If only we all had a crystal ball when we were young to see what we might be facing as we get older, what would we do? I’m not sure I’d do anything differently as far as trying to take care of my body. I started working out at age 25 and have never stopped moving and doing some sort of exercise regularly. It’s less intense than it use to be, but I do something 4 or 5 times a week. All that to say, you can do the things you know are good to do and still have an unexpected outcome. I had no idea I would face hip replacement in my late 60’s, but here we are. We don’t get to pick what happens to us, but I’ve drawn the severe arthritis in my hips card. I can’t wallow in self pity and ask why me, but I can and will choose to do something about it.
I’ve mentioned this before, but the time has come. This month, on June 26th, I’m getting my first hip replacement surgery. It’s been a long time coming, over 10 years of pain from one degree to the other and I know I’m making the right decision based on what I hear from others who have done the same surgery. My sister, Renee, had both of her hips replaced in the last 10 years and has had a great outcome. She has no pain now.
I’m going to a local surgeon, Dr. Stephen Kim, with Resurgens Orthopedic and he came highly recommended by our son-in-law, who also had his hip replaced, as well as several of his family members. It’s not a real easy decision to make, but it’s one I’ve pondered over for awhile now. I would tell myself it wasn’t that bad, but once I made the last appointment with the surgeon I had chosen to do the surgery, the first thing he asked me after seeing my scans, was “can I ask what took you so long to decide this”. I replied that I guess I had just convinced myself it wasn’t bad enough yet, but it truly is. I’m bone on bone and there’s not much that can be done to improve that. He said I must have a high pain tolerance and I guess I do, but I’m tired of feeling pain and being fatigued from walking and doing things outside. Hip pain affects every part of the body and I’m ready to get it behind me. I wasn’t walking with a limp yet, but I didn’t want to get to that point before I did something. It has definitely affected my legs and how much I can do. I have had times of limping and wincing with pain. I’m starting with my right hip, since that once hurts the worst at the moment.
I will most like do the first one and recover and then schedule the 2nd one later in fall, at least 3 months apart. I am active and in good shape, so I feel like I will have good results and heal up just fine. I’ve heard that hip surgery is the easiest joint to recover from and as active as I have been my whole life, I should be up and going soon.
So that’s my news on that front. I’m still seeing the functional medicine doctor and taking lots of supplements, but still don’t have it all figured out on what to take forever for improved health benefits. I’ve lowered my cholesterol again by taking Red Yeast Rice and CoQ10, but still want to lower it even more. Those are the things I’ve been working on this year and it’s still hard (I think) to figure out what’s needed for optimal health. I’ve tried to add more protein to my diet and change some of my eating habits by switching out some of the bad ingredients for better. Health is certainly a journey for all of us and I don’t claim to have it mastered by any means. I’m doing what I know to do to improve my health and feel better. I’m hoping that after I’m recovered from hip replacement surgery that I will feel better overall in my body and that it gives me more energy. I think the pain could definitely contribute to my loss of energy.
I would certainly appreciate your prayers as I get this surgery done and recover at home. I’m planning to get physical therapy too and will take all they give me for healing faster. I’ve heard that after I get it done, I will probably kick myself for not doing it sooner and I bet I will too. I hope to feel so much better after both are done. I’m going to devote this summer and fall to getting the surgeries behind me and healing up this year and I’ll be ready to travel again next year, better than ever. We’ve already got a Caribbean cruise with our church friends scheduled again for January and that England, Ireland, and Scotland trip September 2026, so I’ll be ready for all of them by then. We also booked a St. George Island beach trip in September so I will wait until after that for my 2nd hip to be done. We always enjoy a beach trip.
I’ll share an update after my surgery. It’s out patient and I’ll be home the same day and up and walking too. I hear the recovery is very fast, so I am optimistic for a great outcome for me. We probably all know someone who’s done this surgery with good results. I know several and it’s great to know the recovery time is pretty easy.
Rhoda,
I know you’ll do great with the surgery, especially since you are an active woman and take care of yourself. Your dedication to fitness has always been an inspiration to me.
You will be in my prayers!
