Hip Talk Forum About Hip Resurfacing

Hip Resurfacing General Questions => Hip Resurfacing Topics => Topic started by: lgbran on November 02, 2013, 05:43:10 PM

Title: Counting down the days until November 11
Post by: lgbran on November 02, 2013, 05:43:10 PM
8 days to go, been ticking all the boxes required and on Sunday 10 admission to hospital for surgery on the following day at 10:30. Ironically it's Remembrance Day here on the 11 when we observe a minutes silence at 11:00 hours for the fallen soldiers lost in battle. Must remind the DR to make sure everything is plugged in and not to loose focus if they pause.Doing enough exercises wise to maintain fitness and trying to keep busy. Thanks to this site I am as well prepared as I can be. Will keep in touch once I reach the other side.  :)
Title: Re: Counting down the days until November 11
Post by: hernanu on November 02, 2013, 05:49:07 PM
Sounds good, you're in the pipe for this, have done all of the right things.
Title: Re: Counting down the days until November 11
Post by: lgbran on November 02, 2013, 08:52:33 PM
Thanks hernanu
Been cycling every second day over the last month. Pulled up really sore after ride yesterday, just about to go for a swim. Not getting on the bike for a while will be hard to cop, however I am sure I will be very busy trying to overcome each hurdle along the way. Have complete confidence in the device being used and the surgeon involved who I incidental found through this site -Mr Stephen McMahon  who has performed over 900 BHR. Looking forward to being pain free and living life to its fullest :)
G
Title: Re: Counting down the days until November 11
Post by: Granton on November 03, 2013, 09:35:18 AM
My first BHR was on 11th Nov as well (1999). I was in surgery at 11 a.m. Never asked whether they observed the silence!

Whatever happened, it's still going strong. Good omen for you?
Title: Re: Counting down the days until November 11
Post by: lgbran on November 03, 2013, 09:48:27 PM
Yeah I hope so. Just starting to get a few aches and pains in my good hip the left one. Though going by the X-rays there was heaps of cartilage left. Hats off to people who have had both done at once. We have day light saving here in Australia to maximise the hours of sunshine and soon it will be summer so timed it well. :)
Title: Re: Counting down the days until November 11 update
Post by: lgbran on November 10, 2013, 12:47:33 AM
16 hours to my op. Whirlwind trip down the highway and now in my hospital room and just about to have my final meal. Looking forward to this time tomorrow when it's all done. Thanks for all your help folks and look forward to posting post op. Just ordered 2 flash trekking poles to aid in my recovery. Cheers
Title: Re: Counting down the days until November 11
Post by: hernanu on November 10, 2013, 10:16:16 AM
Great luck tomorrow and keep us posted.
Title: Re: Counting down the days until November 11
Post by: gfunk309 on November 10, 2013, 12:24:52 PM
Good luck and hope all goes well!
Title: Re: Counting down the days until November 11
Post by: lgbran on November 10, 2013, 01:57:46 PM
Thanks folks.6 hours sleep but a good sleep.Dr McMahon visited last night along with the anaesathist.Ran  through what to expect.ECG done, another jab in the arm for some routine bloods.

Was advised that surgery 1.5. Hours. Recovery room 1.5 hours. Spinal epidural very patient user friendly. So with a surgery time of 10:30, will be back in room early arvo. Advised some time in the arvo the spinal epidural will start to wear off and as soon as feeling uncomfortable to advise sooner rather then later and some other meds will be arranged.last thing they want is you being a stubborn bugger and undoing all their good work. So with 5 hours to go just got to have a shower scrub down with some surgical pre wash and don the not to sexy undies, cap and gown so it's all systems go. See you on the flip side
Cheers len
Title: Re: Counting down the days until November 11
Post by: whyme on November 10, 2013, 04:06:56 PM
Best of luck, Len!
Fingers crossed for you
Title: Re: Counting down the days until November 11
Post by: hernanu on November 10, 2013, 08:37:01 PM
Yup len - they're right. You want to stay ahead of the pain. You don't get extra points or a better healing by avoiding the painkillers. Right at the start, they are your friends.
Title: Re: Counting down the days until November 11
Post by: oldsoccerplayer on November 11, 2013, 06:46:33 AM
Giving away my age here, but there was a mid-sixties hit record called "Make it Easy on Yourself." I changed it to "Take it Easy on Yourself" for the first few weeks post-op. Meaning don't try to do too much and don't fret about being over-dependent on pain-killers and the "goody bag" full of other medications they give you.
If you can stomach a bit of over-sentimentalism, check it outhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZTS9H-l5qQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZTS9H-l5qQ)
Title: Re: Counting down the days until November 11
Post by: keepmovin on November 12, 2013, 05:38:17 PM
Hi Len,

I think the worst part of this surgery is the 'count down' - the weeks, days, and the last couple of hours as you prepare for the final moment!  Before that, you had the option to back out and cancel the whole thing and continue on with the life you know...even if it means living with the pain.  Some of us did cancel - myself included - twice!

But now, I trust, you are on the other side and feeling relieved that its done!

Hope all went well!

