January 22, 2011

I am almost 2 weeks post op and I can’t believe it. I arrived home one week ago (Saturday, Jan.15). I would say that the first week after surgery is probably the worst part. I was never in any real bad pain, only stiffness and soreness like I expected. It does take some getting used to the new hip(s). The pain never went above a 3, and when it did, I was due for another pain med. I was on the narcotic stuff for about 5 days then went to X-strength Tylenol. I still take it several times a day just to help with soreness. The worst part of this experience is having to gimp around on crutches and trying to get comfortable. Falling asleep takes longer, I wish I could curl up on my side. It was hard to get used to being stuck in the house too, but I’m used to that for now. It is cold and snowy outside here in central PA. Right now things are much better, I’m into a routine around the house. I do my exercises twice a day and walk around on the crutches several times. I hope to go to the mall soon and walk.
I am so glad it is over, now I’m really impatient wishing it was months from now. The big thing is, the bad hips are gone! No noise, no more stabbing pain and really smooth. I can’t wait until they are healed and I can move in the normal range of motion. I highly recommend a recliner to spend your time in. I’ll check in and leave some more updates in the days and weeks ahead.

 

February 3, 2011

The mental and emotional turmoil is there before surgery, not after. There will be some discomfort and challenges, but not that bad. Bernie, I went through the same anxieties as you and others. Believe me, when your surgery is over you will see that it’s not anything like we imagine. The imagination runs wild and you think of all of these “things”. I had both done Jan. 10 and 12. It just doesn’t seem possible that the surgery was performed on me and four beautiful pieces of artwork and technology were implanted in me. (How’s that for colorful description?!!) It’s just not near as scary and bad as we imagine. I pictured myself freaking out as they wheeled me into surgery. It’s not that way. You will be relaxed and won’t remember that much. When you wake up in recovery, you will be very comfortable. My first words (at least the ones I remember) were, “Is that it”?
Providence Hospital is amazing. Wonderful, friendly staff. When you meet with Dr. Gross, Lee and Nancy, tell them how you feel. They will talk as long as you want and it will make you feel better.
I’m sure others will tell you that they questioned their sanity at times about getting this done.

Something that helped me was, think of what you can’t do now. Think of what you had to give up. For the first time in over two years I’m looking at backpacking gear. Less than one year ago, I thought those days were over for me. One word that I don’t say anymore is “owww”! You will see. It still seems unreal.

 

March 22, 2011

I had mine done on Monday and the second one done on Wednesday of the same week. The reason is because I traveled a long distance from home to where I had it done and also because both of my hips were really bad. My surgeon does it that way for “out of staters” if that is O.K. with them (the patient). I am so glad I got both done that way. It’s tough, but to me worth it. Just my opinion.

March 29, 2011

The worst thing I experienced was the first two days at home after the surgery. I had trouble concentrating on anything, even TV. At times especially at night I could feel anxiety or maybe even panic building up in me. I honestly did not know what was going on.

Someone explained to me that it was because of all the excitement and build up leading to the surgery. Then you are in a hospital with noise and activity all around plus you are being cared for by the hospital staff. The hospital is brightly lit. Then in a matter of a day or two you are sitting in your home and it is quiet, hardly anyone around and it may be darker as it was in my case. It was cold, dark Winter where I live. All the excitement is over and there is not much to do but wait and heal. Almost like watching paint dry. Plus you are laying there with a fresh surgical incision(s) and this new thing(s) stuck in you. I guess reality sets in. If I had my surgery done in the Summer, I don’t think it would have been like that. Don’t get me wrong, I was very happy to be rid of the bad hip surfaces. That was my experience, everyone is different.

I am much better now, but will admit I too have trouble at times getting into activities, even ones I like to do. I think as the weather improves even more and I heal more I will return to my old self. (But with nice ,new, shiny hip surfaces of course!)

 

Aril 30, 2011

The worst thing I experienced was the first two days at home after the surgery. I had trouble concentrating on anything, even TV. At times especially at night I could feel anxiety or maybe even panic building up in me. I honestly did not know what was going on.

