Jonathan Lourie 49 year old male. LBHR. August 2011.

My story begins a few years back when I started to feel pain in my
left hip. Not Yoga, acupuncture or massage seems to help for long
term pain relief. So after much research and communication with many
hip resurfacing doctors around the world, I decided to come to India
for the operation. Dr Bose is probably one of the top 3 surgeons in
the world and I decided that having the best surgeon was the most
important thing, probably more important than the device they put
inside and where you get it done. Dr. Bose has done thousands of
operations of this kind, and nothing beats experience. So although
200-400 may be ok for some, I decided it was a numbers game, and
preferred someone who had done thousands. I actually have private
health cover, and the whole experience would have cost me less if I
had stayed in my own country. This confirmed my conviction to the
India trip, as the decision was not only based on money. I am very
very happy with my decision. The people at the hospital are warm and
sincere. The nurse care is exemplary, and all the doctors are
professional and courteous. Everything was explained along the way,
and there was no ego or arrogance when topics were raised. Dr Bose
always emailed me in a timely fashion and offered me a direct
service by providing me with detailed answers to all my questions.
Dr . Appan Raj was very well informed and always provided educated,
experiences precise answers to all my questions. The whole India
experience was well oiled and coordinated by Mr. Mohan.

Below is a breakdown in point form of my progress and tips for those
wanting to make the trip.

Tips

· Travel very light (I came with a 8 kilo back pack (inc laptop).
Bring movies on laptop. No need to bring towel and soap.

· There are books, wifi, tv, fridge microwave etc in the room. Time
seems to fly, and probably moved too quickly for me.

· Bring 1 packet of tissue size baby wipes. Trust me on this one.

· Exchange rate is better on the streets of Mumbai, so change into
Rupees if you go via Mumbai before you come. It can save hundreds of
dollars

· Look at all the accommodation options, there are many other hotels
and guest houses out there that may suit your budget.

· Food was fine. The continental option was not fatty and provided
enough salads. Bring one of your favorite chocolates from home to
spoil yourself.

· Stay away from alcohol and cigarettes if possible prior to coming
and get fit by doing some general exercises.

Procedure

Day -2: I came to Chennai one day before check in day. Stayed at a
guest house in the Egmore area. Rested and ate well and enjoyed the
Indian culture.

Day -1: Got picked up from guest house at 10am. Met coordinator Mr
Mohan and filled in forms. This was a days of tests and meeting.
Xray, ECG, blood ect. Moved into hospital room in Platinum ward. Met
Dr Bose at 7pm for consultation, and we went through all of my
concerns. Got to touch a BHR and was surprised it weighed a kilo.
Very smooth cool device. Also had consultations with cardiac and
anesthetist (Dr.Babu Ji) doctors. Caught up on emails, and things
flowed well throughout the day. Not boring for a moment.

Day 0: Stayed relaxed, Received a sterilized wipe down of the bad
leg and operation was at 9am, I wished Dr Bose good luck and I don’t
remember much except for Dr Bose coming out after the operation to
tell me it was a real success. Couldn’t open my eyes until the next
day. Very very tired. Anesthetist was wonderful and explained
everything that was going to happen. Didn’t get to count to 3.

Day +1: Pain was controlled but uncomfortable. Couldn’t lift my leg
, couldn’t pee (I recommend only trying it in a standing position
for the men that is). Took a few weight baring steps with a frame.
Met Dr Bose in evening, explained what went on and showed pix of the
operation. (upon request). Nurses wiped me down with huge wet ones.

Day +2: Walked the corridor using a frame, and did the exercises
even outside the PT allocated times of 10am and 3pm. Managed to pee,
no stool however. Bandage was changed, iv and drain was removed, so
I am not connected to anything except my laptop. Continued with PT
when I remembered to do so. Movies, bbc and reading.

Day +3: Slight reduction in pain. Walking more swiftly, and by the
afternoon moved to hand crutches which I will take back home. Passed
my first motion and was feeling less tired as I moves from pain
killer injections to tablets. Received only anti inflammatory and
pain killer tablets along with and blood thinner injection. Received
detailed explanations regarding walking issues from Dr . Appan Raj
who by the way was so informative and kind throughout my stay. Had
my final Xray of new hip, and took a photo of it with my camera so I
could sent it home via the net. This was my best day so far.
Strength was back and all of a sudden felt better. Thinking healthy
made me feel healthy. Sitting up and sitting down is still a
problem, however by lunch time I was already feel a huge
improvement. However, towards the evening, things turned on me and I
started to feel worse. I don’t know why, as my temp and pulse were
normal. Hope I get to feel better on day +4. Continued with PT when
I remembered to do so, especially by feet flipping exercise. Decided
to take some syrup to help with the bowl movements which proved to
be a good decision. Had a little burning and some itchiness in the
incision area which is a good thing. Getting better !!

