20 days to Total Hip Replacement surgery
Welcome to my blog- I have lost 27 kg so far in 2018 through calorie counting (CICO) and exercise.
Me: 50 year old female, current weight 66 kg
I do an hour a day of cardio (treadmill or elliptical) and lift weights 3-4 times a week. According to a recent DEXA scan my body fat level is now firmly in the "healthy" zone (ZERO % visceral fat, yay!) and I have several kg more lean body mass than most women my age. While I am not an athlete, I am a fit and active person and aim to stay this way.
Motivating me on my weight loss journey was the gradual recognition that my joints, especially my left hip were in a bad way. Once I had done everything in my power to address the obesity problem, I saw a rheumatologist who has tentatively diagnosed Rheumatoid Arthritis, or possibly psioritic arthritis (I don't have psoriasis so it's a big question mark). Referral to an orthopedic surgeon confirmed that my left hip is in a state that will never improve without surgery. Currently I am severely limited in my range of motion and in a lot of pain, so I have booked the recommended surgery (a total hip replacement) for 4 September 2018.
As a relatively young patient who wishes to return to the gym as soon as possible, I find that a lot of the information available online is aimed at older, sedentary patients. I went looking for personal stories from people like me, and found a couple which have been reassuring. I will find them and add links here. It looks like I can hope for a quicker recovery than the "6 weeks at least" that I see mentioned a lot. I fully intend to do the right thing and rest, follow dislocation precautions etc- but I also intend to work my ass off on allowed rehab exercises and get back to my normal level of activity as soon as possible. I concede that I will probably be doing different cardio activities after recovery, but won't be stopping!
One interesting thing I read (eye opening) was on a weightlifting forum where a man mentioned heading in to the gym to work on his upper body only 2 weeks after a hip replacement. He was strongly advised to take at least 3 weeks off from all exercise but the prescribed rehab, so his body could divert its attention to healing. I took this onboard, as previously I was thinking along the same lines. I've now resigned myself to taking it easy and focusing on rehab exercises for that initial healing period.
I have been looking for as much information as possible on rehab exercises, diet advice and so on.
Hip Replacement Isn’t What It Used To Be 12 Weeks Ago
The hippy chick blog
Hip Pain. Total Hip Replacement at Age 44. Protocol & Recovery.
Life and Lifting After Double Hip Replacement Surgery
Pelvic Stabilization, Lateral Hip and Gluteal Strengthening Program
Calorie and Protein Requirements for Healing After Orthopedic Surgery
Next week I have to have a pre-op clinic appointment, and the following week blood tests and a urine test. I will keep updating this as needed and begin the actual recovery diary as soon as possible after the operation.
Me: 50 year old female, current weight 66 kg
I do an hour a day of cardio (treadmill or elliptical) and lift weights 3-4 times a week. According to a recent DEXA scan my body fat level is now firmly in the "healthy" zone (ZERO % visceral fat, yay!) and I have several kg more lean body mass than most women my age. While I am not an athlete, I am a fit and active person and aim to stay this way.
Motivating me on my weight loss journey was the gradual recognition that my joints, especially my left hip were in a bad way. Once I had done everything in my power to address the obesity problem, I saw a rheumatologist who has tentatively diagnosed Rheumatoid Arthritis, or possibly psioritic arthritis (I don't have psoriasis so it's a big question mark). Referral to an orthopedic surgeon confirmed that my left hip is in a state that will never improve without surgery. Currently I am severely limited in my range of motion and in a lot of pain, so I have booked the recommended surgery (a total hip replacement) for 4 September 2018.
As a relatively young patient who wishes to return to the gym as soon as possible, I find that a lot of the information available online is aimed at older, sedentary patients. I went looking for personal stories from people like me, and found a couple which have been reassuring. I will find them and add links here. It looks like I can hope for a quicker recovery than the "6 weeks at least" that I see mentioned a lot. I fully intend to do the right thing and rest, follow dislocation precautions etc- but I also intend to work my ass off on allowed rehab exercises and get back to my normal level of activity as soon as possible. I concede that I will probably be doing different cardio activities after recovery, but won't be stopping!
One interesting thing I read (eye opening) was on a weightlifting forum where a man mentioned heading in to the gym to work on his upper body only 2 weeks after a hip replacement. He was strongly advised to take at least 3 weeks off from all exercise but the prescribed rehab, so his body could divert its attention to healing. I took this onboard, as previously I was thinking along the same lines. I've now resigned myself to taking it easy and focusing on rehab exercises for that initial healing period.
I have been looking for as much information as possible on rehab exercises, diet advice and so on.
Personal Stories:
Hip Replacement Isn’t What It Used To Be 12 Weeks Ago
The hippy chick blog
Hip Pain. Total Hip Replacement at Age 44. Protocol & Recovery.
Life and Lifting After Double Hip Replacement Surgery
Rehab Exercises:
Total Hip Replacement Exercise GuidePelvic Stabilization, Lateral Hip and Gluteal Strengthening Program
Nutrition:
Nutrition And Recovering From InjuryCalorie and Protein Requirements for Healing After Orthopedic Surgery
Next week I have to have a pre-op clinic appointment, and the following week blood tests and a urine test. I will keep updating this as needed and begin the actual recovery diary as soon as possible after the operation.
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