Post surgery tips?

[Domer]

Hi all, what a great community this is.  Thanks in advance for any tips!

I'm scheduled for a left hip resurfacing with Dr Gross on May 4th.  Flying in from Michigan a couple days before and flying out on Friday afternoon after my Wednesday surgery.  Man that seems really fast for such a significant surgery, but I asked if I should stay longer and they said no.

Have seen some really good posts on here with post surgery tips.  Will definitely do the wheelchair service at the airport and have booked a first class ticket for the way home.  Any other airport/plane tips? 

I've seen some people mention that they preferred elbow crutches vs the standard ones available from Dr Gross, any other experiences with that or feelings that "regular crutches work just fine"?

When I get back home all of our bedrooms (and showers) are on the second floor.  A little concerned about having to climb stairs right from the get go.  Should I consider setting up some sort of sleeping arrangement on the first floor?  I do have a recliner on the first floor so maybe that will be my sleeping setup for a bit since it seems many found a recliner to be super comfortable for both sitting and some sleeping.

Any recommendations on good toilet riser seats?  Think Dr Gross may give one of these but thinking I'm going to need more than one so I don't have to climb stairs to get to a bathroom with a riser.

Not looking forward to the surgery, but looking forward to the recovery and the hope that I'll get my active life back.  Thx!

[PalmettoGolfer]

The surgery was a breeze.  Dr. Gross and staff are Top Notch

**Warning the following material may not be not suitable for some**

Sorry to be so forward, but I wish someone had told me this or maybe I should have known but I will tell you anyway

This was the first time I used a toilet seat riser. I got the one that you could screw in to replace your regular toilet seat so it would be sturdy.  I will tell you this.  DO NOT,  I REPEAT, DO NOT use that thing the entire 6 weeks without cleaning it.  It was the thing I was looking forward to getting rid of the most.  So when I got the 'ok' at 6 weeks, I ran home and unscrewed it.  I didn't realize how dirty those things can get underneath.  I found out as soon as I took it off............I don't even like thinking about it.

Take the time to clean it (probably even a couple times) during the time you're using it.......trust me.  Pine Sol, Clorox or your cleaning material of choice

I was taking the stairs on day post op day 2.  That was me, and I had someone there to watch me and make sure nothing terrible happened so go at your own pace.

[LDub]

I would definitely look into getting elbow crutches. You might even be able to rent them, so purchasing is not necessary. My resurfacing included a pair. I had a brother in law who started out on regular crutches. We convinced him to switch to elbow crutches and he said the difference was night and day. Far easier to walk and balance.

I never used a toilet riser. I simply used my arms and crutches to get up and down. Some of that is dependent on the location and height of your toilet and what is available to hold onto. Go try sitting on the toilet while balancing on one leg. If you have no hand holds but someone to assist you that might also work. You improve very quickly so you'll be able to do it easily within just a few days. Elbow crutches are also very convenient here for balancing. In the hospital the toilet typically has hand holds nearby, so it's not a problem there.

When you sit down immediately after surgery you will feel the incision pull. That is normal and don't worry, it won't open up. The first time sitting is the most daunting.

The top suggestion I would give is to get in the best shape you possibly can between now and your surgery. You have roughly a month and I would use that time to build up your upper body strength. You can improve a lot even in a month. Upper body strength will help you in the first few weeks of recovery. I would also build up leg strength, but you might find that more difficult depending on how sore your hip becomes after exercise. A general gym workout program is really all you need. Don't over think it.

Cheers,
LDub

[LarryBud]

Below is a recap of my post surgery journey ( Dr. Gross Nov 3, 2021 )


https://surfacehippy.info/hiptalk/index.php?topic=6870.msg62329#msg62329

The Wednesday - Friday is tough.  The plane ride was difficult but worth it to have Dr. Gross do the surgery.  My wife was a champion and you'll need a good caregiver.

At home, I relied on the walker vs crutches( had two pair ).  I customized the walker with a BBQ Apron so I could carry stuff around with me.  Very handy.

