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Hip replacement pre/post operation pls

(1001 Posts)
silverlining48 Mon 14-Feb-22 09:25:47

Cutting a long story short I have (at last!!) been given a date for a new hip. It will be my first proper operation so feel relieved and happy but nervous ?, All I was told at the hospital was it would be a 48 hour stay.

I don’t know anyone who has had this done and wonder if anyone with experience has suggestions or advice about what they found helpful either before or after the operation or useful aids, or anything about the whole process.
Thanks ?

FannyCornforth Sat 14-May-22 04:57:15

Good heavens ! What has happened here? shockconfused
I’m 50 and certainly not a moaning old whatever.
And if you can’t moan to your mates about a major op, when can you?
And I certainly don’t think that we have to prove anything to someone’s partner! grin
I haven’t looked at Bonesmart; to be honest, I’m a bit put off now.

Anyway. Back to normality.
Travels when did you say that your op is? Sorry, I can’t find it.
Mine is 17 June. My pre op is 27 May.
Hope everyone is keeping well.
Ignore yesterdays blip thanks x

JenniferEccles Fri 13-May-22 23:51:57

My thoughts too GrannyLaine

GrannyLaine Fri 13-May-22 23:39:00

Hmm. We're still a way off half term aren't we? ?

JenniferEccles Fri 13-May-22 23:35:49

Thanks for that information silverlining48
I will give them a try once I can track them down. Boots don’t stock them without a prescription apparently, so I’ll try an independent chemist.
I’m pleased to hear you are getting on well. All in all the recovery is pretty quick isn’t it, despite what we might think in the first few weeks!

Naughtyneine Fri 13-May-22 23:18:57

I think it's time for me to bow out gracefully...and agree with what was said to me... It really is all to do with how you were pre op. Yes it's great to share every minute detail about how things are going.. but try tempering it with some levity too... I'm sure some of you are younger than me (67) but didn't feel anyones mindset was youthful... Nothing wrong with that .. We are all different...and approach life and what it throws at us very differently. I'm very glad we have all come through our surgery (Travelsafar... excepted) and wish you all an on going successful recovery. My partner says this group sounds like a lot of old moaning farts...prove him wrong ladies.

silverlining48 Fri 13-May-22 23:11:34

Jennifer I meant to say there are two strength pfenerghan 10 mg and 20mg and I found that the 20 mg left a bitter metalic after taste so use the 10, they still work and were prescribed by gp.
Hope you find sonething to help you sleep,its exhausting I know.

silverlining48 Fri 13-May-22 22:56:25

I agree GrannyLaine. Its certainly helped me and I hope others too.
So some good news, not only was the nice physio very pleased with my progress, but after putting this off all evening, I have just done the last injection into my poor, sore stomach.
Another stage of the hip hop journey complete.
Celebrate ! grin

JenniferEccles Fri 13-May-22 22:56:01

Surely if humour is requested, there’s going to be a somewhat forced feel to it? I would imagine that if any funny incident happened to anyone on here involving their recovery, they would have shared it.
Personally, I am more interested in reading about folk’s progress, how the pain is easing along with an increase in mobility.

I don’t think it’s particularly helpful to come on here accusing contributors of being humourless. We all have our own posting style, and most probably feel that, for example, tips about helpful equipment to have for the immediate post-operative stage is more useful than anything for those awaiting their operation.

GrannyLaine Fri 13-May-22 22:17:10

Its been a lovely supportive thread that you started silverlining Not many run to this length without getting derailed for one reason or another. Many have dropped in to comment and offer support to others who are struggling.
Its a rare thing on GN these days.

silverlining48 Fri 13-May-22 22:08:45

Not aware of a clique as everyone welcome to post, read or pass.

As to humour, I just looked at hip op jokes online and have to report that none of the 100 I read (before giving up) were even slightly funny. wink clearly there’s a gap in the market smile

Naughtyneine Fri 13-May-22 21:53:10

Goodness no... Merely answering your comment on trying harder not to be dull...and suggesting Travelsafar gets onto a thread early on so she can be part of the 'clique' from the start....

GrannyLaine Fri 13-May-22 21:38:43

Naughtyneine

GrannyLaine....I think you know the answer to that actually...bit late to try harder methinks but you can always give it a go... Humour really does help when you are up against it and heaven knows the pain leading up to a hip replacement is relentless and the days post op are full of so many ups and downs physically and emotionally and a bit of light relief shouldn't be frowned upon surely. As someone said to me yesterday...in the end it's down to who you were before the op...upbeat and positive and young in spirit or pessimistic and /or embracing old age...I am firmly in the former but accept we are all different.

You seem to be accusing me personally of having no sense of humour ???? I'm sure you didn't mean that to sound as nasty as it did.

Naughtyneine Fri 13-May-22 21:09:44

GrannyLaine....I think you know the answer to that actually...bit late to try harder methinks but you can always give it a go... Humour really does help when you are up against it and heaven knows the pain leading up to a hip replacement is relentless and the days post op are full of so many ups and downs physically and emotionally and a bit of light relief shouldn't be frowned upon surely. As someone said to me yesterday...in the end it's down to who you were before the op...upbeat and positive and young in spirit or pessimistic and /or embracing old age...I am firmly in the former but accept we are all different.

travelsafar Fri 13-May-22 21:01:32

Thanks everyone I will deco be reporting on here. I have found all the posts so interesting and I hope when I report back I can help others like you all have. Will take a look at bonesmart too. smile

GrannyLaine Fri 13-May-22 20:17:19

SusieB50 glad that you are on the mend and that they didn't find anything amiss apart from that bit of infection. Hope the groin pain is settling. You have done amazingly well to get this far living on your own.

