Having a hip replacement-and what they don't tell you.

I'm at a little over 2 weeks post-op for a total hip replacement and although things are getting a little easier each day it's still going to take a while for me to get back to normal. 

If you're considering a hip replacement there's lots to think about for your recovery. The hospital provided a 2 hour session on what to expect with a hip replacement but they didn't cover everything.

The biggest thing is to be prepared. Mobility is terribly limited after such a major operation and it doesn't always come back quickly. I'm now getting about on crutches confidently but using both hands for crutches means I can't carry much so I have to think way ahead before doing anything. I've also had to come up with a few ingenious ways of carrying items (women's boobs are fantastic for holding small items!!)

Credit: stockimages

Get help. Ask anyone and everyone that is able to help out. Don't be too proud to rely on others. Now is not the time to be stubborn. I've tried on a number of occasions to do stuff myself instead of asking my family to help out and I've nearly ended up on the floor. Some of my friends have been amazing and along with visiting me to cheer me up I've had cakes baked, my children taken out for the day so they don't get bored, school runs offered. Take up every single offer that you can. You can return the favours when you're better and true friends really don't mind helping out.

Stock up on books, dvds, subscribe to netflix, get some colouring books, take up a hobby, invest in some boxsets, start a blog about your experience. Find something to pass the time. You will have a LOT of empty time to fill. I'm off work for 3 months, unable to drive or do the housework and it has really affected me mentally. I'm not one to sit down at all and I miss being able to potter around the house. I've had a few tears on my darkest days and yet I'm only at 2 weeks post-op. The children didn't return to school until today and hubby returns to work in 4 days so I haven't even had time to myself yet it has still gotten to me. I've found podcasts on my ipod have helped when I've been awake in the early hours trying to settle back to sleep. Audiobooks would be great too. 

Although you shouldn't push yourself too hard you should also make sure you're not sedentary for too long. My leg was extended by 1cm during the operation so my muscles and nerves etc need that extra work on them to not seize up. On a bad day when I've not had the energy to move much my leg soon swells and stiffens up. Physio haven't told me what I should be aiming to do exercise wise, other than the few brief stretches I was given directly after the operation. I try to get up and wander around the room for a few minutes for every hour that I'm sitting. I haven't yet left the house for a walk but the ground has been icy and our doorstep is huge so I don't think I'd be able to step out of it just yet!

Invest in lots of cushions and blankets. Occupation therapy will ask you to measure your chair, showers, toilet, bath etc before the operation and will supply a raised toilet seat. A good sturdy high armchair will be needed to sit in but you may need cushions to raise it to the correct height and you'll need cushions to get comfortable and I've found they're much-needed in bed, for me back and for raising my knee when I've been suffering at night. Blankets have also come in handy as sitting at this time of year is chilly and I don't want the heating on constantly. I also shivered a lot for the few first nights at home after battling up the stairs.

Buy a tea trolley. I bought one from Argos: Tea Trolley. I didn't spend a lot as I knew it'd probably only be in use while I recovered but it's great for keeping stuff nearby my chair and I can also wheel it through to the kitchen and pop food or a drink through to the living room. If you live in a bungalow you could also use it to transport washing from room to room. The uses are endless.

Credit:Argos

Also buy one of those foldable tables. They're inexpensive and it's at the perfect height to eat at, use my laptop on, or to keep my phone and tv remote near to my chair. It's light and easy to move without straining yourself. Argos sell one for just £7.99 see here

Credit: Argos

If you haven't already got a kit (and I wish I'd had one years ago but I was in denial about how disabled I was) invest in this Hip Replacement Kit from Amazon. The items can be bought at any mobility store but we found this was by far the cheapest.  The sock aid (top left) is brilliant and means I no longer have to get my children to put my socks on! The long-handled bath sponge is great for cleaning those hard to reach places and the grabber is a must, especially when you can't bend and twist after your operation. I wish I'd had the shoe horn before the operation too as I'd always struggled to get my boots on. The stick on the bottom left is a dressing stick but I haven't used it yet (I also haven't quite figured out how to use it!)

Credit: Amazon UK

With the swelling of my leg it's been impossible to wear jeans so I am so glad I bought some jogging trousers before the op. They're easy to get on and don't rub up against the wound. Comfort over fashion for me! 

Our bath is really deep and our shower cubicle narrow and with a high step so a shower was out of the question for some time. Even now I need assistance getting in and out and I can't shut the shower door. If you want to freshen up ask for a perch stool from the hospital so that you can sit by the basin and if it's difficult for someone to wash your hair over the sink get some dry shampoo. Batiste was recommended to me. The first shower I managed was absolutely amazing. I hate having dirty greasy hair and clean hair makes me feel so much better. If you're unable to get to the hairdressers during your recovery time see if your hairdresser will pop to your home as a one off or ask around for mobile hairdresser recommendations. Don't forget to pamper yourself as and when you can.

Don't take too much notice of the time limits the hospital will talk about. They wanted me out of bed within a couple of hours of the operation but the anaesthetic didn't wear off until late that night. It was galling when the 66 year old next to me was up and walking to the toilet 1.5 hours after waking up. Everyone is different. My surgeon said that I'd be on one crutch in 2 weeks and using a walking stick 4 weeks post-op. I'm nowhere near that. It does frustrate me but I don't want it to add to the strain of recovery. It will take time.

Don't stress too much about your dignity in hospital. After having 3 children I think my dignity went a long time ago! On night one I used a bedpan which leaked and had to have the bed cleaned up, with me still in it. After that I asked for a commode, thinking I couldn't make a mess but my blood pressure dropped and I nearly passed out. Thankfully the patient opposite was struggling to sleep and heard me and was able to call in the nurses. Once I was up and about I was walking around with my arse hanging out of my sexy gown. They'd left me with no underwear, I wasn't able to put it on myself and I was in too much pain to think about the dressing gown I hadn't seen since I walked down to theatre. We were all pretty much in the same boat on the ward thank goodness. It's horrible having to get nurses to walk behind you to cover your backside, or clean up after you if you've had an accident but they've seen it all.....and far worse.

And on the subject of toilets......when the nurses offer you senna or lactulose TAKE IT. I have never suffered constipation like it. It is insane. Your body goes through a helluva lot with a major operation like this and you're suddenly immobile which doesn't help your bowels. The other night I spent nearly 2 hours on the toilet in absolute agony because I kidded myself that my bowels were fine and I didn't need any more lactulose. They weren't. It was more painful than the actual operation and I came close to passing out.

Good luck if you're having a hip replacement. Hopefully some of these tips will help. It's way too early for me to tell, but the daily pain I had in my hip joint has gone, and everyone I know who has had a hip replacement says that it's the best thing they've ever done. Their quality of life improved immensely. Crossing my fingers that it's short term pain for long term gain. I'll soon be jumping for joy!  

Credit: imagerymajestic