Hip replacement pre/post operation pls

Susie and silver lining, hope you feel better soon - it will all be worth it.

I’ve been lurking for a couple of weeks because I also had a hip replacement on Wednesday 13/04, and was worried about coming home to an empty house. I’m pleased to say I have had no pain at all - nausea and headachy feeling seems to have been caused by the prescribed paracetamol, which I stopped on day 3 and I now just take aspirin for blood thinning and Omeprazole.

The incision itches a bit but isn’t troublesome, and I can do the walks and exercises easily. The most difficult thing is getting into bed, I was provided with a ‘leg lifter’ which helps. I’ve been instructed not to overdo things and am bored out of my skull.

I wanted to post to encourage anyone else who is worried about the op - I would never have believed it was so straightforward and literally shook with fear on my way to theatre. I am 63, previously as active as my hip has allowed and ‘normal’ BMI.

Hello activerelaxer interesting we had the operation on the same day and good to hear how well you are doing. I am still in pain but had expected that. Hopefully will not be long before I can start getting around easier.
My biggest problem is also getting into bed which I did again at 2 this morning but am glad I don’t have to wake dh to help, so progress of sorts.

Good morning all fellow hipsters, I have just finished getting dressed . I was about to give up the will to live and just stay in my nightclothes but success at last . The first attempt entailed me trying to get a very wide leg pair of trousers on . I struggled for ages and then discovered I had both my legs in one trouser leg ! Then I couldn’t get them off , so they have been abandoned for now and back to a dress . Then I looked in the mirror and saw my old father staring back at me with a haggard look and sunken hooded eyes ?.
My son stayed again last night , but the dressing gown belt trick worked so I’m fully self sufficient in and out of bed ,so no need for him to stay anymore .
I found myself “cruising “ around the kitchen last night using just one crutch so things are looking up . Still in a fair bit of pain but keeping mobile

So pleased things are on the up Susie. I will practice with a belt today. Getting into bed at 2 am today was hard and it was painful fir the next half hour. Your story putting trousers on is so familiar. I still have to throw pants towards my foot and hope aim is straight, but can’t manage a sock at all, lucky fir me my dh is usually with in call trouble being he doesn’t always hear my shrieks and is already jaded with all the extra work. Keeping mobile us important, but I havnt started on the exercises yet. I think I should. Have you?
I don’t know what activerelaxer is on but I want some of what she’s on.

Gallons of tea, I can recommend it. I don’t know whether we all have the same (purple and white) physio booklet, but I was told to do the week 3-6 exercises on leaving hospital, but not the bridge which was a relief. I did the lying-in-bed week 0-3 exercises the first two days and they did help.

I can’t do socks and only have one pair of non-flip flop sandals. I look a right state and my house is full of crumbs,

Come on activerelaxer what’s the secret ? I’m exhausted just with everyday existence . Got myself some lunch - very simple sandwich and fruit, and feel like I’ve done a marathon ! Maybe it’s an age thing I’m 72, but active and fit until I suppose the last 5 months when my mobility declined. I still swam weekly and don’t drive so had to walk a fair bit . I look and feel about 80 today …

Sorry my post didn’t go and just seen yours activerelaxer . I drink lots of tea too , maybe too much at the moment . I didn’t get an exercise book but I did get an A4 sheet of daily exercises to do , I can manage them but a bit “ouch” at times . I walk around every hour at least and go up and down stairs at least 4 times a day .

Day5. I drink tea too, but like Susie have struggled. Today feel so cold and am in a cardi, trousers, blanket with the heater on. Even though i think it's warm outside. I have had a high temperature but think i am normal today.
I only got one A4 sheet too, exercises don't cover both sides. I walk with sticks during the day. Should use stairs more probably, and do if course, and still find it hard getting into bed. Pinning hopes on the belt method.
I am horribly constipated, despite taking meds 2x pd and drinking water and still feel like i have a sharp pointy golf ball inside my hip when seated.
I am 73, usually fit, enjoy walking regularly 5/7 miles, ( not lately of course) am overweight but eat sensibly and have no other health problems. This is my first hospital stay in 45 years.
Other than that, all is tickety boo.

The sock puller onner thing that I had was absolutely terrific. I got it from Amazon and it worked like a dream even with the surgical stockings. I still well remember playing hoopla with pants to try to get them on before using the grabber to pull them up. Such a sense of satisfaction when I was finally dressed!

Aveline I had a sock puller but cant find it...will get up and and have a look fir it. Thanks for the reminder.

Can I just put it out there that "having pain" does NOT equate to "not doing well". Pain is the way your body tells you to rest or not move in a particular way until more healing has taken place. Some need more analgesics, some less and its all part of normal progress. I needed a fair whack initially as I had developed quite a tolerance to co-codamol, but gradually the pain subsided. I still remember absolutely sweating with pain trying to get that leg into bed and then one night, realised it was becoming much easier. Have patience everyone, we're all on that road to a whole new future.

Thanks for that reminder GrannyLaine.

All these posts are so wonderful to read. I am full of admiration for you ladies you are all so positive regarding your recoveries. I cant wait to get the call for my HR. Hope the
' pointy golf ball' feeling goes soon and is not going to remain an issue. Love the tips for getting in bed I too will be returning to an empty house and will have to manage so that was very useful. Keep up the good work all of you.

