I've been overweight all my life. At 35 years old I could no longer keep up with my young children while running. It was very hard and painful to get a full stride and it burned badly. I went to my group health Dr (Tacoma wa area) and was told I had minor arthritis and to take Ibuprofen.
As time went on, I could no longer pick things off the ground. If I stood still for very long the burn would pretty much end my day. I travel around the world for work, walking distance and doing my lightly physical job became very difficult. Pain medication was reserved for sleeping, I pretty much was forced to plan my work around how long I could stand today.
Group health (Obamacare) only offered total hip replacements for me by 38 years old. Resurface was not covered nor recommended, I was advised to live with it until at least 50 as my size (6' 300 pounds) would ruin any hip replacement device used. I have an adjustable gastric band installed and after 15 years still maintained 130 pound weight loss.
By 42 I couldn't hold out any longer. I had better insurance (through my spouse's work) and the resurface was covered. I found Dr. Pritchett, after an initial X-ray his response was "which one do you want replaced first?" We discussed the likely damage to the implant due to the excess weight. I had my band tightened and got below the recommended 35% BMI and had my first resurface on January 31 2017.
The entire experience was wonderful, my surgery was later in the day so I stayed overnight. Within 2 weeks I was doing some light tasks at work and traveled to China and Japan 6 weeks after surgery with no issues. I repair port cranes and large container forklifts.
My 2nd hip was resurfaced on August 28th 2017. Surgery again was wonderful, (both spinal) and I went home same day. Was walking pretty well at the end of the 1st week with a cane. I started to get a sharp pain in the front of my hip. I rested for the weekend but It didn't get better. Went back to Dr. Pritchett and found out I had a stress fracture. After 3 weeks basically sitting and letting it heal everything was good. PT went fast and again back to work (this time 5 weeks after the initial resurface) I ended up in London shortly after and Iceland (In the ice). Again walking probably 15 miles literally no pain or problems.
Still at basically 35% always working to lose more I couldn't be happier with the Dr, Hospital (Swedish Seattle) or the process. The harder I've worked, the better it feels. I can bend and work in ways I haven't been able to in over 8 years.
I'm so thankful I was able to do it and grateful Dr. Pritchett was willing to help even though I am at the top end of industry limits. I had lost so much business and life in general that I now have back and look forward to getting back to all I've missed these years.
Topic: Over 35 BMI Bilateral Hip resurface Dr. Pritchett (Read 3201 times)
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