My wife is having a total hip joint replaced tomorrow but...

[40RatRod]

...when we saw Dr. this morning, he told her the option of rescheduling because due to the hospital being full, she would have to go home immediately after the surgery as there were no beds. She told him no, she had already waited a long time to get done and wanted to proceed.
Middle Georgia just continues to drain the gene pool with "No Maskers" because they just don't believe the risk is real.

[we can do it]

1. I was only in hospital 11.5 hours for my total hip replacement.

Glad I didn’t stay over nite. Much easier to sleep.

Is her surgery minimally invasive? Is she in pretty good shape /healthy?

[SharonAnn]

2. I had a hip replacement 10 years ago and recovery was much easier than I expected.

If you can "fetch and carry" for her for a few days, medicate to keep any pain under control, her body will probably heal well and she will be able to walk and do exercises very soon.

[Ziggysmom]

3. I had a total hip replacement in 2020 near the beginning of Covid shut down. I went home

less than 24 hours after surgery and did well. I did physical therapy on my own since those places closed due to Covid. I hope your wife does well 🙂. I found that ice really helped my postoperative pain.

The pain I had before surgery was very severe and I am so happy that I am able to walk without that pain now. I'm in Wisconsin and the anti science folk here are draining our medical resources, too. Idiots!

[we can do it]

6. Ice, Ice Baby! Made my recovery quick and painless.

I was completely off pain meds in 4 days.

[Ziggysmom]

9. Definitely! I don't tolerate pain meds, they make me queasy and unable to 💩 LOL

[Hortensis]

4. :) Sounds like she thinks she'll do fine with you there.

Hope all goes well for both of you.

[40RatRod]

16. Thank you.

[NQAS]

5. Not only there

I'm scheduled for a hip replacement in Boston in February. I was originally scheduled to stay one night. Now same day release. On top of that, the hospital has said that it will announce on February 5 its updated plans for elective surgery. I tried to get a heads up from the scheduler, but she wouldn't speculate. She said they are experiencing extreme staff shortages. I didn't ask if it was Covid-related or loss of staff because of burnout. Probably a combination.

I'm not happy about the same day discharge, especially as the drive from the hospital to home is 2 hours. So I'm in a wait and see regarding the change in the overnight policy and the possible delay due to staff shortages.

I'm fine with the delay. This has been scheduled since mid-October, and while I do need the procedure, I'm not going to lose sleep, so to speak, if it's delayed, or if I choose to delay because of the same-day discharge.

Nothing is straightforward anymore, or, as I usually describe it, we're broken.

[leftieNanner]

12. Same Day Release is OK

My husband had hip #2 done two weeks ago. Wheeled into surgery at noon, on the way home at 4 pm. We had a one hour drive home. It was the anterior approach, which has a much easier recovery.

They fill you full of pain killers and strap an ice bag on your leg for the ride home.

You can do it!!

[Kali]

7. in general patients are better off getting out of there ASAP

home is more comfortable and usually the care is better. drawbacks are if there is a medical need or if your husband sucks at nursing. oops did I say that out loud?

another drawback is the temptation to lay around because you are in pain when the truth is getting moving again is much better for healing.

[mcar]

8. SO had a total hip 18 months ago

He had it outpatient at a surgery center and was home by 3 that afternoon. He had the anterior approach procedure done which is much less debilitating. Was off pain meds and walking with a cane in a few days.

Good luck to your wife. I hope she has a similar positive experience.

[leftieNanner]

10. Going home right away is the way to do it!

My husband had hip #1 done in October, and hip #2 two weeks ago. For the most recent one, he was wheeled into surgery at noon and we were on the way home at 4 pm. You (as her joint coach) will just need to work hard to keep her doing her exercises, elevating and icing as your doctor told you.

Wishing you both the best of luck. Keep us posted on her recovery.

[Mr.Bill]

11. When you are in the hospital,

your number one priority should be to get out of the hospital.

[leftieNanner]

13. Precisely!

I had a hysterectomy in October. They usually keep you in over night, but because of Covid, they released me that night. First few days were rough, but I made it. And my delightful daughter flew here to help care for me for the first week. That was totally worth it!

[CentralMass]

14. May your wife have a speedy recovery.

[40RatRod]

17. Thanks

[Srkdqltr]

15. I had an ice machine after my knee replacement. The hospital provided it

I'm sure l paid for it somehow but it was great.