Hippyliz's Hip Story with Dr. Gross

[imgetinold]

Good Luck, Liz.

Dr. Gross just fixed me up on Jan. 11th.  I'll be brief with my experience.

I have had good pain relief and no nausea at all from Nucynta.  I don't have experience with other narcotics to make any comparison, though, and I typically have a stable stomach.

We were discharged the next day, which was fine with me.  Upon returning home, I received a letter from my insurance company stating that they would pay for 1 night's stay.  I can't imagine staying an extra day and having to pay that bill out of pocket.

And I'm not really embarrassed by this condition, just disappointed.  But, like many other men, I have a misshapen femoral head that degrades the cartilage, so there was nothing I could do about it.  I was still having good weeks and bad weeks prior to surgery.....in fact I ran 4 miles on Monday before we left for Columbia.  I decided not to wait until I was completely incapacitated, since I was already giving up the things I like to do (for the most part).

I also found out I have poor bone density....particulary in L4 of my lumbar spine.  This really upset me, as I - like many here - have been athletic all my life and have lifted weights for 30 years.  I will be taking the bone density drug he prescribed, and I've given up drinking all soda.  I have heard that Diet Coke can leach calcium from the bones, and I drank a lot of it.  Never again.  In a way, I'm glad I didn't put it off, since I might have continued to degrade my bone health and ended up with a broken back and....possibly....be paralyzed.  Yikes.

Good luck.  Dr. Gross and his staff simply are the best.  Totally confidence inspiring.  Come back and let us know how you're doing.

- Andy

[hernanu]

Good luck, Liz - you'll feel much better, despite the operation aches, the lack of OA pain is amazing. Great luck and keep us posted.

[newdog]

Surprisingly, I am really not all that nervous any more. 

Liz,
It was that way with me. When the time came to go to the hospital the Monday morning of my surgery, I actually felt very relieved. Of course a little anxious, but not at all freaking out like I thought I would. I'm sure it will be the same for you.

You have a fantastic surgeon and surgical assistant and a fantastic hospital. I don't like hospitals but I love Providence and went back there to visit during my 6 week post op recheck.

I'm looking forward to your first post after you become a Hippy. Like Hernanu says, the lack of OA pain is amazing. You'll see!

[Aerial]

Ditto Newdog!  By the time surgery day got here I was excited.  I was so ready for an end to the pain.  The surgery and hospital stay will be over before you know it and you'll be out the door to recovery.  The first week is a challenge but it will get better!  Good luck!

[n4085b]

My wife and I are still here in Columbia at the Courtyard 5 days post op.....flight home doesn't leave till the 18th....let me know if you need some moral support! It'll go great!

[imgetinold]

Liz,

I hope your experience was great, and that you feel no pain.  They do such a good job of managing that in the hospital, that you should feel good.  Congrats!

Andy

[WTW15]

 :D POSITIVE VIBES FOR HIPPYLIZ!!!!   ;D

[Two4One]

Peace be with you, Liz!

I pray that God does hold you and Dr. Gross in his care and that you feel the OA's absence right away.  May you know confidence and strength in your recovery.  May all your friends and family support you with tender care and help you with every little thing without even being asked.  Bless you and your family as you walk toward your bright future, knowing everything will be so much better now.

Amen
2-4

[Hippyliz]

Well, it's the morning after my surgery and I feel great! Thank you all for your kind words -- I loved your prayer, Amen!

My experience went just as was described by so many of you. Right now I feel a little bit of soreness near the incision, but they just turned on the ice unit, so I'm feeling relief already. When I say soreness, it's very minor -- maybe 2 out of 10.
The very nice nurse told me they usually remove the catheter at 6:am (it's 7 now) but my blood pressure is low (88/50) so they are giving me fast IV push for 2 hours.

I would love to get out of this bed, but I am feeling pretty light headed. I was also "woozy" yesterday during my first walk, and I SO EMBARRASSINGLY got sick in front of everyone as we passed the main desk. Jeez! Thank goodness they got a bag for me in time.  They gave more anti-nausea drugs and I don't feel nauseated at all -- just really sleepy.

I had no trouble sleeping last night... I did have to call the nurse once because the catheter tube got a kink it it when I did my exercises -- I was trying to tough it out which was stupid because once she straightened it out I had instant relief! The private room is really nice and other than the checks of my vitals, it was quiet all night long

One thing that did catch me off guard is that they ask for a urine sample before you get prepped for surgery. Well, I though I was being a good patient by emptying my bladder while we were in the waiting room. So my recommendation is to wait until they call you back to the Pre-Sugery area.

