1 week until surgery and I'm feeling stressed and anxious- advice please!

SusieM55

Hi! I'm 55, and due to have a replacement of my left hip in a weeks' time. After having an outburst of anger at work this week which is not like me at all, I've realised that I'm not coping with the pre-op stress. I don't feel prepared, for example the house isn't as clean as I'd like!. I'm worried about the op being postponed if I get any open wounds, even small bites/scratches, plus the recovery pain etc. While I know it'll be worth it, underneath I'm scared. Do you have any advice? Thanks in advance.

Trish9556

@SusieM55

You totally understand your worries. I had my right hip replaced last year and they're totally normal.

You will be fine.

The first few weeks you'll be wondering if you made the right choice but you have. 10 days after you'll have your stitches out and life will feel better.

Take each day as it comes.

Do your physio

Take your painkillers

Remember it's a marathon and not a sprint race to recovery

There are lots of us on here who have gone through this

If you need any advice on here just shout out and you'll get the advice you need.

Good luck

Trish xx

SusieM55

Thank you so much for your reply Trish, it's very good advice. I think I just felt a bit overwhelmed but I'll continue reading the posts on here for ideas and tips on post op recovery- what I've found already has been very useful. And make "I will be fine" my new mantra! x

Jane18

Hi @SusieM55, I had my hip replacement 4 weeks ago and like you was really worried before the op. I'd already deferred it because I wasn't ready before. It's natural to be concerned, especially when they give you the long list of potential complications (although most of them are very unlikely). But I am now so glad I went ahead. Before, I'd got to the stage where I could hardly walk and my sleep was seriously disrupted. Now I can walk for 20 mins at a time, with occasional pauses. Although I haven't got used to sleeping on my back, at least this is only temporary.

As Trish says, take the advice of your doctors and physios, do the exercises and take the meds they give you. And pace yourself.

I found the first 2 weeks after coming home were the most difficult, but they do pass quickly. If you can get any help from friends and neighbours for some of the more difficult tasks, that will make it easier. I'm not good at asking for help, but when I did I found people were really pleased to be able to be of some use, so I'm glad I did.

I had dissolvable stitches, so haven't even needed those removed.

I had some discomfort for a while after the op, but with the exercises and painkillers everything is now getting a lot easier. And I'm hoping in 2 weeks' time I will be able to drive again, so I can get a bit further than round the block or to and from the hospital.

Good luck with the op, keep in touch and you know we're here if you want any support.

Jane x

SusieM55

Thanks Jane, it's great to hear that your op was successful and you're recovering well. I'm still working but my pain is getting worse and my walking is very slow. I've got used to stomping along, far behind my husband and son when we're out and about! So many people I've spoken to have said that they're so glad they had the THR - It's the fear of the unknown I suppose. You're right about asking for help too, especially when you're used to being the helper! Thank you so much for your support and I wish you the best for your continuing recovery! x

Fran54

@SusieM55

Like you I worried about having my THR and whether I was organised enough at home beforehand. It is understandable. I had my right hip replaced just over a year ago and am due to have my left hip replaced next week! There have been some very helpful replies regarding doing the physio exercises and taking pain medication. I would just like to add that I found my grabber sticks so useful and still use them today sometimes ( I have 3 ). When coming home in the car I was a bit worried about the seat height, but improvised with cushions, also pushing the seat back further gives more room to get in and out. As mentioned we "hippies" are all here for each other so don't be afraid to ask if something is worrying you. Take care🙂

Trish9556

@SusieM55

I forgot to say, if you haven't seen it, there is a very useful thread in hips and tips.

My advice for the car is open the door as wide as possible, have a plastic bag on the seat, stand by the side looking away from the car and bend down to the seat that way. Once you're on the seat, swivel around, the plastic bag helps with this. Get out the same way. Much easier than trying to step in and out of the car.

A towel or pillow over your lap will help cushion the seat belt.

Trish

SusieM55

Hi Fran54, thank you for the tip about getting into/out of the car, especially using cushions to raise the seat height -I hadn't thought of that!. I'm looking at the "hip kits" you can get on Amazon with leg lifting straps, shoehorns etc, but I'll definitely order a couple of extra grabbers so I have them to hand. I loved the term "hippies", definitely going to adopt that! 🤣

Thank you Trish for the tip about the plastic bag on the car seat, and for the towel to cushion the seatbelt- I hadn't thought of that.

SusieM55

I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who has replied. While I still feel a bit nervous (who wouldn't?!), I feel a lot better about the whole thing now that I know where to find help. Your support has made a huge difference to me so thank you ❤️

Naomi33

Your welcome @SusieM55

Good luck and keep us posted with your progress.

Best wishes @Naomi33

helpline_team

Hi @SusieM55

Thank you for your post to the Helpline. As @Fran54 @Trish9556 and @Jane18 have all said, it is understandable to feel worried, scared and unprepared for surgery. But that said, it sounds like you are very well prepared with equipment to help you once you get home and have been given some invaluable advice above.

You post-surgery team at the hospital will ensure that you have everything you need to manage at home safely, including the medication for the pain and exercises.

It's particularly important to keep moving in the run up to your surgery - please see our Let's Move for Surgery information, which gives exercises for both pre and post surgery.

