First wanted thank Pat and all the hippies for making this site possible! Its an AWESOME resource! A coworker turned me on to the site and I spent many many hours going through all the various threads and trying to learn as much as I could. I finally chose Dr Gross based on everything I read here.
A little background on my story; Back in '99 I dislocated and fractured my left hip while riding my dirt bike in Houston. There were other injuries as well but not important here. As I was being carried on the stretcher to the ambulance my hip popped back into place...."Great deal!"....or so I thought. Got to the hospital and it was determined that they had to get into the hip to clean out some bone fragments and install some pins (2) as the femoral head appeared to be broken (think a small china bowl that has been broken/shattered). As the years went on the hip deteriorated and range of motion decreased and the pain became constant. I do remember the Ortho Dr in Houston telling me I was too young for a THR (37) and to hold out as long as possible in the hopes that technology would catch up. At almost 13 years later here I am!
My dealings w/ Dr Gross and his staff have been exceptional. Everyone there is awesome. They were very helpful with all of the paperwork/insurance/and scheduling issues. I had to reschedule due to work 3 times over the past year. We flew in from home in TX to Columbia, SC (CAE) with a connection in Houston (IAH) (about a 3 hr trip flying time not counting the connection time in IAH). Heads up on flying into CAE; none of the major airlines fly full size jets into CAE anymore (at least that I could see), just 50/70 seat regional jets and turbo props....the issue with that for us was 1)that with fewer seats, the flights fill up quickly and 2) I don't fit in the smaller jets too well, very little leg room at 6'5" this might be an issue for me on the way back after surgery. We rented a car in CAE as there is no shuttle service from the Courtyard Marriott. The hotel is practically in the parking lot of the Providence NE hospital where the surgery will be done. You could probably walk it (even with a walker) in 5 minutes! The hotel has been great! Nice quiet place and friendly staff as well. We were able to get a handicapped room too. The staff at the hospital was great as well, very helpful and couldn't have been nicer!
1-10-2012 was the pre-op exam at Midlands Orthopedics on Lake Murray Blvd. You will need wheels if you are staying at the Courtyard. It's about a 20 min drive from the hotel if traffic isn't too bad. We didn't want to deal with waiting for shuttles or cabs, thus the rental car. They did the mri/bone density test first and then followed that up with some xrays to make sure nothing had changed since I sent in my x-rays a while back. Talked with Nancy and Davita to make sure all my insurance/documentation was completed and ready to go. At this time I rcvd the ice machine and was instructed on how to use it (forgive me, I don't remember the young lady's name). Then talked to Lee and she explained what I could expect the following day in surgery. She was very calm and reassuring that this was going to be a great day after so many years. Dr Gross then came in and we discussed the particulars of my case. He was very patient and answered all my questions. I was also given the prescription for the pain meds which I picked up from Long's Drugs right across the street from the hotel. I left the office with the feeling that I had made the right choice. Everyone told me I would be in great hands...they were right!
1-11-2012 Surgery day! 8:00am checkin w/ a last going over of paperwork (ins/wills/power of atty, etc). From there went to the prep room to get undressed and IV'd for the procedure. Everyone there was really nice and they will put you at ease. Talked to the anesth. Dr and he told me what to expect with the epidural etc. They also pulled blood to be mixed with some other chemicals to use on the incision and femoral head itself to promote faster healing. Lee then came in to mark the area with sharpie and gave me a last minute pep talk. Got into the OR at 10:28am everyone in the room was quite friendly and appeared to be in great spirits. They had a small stereo system in the room to listen to music during the procedure....I requested some metal \m/...don't know if I got it or not cause I was OUT shortly after!
I came to at about 1:30/2:00pm with almost NO pain. compression stockings were already on as well as the ice machine. Spent a little while longer in the recovery room joking around with the nurses and then wheeled into my room. All the rooms are private at the hospital with a small couch/bed for a spouse or whoever you want to bring along. At approx 4:30pm the Phys therapist (PT) came in and talked about some various occupational concerns in regards to getting around and what to avoid so you don't injure yourself. Also discussed some exercises to do. I was able to crawl out of bed pretty much unassisted and shortly after that I was standing with a walker taking my first steps! I ended up walking the entire length of the corridor and back to my room and back to bed with very minimal assistance. Was still a little light headed from the anesthesia but very little pain still....more like sore muscles after working out. A few times on the walker I had almost full weight on the left hip still with almost no pain...just pretty stiff is what it felt like. Had a small dinner at 5:00pm and was able to eat it all! I was HUNGRY!!! didn't eat since about 7pm the night before! So no issues with nausea at all. As I type this it is about 4:52 am the day after the surgery and still very little pain without even taking any of the prescription meds we bought the day before! (unless there was something in the IV?) I am able to move my leg in and out of bed with no problems...have not tried to sleep on my L side yet but the PT said go for it if I want to.
I will keep you guys up to speed with the recovery and travel issues. I hope this helps some of you with upcoming surgeries. Let me know if you have any questions! Good Luck!
PS..the nurse just came in and pulled my catheter....that's been the worst thing so far!
Jess
Topic: N4085B L hip resurface w/ Dr Gross 1-11-2012 (Read 9457 times)
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