Hip replacement pre/post operation pls

Long term follower, but only now becoming active on GN.

I am due for a hip replacement by the end of May (fingers crossed), and have found this thread very helpful in getting up to speed with what to expect.

I had a telephone pre-assessment appointment, followed by a visit to the hospital for bloods, ecg, swabs etc. in the last week of February. I was told surgery would be about twelve weeks from that time.

I came away from the hospital with two bottles of Pre-Op drink., a tube of antibiotic nasal ointment and a large bottle of
antiseptic body wash. And lots of written instructions to go with these items. Now, I noted with interest that the body wash bottle, issued by the hospital pharmacy, has an expiry date of 31.5.22. So I assume that (fingers crossed again) surgery will be about that time. This will also be about twelve weeks from my pre-assessment appointments, but I have not been given any date yet. The hospital Surgical Rehab Team are phoning me mid May ‘to see what equipment I may need’. Apparently they will be sending me a questionnaire beforehand.

I thought surgical pre-assessments took place a couple of weeks before surgery. But perhaps twelve weeks is the new normal.
Who knows?

Good Heavens what was all that for? I was told that if I tested positive for MRSA they'd give me some body wash but I didn't. Pre op drink and nasal ointment?! Are you in UK?

iPadGrandma welcome! I too was given the surgical scrub to use 5 days prior to surgery - is yours Hibiscrub? Had to wash my hair with it too. I found it quite reassuring that the hospital takes infection control seriously and it was quite a nostalgic smell from nursing days. I wouldn't be too concerned about the use by date - nothings going to grow in that stuff. I've come across the nasal ointment before but what information did they give you about the pre-op drink? I'm intrigued.
As far as pre-op appointments go, I guess it will vary from area to area. I had my surgery exactly a month after my first consultation, so my pre op was 2 weeks prior to my operation.

Are they planning to intubate you?

My pre op was last week, two weeks before my operation. Blood was taken but they want even more so have to return this weekend, I don’t know why, they already have had an armful.
I have the body scrub/ hair wash to use fir 5 days with the nose cream but no drink.
I should be sent a pcr a few days before the operation which I must post in a priority box 3 days before the op for result to arrive in time fir my new hip hop.
Confess to feeling nervous , and think it will get worse in the next week. There are so many post op rules and I am scared of twisting or bending and the whole thing going POP! 9 days to go. Eeeek!

Only 9 days now silverlining! Where did the time go? You are bound to feel nervous but try not to overthink what happens after surgery, just take it a little bit at a time. Your body has a remarkable ability to tell you what its comfortable with and what it isn't. Just between you & me and the gatepost I've been out for a sneaky little drive tonight - another step towards freedom and totally comfortable.

Aveline

Are they planning to intubate you?

What on earth do you mean Aveline?
That is such a distasteful thing to say

Thanks GrannyLaine, a drive, how exciting. Freedom.
Yes after what seems forever the days are racing by.
You are right, a day at a time sounds sensible, I must not panic and stay calm. Pain is so bad now that it has to be done, and am relieved grateful there us so much advice and support here on GN. Thankyou.

Something that didn't occur to me: when the operation is done the arthritis in that hip is gone. Yes, there will be other pain as your muscles have to reattach and recover and get strong again but what an amazing gift that is. I am so enormously grateful.

Aveline, actually I live in London and am in the care of an NHS Trust hospital under the Enhanced Recovery Programme, which you can Google if you are not familiar with it.

As for your other question, FannyCornforth has dealt with it more than adequately, and I am grateful to her.

GrannyLaine, my surgical scrub is called Hydrex and is to be used for five days before surgery, and on my hair on days two and four!
Not to mention Bactroban nasal ointment to prevent infection, and Nutricia preOp drink. DH says the latter should be taken with gin!
I believe it is a high carbohydrate drink, to be taken two hours before arriving at the hospital on surgery day. Of course, I will have been nil by mouth before that.
It is given as part of the Enhanced Recovery Programme, a modern approach to care for patients having planned surgery.
It is all a lot to take in!

