I thought you all might like an update after my hip replacement surgery, so here is my experience, since so many people are getting this done now. I’m not far into it, so we will see where I end up when I’m all healed up, but the surgery part is over and now recovering is happening. So, I’m sharing the surgery portion and the last couple of days since my surgery was done. I’ve read a lot of stories about hip replacement and everyone is different in the process, so keep that in mind too if this is something that you’ll be facing. I had my sister and our brother-in-law who gave me lots of advice on what to do and not do. So far so good! I had the anterior approach to hip replacement, which is the one that is supposed to be easiest to get over. They don’t cut the muscle, but move it out of the way.
My surgery was scheduled for 9:45 am at Windy Hill Hospital, which is a Wellstar Joint Surgery center. They mostly do outpatient surgeries on hips and knees. I had to arrive at 7:45 and they did everything like clockwork all the way til surgery time. It reminded me of a colonoscopy and my cataract surgery in that you have your own room where they monitor everything and Mark could stay with me up until surgery time. Before surgery, I had to do all the antibacterial cleansing showers at home and then they had me do another wipe down when I got there and put a gown on. I was comfortably in the hospital bed with these all too familiar yellow socks. This is, however, my first surgery on my body, so I’m a novice. I’ve never had an overnight hospital stay. Knock on wood! Here’s a view of my newly covered ottoman, which I had finished just before my surgery. I love it!
I mentioned my surgeon before, but Dr. Stephen Kim, who comes highly recommended in Cobb County, did my surgery. I felt like I was in good hands and I was. My sister went to Dr. Kim for her first hip replacement 10 years ago and one of our son-in-laws had to have hip replacement about 4 years ago and highly recommended him, as many of his family members went to Dr. Kim for hip and knee replacements.
My surgeon, Dr. Kim, with Resurgen’s Orthopedic came in and said hello and wrote his initials on my right hip. The anesthesiologist also came in and introduced himself and told me what to expect. The nursing staff was great! I loved all of them, from the 2 who were in charge of me pre-surgery, to the lady who helped me after I woke up. They were funny and helped put me at ease. I asked about the anesthesiologist to make sure he was good and one of the nurses said, yes, if I ever have to have surgery like this, I will go to Dr. Kim and use the same anesthesiologist as well. They were all top notch, so I felt like I was in good hands, even though the week leading up to surgery was a little anxiety ridden at times. I could still back out, but pushed through those feelings and was pretty calm on the day of surgery.
It was finally time for them to move me to the block room, so Mark went to the waiting room and I was wheeled away. They were staying in touch with him during surgery. Surgery itself lasts about 1.5 hours. I remember getting the block and after that, I was in la-la-land. My eyes were closed, but I could still hear a little, although I don’t remember anything except I swear I heard a pounding noise at one point. I have no idea what that was! Maybe I was dreaming! When I woke up and looked at the clock in the first recovery room, it was Noon. They gave me Nutter Butter cookies and a bottle of water first, then I went to my recovery room. I came out pretty fast and they brought me a sandwich box lunch, which I had preordered and Mark came in with my stuff. They said in my Joint Class that they discovered that people do much better coming out of surgery when they get food, so I was glad about that too. The recovery room time went a little longer than expected, she told me some suits were in the building that day looking around at things so everyone was on their best behavior. I then got up and got in a wheelchair where I was wheeled down to PT to do a little walking and standing on my new hip. This part surprised me as I had heard that the nerve block usually lasts way longer and I would probably not be in a lot of pain initially, but I was. It was really excruciating pain, but I made it through stepping up 4 stairs and back down, so that was all PT was for me. I guess to see how I could walk at that moment. I was sent home with LOTS of instructions and booklets and equipment and all the things for my recovery, plus all the meds I got in advance. It’s a lot, so just be aware if you’re in line to do this! I left right before 3:00 pm, I think and we headed home. I was initially bummed about the severe pain, but I did start taking Tylenol 650 when I got home and by evening it was much lessened. I don’t have a lot of swelling so far, it may come later, we will see. But I have ice packs to put on my hip too, so have been regularly icing.
