Going To Have Surgery

[ingmansinc]

I scheduled hip replacement surgery, but am going on vacation the first of September so my surgeon wanted to avoid the increased possibility of blood clots from sitting in the car for long periods of time and recommended waiting until we got home from vacation. Since I have put this off for approximately two years it is now at a point where walking even short distances, 100 feet, is very painful. My Dr. prescribed a narcotic pain killer to get me by until September and it really makes me zone out. I don't know why anyone would want to use street drugs. I feel like I am about half asleep when I take this pill. I am only going to use it at the end of the day when I am at home as I doubt taking it and driving would be anything less than stupid. While on vacation I will drive the first shift and then take my pill and let my wife drive the second shift. I guess this is my only plan until September.

 

[zercool]

Oof. I'm sorry to hear that.

Make the best of your vacation - hopefully it's nothing more stressful than sitting on a beach and watching the waves?

When I had kidney stones last year, the doc prescribed some serious painkillers. I generally stuck to the vicodin and it worked pretty well, but one night it wasn't doing anything for the pain. Took one of the stronger ones and vaguel remember lying in bed "floating", then waking up about fourteen hours later feeling like I'd been run over by a truck. Not an experience I'm eager to repeat.

 

[Frizzman]

I had some major surgery on May 12th. I was on a morphine pump for the first 24 hrs. after and it controlled the pain but made me feel very drugged and I didn't like that feeling. I went home with some hydrocodone syrup. I had stomach surgery and couldn't take pills. I took it a few times and it controlled pain but didn't make me feel too sedated. Of course, I didn't drive while taking that. I don't like being heavily drugged but it beats being in agony. Good luck on the surgery. You will have lots of physical therapy after but people who have had hip and knee replacements tell me that its all worth it.

 

[BarbC]

people who have had hip and knee replacements tell me that its all worth it.

You will probably wonder afterwards why you waited so long!

Best wishes to you for a speedy recovery.

 

[diamonback68]

John, good luck with that. Is it the right hip from shooting to many full house .357s and 44 Mags? First of all try to have a good vacation and don't sweat the rest. When you get home all rested up then take on the surgery in stride and I know you will be A-OK, you're a big strong guy. As you know, I too have a cross to bear and I go to the VA today and I got this gut feeling that things ain't gonna look too good, but hey, it's another day on this God's green earth so I ain't complaining.
Good luck and I'll add you to my prayers.
Dick

 

[ingmansinc]

Thanks to all for the supportive comments. I had both knees replaced eight years ago and the results were great. I have no reason to expect less with the hip.

Dick, good luck on your visit at the V.A. today. I'll be thinking about you.

 

[reddogge]

Post surgery I've thrown away the pain pills as soon as possible. After by-pass I got rid of them in a day or so of coming home and recently for torn tendon surgery I kicked them 3 days after. They made me so constipated it wasn't funny.

 

[1968hawkeye]

Man, hip replacement seems to be the surgery de jour.

My wife is going to have hip replacement surgery on July 13th. We meet with the doctor on July 2nd to discuss everything. She needs to have both hips replaced and we are trying to decide to have one done at a time or have both replaced at the same time. Thee are pros and cons to each choice. Having one done at a time means two surgeries, two hospital/rehab stays, going under twice etc. Having both done at the same time means longer rehab, only one surgery/hospital stay/reb etc.

Right now we are thinking she will have both done at the same time. We'll know for sure after talking with the hip guy.

Hawkeye

 

[red14]

I have had a knee replaced. I was only in great pain once, right after surgury when I woke up, and they took care of it. Hip is supposed to be less painful. Now days, they virtually eliminate most of your serious pain. Good luck to you.

 

[perrazi]

had this very thing last aug 1. had morphine pump first two days then pills after that. don't worry about getting off the pills to fast. the more pain you are in the less you will be able to do via rehab. most side effects of narcotics go away after the first few days and some people don't have any at all. your rehab people will tell you to take your pain meds before starting your rehab sessions. i was in acute rehab in the hospital for a week after the surgery but some people are able to go home and have their rehab at home. do what ever your dr. says. don't try to be a hero during this, it will only take longer to get well and hurt more which means less of the rehab. it wasn't fun but will be worth the effort when you get done. my dr. told me walking was the best thing you could do,of course, it's also the hardest thing for a while. good luck and enjoy the vacation as much as possible.

 

[Spotteddog]

The guy that taught me HVAC back in Chicago ended up having to have one done @55 YOA. They're working miracles with the stuff anymore! 50 years ago someone would have had to live as an invalid the rest of their days because of it. Enjoy the vacation, and Good Luck!