👯‍♀️Hip & Knee Replacement #3 👯‍♀️

Well 5 weeks today I shall be having my knee transplant!
Need to lose some weight as have been v naughty over Christmas, people kept buying me chocolates and cake.
I have most things I think, just a couple of grabbers, short nighties and a couple of skirts.
One thing that I haven’t seen mentioned is underwear, namely pants. If trousers are a job to get on so are knickers. What happens in hospital? Do they give you paper, disposable ones?

Babs are you in a position to go to the hospital for surgery at the drop of a hat if there is a cancellation? Once you are on the list and you nag his secretary often enough you never know your luck.

Ps. I am within 6kg of the weight he agreed to operate with last time so if I go for a summer op this could be manageable…

Thanks so much for your kind comments. Somewhere I have done a blog back in 2019 re my op and recovery. I wrote it on quite a bit of morphine at the time and may reread it to remind myself. It was written with a strong sense of humour.

My consultant is very good and, after a slightly hard recovery due to being so unfit, I went from slow recovery to dancing at a friends 60th within Six months so know I can do it.

But I had a horrendous time in the hospital as was undermedicated and passed out during the Physio. After that the meds were reviewed and all was well.

Depending on his attitude I may even ask him about getting it done privately as I don’t think I can wait another 2-3 years which is most of what have left of my working life. I might as well earn a salary whilst recovering! I’m rarely off sick..

Seriously, he is well known in the hospital and outside for his notorious rudeness but, give fair, I can hardly see the long 12 inch scar anymore!

Maybe I will just be “meek and mild” (not natural) and show him a printout of my diet diary and weightloss .

I will let you know how I get on.

Thanks again for your help :/)

I would be inclined to say "a remark like that is not very helpful. Do you suggest how I lose any weight when I can hardly move because of the amount of pain I am in?" That may pull him up short.

You have done so well but do not let him know that his rudeness spurred you on or he may be inclined to continue.

As a post script my surgeon gave me his cards to rate him on 2 or 3 different good dr sites! Talk about god complex!

I think that you can look up surgeons ‘rankings’, or something like that.
I know that my dad did, so that I could make sure that I had a goodun.

My consultant seems like a laddie to me but he assures me he's good. He actually said, 'I'm brilliant at hips!' Modesty is not one of his attributes. Mind you he did say that he was glad my op had gone well as he thought I'd be a nightmare if it hadn't! However, he is good at what he does and that's what matters

Fanny let’s hope your young surgeon is starting a new trend but yes , surgeons generally are god but the orthopaedic variety in particular can be very rude to both staff and patients. So a much lesser god.
Happy New year Fanny, hope your hip is doing well.

Hello Silverlining, so it’s a thing then. the rudeness! Goodness me!
I have heard about surgeons having a God complex.
My surgeon is the most polite, courteous gentleman you could ever wish to meet. Really approachable too.
He is very young though, for a surgeon.

Babs will someone be going with you?
And we’ll be here for you before, during and after too!

Welcome Babs .
Well done fir losing so much weight especially if in pain it’s even harder.
When you go to the hospital he may say nothing but have a few things in your head for a quick reply if he is rude.
I had my new hip 8 months ago and my surgeon was rude to me about my weight just before my operation so know how upsetting this is.
Cutting the story short I did speak to him about this later and he seemed surprised I was upset but apologised ( on the way small children do when they aren’t sorry at all). At post op appointments nothing more was said but I was prepared,
It is well known that orthopaedic surgeons can be notoriously rude.
Don’t worry 😉 and keep in touch to let us know how it all goes.
We with new hips know it’s worth it. Wishing you well.

Hello Babs what a dreadful situation, and what a dreadful man he sounds.
I think you either need to just grit your teeth, be strong and let it all sort of go over your head.
Or, appeal to his better nature and tell him that you are feeling rather vulnerable because of your pain levels.
I’m sure all the others will have better advice Babs.

A slightly belated Happy and Healthy New Year to all us Hipsters
👯‍♀️👯‍♀️👯‍♀️

I bet your consultant will be impressed at the efforts you've been making. I know mine was as he noted it in his report.
Don't forget that orthopaedic surgeons are not necessarily noted for their social skills! I sat next to one at a dinner earlier this month who amply demonstrated this.
In your case focus on what he says not how he says it. It's his operating skills that matter not his bedside manner. Don't let that upset you.
Good luck. Remember you you'll hardly ever have to see this person again.