Someone explained to me that it was because of all the excitement and build up leading to the surgery. Then you are in a hospital with noise and activity all around plus you are being cared for by the hospital staff. The hospital is brightly lit. Then in a matter of a day or two you are sitting in your home and it is quiet, hardly anyone around and it may be darker as it was in my case. It was cold, dark Winter where I live. All the excitement is over and there is not much to do but wait and heal. Almost like watching paint dry. Plus you are laying there with a fresh surgical incision(s) and this new thing(s) stuck in you. I guess reality sets in. If I had my surgery done in the Summer, I don’t think it would have been like that. Don’t get me wrong, I was very happy to be rid of the bad hip surfaces. That was my experience, everyone is different.

I am much better now, but will admit I too have trouble at times getting into activities, even ones I like to do. I think as the weather improves even more and I heal more I will return to my old self. (But with nice ,new, shiny hip surfaces of course!)

 

August 12, 2011

Today marks my seven month anniversary since having both hips resurfaced by Dr. Thomas Gross in Columbia, S.C. I haven’t been on this forum much in the last month because it’s Summer and I’m usually outside doing something since the weather is nice. When you live in the Northeast, you take the good weather when you get it.

Everything has gone amazingly well since my surgeries. At the six month point, I started riding my mountain bike again after almost two years of not being able to even get on or off of it. It was kind of weird getting on at first because it’s been so long since I rode and that awful pain I used to feel is something I can’t forget. My riding has not been anything crazy, just good rides on some mild trails and some road riding. The only pain I felt at first was the pain in the behind because I’m not used to riding. I tried some light jogging, not very far but just enough to test out the new hardware. No problems at all. Both the bike riding and the light jogging were a little scary at first, but once I got going the scariness went away.

The biggest joy is just being able to walk normally and comfortably again. I can glide along at a rapid pace and it is just amazing. My range of motion is at least what it used to be before my hips really got bad. No more leaning on a shopping cart at a store or having to stop and wait until the pain goes away. I go on walks with my wife which is an activity I totally stopped doing before my surgery. When I sit down at a picnic table, I can even step into it normally! I no longer stub my toes on the edge of my bathtub when getting in and out of it. I no longer wake up 20 times a night trying to get comfortable from the lousy aching pain. There were times when the pain was excruciating and it didn’t seem like it would go away. Just a few examples of how my life  is so much better now. I guess only a Surface Hippy can appreciate stuff like that. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, kayaking! I can get in and out like in the old days. No problem.

Again, this has been said a thousand or more times, “If you are on the fence about getting this surgery done, don’t wait any longer. You’ll be glad you did it”.

A ton of thanks to everyone who provided support and valuable information on this wild and crazy journey. I can’t even imagine where I would be today without this site and the great people on it. Thanks to Vicky Marlow also. It was her website that I first came across when I was searching for something, anything to help end the misery that I was in. That’s where I first heard about this “hip resurfacing” thing. Huh? Must be some kind of scam or something. LOL!

A special thanks to you Pat Walter. This website is just so valuable to all of us. Where would we be without it?

Seven months, I just can’t believe it!

 

October 25, 2011

I will explain what you can expect if you are getting both hips done with Dr. Gross. If you get them both done the same week or decide to have the second one done later is your decision. I had them both done the same trip to Columbia because of expenses (one trip as opposed to two, I live in Pennsylvania) and I wanted to have one recovery. It’s a little tougher that way, but very doable and I am very glad I did it that way.

After sending my x-rays to his office it was a little over two weeks until he called me. I think it was a longer wait because he just got home from a vacation. He called me via my cell phone on Wednesday, September1, 2010 at approximately 7:00 P.M. We talked for about a half an hour. Some Hippys talked a lot longer than I did. He informed me that I was an excellent candidate for HR. Then we discussed the surgery and I had some questions for him. He will talk as long as you want and will not be in any hurry to end the call. Very friendly, understanding and will answer anything you have about HR and your concerns.