Day 2:
I didn’t sleep great the first night, because I had on those compression velcro attachments that make noise and run all night. It’s like a blood pressure cuff for your calves to keep you from getting clots. I was also told I could just get compression socks too, so I’m going to get some of those and hopefully sleep better. Between the noise, the squeezing, and sleeping on my back (which I never do, I’m a side sleeper), I didn’t get that much rest, but I know I can nap during the day if I need it. Day two was so much better. The pain is way lessened from the first day right after surgery, so that was a relief. I’m now walking pretty good on the walker and cane. I feel pretty stable. The hardest part is when I lift my leg to get it in bed or when I put on pants. Other that that, it’s not hurting when I just prop it up. I felt so much better on Day 2, I was in a good mood about that and not feeling so much like the invalid of Day 1. Of course, I had to have a (affiliate link) cute cane (from Amazon!). They want me to stick with the walker for a week at least, so I’m using both the walker and my cane in tight areas around the house.
I put my meds in a cosmetic bag, so they are all together. Also, I’m sleeping downstairs for now so Mark can get more sleep. I’m closer to the bathroom in the downstairs guest room, so he helped me haul everything down that I needed from upstairs that first night. By Day 2, I was going up and down the stairs with my cane and doing fine. Moving around and walking is good for hip replacement, so I’m going to get up and move as much as I can, they say to get up every hour and move around. I may sleep downstairs for a few nights, but I’d like to get back to my bed before too long. I am going to order compression stockings for night time, as they are not noisy!
Here’s what the compression machine looks like. (X marks the spot for something at the hospital, it came off after I showered and used alcohol on it). They velcro on the calves. The doctor’s office told me compression stockings were fine too if I didn’t want to wear the noisy ones every night, so I just ordered some. They recommend wearing for 4 weeks and I don’t think I can take that noise and movement for that long. I won’t get much sleep at that rate!
Here are the things they send you home with to do at home for hip replacement recovery:
- Medications, of course, they will fill those early so they are on hand after surgery
- Exercises: these are simple muscle strengthening exercises to do for both legs
- Intermittent pneumatic compression device: to prevent blood clots, wear to bed every night or get compression stockings
- Spirometer: A device for breathing exercise to prevent pneumonia. This is more for those who are not getting up and moving around much. I will be moving a lot, but not overdoing it.
- Ice pack holder and ice packs for icing hip: The one they gave me is huge and cumbersome with velcro straps everywhere, so I will be laying the ice pack over my hip when I’m sitting.
I think that’s all I got to bring home. There are lots of other things you can get too, like a bathing kit with long handled sponge and other things for the shower. A shower chair if you don’t have a bench in your shower. My brother-in-law, David, who just went through this in January gave me his leg lift device, a cloth long handled stirrup for the foot which helps to swing up the operated leg to the bed. Once you get through surgery, then recovery can be a long process, but the initial recovery is mostly pretty fast from what I know about it from others.
Day 3:
I woke up still feeling good and went to my first PT session at 8 am. Mark is driving me everywhere for the next 4 weeks, so I will be happy when I can drive again. He’ll be picking up food for this first week too until I’m further along and can cook again. So far we are managing fine. The PT therapist went through my regimen and gave me some exercises to do for the next week or so at home. Simple stretching of the leg muscles. I found out I was holding my cane in the wrong hand. Since my right hip was operated on, I’m supposed to walk with the cane in my left hand, opposite of what I thought. It made sense when she explained that moving the cane over gave me more support for the bad leg. She told me what NOT to do and that I was fine to bend and squat, which is a relief. The most important thing I shouldn’t do is push my operated leg behind me. So I try to keep it straight in line and not put any strain on the incision. I won’t see my incision for 2 weeks when they take off the bandage. So far it just feels tight and slight pain when moving around, but other than that I’m feeling great. July will be a healing month for sure so I don’t have much planned and will be staying home more. Mark and I went to Waffle house after my PT for a big breakfast and that was nice!
I watched a real surgery for anterior approach hip replacement yesterday and it was pretty amazing! And scary! I’m glad I didn’t watch it before, but now I know how it’s done. It seems so traumatic, but healing is pretty fast overall. The video I watched was from 2012, so now anterior is the most common way to go. It’s much less hard on muscles and tissue. The weird thing is, as soon as I woke up in recovery, I had a memory of hearing heavy pounding, like a hammer. Once I watched the video, I don’t think I dreamed it, I think I really did hear it. They do a lot of pounding while the surgery is going on! Anyway, that’s another thing to pass along.