Please try to get some help if you can travels, at least for the first week. Its been harder than i thought and I have an obliging dh.

Yes I second that. I’m on my own and certainly wouldn’t have managed these last 4 days without help. You won’t even be able to make a hot drink at first as you need 2 crutches. Tonight 7th night post op I’m on my own but feel confident and fairly relaxed and ready to drop off now ?

Good morning all. One thing I really recommend is a perching stool in the kitchen, being able to sit down and move things incrementally between kettle and sink was (is!) very useful. I left everything I thought I would need out on the worktops in easy reach.
I regret not having an armchair - I have sofas but they are low. I thought my ‘captain’s chairs’ would be ideal as they are normally very comfortable, but in practice the extra cushions make them less so.
My leg, foot and ankle swelled yesterday but mostly recovered overnight. Normal and going to happen again I suspect.

Day 6. Have to report the worst day and night yesterday/ this morning. Another temperature yesterday, felt so cold and shivery when everyone else was in tee shirts and shorts, stayed indoors covered in blankets. Then couldn't sleep last night, my back was so sore and itchy, eventually risked a small sleeping tablet (which didn’t work.). Does anyone know when we can safely sleep on our side? Was up and wandering at 4 am.
I am on a quick acting opiate oxycodone and 500 paracetamol 4x pd which I do take.
I don’t seem to be making much progress and the hospital closed for the holiday there was no one to ring. I feel one leg is now longer than the other, they used to match, and other than walking around the house / garden I am not keeping to an exercise regieme yet still too painful.
I echo the chair thing, I thought mine woukd be ok as well it isn’ t comfortable with cushions and the sofa is too soft/low.
My favourite aid is the frame which goes over the toilet with side push up Handkes. Shoe horn too.v I havnt had a shower or bath yet and my hair needs washing, not sure how to manage that without bending/ twisting. I still struggle to get back into bed, but manage better, tried the d.gown cord system last night which helped.
Sorry fir the moan. This is all so disjointed but can’t think straight. Maybe I am expecting a bit too much too soon.
Hope all you hipsters are ok and look forward to your news,

silverlining I'm concerned that you're having what sound like spikes of temperature. This shouldn't happen and I think you should seek advice. Either a call to the ward that discharged you (they should be working again now) or to your GP. Please don't delay.
Re sleeping on your side: I'm still not quite comfortable lying on either side so I doubt that will help you much right now.
Forget about exercises while you're feeling so grim. As long as you're walking around regularly, that's enough. Sending a gentle hand hold

I would not ignore having a temperature - that needs looking at by a medic. I would ring someone today. You should not be getting this. It is not part of the normal recovery from a hip replacement.

I use Nilaqua shampoo as I have trouble in the shower: you just put it on your hair, rub it in for 2 mins then towel off. I actually prefer it to posh shampoos in terms of how hair looks. You can also get shower caps impregnated with it, which are easy to use but not at all environmentally friendly as you throw them away afterwards.

You can also get large adult wipes - a bit like baby wipes. Look up Comfy Life adult wet wipes. I use these too. They are excellent; and ideal for post-op.

Silerlinnings sorry you are feeling rough. Please seek medical advice just to be on the safe side. Fingers crossed you will start to feel better very soon.

silverlining , I definitely think you should call the hospital. I had a temperature the evening before discharge and I was immediately put on IV antibiotics and a drip as I was dehydrated. Blood pressure very low ( usually high) So I stayed in for an extra 24 hours and came home with 2 weeks of antibiotics , they took blood and urine samples to check for infection , not sure if anything was found but the antibiotics are working whatever .So get hold of someone today . As for sleeping on your side I was told not possible for at least 6 weeks . I’m a side sleeper so tried to train myself beforehand . I’m propped up on 2-3 pillows with another down my operation side to stop me rolling over. It’s more difficult probably if you share a bed , at least I’m able to manoeuvre myself around in the night . Today 8th day and I actually am beginning to feel more normal, only woke up twice but didn’t need to take any pain killers. I have managed to wash my hair over the bath as consultant wants wound site kept dry till clips out . My only problem is my blood pressure is yo-yoing and no GP telephone appointment till Thursday. Sounds a bit worrying about leg length * silverlining * I was told it sometimes does happen though.
Hope you get hold of someone today .

Thank you everyone, I am waiting to hear back from
The hospital as no one was available when I phoned.
I am feeling cold again despite scarf and cardigan.

Thanks to lucky girl that sounds a perfect resolution for my greasy hair

I am pleased you have managed to get in touch with the hospital silverlining as your symptoms do need investigating. It’s a bit chillier today but you shouldn’t need to be wrapped up so much indoors.
I do hope you start to feel better soon.
Regarding hair washing, I did mine sitting on the little shower stool in front of the en suite basin. I also didn’t shower until the dressing was taken off at the two week mark. Before that I had strip washes each morning which took SO long - far longer than it would have done to shower! I didn’t want to risk getting the incision wet even though the dressing was waterproof.
My ankle and foot swelled a few days after I got home, and in fact I went for my first physiotherapy session at the hospital wearing slippers as that was all I could get on !
By the next week though the swelling had gone.

Silverlining, I was told to sleep with two pillows between my legs on my back or on my good side. Previously I slept on my front or my bad side, so I’ve been trying to stay on my back to prevent accidental re-positioning!

Hope your temperature is promptly attended to and you feel better soon.