👯‍♀️ 👯‍♀️ Hips and knees Part 5 👯‍♀️ 👯‍♀️

I have yesterday’s shepherds pie to finish off tonight, and just had my second omelette in 2 days… but looking forward to fish pie maybe tomorrow.
My appetite has never been lower.

Hi WelwynWitch3, thank you for your response. To end up with cellulitis must have been awful on top of everything else! I am now in my tenth week of recovery and although it seems very slow to me, looking back I have literally made huge strides. This forum has been a godsend of help and experience, saving me from wallowing in despair when everything is completely normal, so many lovely people on here!

But silverlining48 look how trim you'll be when you're feeling better!

I wish Grammargran.
I have hardly eaten since last Sunday and have already put on 2.5 lbs. Unbelievable .

grammaretto I had my hip replacement surgery 10 weeks ago tomorrow and progress is very slow. I had the other hip replaced in December 2023 and recovery from that one was very quick. The consultant did warn me that this one would be different from the first one! I do have osteoporosis in my spine, and have had spinal fractures, so that affects my walking.
The next challenge is driving again.
I eventually got used to sleeping on my back, but my heels suffered. Just getting used to sleeping on my side again, but it’s not comfortable yet.
silverlining I’d eat pasta, some of the ready meals are very tasty, cottage pie, jacket potatoes with cheese, but don’t eat the skins! Omelettes, well roasted vegetables, soop. It would be a struggle to think of anything more! I hope you’re feeling better.

Jacket potato with cheese and beans sounds great Redcar, thanks. Its one of my favs but I hadn’t thought about it. For the first time since Sunday my appetite has returned.

Sorry things are going a bit slower this time, it must be disappointing given your first hip hop went so well. I think we have to accept this sometimes happens but it’s hard. You will be ok, it might just take a bit longer to get there.
Once you start driving you will get some independence which is always good. Do you have an automatic?

silverlining I thought I had sent a reply hours ago, but it has vanished.

I would eat spag bol, curried mince, shepherds pie and any other mince dish I could think of. Have you tried macaroni cheese or scrambled eggs? Some fish are really easy to eat.

Have you tried googling soft food menus?

Redcar I started driving a fortnight ago but I do have an automatic and it’s my left hip that’s new. I find it easier to get in and out of the driver’s side than the passenger’s. Looking back, the heels were a real pain, weren’t they. Socks were a help there (so long as you have a gadget to get them on!) Silverlining48 I hope you’re not neglecting your puddings! I just love tinned rice pudding warmed up - I’m so sophisticated - and plenty of lovely ice cream flavours (we had a Bailey’s one at Christmas).

grammargran I like the sound of the Baileys ice cream! I’ve got a manual car and the most recent hip replacement is my clutch leg! I had a blister on my heel from lying on my back and also from the leg slide exercises. I’ve just googled recovery time from hip replacements and found some of it to be quite reassuring. It seems that our “slow” recovery times are actually quite normal!

Hot chocolate with a shot of Baileys is very good too!

My sock gadget arrived yesterday! What a difference 👏
Thanks Aveline

I have another month before driving again. My trip to the other hospital for my cataract assessment wasn't without drama.
The friend, who kindly offered to drive me, has had a stroke and a TKR some years ago, but says she drives her automatic all the time. She certainly has no fear so we charged
up the motorway.
She has a blue badge so was able to park near the entrance so we didn't have to walk too far on crutches!.

While I was being seen, she was
developing a migraine. Her meds were at home so we tried to find a chemist to no avail.
We did find the staff canteen which served us hot drinks and sugary snacks.
My df recovered. Her blood sugar was probably low.

I may try to persuade another person to get me to the operation itself, in February.

How are you today Silverlining?

I keep reading on Facebook about how you have to take antibiotics for the slightest infection once you’ve had a TKR and also have to take antibiotics prior to any dental work. Is this correct?

Nope

News to me MayBe70 after my THR, but touch wood, I haven’t been in this situation (yet!)

Is it just an American thing, then. Most people on the Facebook page seem to be American.

I understand you should not ignore any infection after new hips /:knees.
Also my dd was told to see her dentist prior to chemo to get anything needing doing done beforehand to avoid infection later.

As for soft food it’s just so bland and have realised without texture food is just so boring.
My appetite is yet to return but my plan today is a jacket potato with cheese and beans . That might be an improvement on what I have been picking at this week.

I found this US site which might be helpful, Maybee. I like that it points out that routine 'preventative' antibiotic use could lead to antibiotic resistance. As antibiotic resistance is a very real and extremely worrying modern development it seems sensible not to overuse them.

I don't think we're quite so obsessive in the UK. I've had no advice about preventative antibiotics.

Sorry, forgot to post the link

www.verywellhealth.com/antibiotics-before-dental-work-2549523

I wonder if the surgery is done in a different way here. Or that it’s the American fear of litigation when it comes to all things medical.

MayBee70

I wonder if the surgery is done in a different way here. Or that it’s the American fear of litigation when it comes to all things medical.

Or drug companies profiteering?

Antibiotics should be used to treat infections after joint replacements. You should always tell a dentist you had a joint replacement and let them decide, depending on what is being done. However, 99% of the time, it is not necessary.

American attitude to medication is v different from ours! We wonder why antibiotics are losing their efficacy due to overuse!!?

I know a doctor who doses his teenage daughter with antibiotics at the drop of a hat. His wife, also a doctor, is never happy when he does that. He should know better.

He certainly should.

I read somewhere that if dental work is needed, you should wait 3 months after a TKR or a THR, in case of infection. If an emergency you should have antibiotics. I was asked about visits to the dentist at my pre op assessments.