Thank you, Betsy, I think being active will definitely be in my favor.
I can’t believe how much walking you were able to do on your trip to Italy with your bad hip. I have recently had a knee replacement with the other knee scheduled for September. There is no way I could have done a vacation like that.My sister recently had her hip replaced and said she will not wait so long to have her other knee replaced when the time comes. You should do fine because you have stayed active and are in good shape. Good luck!
Hi, Sharon, I was able to get around fine in Italy, although doing a lot of walking all day does fatigue my legs, so I’m looking forward to being able to have more stamina hopefully.
Rhoda, I’m sure you’ll do amazingly well. The replacement process has improved a lot over the last five years, so the recovery is much more speedy. You will be in my thoughts as you go through this.
Do you think lots of exercise might cause damage to our joints over the years? I don’t know……just wondering. I believe we were meant to move , but just naturally, with the normal functions of life. Over the years, we have been taught to believe repetitive exercise is good for us. Again, I don’t know if there is a correlation between hip and knee surgery and lots of exercise over many years. Lack of movement is also detrimental too, I’m sure.
HI, Judy, I don’t think exercise is responsible for arthritis and my sister was never a big workout person and her hips gave out, so I have to think it’s genetics more than anything, even though our parents never had any issues. I’ve never done high impact working out but have always been active doing something.
Praying for you and all involved with your surgery and care!
A Sister-in-Christ,
Rhonda
Rhoda,
I just had a robotic anterior hip replacement 5/22. I’m doing well and so will you. Doing all the post surgery exercises is probably the toughest. There’s swelling and using ice packs several times a day is helpful. It is recommended for a month. You will have some pain and I’m sure you’ll have the appropriate medications. I did find muscle relaxers helped. Night time seemed to be the most difficult in terms of pain. You being physically fit will certainly be a benefit in your healing process.
Wishing you a speedy recovery!
Thank you, that’s good to hear. I didn’t know they did robotic, I’m not sure how I would feel about that. Glad you had good success too.
I’m with you. Suffered for years before getting my hip replaced. Woke up after surgery and never had any pain there again. I took no pain meds because my pain was gone and I didn’t need them. I also did all the physical therapy that I could. We lived in FL for years and everyone there has had something replaced. You could tell who did their therapy and those who didn’t. The ones that didn’t do their therapy limped. I will be praying for you 🥰
I will definitely do my therapy. I’m used to being active anyway, so I will be motivated for sure.
We never met, but we shared the Hawaii – Alaska Norwegian cruise a couple of years ago. I hope and believe you’ll do very well with your surgery, given how active you are. And better now than waiting till you’re older and less motivated to get up and travel again. Anyway, cheers from Texas!
Thank you, Henry, I appreciate the well wishes. Got to be ready for another cruise!
Hi Rhoda,
Have had both hips replaced and I have no doubt you will do great. You will be in my prayers for a speedy recovery!
Cheryl
Good luck Rhoda! I know you will do well with your upcoming surgery since you are in good shape & sound determined to get back to your future travels.
I will be thinking & praying for you.
✝️
Prayers for a successful surgery and recovery! Also, prayers for your medical team. Please keep us updated on your progress.
Praying for your surgery and an easy road to recovery!!
I will be praying for you as you undergo this surgery for things to proceed well and smoothly, and especially for a rapid recovery! It is amazing not only how advanced and effective this surgery is now days but how rapidly people are back on their feet! Best wishes and blessings to you!❤️
Dear Rhoda, Praying this for you: 1 Peter 5:10………..” And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself RESTORE you and make you STRONG, FIRM, and STEADFAST .” Amen
Prayers for a successful surgery and a speedy and complete recovery!
Rhoda, if I lived nearby I’d bring dinner to you and your husband after the surgery. 🙂
You are getting such good input here and from others. I know you will do well and be so glad you took care of yourself. Prayers for a speedy recovery.
Thank you, Stacy, that is so sweet! I’m sure we will be fine and probably getting takeout for a bit.
Wishing you the best!!
Rhoda, praying for a successful surgery and speedy recovery!!!