Author Topic: Came home same day (Read 7696 times)

Ernie · « **on:** April 02, 2011, 07:52:58 PM »

I had my right hip resurfaced by Dr. Kenneth Kress at Resurgens in Atlanta yesterday morning. Since I was able get around with a walker and do stairs, Dr. Kress gave me the option of going home that same evening. The majority of his total hip patients and many of his hip resurfacing patients are given this option and do well.

This morning I felt good, but after the Physical Therapist came by at noon, I experienced an increase in pain and swelling.

In the months leading up to my surgery I found the information and experiences shared on this website extremely helpful. So in the coming days, I will share my recovery experience because Dr. Kress's quick recovery protocols seem to be different from the norm. Also, he is not on the short list of hip resurfacing specialists that are recommended over and over on this group, but is a very experienced, professional and highly respected orthopedic surgeon here in Atlanta who now offers resurfacing to appropriate candidates.

newdog · « **Reply #1 on:** April 02, 2011, 08:29:23 PM »

You made it Ernie! Slap on the back! Keep us posted on your progress. Glad things are going well.

Steve

hipnhop · « **Reply #2 on:** April 02, 2011, 09:42:28 PM »

Wow, same day and at home!!!!! I couldn't even hardly walk? What was in the food?

Ernie · « **Reply #3 on:** April 03, 2011, 07:54:40 AM »

Last night was rough having to get out of bed to get to the bathroom every couple hours. I found out the only way I could do it was to do the lying down hip exercises in the bed every time before I tried to get up.

pasinvabch · « **Reply #4 on:** April 03, 2011, 10:28:08 AM »

wow that is great! I got sick the first day I tried to walk.It gets a little better each day. You must be doing really good to be sent home the same day.They told me I was a little anemic and were watching that...The worst part is trying to sleep on my back when I sleep on either side.
Take care
Piedad

hernanu · « **Reply #5 on:** April 03, 2011, 12:40:59 PM »

Congratulations Ernie and good luck! Be patient with yourself and good things will come.

FlbrkMike · « **Reply #6 on:** April 03, 2011, 01:39:47 PM »

Congratulations Ernie!!

Amazing that you could go home the same day. In the hospital where I had my surgeries done the main criterion for release was that one could get up and go to the bathroom unassisted with no danger of falling. They offered to release me after 24 hours, and I probably could have, but didn't want to push it. Was definitely itching to get out on the second day after.

Ernie · « **Reply #7 on:** April 04, 2011, 05:53:41 AM »

Night 3 was MUCH easier than night 2. The pain and swelling were much less.

lori.36 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 04, 2011, 10:51:57 AM »

I am amazed that this was done as an outpatient. Gives me great hope for my surgery.
I know at Boulder Community Hospital, they wake you up every two hours the 1st night. I am going to ask that they do not do that with me, using you as an example.
Kuddos to you

bdoughty · « **Reply #9 on:** April 04, 2011, 12:47:50 PM »

Ernie, that's amazing. I don't think I would have WANTED to go home that 1st night! (I know my wife wouldn't have wanted me to try) Which Resurgens office? I just moved to Denver from Atlanta a year ago, was Resurgens patient in Kennesaw and Johns Creek. I didn't find many Atlanta docs doing HR, so was delighted to find Dr. Rector in Boulder, who is among "rising stars" for BHR. What hospital were you at? Of course, Resurgens kept telling me my hip problems were connected to back issues! Glad it's gone so well for you, keep it up.

Bill
LBHR
Dr. James Rector
3/2/11

Ernie · « **Reply #10 on:** April 04, 2011, 01:12:22 PM »

It is my bladder that wakes me up every two hours! No need for the staff to do it.

Dr. Kress works out of St. Joseph's hospital. When I was asking around who was the best hip surgeon in the Atlanta area his name came up again and again. Of course that was when I thought I would need a THR. After examining me, he suggested that I was an excellent candidate for hip resurfacing. At that point I hadn't even heard about hip resurfacing as an option. After reading this forum I considered switching to one of the resurfacing specialists who are mentioned here, but in the end I had confidence in Dr. Kress's experience and success as a surgeon, and I was in so much pain that getting on another surgeon's three month waiting list was not something I (or my wife) wanted to do.

So far so good.

bdoughty · « **Reply #11 on:** April 04, 2011, 03:05:18 PM »

Cool; Resurgens referred me to St. Joe's for an MRI several years ago - again, they were focused on the back, not hip. After 3 years of PT, anti-inflammatory/pain meds, 3 lumbar injections, etc, my confidence level in them wasn't too great and dropped even more when I got out here and learned just how bad the hip really was. However, it's great that you found a doctor who actually suggested HR as alternative - that would have given me confidence right there. Plus, as others point out, it's not ALL about the numbers. If you find a surgeon who has some experience doing HR and you feel comfortable and confident in his/her abilities, that's what really matters.

Tin Soldier · « **Reply #12 on:** April 04, 2011, 04:21:28 PM »

That's pretty amazing, going home the same day. I think there might be some pretty standard hospital policies that would either allow it or disallow it. I'm thinking most would be a little more on the conservative side.

However, looking back, I think I would have liked getting away from all the meds, even the oxycontin, the IVs , and cathaters, a day earlier. The drive home would have been pretty uncomfortable the same day. Well, I had an afternoon surgery, so I really doubt they would send any home the same evening. The next day though, I think I could have gone home, cut the stay short by a day.

Krunch · « **Reply #13 on:** April 04, 2011, 09:14:27 PM »

Way to go Ernie! They also told me I was OK to go that first day, but I decided to wait till the next morning because of the long drive. That first night was unreal for me as well. Every time I dozed off I had to get up and head for the can. What a night! It's much better for me already. Hope all is well for you too!

Take care,
Craig

Ernie · « **Reply #14 on:** April 04, 2011, 10:20:49 PM »

Craig, glad to hear you are doing well. first night for me was good; second night painful; third night much better. I'm sure I wouldn't have gone home the same day if my surgery hadn't been in the morning. And I had only a 25 drive home.

Ernie · « **Reply #15 on:** April 06, 2011, 04:36:21 PM »

Update - Day 5, my physical therapist just left and he moved me from the walker to a cane! He just cautioned me to watch my posture.

hernanu · « **Reply #16 on:** April 06, 2011, 04:39:51 PM »

Good progress Ernie! I watch my posture so much I could be an Emily Post model. It pays off in the end though.

newdog · « **Reply #17 on:** April 06, 2011, 10:22:25 PM »

Good job Ernie!

Steve (newdog)

AlanN · « **Reply #18 on:** April 08, 2011, 12:54:17 PM »

Excellent stuff Ernie!

Ernie · « **Reply #19 on:** April 08, 2011, 01:01:01 PM »

Dr Kress gave me no weight bearing restrictions; I've been a little nervous about that since on this forum so many other folks are weight bearing restrictions for a long time. But my understanding is that it depends upon bone size and density. Before the surgery my doctor had told me that I was an excellent candidate for resurfacing because I had big strong bones (just no cartilage!).

My progress the last couple days after being moved from walker to cane has been so dramatic that today I experimented with walking 20 yards without any support and was able to do it with no pain. My form needs work though

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Author Topic: Came home same day (Read 7696 times)

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