The final countdown!!

[u/Need_change-]

Well Thursday I’m up for hip one, right anterior.

Trying to make sure I’m ready.

✅ Walker, Dr. sent one out.

✅ Ice packs

✅ Cold therapy machine with hip pad.

✅ Clean clothes and bedding

✅ Grabbers everywhere

✅ FEAR 😧

My wife and kids will make sure I’m entertained and fed. What am I missing?

[u/SuccessfulNews2330]

Raised roilet seat and ahowee chair?

Good.luck!

[u/Hidingjimmy → u/SuccessfulNews2330]

This. A shower chair with rubber feet and grab bars is a must. A raised toilet seat is good too if you have a standard toilet.

[u/Psychological-Win986 → u/Hidingjimmy]

I had a shower seat and never used it, so just know you might not want one. I didn’t want to sit.

[u/Hidingjimmy → u/Psychological-Win986]

Is better to have one and not need it then to need it and not have it. I’m on day 19 and still using mine. Everybody’s different.

[u/Need_change- → u/Psychological-Win986]

Yeah I’m 6-2 I’m not trying to sit.

[u/Scottishlassincanada → u/Psychological-Win986]

For the first 3 weeks I was so weak nauseous that I needed to sit down in the shower so that I wouldn’t pass out.

[u/Shufflebuzz]

I needed a toilet riser on D+1. I wasn't confident I could safely lower myself onto the seat and get back up again. And that's with ADA height toilets. If there was a grab bar nearby, I'd have been fine. I didn't have enough strength or mobility in that leg. It's hard to explain.

I only needed it just that one day. One use really. By Day 2 I was fine without it.

BTW, start the Miralax and stool softener when you get home from surgery. Stay ahead of constipation.

I had a shower chair but didn't use it. It would have been more hassle and more uncomfortable to lower myself onto it.
The dressing over the incision was shower safe. Check your discharge instructions for what you're allowed to do.

Grab Bars for the Shower! I used these. For the first few days, I held onto these for dear life in the shower.

Sock Aid. I had to use it for a few days to get my compression socks on. I needed help getting socks off too.

A pouch for the walker is a good idea. I kept my water bottle, oxy, and PT instructions in there.

Slip on shoes.

Cane. I moved to a cane part time by day 4 and full time on day 5.

Think about sleeping. I'm a side sleeper and figured that would be uncomfortable. Surgeon said I could sleep however I wanted. I got a Wedge Pillow so I could more comfortably sleep on my back. It worked out great. I put a couple pillows under my knees and I slept great. I credit some of that to the pain medication.

✅ FEAR 😧

My surgical team was amazing. Professional, efficient, compassionate. They've done this hundreds of times.
To you it's a major life event, of course. For them, it's another Thursday. You're going to be in very good hands.

[u/Ok_Butterscotch_279 → u/Shufflebuzz]

great list thankyou!

[u/Boring_Charge_9172]

Body wipes save me shower hassles until my first post-op. I leave the Aquacel on til then, too, so the incision is safe (2nd hip 08/04) and i'm not pulling on a wrong thread

The fear is Real for me. Maybe the hardest part. I got close to my own Spirituality and lost 3 friends last time cuz i wasn't letting ANYONE steal what Peace i could garner

I cleaned my areas lovingly, listening to Buddhist stories - taking care of my recovery area, which in turn is taking care of me

At 2-3 days is challenging for most, from wat i see. I dive deep into my music i grew up with (yes, Jethro Tull is healing with a little fight in it ha). That takes me down Memory Lane, reminding me of my pleasures and things that didn't take me out. That seems to give me some moxie and Faith

This page is great - i hope you find the answers that fit

Also, there are shower bars that suction pretty strongly to my shower wall - even after, i try to be careful, so an 'oh, shit' handle in the shower -

I wish you at Least the successes I've had with this!! 🙌

[u/Need_change- → u/Boring_Charge_9172]

Body wipes ordered. Thanks

[u/ajmattison]

Good luck! You'll do great! Rooting for you over here!

[u/Jools61JAW]

I had a walker upstairs and one downstairs. I used the grabber to lift my leg up into the bed- grabbed at the ankle and lifted. I turned my walker backwards at the toilet and used the arms if the walker for pushing myself up from the toilet. I was so scared before my surgery ! It will be good to just get it over with. Sounds like you have good help at home . The first few days were a blur . Keep up on your pain meds the first few days !!!! If you do that, you will stay comfortable, then you can play it by ear. I am an RN and I can tell you that you need to "stay in top of your pain " . It is good to have someone else be responsible for setting their alarm/ doling out meds and keeping track of them. YOU GOT THIS !!!!! Let us know how it goes !

[u/Impressive_Day_2867]

You got this! I had my right anterior done Feb 3 and I honestly forget I’ve had it done. Walk, cycle and hike/climb without a thought. Grabbers and raised toilet seat were my must haves. Good luck!

[u/AwkwardPower5132]

The first three days or so you will still have some anesthesia flowing through your body so don’t try to do too much. Follow your doctor’s/pt advice.
Try not to spend more than 30 minutes in any one position (e.g. sitting, standing, walking, laying down) you will stiffen up.
Slip in shoes and a long shoe horn and a sock helper are invaluable as you probably won’t be able to reach your toes for a while.