While I was being prepped I only saw Dr. Gross for a few seconds. He stopped by to sign papers and say "hi." I did speak with Lee. She wrote a prescription for some anti-nausea meds to take home. I'm pretty sure i was their second patient of the day. 

And the last thing I remember in the OR was getting the spinal block. It didn't hurt at all. They laid me down and the next thing I knew I was waking up in the recovery room (I think it was about 11:30ish)

They brought me a nice looking lunch and then what looked like a yummy lasagna dinner, but I just don't feel like eating. My stomach doesn't hurt at all, it's just that I'm not hungry. I've been munching on some crackers I brought from home.

My PT class is at 10:00, and my husband is driving back up from Charleston to join me.  He did stay until about 6 pm yesterday and it was nice to have him around. I'm looking forward to meeting some more of Dr. Gross' patients. I guess he did 5 resurfacings yesterday.

I had planned on catching up on some reading yesterday -- I brought magazines, crosswords and my IPad, but I really just felt like dozing between games of Words with Friends.

I'll post some more later this week.

I'M SO HAPPY to have the surgery behind me! I feel so blessed -- not everyone has the knowledge or means to have a resurfacing.

Liz

[einreb]

Goodmorning and congrats! 

I know it may sound crazy, but i actually enjoyed my time in the hospital in SC. Its a pretty well run machine and we don't get grits up here. :)

Take it easy and get strong.

-Bernie

[Pat Walter]

Hi Liz

Glad to hear all went well.  Take it easy and stay in touch when you can.

Good Luck.

Pat

[hernanu]

That's great Liz. Don't rush anything, relax and enjoy the lack of OA. Let us know how you are.

[tennisgirl]

I had some of the same things happen to me...went to the bathroom while waiting for pre-op, and they had to do a blood test for pregnancy since I couldn't produce a sample.  The worst was when I woke up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and then realized I shouldn't have that feeling since I had a catheter which had a kink in the line.  I also upchucked in the hallway the first time they got me up with a walker. 

[Aerial]

Wow we have a bunch of nausea folks here.  :'( The only part of my experience that didn't go so well was nausea!  I nicely waited to "toss it" until I got into my husband car.  I lost it before we even hit the main road out of the hospital.  Luckily I had a towel there in the car.  Anyway, best of luck in the recovery.  I had a serious lack of appetite after surgery for about a week.  I am still down about 4 or so pounds.  Try to eat!  Safe travels back to Charleston and good luck with your recovery!  Remember, you will be so much better after a week!  First week is a challenge but hang in there!

[imgetinold]

Aerial is right about week 1.  On day 2-3, it was all about staying ahead of the pain, and I couldn't believe the stories of people who trailed off the meds in week one.  Here I am on day 6, taking only Tylenol extended release.  It improves so rapidly that you won't believe it's possible.  At least, I hope that you have the same experience I have had so far.  You can do this.

[Two4One]

Welcome, Liz, to your recovery!  By this summer, you will be running around without a care in the world.

[mslendzion]

Congratulations, glad you are feeling well. I was very nauseous too. They gave me pills in the hospital to help. Ginger ale has been my friend at home. My appetite is still under par but I loosing a few pounds will not hurt me.

[WTW15]

Congrats HippyLiz!

[newdog]

And the "hurling" award goes to...Liz! Right in front of the main desk, wow, that's impressive! Sorry, Liz, I'm just having fun.  ;D  I remember the hospital very well.

That's great that you are done! Yes, we are so blessed to know about hip resurfacing and have the means to have it done. You'll be amazed at how the new hip feels compared to the old one. Good for you! Let us know how you are doing.

[Hippyliz]

So it's been nearly 48 hours since surgeryand I have to say I feel great! I slept all the way home. Moving from the car into the house was a challenge because of the stairs and because I was stll loopy from the Oxycotin they gave me before I was discharged. I did get sick about 3 hours later, but after that, I felt GREAT! (he-he)

Then I slept like a baby (in my bed) and getting up in the middle of the night to use the restroom (once) was easier than I anticipated. My husband helped me and we just moved very slowly.

I woke up with NO PAIN. You were all so right - the absence of OA pain is so noticeable!

My operative hip is a bit swollen and bruised. I ate a nice breakfast (first real meal since the surgery), taken all my morning meds (whew! There's a LOT of 'em) and now I'm feeling a little light headed but HAPPY!!