Hi! I hope this is the right place to post.
I had a very successful hip op on my left hip in 2019, lost weight and got my life back. Sadly 1.5 years ago my right hip started complaining. It got worse quite quickly. I put in weight and knees hurt but I managed to lose some. After going through Gp referral, physio, triage etc I now have an appt next month.

It is with the same consultant. He is a great surgeon but was horrible to me about my weight and made me feel it is all my fault. I am dreading seeing him! Apparently he is horrible to everyone.

I have lost nearly a stone in 3 months and can show him my efforts. How do I get through this meeting without crying? I am now in a lot of pain and can’t walk well. I really need this op!

Thanks for any advice as to how to approach this.

Hi. Thanks again for the replies, they give me hope.

It is early days and to be honest the whole thing has been a bit of a shock to the system. I naively didn't think it would knock me about as much as it did.

I was let out on the same day of surgery so it has been a bit of a whirlwind and slightly surreal !

The replies have given me the boost I have needed to keep going, keep icing, keep elevating and to try not moan too much !

Cheers all

Hi Malibu.As you may see mine was a partial knee not a total but don't feel too downhearted. It's very early days for you.Now 6 weeks on those first 2/3 weeks seem ages ago.And the only time I'm sore now or swollen is when I've overdone it eg .Xmas day.
I certainly found night's harder for a couple of weeks after stopping stronger painkillers and you've stopped yours very early at 4 days.I like to curl up in the foetal position and when in a deep sleep was trying to do that and that hurt. Good news is now I can.As for twitching.Lots of nerves and muscle have been cut and are slowly recovering. I guess weird sensations may happen.I got occasional, random electric shock type sensations. They have now stopped.Keep going and as everyone says keep icing.I still do later in the day.

Each hospital is different. I had my wound "glued" together so no removal of staples or sutures.

Difficult if you cannot get the operated leg over the bath- I have no suggestions. Do not "force" your knee to bend, the swelling will go eventually but do as others have said, ice and elevate and if you could elevate your leg during the night without causing too much discomfort, that would be helpful.

Suspect you will feel better once the staples have been removed Malibu. Every day is a day closer to recovery.

Thanks for the replies, I realised I wasn't 'watching' the thread so somehow lost it !

Aveline and silverling48, yes I am doing all the things I have been told to.

Elevating and ice packs. I am pottering around the house and up and down the stairs. I feel the swelling is holding me back so much. The walking/standing seems to make it worse. I am desperate to get in my shower (over the bath) but I cannot lift my leg high enough because of the stupid swelling!

We rang the hospital the other day as my knee has doubled in size and the nurse said it is normal and can last for 6 weeks. I was worried it could be a clot but she just said to keep an eye on it (look for redness etc).

I am taking amitriptyline from the doctor which seems to stop the twitching and helping me sleep (sort of).

Having my staples out next Thursday and am dreading that. My wound still hurts so cannot imagine what it feels like when the nurse takes them out.

Happy New Year all and I am very grateful for these threads, very informative.

Thank you Washerwoman! That makes me feel quite optimistic!

I had a partial knee replacement in October.Before that I was getting increasing pain in my hip on the same side and also in my other knee.Now that has gone.I 'm sure it was because my gait was all wrong because of my damaged knee.Indeed it is one of the reasons I raided my savings -that I was lucky to have- to pay for my PKR privately. Apart from still being achy near my wound at the end of the day, which is improving daily if I'm sensible I'm practically pain free.Good luck !

I am due to have a robotic right TKR 9 February. I am in quite a bit of pain. Now I feel it in my hip. My hip has not bothered me until recently, and I wondered if anyone had had the same symptoms. Will the hip be easier after the knee op? I know that I am not walking straight now and presumably puts pressure on the hip. I seem to ache everywhere.
My consultant originally thought hip surgery but on last visit and seeing me walk etc decided knee first then hip later.
Would love your experiences.

Happy New Year to you all!

And from me - when it comes which isn't until later tonight!

Happy, healthy, hippy and hoppy new year to you all from me too.