1st Day Post-OP

[Mr.Box]

So, I was brought up to my room around 6:30 AM this morning after a night in the PACU ( Post Anesthesia Care Unit ). It was a very calming experience, but there where some other patients their losing their minds. One guy was screaming for his mommy ( He was 60+ years old and not a Dr. Su patient )

I've had my epidural removed and my catheter removed also. I've had some extreme difficulty getting around the bed and standing. Legs, and hips are very stiff and I can't really fight through the pain at this point. ( All muscle pain though ).

The surgery was apparently a great success according to my wife who talked to Dr. Su afterwards. He remarked that the hips didn't have any cartilage left in them. I guess I went for the procedure at the right time lol.

I have my laptop with me at the moment and I'm able to talk on facebook and surface hippy. Trying to download Spotify for some music, but my headphones are far away right now. I think another nap is coming up.

[Rob6297]

Definitely try the meatloaf if it's offered!  The soups are great and the egg wrap in the a.m!  Enjoy your time at HSS, they are the best! Glad to hear you have had a successful operation! You can't get better than Dr. Su or his team!  In a few weeks it will all be a memory and you'll wonder why you didn't get it done sooner! Good luck with recovery, do lots of PT, and ice religiously ......as much ice as you can tolerate!  Make the hospital give you some ice bags to take home!
Heal quick!
Joe

[hernanu]

Congrats Mr. Box!

[Pat Walter]

Good Luck in the coming days.  They will go by quickly.

Be patient and stay in touch when you can.

Pat

[Dan L]

Congrats Box!

One thing that helped me getting in and out of bed was using the other, non-operated leg (if you are not an "both at one-time" bilateral)  by putting my foot under the non operated side ankle and using that to lift sore leg/hip to swing into or out of bed.  That and the "dog leash" thing helped immensely in the initial post surgical period.

Ice is your friend, stay ahead of the pain with meds when needed, and you will be healing up in no time.

Best regards for a smooth recovery.

Dan

[rubyred]

It's weird how different doctors and hospitals work. I was never once offered ice during my stay - I had to ask for it. Very odd.

Welcome to the other side, Mr Box. Glad to hear you're doing well.

[hoyt66]

Congrats!! You're on your way. I'm on day 5 post op, it's getting better by the day.

[Woodstock Hippy]

Congratulations Mr B.  Welcome to the bilateral club.  Where will you be rehabbing?

[DirkV]

Hi Mr. B.,
Congrats! I checked in today thinking your surgery would be Monday (sorry for not reading more closely) and planning to give you pre-surgery encouragement. So I'll change that to recovery encouragement. Glad to hear the surgery went well, and best wishes for getting your active life back.
Keep lookin' up,
-Dirk

[Kiwi]

Congrats on a successful op Mr Box. Worst part is over... now the fun begins!!
Remember to make friends with Mr Patience!
Good luck!
Cherz

[hipnhop]

Congrats. It get better every day. Notice the small gains. They are amazing.

[Tin Soldier]

Congrats, I was out having fun this weekend, blissfully not even thinking about my hips.  You'll get there.  You've made a huge step and the rest is pretty easy from here.  A few ups and downs, don't get discouraged.  For now, eat the meatloaf, ice, and listen to some tunes, and rest.   

[imgetinold]

Congrats, Box.

I noticed you mentioning "fighting through the pain".  Assuming that your pain meds are correct and adequate, you shouldn't have to unless you're trying to NOT take them.

Don't do that!  I think we all feel like we're tougher than other folks, and try to wean too early.  Or to take less than you THINK you should need to.  I did, and paid for it with a ton of pain.  Once I was on-board, and took the meds on schedule, my pain was close to zero and my recovery much easier.  AND, I still weaned off everything but Tylenol after 7 or 8 days. 

2 weeks was the magic turning point for me, after which it got better daily.  You're a bilat, so it may be a little longer, but it will be a memory before long.