds familiar to some extent.  As you said, being "regular" changes quite a lot!  The worst part was the first few days to a week, and to be honest, everything didn't return to 100% normal until I went back to work after 6 weeks.  I think you just get off your schedule, you are not exercising and your body slows down.  Add some narcotics and there you go!  (or not go....).  As far as swelling and bruising, mine lasted for about 2 weeks, and it really seemed that the 10 day to 2 week period was the "turning point" for a lot of things- take heart; you're almost there!  I will be 7 weeks out tomorrow, and I have to admit that I find myself forgetting that I had the operation sometimes!

Keep up the optimism!

Steve

[Kiwi]

Just experienced one of the spasms you're talking about I think. I ended up on my stomach on bed with ice on my butt! Took me 30 minutes to move, all cramped up - it's still quite painful 4 hours later but are able to move around now. Not sure whether to ice, use heat bag or try & stretch it.
I'm wondering if it has something to do with sitting on a hard(ish) chair for a few hours yesterday at a bbq. Either that or over did it again walking.
Have you had any more since Aerial?

[Aerial]

No I haven't had another thankfully.  I couldn't sit or stand so laying on my stomach was the only way to go. Sounds like you had something similar.  I can sympathisize.  I ended up taking one muscle relaxant which worked overnight (made me seriously sleepy and by the next morning it had subsided). I was not able to put weight on my hip which is what concerned me but an X-ray I had the next day showed everything with the implant was fine.  I was limping pretty badly prior to surgery so it makes sense that it was muscular.  Hope you are ok!

[mslendzion]

Aerial, I hope things get better for you.

[Kiwi]

Much better now thanks - I can move! I'm glad I read your post yesterday, otherwise I would have been down at the docs or ringing my surgeon too! Sure was painful. It's just slowly getting more bearable now. Weird part was how quickly it came on.
Oh well... they said there would be speed bumps!
Hope you're going well.
Simon

[Aerial]

My husband has gone back to work today (I am one week post op today). I am home for the first time by myself.  I think I can manage.  I am a bit tired today so I think I will take a good nap.  I woke up last night with a horrible night sweat that others have talked about.  I am glad I read about that on this board or I would have been concerned.  I was drentched to the point of changing my clothes!  Minor progress to report.  I am moving around the house pretty well on ONE crutch and might venture outside on ONE crutch today.  My hip is feeling pretty good!  I would like to get down to the cane this week.  We have a family Christmas party I want to attend this Saturday and being on a cane would be wonderful.  It is in-town with minimal travel and we can leave if I get too tired but I think I need to get out.........and eat Christmas treats and meals!  I am finally getting my appetite back too!  I am starting to look forward to driving my new Z4 I got about month before surgery, although that will probably be awhile since it is a very low Roadster!

[Boomer]

I painted my cane to look like a candy cane. If I have to attend holiday parties with a cane, it may as well be a festive one. It sure makes people laugh.

Glad to hear you are feeling better.

Boomer

[hernanu]

Sounds like you're doing well, Aerial. Doing things for yourself is really liberating; you'll be in that Z4 in no time. One piece of advice - when you go to your parties with the cane, bring the crutches in the trunk in case you get tired and the cane is not enough.

[Aerial]

I painted my cane to look like a candy cane. If I have to attend holiday parties with a cane, it may as well be a festive one. It sure makes people laugh.

Glad to hear you are feeling better.

Boomer

Love the candy cane idea.  When I found out I would need a cane,  I decided to make best of it and found a lovely one with flowers on it!  Got to have some fun along the way, I agree!

[Aerial]

Walked outside approximately 1/2 mile with one crutch.  No after effects in the form of a muscle spasm!  :) Yipppeee

[hernanu]

Awesome, Aerial.

[Aerial]

Truly the best day so far.  I didn't get up once during the night to use the bathroom and slept better.  I was able to sleep briefly on the operated side last night which surprised me.  It no longer hurts to roll onto either side.  I can get to my side now but I am not able to fully sleep there (I am a side sleeper).  I ventured out and did part of my walk with a cane and then came back and got a crutch to finish.  I walked about 3/4 mile.  I still have some swelling which tends to pick up toward the end of the day so I am still icing.  I used to do a lot of yoga.  I would do anything to bend over right now and give my back and hamstrings a little stretch.  All in all, no complaints (at least today)!   ;)

[Aerial]

Not a lot to report.  I did wake up with a wicked headache which was strange.  Still icing, doing exercises, etc.  My swelling is definitely down in the morning, in fact my rear end and side of my hip are back to normal size.  The swelling seems to kick in later in the day and is located from the knee down at this point.  My ankle was swollen last night.  My question is, if the swelling travels down your leg where does it go when it gets to your foot?  :). I did quite a bit of walking with a cane yesterday but by the evening was tired and went back to a crutch.  I am experiencing some boredom for sure.  I know there is no way I could make it through a work day but I feel rather useless.  I tried to get my mind engaged in a couple things for next semester but just can't seem to focus.  It is very hard to do so little but at the same time your body really can't do much.  It's a catch 22 in a society based on go, go, go!! No hip pain and I remain thankful for my wonderful Christmas gift this year.

[hernanu]

Might be dehydrated a bit, hence the headache. Sounds like you're doing well Aerial.

I had ankle swelling for a while, from walking, working out, salsa dancing... just thinking seemed to bring it on. It has gone away, couldn't tell you when it did.

Here's that patience thing again. It's only been 11 days for you (I think) so you're still early. I think you'll feel better mentally once you can drive.

[Luanna]

Hi Aerial,
Sounds like you are making good progress now. Staying hydrated is really important. The times I forgot to drink my 6 glasses of water per day, I ended up with a headache. Makes a difference.

Good to hear that your butt is now shrinking down to its normal size. :)

Luanna

[Aerial]

My husband and I went out for dinner last night which was very nice.  It was great to get out of the house.  We chose a place that was not crowded and had easy in/out access.  Getting out did a lot for my mood.  I could even get my jeans on, my rear end is back to normal size (would never have guessed that would be the case a week ago). We have had unseasonably warm weather here even for SC at this time of year.  I had a nice walk in sunny, 74 degree weather.  That sure is good for the mood too!!  I was able to do just about a mile with a cane only.  I was feeling good and surprised myself by doing 3 or 4 "intervals" of about 30-40 steps unassisted. I really wasn't planning on this but something just said "try it".  The funny thing is, it is difficult from a stationary position to start walking unassisted.  However, when you have some momentum going (walking with the cane), it was fairly easy to pick up the cane and walk.  It kind of reminded me of a parent pushing a kid on a bike to get them going and then letting go.  Now I will wait and see if my hip starts talking to me this afternoon    ;). To all those just getting done with surgery, the first week did kind of stink but it seems to be getting better each day now so hang in there.

[Woodstock Hippy]

Good for you!  It sounds like thing have really turned the corner.  Just remember that you have to be patient but you'll be seeing progress almost every day.  I'm doing a lot but the best thing I'm doing is going to the pool.  If you can get to a pool, even just to walk in the shallow end, do yourself a favor and get over there.  It feels so good.

Also, you should be in your Z4 soon.  I'm at one month today and I've been able to drive my Mini for a few days now.  It's got to be just as low as the Z4.

[Aerial]

Really hoping you are right on the Z4!  I'd love to get in the water and I have access to a great pool.  I'm not allowed in until after the 6 week checkup )-:

[sdunn4]

Aerial,

Great progress!  With the cold weather settling in here in NY, 74 degrees sounds pretty good.  Congratulations on the unassisted walking; I remember my first few steps as well.  It only gets better from here!

Steve