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- Jan 2, 2009
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I'm 57 and recently underwent my first surgery, which seemed to surprise a lot of people in my Doctor's office and also the hospital. Apparently, surgery is a more common thing than I thought it was.
Monday I had my right hip replaced. I've had severe osteoarthritis for several years and thought most of my issues were related to my weight. I've lost over 100 pounds the last year or so, but the pain in my hip was getting worse, not better. My doc referred me to a surgeon who took one look at my x-ray and just said "yeah, that's going to have to be replaced". It was really difficult to see where the ball ended and the socket began, so I really couldn't argue with him.
Surgery went fine, lasted about two hours. Of course, I was asleep for it. Turns out I have a "sensitivity" to anesthesia, so my stint in the recovery room was about three+ hours as opposed to the one hour I was told to expect.
I was also given an epidural that was supposed to wear off within a few hours, but now it's four days post-op and my right leg from the knee to my ankle is numb, and I don't have complete control of the muscles yet. Spoke to my surgeon's office yesterday and they want me back in on Monday if it persists.
Recovery has been uncomfortable. Came home on Tuesday and can only get around with a walker. My wife helps me out a bunch, and I'm really lucky to have her. Because of the lack of muscle control, if I'm not careful I'll end up on the floor, which has happened a few times, but nothing serious.
And so it goes. Looking forward to getting a clean bill of health and being able to play golf again this spring after several years away from the course. It's already been an improvement not having the pain from the bone on bone contact.
What have your experiences with surgery been like?
Monday I had my right hip replaced. I've had severe osteoarthritis for several years and thought most of my issues were related to my weight. I've lost over 100 pounds the last year or so, but the pain in my hip was getting worse, not better. My doc referred me to a surgeon who took one look at my x-ray and just said "yeah, that's going to have to be replaced". It was really difficult to see where the ball ended and the socket began, so I really couldn't argue with him.
Surgery went fine, lasted about two hours. Of course, I was asleep for it. Turns out I have a "sensitivity" to anesthesia, so my stint in the recovery room was about three+ hours as opposed to the one hour I was told to expect.
I was also given an epidural that was supposed to wear off within a few hours, but now it's four days post-op and my right leg from the knee to my ankle is numb, and I don't have complete control of the muscles yet. Spoke to my surgeon's office yesterday and they want me back in on Monday if it persists.
Recovery has been uncomfortable. Came home on Tuesday and can only get around with a walker. My wife helps me out a bunch, and I'm really lucky to have her. Because of the lack of muscle control, if I'm not careful I'll end up on the floor, which has happened a few times, but nothing serious.
And so it goes. Looking forward to getting a clean bill of health and being able to play golf again this spring after several years away from the course. It's already been an improvement not having the pain from the bone on bone contact.
What have your experiences with surgery been like?