Wow!  That is impressive.  Not sure if I'll ever get there, but those pictures make me want to try it!  Congrats!

Hi Aerial,
Wow! You are amazingly fit and muscular and someone to emulate in terms of recovery and fitness. I am totally convinced now that the more fit you are and the more muscle strength you have prior to surgery makes a HUGE difference. Also flexibility..... very important.

Keep up the excellent work!
Luanna

I second Luanna's comments.  You made me feel really inspired to get back in shape.

Aerial,

Submit your story and those pics to Lee and Dr. Gross, they would love them I am sure.

Great job, and btw you make me feel golfing at 8 1/2 weeks no feat at all  LOL.   I bow to the mighty Aerial    ;)

Chuck

Quote from: Aerial on March 25, 2012, 07:18:25 PM
My husband and I spent a long weekend at the beach (Pawley's Island in SC).  We cycled on the beach, took a yoga class (me not him) and did a couple nice walks (on the beach).

OMG Aerial!  You really are an inspiration!  I'm day 7 post op and starting to feel a bit better every day, but those pictures really give me faith that I will be able to do the things I used to be able to do before the OA set in.  Of course, I don't think I'll be doing those half moons, since I was never that flexible to begin with :). 

Thanks everyone.  My hope is that all hippies can get back to the things they love, no matter what they might be!  Next step for me is RUNNING!  Since i am a local, I might in fact share my story with Dr. Gross for his website!

Yes, please share the story here, but send it to Lee and Dr. Gross with your pics.


Great recovery


Chuck

I'm within days of four months post-op and I want to give a shout out to sport massage.  I've been fortunate to recover fairly easily but have had some nagging IT band tightness and a bit of glut tightness.  I have had three deep sport massages focusing up and down the IT band and the once monkey fist area of the glut.  I have noticed an improvement already in these areas.  The massage therapist suggested scar tissue might be pulling on the IT band.  He has worked that area and up into the quad.  Feels so good it really get some deep massage.  Truthfully I was skeptical if sport massage would help since I do so much yoga but he can get those tight areas in ways I can't.  Another benefit is he has done some concentrated massage on the scar itself, breaking down scar tissue very surface around the scar.  My scar is flatter already and less itchy.  Just though I would mention this in case it helps someone else out!

Thanks and yes, my PT has been massaging the heck out of my scar, especially after I told her one area gets "hot" during/after I work out.  She said it's (the facia) stuck and has worked on breaking it up and told me to dig in to it too. 

I think a sports massage is next on my list. I have a "ME" day planned for 4/13 and should make that part of it! Thanks for the inspiration. 

My mind finally told my body it is OK to go outside and ride.  I took my road bike out for a spin on my new hip for the first time this morning.  I was very reasonable (17 miles) and didn't push it.  I had some unavoidable hills but the bottom line is, I felt great!  No pain at all.  Prior to surgery I felt like my good leg was doing all the work and my bad hip side just came along for the ride.  I definately feel more balanced in terms of power from both legs (although the quad on the operated side still needs some strengthening).  Overall though, so thankful to be pain free and continuing to progress and see improvement post op (4 months out now).

Good for you!  It's good to be back outside and on the move again, isn't it?.  I'm at 5 months and I've been out on the bike for a while, but it all feels good for me now and my strength is coming back. 

Welcome back to the roads!

Aerial- I know what you mean.  I have finally been getting out on the road.  It has felt good.  I still feel that my operated leg is weaker.  But I am still fascinated that my left leg tracks straight. 

I have only have had a little pain and tightness in the top of the gluteus maximus/lower back.  I think this is simply because these muscles atrophied over the time i didn't ride.  But it is incredible that I can drop down on the aero bars again!

I have a sprint distance triathlon in two weeks.  I plan on taking easy (difficult for someone as competitive as me) and will be smiling from ear to ear.

Dan

I have been in Vancouver all week for a conference.  I have been walking all over the city, often in moderate heels.  Happy to report, I feel great.  This same conference was in San Diego last year and I recall being in so much pain and limping from here to there.  This year I even took a few yoga classes during the conference and got to the gym as well.  I am amazed at how much more energy I have for everything now that my hip pain is gone. I am still amazed daily at how good it feels to just walk!  I used to dread it and now I relish in the feeling. 

Aerial, that's awesome. Walking is not overrated for sure.

That's great Aerial, nice to see the contrast of some experiences before and after.

It's great isn't it Aerial - I echo your thoughts & feelings.  :)

It is so nice to have people who understand how life changing this surgery is!  Thanks for the support all along on this journey!

thumbs up!

Right at 20 weeks or 5 months post-op.  Feeling great.  No really big changes except for strength.  Feeling stronger in the operated leg be it walking up stairs, yoga poses (for the yogis can do bird of paradise on the operated leg now), road cycling or running on the treadmill.  Yes, curse me....been running 15-20 minutes on the treadmill once a week.  All is feeling good.  I continue to be amazed at how much energy I have now that I don't have to use up my energy reserves dealing with pain!  No complaints at all.  My husband and I have a beach vacation in Florida next week and looking forward to all the active things we will get ourselves into.  Spring semester is over, bring on summer!  8) Time flies!

Congrats Aerial!   So cool to hear how you are feeling at 5 months.  Enjoy the Beach!