Wishing you all the best with your surgery and hope you have a speedy recovery.

Hip replacement surgery | Treatment options | Versus Arthritis

Let's Move for Surgery Toolkit | Versus Arthritis

Best Wishes, Nicky - Helpline Advisor

cocoa

hi at SusieM55 had my right hip replaced Wed 9 and was soo nervous but all the tips from Trish and all on this site are really helpful . Re run up try to practice relaxation techniques and deep breaths when get stressed. Keep busy. Collect as much stuff as May need befire the op. Especially helpful toilet frame grabber and table by bed to hold reachable lamp etc. i put easy to wear clothes in top drawer or on side table a jug fir water glasses etc I have 3 lots round the bedroom same with painkiller . And keep a chart easy to lose track of when had last meds . Check what equipment your hisp provides also the meds they gonna send you out with as not usually as strong as been on in hosp but you won’t know this till you leave . It’s such a relief once you come round after the op and realise it’s been done after months of severe pain . First few days after are a challenge but persevere I’m only on day 4 but already feeling positive and dint refuse any offers of help. Try to have few ready meals in. I had general anaesthetic and extra spinal didn’t know a thing after pre med till came round which was my main wirry ! Also anti sickness med and do just as much as you can re physio in early days . Good luck and keep us posted

@cocoa

Zimmer

Hi @SusieM55, how are you feeling hon, hope you're doing well after your op. Just remember that everyone here will support you with any ongoing concerns, and be a sounding board should you just wanna vent. At least this community will never judge you, we're all in the same boat, so nothing large or small is trivial k. Take care hon 🫂

cocoa

hi @susieM55 hope alls gone well and you have joined post op club . I am now 7 days post op and every day is different with gradual improvement each with its own challenges . Keep positive and let us know how you doing and any help needed

SusieM55

Hi @cocoa, @zimmer and @Naomi33, thank you so much for your lovely messages. The operation on Monday went well and I came home on Wednesday. The surgeon said that the joint was badly arthritic so having the replacement was for the best. I was nervous going in but the staff were really reassuring and I concentrated on my breathing to calm myself a little. I even slept through the op, probably due to the sedation/little sleep/5am start! I totally agree with you @cocoa , every day is different now I'm post op and I've had good days and not-so--good times but I 'm noticing that I can do a little more every day. I still get "OMG is this okay????!" moments but this forum and website has been my go-to for sensible advice. Now if I could get the sleep thing sorted it would be great! Thanks again.

Naomi33

Morning @SusieM55

So glad to hear all went well 🙌🙌

Keep posting us with your updates and experiences.

Best Wishes @Naomi33

SusieM55

Just wanted to add a note in case anyone is viewing this thread because they're feeling as worried and stressed as I was. It helps to prepare, ask questions of doctors, therapists etc and get information from reputable sources like this website, but I think what helped most was posting on here and reaching out to people who understand. I've never posted on any kind of chat forum before but I was desperate for some help. It was easy to do and reading the responses quieted a lot of the fear. I'm a worrier, so I know I can't wave a magic wand and make every niggle disappear, but knowing that I can always come back here is hugely reassuring. So if this is you, please reach out. ❤️

Jane18

Hi @SusieM55, so pleased all went well with the op and that you're back home.

There will no doubt be ups and downs in the first few weeks, especially as you get the pain medication dose sorted out (and of course the sleeping). But you will find that each day gets a little better.

The first few steps outside can be a bit daunting, so it's a good idea to have someone with you for support. But it gets easier quite quickly. I'm now nearly 6 weeks post-op, walking mainly with one crutch and sleeping better. I can get back to driving from tomorrow. So after the initial stages of recovery, the time seems to have passed really quickly.

Wishing you all the best with your recovery and keep us posted.

Jane

Fran54

@SusieM55

so glad that you are recovering well and yes there are good days and not so good days, but try to keep positive. I have hospital appointment tomorrow for my clips to be removed, so hope all goes well. Like you I also worry but am so grateful for all the lovely people on here who are always there to help. Take care.

Zimmer

@SusieM55 Oh I'm so glad that it went well hon. Unlike the other lovely ladies, I can't comment, yet, on recovery, but wish you a speedy recovery and better sleep. I must admit I dreaded having to sleep on my back, but it sounds like that it won't be for long. 🫂

cocoa

SusieM55

Glad you find this site helpful like myself had never posted on any chat forum befire .keep checking . I am 14 days now Yeah ! But still suffering with sleep problems mainly I think ciz of meds all over the place.now cutting down and in a better routine I think ! Just make sure you’ve got all the equipment you need to hand when venture to your chair ! I have a little bag hang on my crutch with phone glasses and glass water at all times on side table. Took me a while to master the grabber to put my pants/on wish I’d bought some baggy shorts due to leg swelling ! Skirts handy and easy dresses. Best thing was a toilet frame and high seat loo! And a chart to keep track of meds. Flannels towels nr sink fir washing . Extra pillows fir chair and raise feet on bed soo much stuff you never even think of till in the position and of course a willing servant !! Get plenty of rest nd take meds regularly lots to drink ( water) ! Nutritious food . Exercise how best you can be surprised as each day passes and gain more confidence . Keep posting and getting support from this great site

Cocoa