Hip Replacement Surgery

iamoldschool · #1 07-18-2010, 01:11 PM

Found out last week that I need bi-lateral hip replacement surgery, and soon. In fact, the surgery is scheduled for right hip on 8/10 and left hip on 8/17. Unfortunately or fortunately, however you choose to look at it, we don't have anything booked in August, but we have a couple toward the end of September. Anyone gone through this? Will I be able to be back by then? What can I expect as far as recovery time? My bandmates have been great so far, volunteering to do all the setup, and said if they have to, they'll just roll me up on stage in a wheel chair and hand me my bass. Uh-oh, I see an upcoming opportunity for a cheesy rock and ROLL joke at my expense.

Jazzdogg · #2 07-18-2010, 01:21 PM

You're young, so that's in your favor. How's your health otherwise?

My mother recently had both hips replaced - with about two months between operations. She's almost 80, and her first operation went very well. She felt good and was optimistic, but wasn't 100% before the second operation, and it took a significant toll on her. From first operation to present, about 3 months have elapsed, and she's still not 100%.

What's your doctor say?

iamoldschool · #3 07-18-2010, 01:33 PM

Doc left it up to me. Basically, he gave me two options - 1 - have both replaced one week apart and have all the rehab @ once or 2 - have them done 6 weeks apart and go through the rehab twice. Since I can't justify tying up 3 months of my life, I chose the former. Let's do it and get it over with! I'm actually looking forward to being able to walk without pain. I hope that will be the result, anyway. At least, our first gig after the surgery is at the very hospital where the surgery(s) will be performed. We may have to raise our fee.

TheSuzie · #4 07-18-2010, 02:10 PM

My father had both of his done a few years apart when he was in his 70s. He is in his mid 80s and still swims and dances.

I would probably not want both surgeries so close together. Being under general twice so close together would worry me. I had two surgeries about 2-3 weeks apart. One was about 1 hour under sedation. The second was a long one under general. I never totally recovered from the second one. I probably should have waited longer and maybe split the second surgery up (this was possible but I wanted to get it all over with). I do have some underlying health problems that are pretty bad but the second surgery was the beginning of a general downturn for me.

You have to judge these things yourself by your own health, I guess. Evaluate your situation carefully and be honest with yourself about your health. I think I fooled myself into believing that I was healthier than I really was and was not as cautious as I should have been.

Good Luck,
S

Lady Kayri · #5 07-18-2010, 04:47 PM

Can you keep the option open of moving the 2nd surgery back a while if you feel you need to after the first surgery is done? Might be something to look at...My mom had her hips replaced about 10 years ago, and was almost 4 months between surgeries. She came thru all right, even with going thru physical therapy twice. Sorry, can't ask her anything now, we lost her to a combination of diabetes, Parkinsons and Alzhiemers a few years ago... My husband is looking to get that sort of operation in the next year or so, will be interested to hear how yours turns out, as even ten years can make a big difference in surgeries like that.

gm2_in_co · #6 07-18-2010, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamoldschool

Doc left it up to me. Basically, he gave me two options - 1 - have both replaced one week apart and have all the rehab @ once or 2 - have them done 6 weeks apart and go through the rehab twice. Since I can't justify tying up 3 months of my life, I chose the former. Let's do it and get it over with! I'm actually looking forward to being able to walk without pain. I hope that will be the result, anyway. At least, our first gig after the surgery is at the very hospital where the surgery(s) will be performed. We may have to raise our fee.

Keep us posted, will you? I've got a personal interest in that I've been avoiding at least one hip/knee replacement too. Wishing you all the best and a speedy recovery!

iamoldschool · #7 07-19-2010, 01:00 PM

Will do. I'll post back to this thread. Heck, I may even try to keep it updated while in the hospital if they have wireless access. I'm not looking forward to having a bass out of my hands for 2-3 weeks either.

iamoldschool · #8 08-29-2010, 08:19 AM

Well, I didn't have wireless access in the hospital, but I'm now at home with two new hips and looking forward to our next gig on 9/10. I have been thrilled with the results and my hip pain is actually much less than it was before surgery. I'm still on a walker for now, but that's due to achilles tendonitis that I developed during rehab. The tendonitis is, according to the ortho, likely a result of having both hips replaced in such a short time frame. Looks like the second hip caused so much instability that I was leaning on the tendon too much for balance. I finally got to sit down with my P-bass last night for a little one on one therapy and we have a rehearsal this coming Wednesday evening. My rhythm guitarist is coming by to pick me up. The bandmates have been great during my hiatus and have visited me often in the hospital and at rehab. I'm very fortunate to be associated with them and call them my friends. I'll be happy to answer any questions anyone has about the surgery, rehab or recovery. Oh, and as a side note, I'm now officially the hippest member of the band!

sobie18 · #9 08-29-2010, 08:54 AM

Congratulations! Stay healthy and take care of yourself.