I hear it takes a whole year to heal up completely, so I’ll be doing what I can to strengthen the muscles and continue to get better. I really think all my working out for so many years is helping me to recover pretty fast. I can use my other leg for extra support. In the long run, I hope this surgery helps me have more endurance and stamina when I’m walking longer distances. I was very much not able to walk as much as I wanted to before surgery. My plan is to schedule my other hip for October of this year and I hope I’m as good as new by next year, ready to travel the world again! I hope my experience helps others who are facing hip replacement surgery. It’s not something I wanted to do, but after hearing so many success stories, I felt like I needed to do it sooner rather than later. I wasn’t limping or walking with a cane yet, but I didn’t want to wait until it got worse. I have had times where I did limp some, but it usually got a little better and I just carried on with irritation and daily pain that was bearable, but very annoying. I’m thrilled to be on the other side now, recovering and healing up! I will keep you all posted on my recovery if you’re interested in hearing more about this process, now that I know first hand.
I know it was scary for you but you will be so glad that you did this now. I’ve had both replaced and people are amazed when I tell them because of all I can do. Sometimes I feel a little stiffness especially on rainy days but there that that, no pain!
Take care and enjoy having a bionic hip!
Cheers,
Linda
Glad you are doing so well Rhoda, I believe in a proactive approach as well, not to wait too long to have a procedure. Mark is a big help and prayers for both of you to get through the coming weeks without stress and complications.
Can you give information and pictures of the socks 🧦 t you ordered and from where. Glad you are doing so well. Blessings upon you.
I appreciate your help with this information.
I ordered a set of 3 compression socks from Amazon and bought some cute patterned ones, but realize they are only 15-20 MM, so I just went back and ordered this pair which is 20-30 mm. So these should be fine:https://amzn.to/4evCllZ
I’m happy things went well. I wish I could bring you dinner!
Thank you, Ann! We’ll be doing lots of take-out this week and have a few people stopping by.
Hope your recovery continues to go smoothly. It sounds like you’re doing great. My husband had he anterior approach in 2016 and at the time very few surgeons used it but it is the way to go.
For compression socks (in case they didn’t mention this type), there are now zipped compression socks that you can get on Amazon. Much easier to put on.
Can you add the link for which ones to order. I would appreciate your help.
Good to know!!
I’m so glad you’re doing well! Thanks for telling about everything. I know it will be so helpful for someone considering or about to have the surgery. I, for one, would like to hear more as your recovery continues. Take care!
Good Morning,
Reading your posts was interesting and at time, humorous. I’m 7 weeks post knee replacement and finishing PT this week.
After the block wore off, the pain started, but I also had the “ice” machine and was diligent on pre and post exercises.
My surgeon told me I tried to get off the table after the spinal block, guess I wanted to change my mind:)
So glad I made this decision. BTW other knee replacement was 9 years ago. Wish I had not waited so long for this one!
You seem to be doing really well. This procedure is not as invasive as it used to be, so count yourself lucky. I have friends who have recently gone through this and were back to work in a matter of weeks. They say it’s so much better than having your knees replaced (both of mine) so I don’t doubt you’ll be running circles around Mark!
Continued wishes for a speedy recovery.
This was so informative, Rhoda! Luckily, neither Leo nor I have hip or knee problems. Glad that your experience went well.
Glad to hear your recovery is going so well. Thank you for sharing all the info on the process. You’ve really got me thinking! We like to hike, and I can usually do up to 7 miles as long as there’s not a lot of steep incline involved. You throw incline into the picture and my hips are killing me by the time I get back to the car. I just turned 70, so it may be time for replacement parts! I look forward to more updates on your PT and healing process.
If you go and get x-rays they can tell you what’s going on. I had pain for 10 years and I knew I had arthritis but it got worse and worse & I ended up bone on bone. Even though I tolerated the pain a long time, it was time to do it before I couldn’t walk.