In less than two weeks, Nancy Smith the office RN will call you and give you your surgery date(s).
I had to wait 4 months for mine because I am a bi-lat and wanted them both done at the same time. Again, if you have any questions, concerns or even fears, tell Nancy. Very good and supportive and will do anything to help. She’s an angel.

Now on to the week of surgery. If you decide on getting them both done the schedule will be like this.
1. The pre-op appointment will be on Thursday with Dr. Gross, Lee Webb and Nancy Smith. They will take x-rays and examine you. You will also meet with an account person to go over the insurance issues, etc. (fun) I can’t think of her name right now but she is really good. Very knowledgeable about all insurances and helpful.
2. Your first surgery will be on the following Monday (the next week).
3. The second surgery will be on Wednesday.
4. I was discharged to go home on Friday. If you are flying they suggest that you schedule your flight for on Saturday so that will mean another stay in a hotel Friday night. My wife and I drove to Columbia. About a 12 hour drive. She drove the whole way home.

That is a long one and one half weeks. But I looked at it as an adventure and getting my life back. If you have both done and your schedule is like mine was, Charleston, S.C. is a two hour ride from Columbia and is an awesome place to visit on that weekend between the Dr. visit and surgery on Monday. Just a suggestion.

I looked forward to my surgery also. My friends, family and co-workers thought I was nuts, but that is honestly how I felt. We all know the misery of bad hips, some others were a lot worse than me. Don’t even worry about the surgery. It’s not anything like I thought it would be. I was in very little to no pain at all. The pain wasn’t even what I would call pain, it was just a soreness. They will take good care of you. You’ll be amazed with Providence Hospital and the staff there. The rooms there are private rooms and they are large and have a fold out sofa bed if there is someone staying with you. The staff is very accommodating and will provide them with a pillow, blanket, etc. There is no fee for someone to stay other than meal costs. My wife stayed there and was very comfortable. There are also two hotels next to the hospital. The one hotel shares the same parking lot.

My story is similar to yours. I am in the process of writing it so I can post it on this site. Ask away with your questions and tell us if you have any concerns. You picked one of the best surgeons and you will be very happy with the results.

 

January 10, 2012

Today is one year since my first hip surgery by Dr. Gross, Columbia, S.C. The second one was done two days later, Jan. 12, 2011.

My hips are doing very well. No problems at all. I am able to run, jump and play, anything I want to do. There is absolutely no sensation at all that there is anything foreign in me. Sometimes when I do a lot of bending and lifting I get a little sore afterwards but that’s it. The hips move smoothly. This past year I have hiked, rode my mountain bike and have done a little running just to see what it is like. I’m not sure if I want to get back into daily running again, maybe, we’ll see. The most important thing to me is being able to move normally without the awful pain and very limited range of motion.

I can step into my shower without stubbing my toes, step into a picnic table to sit down, sleep without a pillow between my knees, get on and off my bike without having to almost lay it down on it’s side, put my own socks on, tie my shoes without grunting or making other inhuman sounds, wash my feet with a wash cloth. I no longer have to crawl in and out of a car, hanging on to the door and roof edge. I can get on and off of my lawn tractor and sit comfortably while mowing the grass. Before surgery it hurt really bad when I got off of it and stood upright. I no longer say “owww”! all the time. It’s just unbelievable. Did I mention uttering inhuman sounds?

One year. It seems impossible. The words that I write cannot fully express the appreciation and gratitude to everyone on this SurfaceHippy forum for the support and guidance that I received. And of course the laughs. There are some really funny people here.

I’m planning some backpacking trips this year. Hard to believe that not long ago I thought those days were over.

Thank you, Pat. This website is so valuable and the best.

 

January 12, 2021

Greetings to Surface Hippies and soon to be Surface Hippies!

Today marks the 10 year anniversary of my bi-lateral hip resurfacing surgery.
January 10 and 12, 2011. My resurfaced hips are doing very well and they allow me to be very active and live a healthy life. I am an avid hiker and backpacker even at 65 years old. I am forever grateful for this amazing procedure and technology. It’s still hard to believe I have metal in my hips because I don’t feel it or have any limitations.