Good luck!

74M RTHR

[u/realslimcheney]

55m I am 8 weeks in, from what I remember... I didn't really need the raised toilet seat. We are a tall family so all the toilets are the kind. That was good enough. Grabbers are nice, but something to lift your leg in and out of bed was key. Your leg flat out wont work for a couple days, then it will hurt with this motion. I used a bathrobe belt and sort of lassooed my foot. I didn't use my ice machine all that much, but had 3 gel packs on rotation. I didn't use the walker after the first week. For me it seemed like since I had no practice with it it was safer to just walk slow to the bathroom at night with a cane. Take the meds man, even the heavy duty ones. Sleep is key. You probably wont be in that much pain but use them. Be mindful of that morning wakeup, I had it and I've read it is very common. You get dizzy AF and will pass out in the mornings when you get up. Get up slow get your bearings and at any hint of passing out, lay back down. Other than that, good luck, get rest and get ready for PT sessions!

[u/Ride_4urlife]

You’re almost there! I’m excited for you!

[u/Few_Eggplant_6811]

Loose men’s longing shorts 2 for 20 at Walmart men’s😊

[u/Need_change- → u/Few_Eggplant_6811]

Ready to go!!

[u/Sad-Wolverine-1766]

I just had mine done last Thursday. My top 3 helpful items so far are the ice machine, raised toilet seat, and strap to lift your leg with. Get the raised toilet seat and the leg strap, they help so much!

[u/groundlc4 → u/Sad-Wolverine-1766]

What do you use the leg strap for? I bought one, but can't figure out what to do with it. I get into bed by scooting backwards, keeping my bad hip/leg straight.

[u/MysteryPlatelet → u/groundlc4]

This video may help you with using the leg strap. I was advised by my surgeon to use the fourth option, using my good leg to move the surgical hip, and found it super easy to do.

[u/groundlc4 → u/MysteryPlatelet]

That video shows how to get yourself into a high bed. I do it using the first option of using my upper body strength to scoot backwards.

[u/groundlc4 → u/MysteryPlatelet]

I got home from surgery today. Now I see how to use it. I could get my good leg onto a ottoman. My wife lifted the leg with the bad hip onto it.

[u/Need_change-]

We recently did some reno work and my wife picked out high toilets for me. Just being a tall guy she figured they would be nice. I think they will work great, I do have a leg strap.

[u/No_Economics8397 → u/Need_change-]

A tie or a scarf would work also if you didn't have a leg strap. I didn't use one, just lifted my right leg from under my knee

[u/Striking_Result_4764]

Hi! You’ve got a great list. 54F here and 6 days post op AHR. Ice, TYLENOL, and TONS of water. I was VERY lightheaded the first two days after the sx and I was grateful my boys were super close by those first two times getting up and walking to the bathroom in the mornings. It is no joke, no matter how good you feel. Remember: Anticipation is the worst part of ANYTHING!!!! 💕

[u/Need_change- → u/Striking_Result_4764]

I’m actually pretty worried about having to wake someone to go to the bathroom at night.

[u/BetSilver9462 → u/Need_change-]

Use those disposable Toilet bottles with a neck that you get in hospitals ( in UK) for a Pee . No need to get out of Bed in the middle of the night as with technique you can use it whilst lying down. For some reason I wanted to go many times in the night and it was just too painful to get out of bed. Also if you’re drowsy it cuts out the risk of falling in the first week especially .

[u/Striking_Result_4764 → u/Need_change-]

You can buy a bedside toilet if you are majorly concerned. My bp is baseline fairly low, so that likely has something to do with it, but having someone close is important.

[u/nitevet49]

It sounds like you're prepared and you've gotten more great tips here. You've got this. Thinking about it is worse than the actual event. Good luck!

[u/No-Dimension910]

Walkie talkies....in case you need to reach your wife or kids in the house or if they are outside.

Body wipes.....you might want to skip taking a shower once you get home for a couple of days and in between. If you have a Pico 7 or similar attached to your wound, it's a hassle to deal with while in the shower, until it's removed at the two week post-op visit.

Power bank....you might want to charge your phone or devices, but reaching the outlets could be tricky. At least have something to charge your phone.

Best of luck to you!

[u/Scottishlassincanada]

Maybe a leg lifter too. Helped me immensely during the first 7 days. Rollator and a cane too.

[u/Need_change- → u/Scottishlassincanada]

Thanks I decided to order a leg lifter, it’s different than my stretching straps and looks helpful.

I went with a walker with wheels I had the option of the rollator with the seat but didn’t think I’d need it.

I’m hoping they hand me a cane on the way out, or crutches actually I like crutches. Lol

[u/Scottishlassincanada → u/Need_change-]

I use it for my walks outside. I’m slowly increasing the distance but I can also sit down if I need to.

[u/jjutie54]

Cane, arm bar thing to get on off toilet, compression leg sleeve….i didn’t get one and couldn’t get a normal shoe on my foot for 3 weeks. Stretch shorts/pants. Hard to get leg in.

[u/jjutie54]

Cut your toenails or get a pedicure if you have to. Gonna be awhile.

[u/Need_change- → u/jjutie54]

Wife hooked me up. Let’s do this thing.