Wellness

[LUV 2 SHOP]

Sorry you are facing hip surgery. I've had both hips and both knees replaced. A good surgeon is important. Sounds like you have one. My husband also had a hip replacement. If your doctor is like most you will be up on your feet day one (with a walker).

Clothing is best if you can wear loose shorts. Dresses are okay in the house, but not PT. I was told to wear shorts, something I don't usually wear. PT is the most important part of your recovery. If you can get a walker before the surgery, it is worth the investment. I also suggest an elevated toilet seat.  VERY IMPORTANT. 

Good luck and a speedy recovery. 

[UpNorthGorgy]

@kismet I imagine you have the aids ready. A grabber and sock helper which I used alot. Grab bars. Compression socks is are a must but I couldn't  get them on alone. Someone recommended Mukluks light compression socks which I could get on alone with the sock apparatus. Walmart. Bending down isn't recommended for a few weeks. Be careful not to undo the procedure!   

Do exercises before surgery to prepare and after of course. Walk with that walker, then cane. The handbook goes over everything like getting in and out of cars. I had low blood pressure and iron so had a longer for hospital stay. I was worn out with pain months before and not sleeping or eating due to pain. Some surgeries are even out patient and home the same day. I have a friend who did that.

Hip replacements last longer than knees.  I live alone so had to have help sometimes. No driving for up to a month especially if right hip.

I gathered the PT is for insurance prior to surgery as the first step. I  had Celebrix but did nothing for the pain. Hydrocodone didn't help. They always ask pain levels for insurance. Go through the hoops.I also had sciatica which kind if disguised the hip issue at first! 

Most snap back in three months. I still was uncomfortable going up stairs for 6 mos. Great now.  Surgury was in March.Walking all summer 8000 steps or more..No more sciatica issues. I used scar tape which protected the incision for a month. 

Hope this helps!

[Starpolisher]

@kismet 

I don't have any advice as I haven't had my hip done yet. I had Total knee replacements. One in September 2025 and one in April 2026. Now, I'm having Reverse Total Replacement surgery on December 1st. I have very bad Arthritis. Bone on bone. My other shoulder hurts but my hip hurts worst 😫  so I expect that to be next. I went to two different doctors for opinions and they both said there's was no other way to fix my shoulder except surgery. Awww...the Golden Years!😆 My hands are starting to bother me really bad too now. I don't think I'll be writing Christmas 🎄 cards this year. I told the doctor, when I finally have all theses joints replaced, he can attach some wings on my back 🪽 and I'll be a Bionic Wonder Woman!🦹🏻‍♀️😁 Good luck with your surgery and prayers 🙏🏼 for a speedy recovery! 😇

[Neetgal2]

@kismet 

If you made it through two knee replacements, you should have no problems with the hip.  I did one hip first, been giving me problems for more than ten years.  One knee had also been a problem for over fifteen years.  It was nothing like the hip. When my doctor came to see me right before going to the Operating Room, he told me the knee is a completely different surgery!  Wow he was right. He knew I flew through the hip replacement, menstrual cramps were worst.  Still struggling with the Tban on the knee after 11 months! Always had this problem and think I always will,  have my one year check up in a month.

Good luck with the hip.

[Meowingkitty]

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@DottieBlue wrote:

@kismet 

Sorry to hear of your upcoming surgery. 

Kachina's suggestion for having over-the-head clothing to wear is a good one.

Will you be needing a shower chair and grab bars?  I don't recommend the suction type grab bars, I wouldn't trust them to stay on the wall.

A  rollator or wheelchair to help you scoot around until you are able to put weight on that hip to walk again? 

Also, perhaps a pair of slip-on shoes to make putting your shoes on alot easier.

I was completely unprepared when I broke my ankle about 10 years ago.  I had none of these things and my DH had to go out shopping and order some things from Amazon. 

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

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No rollator walkers. They are to dangerous and can get away from you. Use the kind with two wheels on the front. No wheelchairs either. You need to walk to regain your range of motion. 

[We rescue cats]

@kismet All are sharing great advice so I'm just popping in toe say that I'll hold you close in prayer and wish you things that are good. 

[JeanLouiseFinch]

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@Meowingkitty wrote:

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@DottieBlue wrote:

@kismet 

Sorry to hear of your upcoming surgery. 

Kachina's suggestion for having over-the-head clothing to wear is a good one.

Will you be needing a shower chair and grab bars?  I don't recommend the suction type grab bars, I wouldn't trust them to stay on the wall.

A  rollator or wheelchair to help you scoot around until you are able to put weight on that hip to walk again? 

Also, perhaps a pair of slip-on shoes to make putting your shoes on alot easier.

I was completely unprepared when I broke my ankle about 10 years ago.  I had none of these things and my DH had to go out shopping and order some things from Amazon. 

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

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No rollator walkers. They are to dangerous and can get away from you. Use the kind with two wheels on the front. No wheelchairs either. You need to walk to regain your range of motion. 

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Agreed, @Meowingkitty.  For lack of a better term, the old-fashioned style of walker - plain, two sides fold in, tennis balls on the feet - is what my friend used.  They're more stable.

[TeezNu]

A raised toilet seat, with handles.

[pdlinda]

@kismet   Do you know if your surgeon is using the anterior or posterior technique?

I had 2 hips replaced:  Posterior technique in 2008.  Anterior technique in 2017.

With the Posterior technique they cut through a muscle and the recovery time is quite long.  With the anterior technique the recovery time was much shorter.

I found it interesting to read the posts for what Medicare provides for surgical after care tools.  I received exactly the SAME tool kit inb 2008 as was described by others, including the walker.

Also, in those days MEDICARE provided in home PT 3X week for 4 weeks.  That drastically changed in the intervening years!!

In both cases, I had absolutely no complications and healed well.  To this day, my both hips are very healthy.

P.S.  I also had my right knee replaced in 2019.  That was also a very smooth recovery.

Good Luck!!

[kismet]

I was trimming off a bush and had to stretch to reach the back.  I put my right foot forward to balance and stepped back with my left leg and felt the pain on my left side.  It got better than worse several times so went to see the doctor.  Next year no yard work.