Thanks iPadGrandma, had to look up the Nutricia preOp drink. Think your husband has a fair point re: the gin but maybe not on the big day. Not sure it would have helped me overmuch: I was back on the ward by 11.00 and tucking in to a memorable chicken Caesar salad at 12.00. I'd been asked to have a snack & drink at 02.00 and then fast, which didn't seem too much of a hardship. But goodness I could have done with a case of the Nutricia stuff when I had my colonoscopy years ago.............

I’m sure hospitals only discharge patients when they are happy with their progress.
I was taken for an X-ray the second day after the operation and came home on the third.
I was told straightaway that the hip looked fine on the X-ray.
I had to go up and down a short flight of stairs the morning I was discharged as I live in a house.
Not sure if those who live in bungalows would have to do that too.

I think GrannyLaine is quite right to point out that there is pain for a week or so after the operation, even though the arthritic hip pain goes immediately. I knew though that the post-op pain would be relatively short-lived and it was.
I also remember the operated leg feeling very heavy and my foot and ankle was swollen for about a couple of weeks which apparently is quite normal.

Good luck to everyone awaiting surgery soon. You will be back on here soon extolling its virtues I’m sure!

?? that my PCR is negative on Friday ready for hip op Monday 11th . It was postponed two weeks ago as I had a urine infection . I had to repeat the urine test yesterday, and will have repeat bloods and PCR on Friday if urine test OK ! I haven’t got special shower wash or nasal cream or pre op drink but was tested for MRSA which was clear .I’m having a spinal block and sedation ( lots I hope !!) and a 12 o’clock admission ready for that afternoon , and have been told I will be home after 3 nights. Quite amazing as when I first started my nurse training 50+ years ago, hip replacements had just started and the poor patient was in bed flat on their backs for 10 days and were as weak as kittens . I am quite anxious about the spinal block but as long as I can’t hear the sawing and drills I will cope!
Also decided that I will need help when my sister leaves after 3 days.She was going to stay longer but because of the postponement it is now over the Easter break and her family are back from University, so I’m trying to organise a agency to come and help with putting on the elastic stockings and a bit of light housework 3-4 times a week.My DD is also away ! No luck so far though . DS is doing meals so I won’t starve at least !

Excellent news SusieB50. I hope you are able to arrange some support after your daughter leaves. Keep us posted and let us know how it all goes

Not a 'distasteful' question at all but am obvious one. It sounds like you are being prepared for a tube to be passed down your nasopharynx. A general anaesthetic maybe rather than the spinal with sedation which seems do commonplace these days.

Why do you make that connection Aveline? I can see nothing in iPadGrandma's post that suggests a general anaesthetic is planned.

You will be 2 days ahead of me Susie. Mine is on Wednesday afternoon 13 th with exactly the same anaesthetic and the hope that I see, hear nor feel any of it.
Best wishes and good luck.

SusieB hope all goes well for you. Will be following your recovery with interest. Hope you are able to organise the care you require with stockings etc.

SusieB how are you going to get out of bed if you need to go to the loo during the night?

@ Charleygirl5
SusieB has help for the first 3 nights home (if I have understood her post correctly) I was able to get up to the bathroom under my own steam & using crutches from my first night home.

Charliegirl5 I think I’ll be OK getting out of bed , my sister will be around . I have a good friend same age (72) who also lives alone as I do and she said she was able to manage most things after 3 days.Just no picking up things from the floor or twisting. My stairs are quite steep with a turn, I could sleep on the sofa bed downstairs if necessary , but I’m being positive and sure all will be well . I will let you all know !!!

GrannyLaine the oral washout and nasal antibiotic make me wonder.
I had the latest early recovery approach and had none of these.

Aveline the Bactroban nasal cream is to combat MRSA & reduce any transmission. The pre op drink isn't an oral washout, its a high carb drink.

All places are different I think ,I was just tested for MRSA with swabs - all clear ,no high energy drink just told to drink plenty of water the previous day with a light breakfast at 6am and water till 10.00 am , then nothing until op . Just going with the flow…

Good news Susie.
I had a spinal block with sedation and was aware of nothing until I came round in the recovery room.
Shortly after that I was back in my room enjoying a cup of tea and a jacket potato!

Good luck to those who now only have a short while to wait!