Anyone had a hip replacement recently and willing to share tips, experiences etc?
I’m scheduled for a posterior total hip replacement in about 3 weeks, and am having a hard time controlling my anxiety about it. I don’t have any choice really, both of my hips have been pretty much destroyed by rheumatoid arthritis, and I’m limited as to what I can do because of it.
I’m interested in any helpful info.
I have not had one but my wife did, one full hip joint replacement. To prep for it she walked hills daily, put lots of miles on to strengthen her muscles. She bounced back very quickly (we went on a lengthy backpack trip about 3 months after the surgery) and credits her quick recovery to the good shape she got herself in before the surgery. Good luck with it!
I have to have it at some point. I have bone on bone in both hips. I am one of the rare ones that while it is bad, it only aches in my right hip off and on for now. When the doctor heard I am still using my exercise bike for 10 miles every day the doctor said to wait until it curtails what I am doing. I do not want surgery and I am not looking forward to the eventuality of it. I feel your anxiety. I had to have 2 surgeries 6 years ago and while I went through it fine, it was just scary. One was a short surgery and another was a long one a week later on my shoulder.
So besides being anxious about having the surgery, I get on my exercise to help control my BG levels and snorkel off and on for hours at a time. Both will be curtailed for a length of time, which will also drive me nuts.
@John58 It’s good to hear that being in shape seemed to help her recover faster. I am curious too about anyone that goes through it. They said it will be outpatient now as you risk getting sicker staying in the hospital.
@Jan please let everyone know how it goes! Surgery, blood issues and recovery! And I too would like to hear about everyone’s experience with it!
I had a total hip replacement of my left hip in January of this year. It was a result of a fall not a chronic condition. I was extremely anxious as it was on the same side as my leg amputation a year earlier. Compared to my leg amputation the hip replacement was a breeze. Three day two nights stay in the hospital. They have you up and trying to walk within 24 hours. My movement was constrained for about a month. No reaching twisting turning. 6 weeks of physical therapy. After 6 weeks I was walking about a mile or more everyday. Today it feels as if I never had a hip replacement. Please go into this with a positive attitude , it does make a difference.
Thanks so much for your replies 
!
I know being in shape will speed recovery, but my problem is that I can’t walk much now, just around the house for necessities, it’s just too painful and mechanically hard. I’ve been waiting since May for the surgery, so the anxiety has been drawn out and my hips have gotten worse.
In the meantime I feel like I’ve been playing “bop-a-mole” getting approved for the surgery. A1C, blood pressure, heart tests, changes in meds, bad reactions to new drugs, tapering off drugs I was put on, increased C-reactive protein, etc etc. I now have a cardiologist which I never had before (no serious heart issues, just preventative due to T1D and RA). My PCP has not been helpful, putting me on regimens that are then changed by the specialists. The specialists have been great, my rheumatologist and the cardiologist, and unfortunately also a psychiatric pharmacist (who knew there was such a thing??) to help deal with the anxiety.
Thanks for letting me vent! 
I trust the people on this forum for just about everything, not just BG. It’s an awesome community!
@Marie Just don’t wait too long, it only gets worse, I hate to say.
Hi @Jan not sure what your current pain regimen is, but after 2 knee replacements and a shoulder rebuild I can strongly suggest that if possible tapering off opioids if at all possible prior to surgery will help in your post surgery pain management.
I had my second knee replacement 5 weeks after the first and never really got a chance to flush my system of the heavy opioids. The pain management after the second surgery was much more of a challenge and I ended up switching to pain meds that focused on different neurons so I could find relief.
@elver
I currently take nabumetone (an NSAID) and Extra Strength Tylenol. I’ve never taken any opioids. I’m going to have to switch to a different NSAID (Celebrex) before surgery. The only NSAID the surgeon allows is Celebrex.
@Jan, I have not had joint repacement (yet!) but do have a suggestion, which is to get a referral to a physical therapist with experience in preparing people for surgery. There are many floor (bed) exercises to strengthen all the muscle groups that support the hip and the core. Those core muscles are especially important for balance and stability. Good luck with your procedure and keep us posted on your progress. 
@CatLady 's suggestion is good. Many Ortho surgeons have you see a PT prior to surgery to start doing core exercises for both mobility and core-muscle group strengthening.
Celebrex works well for many @Jan, hopefully you are in the group that benefits the most from it. 
Not to be too breezy, or make it seem like it isn’t a big deal (it is) but the recovery from the hip surgery is the easiest of all the weight bearing joint replacements. Ensure you have help getting up for the first two weeks after surgery, and you should be in much better shape (pain wise) in a very short period of time. Knees and ankle replacements require so much more post surgery work.
Unless you don’t do your hip exercises
My Dad had a hip replacement, after falling off a ladder and landing on paved driveway! This was many years ago, but he eventually recovered and lived another 20 years. Died at age 90. My Mom and sister had knee replacements, both still doing well.
I had a fall and minor break on my hip, when I tripped and hit garage floor a couple years ago. 1 night in hospital, and then eventually PT. All mended now. I was able to recover slowly, using walker for several months.
I found a helpful tool on Amzn that made it easier to get in/out of car seats.
Good luck.
@MM2 I have one of these, I haven’t used it for years now. My employees got it for me when I had my store. I have a bad back and a Firebird lol…especially when I worked all day I had a hard time getting out of my car. It worked great!