Silverlining I'm only just starting to feel comfortable sleeping on my side and still fidget about a fair bit. Ten weeks on now...

Travelsafar I hope you'll stay with us and let us know how you go. Maybe by the time the end of July comes round, we'll be onto a second thread? I know there are lots of people who follow but don't post frequently.

GrannyLaine Fri 13-May-22 20:06:59

Oh dear, are we so very dull? Must try harder ?

Bonesmart has a lot of really useful information as has been mentioned a few times upthread. I found the bit on exercise (as in, doing only what's right for you) really helpful. One night I found myself wandering through the section where people post pictures of their scars. All I can say is I'm very glad I didn't go there before I had my surgery!

Naughtyneine Fri 13-May-22 19:17:49

I didn't know about Bonesmart Aveline...(wish I had) I only found out about Gransnet a very short while before my op so hopefully Travelsafar can get onto that website too.. You certainly need the laughs (not many on here to date unfortunately but maybe that's still to come!!!!). Other threads do seem to have a sense of humour filtering in so it's probably a case of finding one that suits you best.

Aveline Fri 13-May-22 17:25:24

On Bonesmart you can join a specific thread for people having the op in the same month as you. I found it very helpful to hear how others were getting on. Gradually people stop posting as they recover and get back to life. It was reassuring for me at times and I heard some great tips (and lots of laughs!)

Naughtyneine Fri 13-May-22 16:02:33

Travelsafar... It's good you've got a date. Some how if you can see that the end is in sight it makes it a bit easier to get through this last few weeks. Can I suggest that closer to the time you start your own thread then you will be able to be in contact with people who are at the same stage as you. I left it a bit late to join this thread and it was already well established and therefore I wasn't able to build up a rapport which you do need for support both before and definitely afterwards. I hope the next few weeks go quickly for you...can you ask to go on a cancellation list and maybe get an earlier date possibly too. I'll keep my fingers crossed that you do then you can hopefully recover in the sun!!!!!

silverlining48 Fri 13-May-22 10:19:56

Susie I am not surprised you have found it so hard on your own, I am so lucky to have a dh who has been a star ⭐️ and who still has to do things like putting on my socks etc, and lots of other things too of course.
I am glad your dd is coming to visit.
About the pfenerghan they are nowhere near as strong as things like zopiclone ( which are my favourites) but my dr is less keen to prescribe these.
I am off to the physio in a mo with my list of questions and will return later,
Habe a good day all

JenniferEccles Thu 12-May-22 23:14:42

I’m pleased to hear your surgeon was reassuring SusieB50 You must have been worried before you went to see him so I can imagine how relieved you are.
Sleeping on the back (or attempting to) is awful isn’t it? I did find a pillow under my knees helped, and when I did risk trying to sleep on my non operated side I put a pillow between my knees to stop the operated leg from dropping onto the bed.
I don’t sleep well at the best of times actually, so I was interested to read about Phenergen silverlining so thanks for mentioning that. I will try to get some tomorrow.
I am now nearly five months since my surgery! I can’t believe how quickly the time has passed, apart from the early weeks when, like most people I had days when I felt fed up, and impatient to be back to normal.
The recovery can’t be rushed though, and I’m sure it’s possible to do more harm than good if we try to push ourselves too much.
Now, I hardly give my shiny new hip a thought!

SusieB50 Thu 12-May-22 22:27:48

Thanks silverlining I am beginning to feel better -probably psychological , but also 4 full days of antibiotics. I can’t remember the last time I had antibiotics and now 3 lots in 8 weeks! Both physio and consultant were adamant about sleeping position so will have to put up with it . I’m not very good taking sleeping sedation , I was given some after my DH died but only took a couple as I was like a zombie . I hope to sleep better tonight as I’m less anxious . I have found managing this on my own, despite my amazing family and friends, a bit of a struggle. I’m looking forward to seeing my daughter on Saturday, she’s coming on her own for the day. My son and family live nearby and pop in frequently bless ‘em .

silverlining48 Thu 12-May-22 19:29:26

I was told by the physio 2 weeks ago I could sleep on my side. I havnt just in case...but take a sleeping pill which does help with a better night. I use pfenerghan which you can get over the counter and according to my gp is regarded as safe in long term use.
I am seeing the physio again tomorrow and consultant in 2 weeks for 6 week check.
Glad all seems ok, are you reassured? I am aching today and have been taking things easy, it's only a few short weeks since we had our operations so assume its to be expected.
I hope you start to feel better soon.

SusieB50 Thu 12-May-22 17:38:46

I saw consultant today, it’s like being a private patient on the NHS ! He wasn’t overly concerned but was surprised that the wound flared up 4 weeks post op . But happy that these antibiotics are working . Maybe the previous ones left a residual infection to flare up ?? He examined my hip and was happy with the movement I had and shrugged his shoulders when I said I had the pain in my groin back . It happens sometimes he said , but it will probably go ?. I’ve had more blood tests and to go back in 2 weeks . So at least no major concerns . I had visions of having MRI’s and needing further surgery . Apparently I still have to sleep on my back for at least another 2 weeks ! I had dreadful night last night ,I was desperate to lie on my side ,too hot and had restless legs , so hopefully will have a better one tonight .

silverlining48 Thu 12-May-22 13:31:32

Let us know how things go today Susie, I am seeing the physio tomorrow. Last injection tomorrow too, won’t be sorry about that, it’s got worse not better but was glad not to have the stockings.

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