Thank you for sharing! Seems you are having a good experience with the healing. Amazed you can walk up the stairs with a cane so fast. I know I need a hip replacement and will need to schedule soon as I have a trip to Paris for May 2026.
Yes, you need to get it done so you can travel. That’s my goal, surgeries and recovery this year and back to travel next year.
I am so happy to read this post. I hope the next month goes equally as well. By the way, I really like your ottoman! Take it easy!
Good going, Rhoda! My son-in-law is an ortho PA, so I knew hand and power tools are involved, lol. We’ve got a punch card going with my family, so many knees, ankles, hips! So glad you’re doing well. Keep up the hard work of recovery.
Rhoda, I too had hip replacement surgery, but I was only 47 when I had it done. (that would be 30 years ago! I’m 77 now.). I am a nurse,a nd at the time of my surgery I was working for an Orthopaedic surgeon! So he and his partner did the surgery for me. They were so great, and i was able to return t work in 2 weeks! I too was scared of the pain post operatively. I made the surgeons promise me that if I was having a lot f pain they would DO SOMETHiNG to relieve it! (I was really scared.). But I came out of the surgery great, and have not had any problems at all with it. I now need to have at leat one of my knees replaced, but am having trouble finding someone who can come to the house and help me for the first couple of weeks. My husband was there when I had my hip done, but he has since passed away. I wish you well! Hope you are back to 100% really soon!
Rhoda, so glad that your hip surgery is over. We are keeping you in our prayers for a great recovery — and for Mark as he makes sure you are doing OK!
Hi Rhoda,
Thanks for this detailed information!
Quick question – we live in an older home – 3 stories – with a half bath and no designated bedroom on the first floor. We’ve been discussing “aging in place” (which we realize can involve surgeries such as yours) and are thinking about adding a shower to the first floor bathroom. How many steps are you able to manage? Do you (or any readers) think this would be a wise addition? I’m guessing one could have a hospital bed brought in instead of turning our downstairs den into another bedroom?
Thanks again!
Hi Amy, I’m sure there are many ways to handle a surgery like this. I didn’t feel like trying the stairs the first night and the guest bedroom and bath are close proximity and less walking, so I stayed there 2 nights. Now I have to figure out where I’m most comfortable for trying to sleep on my back, so I may stay in the guest room, even though I can get up and down the stairs just fine. We have 15 stairs up to the 2nd level where our master is and I am navigating the stairs just fine. They teach you how to do them. Go up with the good leg (first) and down with the bad leg. It really does work. Just taking baby steps up and down. I use my cane and am holding the banister, but I’m already feeling very stable on my feet. I’m also going up and down our deck stairs with no problem so I can get outside every day. It’s different for everyone though, so just be aware of that. You can always figure out a plan. We don’t plan to move out of our house (with many stairs) for a lot of years, so hopefully I won’t have hips to blame after this.
Wow. I’m a retired RN. Love the details! Can’t believe you were at church that soon. Go girl!
Glad you are doing well. When you have both done I think you will have a new lease on life! My friend who had both of hers done 20 years ago has hiked in and out of the Grand Canyon 3 times, ridden bikes from the border of Oregon/Calif to San Francisco and 1000’s of other miles of bike rides (not e-bike either!) not to mention hiking hundreds of miles! You have a lot to anticipate!
Hi Rhoda, I’ve been following your blog for many years and have enjoyed all your house projects and reading about your family. I found your detailed description of your hospital stay, surgery and recovery to this point very informative. I am 78 years old, I’m scheduled to have a total knee replacement in early Fall and have opted for a nerve block with light anesthesia. I, too, have never had surgery before and was wondering just how painful getting the nerve block was, I have a lot of anxiety over this. Always good to hear from someone who has experienced it! Best wishes for continued good recovery!
Susan
Hi, Susan, the nerve block was honestly nothing. Just a little needle prick and then you don’t know or feel anything for awhile.
Thanks for sharing your experience. It is so helpful to know what this surgery is like. I didn’t even know it is done as an outpatient these days. I guess they require you to sleep on your back for some specified time, so you don’t open the incision?
Glad you are getting around now and feeling better. Please keep us posted on your progress and PT. Wishing you a healthy and quick recovery! There’s more traveling to be done : )