My hip surgery went well and I'm back at home now. To recap the last 36 hours:
I arrived at the surgery center around 5:15am yesterday and checked in. The nurse brought me back around 5:35am to prep. I went over consents and paperwork with her before the anesthesiologist came in to talk to me. I missed her call the night before and she didn't leave a message BC she thought it was a work number. She discussed that I would be sedated and intubated for the anesthesia. She also put an anti nausea patch behind my ear that I can wear three days. The nurse started my IV and she did great. She used lidocaine which was nice! My surgeon came in to talk to me and then I was on my way around 6:45.
Surgery lasted about 90 minutes. He repaired the labrum and had to anchor it with absorbable screws, shaved the head of the femur and I believe a little of the pelvis. He also had to lengthen the psoas so it wouldn't continue to catch and pull the cartilage.
The worst part of the recovery was when I initially came out, I was shaking uncontrollably and freezing despite warm blankets. I was very nauseated. They gave me zofran and morphine for the nausea and pain. After an hour or so I was taken up to a private room. I was still very nauseated and finally had to get phenergan (very strong anti nausea). It not only helped the nausea but knocked me out which was good. Luckily despite the nausea, I didn't throw up. I finally woke and was able to order lunch. I was allowed to switch to oral pain meds once I ate.
Before the PT came in, I did have to get up to use the restroom... Boy was that difficult!! With the psoas lengthening, I've lost all strength to lift my leg. I am on crutches with 25% weight bearing. I met with the PT who showed me how to do this and she said to act like I have a hard boiled egg under my right foot and that is how much weight I can place. She also showed how to do a stair (good up, bad down first). She emphasised pain will be not be my guide as it'll start feeling better and I will be tempted to put more weight, which I shouldn't.
I finally discharged around 6:30pm. They thought I may have to stay overnight BC of the nausea but luckily that got under control. I got home and my mom got me set up on my chaise lounge chair as its easier to get in and out of than my low bed. I've kept pain meds in me every 4 hours. I am getting better at the way I have to use the crutches and am currently relaxing. I have to start 3-5 times a day laying on my stomach on my bed for 5-15 min each so the scar tissue wont form in an angle. I'm going to try and document my journey as I go along! Stay tuned... :)