Title: Re: Counting down the days until November 11
Post by: lgbran on November 12, 2013, 06:01:01 PM
Hi folks,
Here i am 2 days after surgery. It's great to finally get it done.must admit a bit emotional beforehand.Accorging to surgeon all went well. Now sporting a 54 mm cup and a 48 mm cap.up on the walker yesterday and doing th xvercises. Had a spinal epidural for the surgery and over the past couple of days have been having pain patches, various meds and an icing around the clock to control the pain which hasn't been bad. My back pain which has been bugging me for years has gone. Had a crack with the stroller yesterday. Today's plan is up with physio, shower and sit out at bed for meals. So every day getting better and better
Title: Re: Counting down the days until November 11
Post by: Staggerwing on November 12, 2013, 10:21:11 PM
Good news, Len!  Hope your back pain subsides and you continue on the path to good healing!
Title: Re: Counting down the days until November 11
Post by: hernanu on November 12, 2013, 10:48:48 PM
Good stuff Len!  Keep up the good work.
Title: Re: Counting down the days until November 11
Post by: evant on November 13, 2013, 01:55:58 AM
Well done Len.

Be really good to yourself over the next few weeks and you'll do fine.

Currently in your country on holiday but on the other side in Perth, WA.

On my walk this morning chatted to a lady whose husband will have his hip resurfaced (BHR) by Prof Piers Yates on Friday, 15 Nov - so resurfacing is alive and well all over Australia.
Title: Re: Counting down the days until November 11
Post by: Granton on November 13, 2013, 02:38:24 AM
Good news! Take it steady. It's a marathon, not a sprint.
Title: Re: Counting down the days until November 11
Post by: lgbran on November 13, 2013, 03:48:09 AM
Yep you are all so right folks. Adjstuded the bed in the hospital and it's cracked twice, shook and made strange noises. Was going great guns and now flat as a tack.guess it's natural and was warned about it. One of the many hurdles to overcome. Can still hear the surgeons voice echoing in my ears one day at a time.tomorow brings a new day with new challenges. Hopefully a good night sleep will help. Thanks for the support. You have cheered me up already
Title: Re: Counting down the days until November 11
Post by: oldsoccerplayer on November 13, 2013, 08:17:41 AM
Besides being a marathon, it's also a roller coaster (not sure if those metaphors really go together). Don't go hard on yourself on the down days, they too will pass.
Title: Re: Counting down the days until November 11
Post by: keepmovin on November 13, 2013, 09:21:02 AM
 I do detect a cheery tone in your voice, a good dose of humor too!  Glad this site helps - we are here to please! ;D

This is definitely a journey, and for the most part, only we will understand and appreciate it it fully.

Glad all went well!



Title: Re: Counting down the days until November 11
Post by: lgbran on November 13, 2013, 06:15:30 PM
Yep it sure is. Issues getting out of bed and sitting on the loo last night.just had X-rays done. Sitting in a chair so uncomfortable. Geez it's pulling and tight as. Not so much swelling . Very early days. Day 4 and small baby steps.
Title: Re: Counting down the days until November 11
Post by: hernanu on November 14, 2013, 09:58:33 AM
The sitting on the chair discomfort will be there for a bit, although it attenuates as you go.

I was finally able to sit on a chair (cushioned) probably in a month or so; comfortably more like two. Your muscles have been pushed and pulled, twisted and extended; they are getting back at you now. Icing the area helps as well.

All of this progresses. The level of annoyance continues, but for decreasingly problematic issues.

At first I had trouble sitting for any period of time, even on cushioned chair or couches. Then it was for long periods on work seats. Then annoyance at having trouble sitting at a hard barstool for two hours at a Jazz concert.

Your expectations change, but eventually, at nine months or so I could sit on anything for long periods... I just didn't want to since walking and standing was an option again after years of dreading both.
Title: Re: Counting down the days until November 11
Post by: mike1966 on November 17, 2013, 07:28:24 AM
Hi Len, great to see you through the op. How are you progressing?

Cheers mike
Title: Re: Counting down the days until November 11
Post by: lgbran on November 18, 2013, 01:16:20 AM
Hi folks,
7 days since op. Every 24 hours is a nouns. Just had a magic 3 hour sleep. The sun is out , no osteo pain. No back pain, just a pulling from the stitches. Pain patches meds working. A pillow under my ankles works a treat at night. Icing 24/7 works well.. Ice in 2 freezer bags and in a pillow slip. Last for hours. Getting used to the crutches but can't really flow through and have a smooth action but the gait is ok. The surgeon advised me before discharge to take it easy. Being active right until surgery paid dividends. Obviously we are all not able to do this, however lots of cycling has given me a solid base. Now it's time to test. The surgeon , mr Stephen McMahon was very happy with the result and there were no dramas during surgery. The spinal epidural worked a treat and the pain meds and patches working wonders. Left hospital on Saturday with my bag of meds and instructions and it's great to be home. The joint itself feels as strong as and the only pain is with the stitches and weird tightness from the muscles.what a relief to have finally have it done. Now it's time to take it easy, follow the post op instructions and slowly get better and stronger.
Cheers Len
M

Title: Re: Counting down the days until November 11
Post by: Granton on November 18, 2013, 03:12:51 AM
Great! Sounds as if you are really on the mend.

David