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.
Wishing you a pain free and successful surgery. Your surgeon is excellent, he has performed surgery on numerous friends of mine and will also do my knee revision. Wishing you all the best.
Great to hear that, he comes highly recommended, so I know I’m in good hands.
Rhoda,
Will be in prayer for a swift recovery and good outcome! As active as you are, this is absolutely necessary. You have done everything right, staying slim and keeping weight off of your joints, exercising and eating well. I think this will be a fresh new start for you!
Wishing you a good recovery.
I will definitely be following along as you recover. As usual, you are helping many others suffering from the same issue. Sending lots of get wells and prayers!
I’ve not had this surgery, however, prayers for a great surgery and recovery for you! You’re in great shape so you’ll bounce back quickly.
Indeed, you will ask yourself why you waited so long! This surgery was a piece of cake for me and I am older, overweight and not in near as good physical condition as you appear to be. We even stopped for Mexican on the way home from the hospital the day of my surgery. I have had two knee replacements in addition to the hip by other doctors at Resurgens. They are excellent and the staff at the surgery center is outstanding. Recovery after hip replacement was rapid for me, minimal PTneeded and I was back on the golf course in 7 weeks. I wish you the best.
My primary care physician had hip replacement by Dr Kim! He did excellent and was back in the office seeing patients in 3 weeks!
Great to hear, I have heard a lot of positive feedback about Dr. Kim.
Wishing you a great surgery and a speedy recovery. I’m in my early 50s and I had a total hip replacement in March. It really is better on the other side. I can do so many things I was unable to do prior to surgery. Hugs to you. Sharing a private hip replacement I joined. I’ve learned so much from this group. Maybe it will help you.
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1JGmJVJfUp/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Thank you Dawn, I’ve joined the group.
Prayers for a great outcome on your surgery, and continued healing and comfort .🙏🏼🙏🏼
Praying for a successful surgery.
Best of luck on your upcoming surgery and wishing you a quick and full recovery. My husband had his hip done nine years ago and it made such a difference for him. You’ll definitely be in my prayers.
I think people delay this surgery because of the implication of weakness or age. Nonsense. You will be surprised by how much chronic pain impacted your life and restricted it in subtle ways. One day you’ll wake up post surgery and realize that it is gone. Can say this after having a knee and hip replaced within three months of each other. Physical therapy is just as important as the surgery. Be sure to add stretching to your exercise regime, when your healing is complete and with your doctor’s clearance of course. You’ll need a walker initially and it’s helpful for walking around the house till you’re steady on your feet. It seemed ridiculous and expensive to buy a brand new one, so went to a thrift store. Found one for $10 and donated it when I was done with it. Best of luck to you for a quick recovery.
Thanks Kim, I saved my dad’s walker for this purpose and I’ll think of him every time I use it. Dad would be proud of me for being frugal and not having to buy another one. 🙂
Will definitely be praying for you. Will also add you to the prayer line at Church.
I just got mine done at 60 in late April. I had the other hip cleaned up and having gone through this should have had it replaced instead. The recovery has been great. Respect the process and be patient but you will be traveling in no time! Prayers for your surgery and God bless you!
You will be in my prayers. With your positive attitude and youthful spirit, I know the outcome will be great.
I wish you the best outcome on your hip surgery as well as minimal pain and complete recovery.
The haircut looks great!!!
Prayers for a speedy recovery. You are in such good shape, I’m sure you will do just fine. I think your exercise and healthy eating patterns will pay off in your recovery. I have had problems with my knees for several years and have been told replacement is in my future. I have found that keeping active keeps the pain away, “motion is lotion”. We recently moved and my new neighbor is in her mid-80s and was told she needed knee replacement a long time ago, but she refused to do it. Now she is totally housebound. I’m taking that as a lesson to don’t put it off, if you want to enjoy your later years. Next time they flare up I’m going to listen to my doctor!
Rhoda, thanks for sharing! We will keep you in our prayers that all will go well with your surgery and your recovery. We know you will be happy that you decided to have this done. Take care! God Bless!
So sorry you are having to have a hip replacement but it sounds pretty necessary at this point. I hope the surgery is successful and goes smoothly. I have a feeling you will be thrilled you had it done, and it sounds like you are in good hands!