Day +4: Got to have my 1st shower since the operation, after having
my bandaged changed. Walked up stairs and feeling the same appetite
is fine like all previous days. Not much to report.

Day +5: Still tired in the morning, but my best day but far. My
mobility has improved extensively and walking is a lot easier. Using
the stockings are a pain especially since you cannot shower with
them, I will probably dump them.I have the strength to raise my leg
and although muscles and tight and repairing I can feel them easing
up. It will only get better from here exponentially and look forward
to a getting fit and walking pain free. Some of the pain is in the
similar position to where my hip pain was, but I am told that will
disappear in time. Lots of P.T , ankle paddling and stretching. Life
here I come.

Feel free emailing me if you have any questions regarding the
operation or after care. (jlourie@gmail.com ). This is the beginning
of my second life. I am looking forward to being able to walk around
the park and the mall without suffering for days after… without anti
inflammatory tablets

I will be in Chennai for a few days, and after my visit to the
doctor will head on home towards the end of August 2011.

Surprises along the way

· The BHR was stress tested in the laboratory and found to be
functioning WELL over our life time, so even though we do not have a
history data beyond 12 years or so, it’s very possible it will
outlive us. It has therefore suggested that it better to return to
impact exercises that are weigh baring which will in fact increase
the longevity of the prosthesis and surgery due to metal and bone
integration.

· I was surprised how one day things just wouldn’t work, and the
next day they just did. The body has a way of finding the way back
to balance and normality without having to teach it. Nature is a
wonderful thing, and human development is incredible.

BHR with Dr Bose continued – 8 months on

Well its now April 2012, and 8 months have passed since my operation
with Dr Bose.

I feel it’s time for an update, especially for those considering a
hip resurfacing.

I am 49 years old and not a day goes by that I am not grateful for
having done the operation.

It has been one of the best things I have ever done in my life and I
appreciate the skills and assistance I received from the people
involved in getting me back on my feet.

Today I can do everything. Run, ride, swim and exercise as much as I
want and WITH NO PAIN. I can walk around the mall with my family and
not be in pain for 2 days following.

No pain killers. Just getting on with life.

Anyway.. After my 7 days at the hospital I boldly took a 14hr train
ride to the West coast of India. Karola was waiting for me. I
figured I would be sitting or lying down on the train so why not?
With my 2 walking sticks and small back pack. I managed to get
around on busses and rickshaws. I didn’t have any particular place
in mind but after speaking to the information desk at the train
station I decided on Kovalam followed by Kochin. I can recommend
both places for recuperation. Walking on the boardwalk along the
beach was just what the doctor ordered. Fresh grilled fish at night
and walking around all day was a great way to recover.

I keep up the exercises I was shown in the hospital and managed to
move over to one walking stick by day 8. I always listened to my
body and decided to return to 2 sticks on day 10 as I seemed to be
pushing things too fast. It turned out to be a good idea as by day
12, I was much stronger and easily managed things back on one stick
again.

I found the best form of exercise was the walking so I kept it up.
Unfortunately my incision was slow to repair and the top 2 cm of the
incision was still weeping blood and was slightly darker than the
rest of the wound. So I sent the pictures via email to Dr Bose and
he recommended as a precaution to get some anti biotic and continue
changing the bandages. By day 18 all seemed to be better and the
bleeding stopped.

After 3 weeks in India I flew home via Chennai and went back to the
hospital for my final checkup.

It was 2.5 weeks after the operation that I stopped using the
crutches and was walking (with a slight limp). If I was tired, I
would go back to a single stick for that extra support throughout
the day.

Back home I continued my stretching at least 3 times a day and every
day showed improvement. I took every opportunity to climb stairs and
focused on trying to reduce my limp.
I devoted special attention to my left foot, which curled inwards
slightly when I walked. Even today, it tends to turn inwards
slightly every once in a while when I walk and run.

Over the months I slacked off a bit and stopped doing my stretching
and I feel if I had continued my daily workout, my repair time would
have been quicker, but that’s life. Even after 8 months I have to
stretch otherwise things seems stiff, but that is part of my regular
exercise regime. I find riding a great way of stretching, and after
an hour or two of riding I feel fantastic.

I still have my scar, but I put vitamin E cream on it and hope that
it will fade over time.

Life is gr8 and just the simple task of putting on socks and shoes
makes my day.

I am grateful.

Jonathan