I had the Polar Ice Machine but really preferred ice packs.  I had 3-4 different packs made up with good ziplock bags and cooler blocks & frozen peas.  I found that I could place them around better and I could rotate them from the freezer.  I thought they worked better than the machine with much less hassle.

Get the sock-on aid and a grabber is handy.  Above all be patient with recovery.  I'm just now feeling good and I was a diligent rehabber.   

[LarryBud]

A little more:

Going up a flight of stairs will be a challenge.  I would count on single floor living as much as possible.

For the toilet.  I had the contraption that slid around the toilet and is adjustable for height ( it never touches the stool ) and has a removable bucket.  They won't be hard to find.  It worked fine and I used it for a month or so.  No mess.

[Domer]

Thanks for all of the great tips everyone!

Will start looking for some elbow crutches and maybe a walker.

I like the idea of the toilet surround that doesn't touch the toilet.  I saw those and wondered if you could use them without the bucket.  I'm assuming that's what you did LarryBud?  I'm relatively tall (6'2") and so have "right height" toilets throughout the house that are taller than standard.  So that should help a little too.

Anyone find a good way to ice on the plane ride?  My experience with past injuries is that icing is so important to healing.  If I could get ice on a sprained ankle within an hour and keep it iced on and off for several days to keep the swelling down, the recovery was like twice as fast.  Would think the same might be true with the surgery, so would like to find a good way to ice on the plane.

Fingers crossed on the stairs.  I'll have the recliner option on floor one, but not sure how many days I'll want to go without a shower.  I think I read from others that the gel-like dressing that Dr. Gross uses allows you to shower without changing any dressings, is that your experience?

Thx again!  T-34 days

[LDub]

I used gel packs for post surgery icing. Some can last several hours and are much less messy compared to ice. You'll need access to a freezer (most hotel fridges have them on top). Avoid direct contact with your skin.

Cheers.

[Domer]

LDub, by elbow crutches are you talking about something like the KMINA Pro or more like the Benecane (see attached pics)? 

For icing I do have a great ice pack I bought from ActiveWrap (would highly recommend all ActiveWrap products for icing of all kinds of injuries) that has the gel ice packs.  I guess I could freeze those up in the hotel fridge and put them on right before leaving for the airport.  Thx for that idea!  Checked TSA website and looks like they are allowed on the plane at the discretion of the TSA officer.  Hopefully I get a cooperative one.

[jimbone]

When you're home and no further TSA approvals for your requirements- I found freezable clay ice packs at Walmart that do a very good job of conforming to body contour and re-freeze quickly.  Another hack- a medium sized bath towel, soaked, inserted into a large ziplock baggie would freeze quickly, conform as needed and re-freeze quickly without leaking or making a mess.

The recliner chair made sleeping on one's back a breeze the first week and for the naps you might just want during the next few weeks easier.  I sponged washed the first week with a bucket of water to shampoo my hair before a shower was doable- about end of week/10 days.  That's when my incision bandage was ready to remove.

A power recliner is the best option but manual would have worked.  In and out of bed was a challenge for me the 1st week.

[LarryBud]

I used gel packs for post surgery icing. Some can last several hours and are much less messy compared to ice. You'll need access to a freezer (most hotel fridges have them on top). Avoid direct contact with your skin.

Cheers.

A few thing from above:

No Ice on the plane was not a big deal for me but you can find travel packs.

Correct, the elevated toilet seat just slides around the toilet ( I'm 6'4" BTW ) totally adjustable.

The wound cover is fine for the shower.  I had an extra pair of crutches I left in the shower.  You'll need them in there and they will fill up with water here and there. 

Another plug for the walker.  With crutches, you need to prop them up somewhere handy.  Mine were always tipping over or just out of reach.  The walker is always there, waiting for you.  If your floor plan has room, it's the way to go.

[imgetinold]

Hi, Domer.  How'd it go?

[Domer]

Hi Andy, thanks for checking in.  I'm 2 weeks out and doing fairly well.  I've been writing down my "story" to share and think I'll post that to a new thread so it doesn't get buried in this one.  Will post shortly!