I got a new hip

[borg69unimatrix]

Watch out for Fem-bots. I hear those bionic replacements draw them in.

 

[DonQuixote]

7 of 9 was pretty hot.

 

[Kulindahr]

My first shower since surgery was an anticlimax, except for the fact that the waterproof bandage over the dressing popped loose at one corner. I don't think any significant amount of water, if any, got in.

But that reminds me -- I'm supposed to put new sheets on the bed tonight.

 

[DonQuixote]

Details, details.

Glad you managed to get in and out of the shower without a major incident.
Changing your sheets could be a bit challenging - bending over the bed and all that.

 

[star-warrior]

A belated congratulations to you Kuli, hope you mend quickly and the pain disappears.

 

[LeicsDom]

My first shower since surgery was an anticlimax, except for the fact that the waterproof bandage over the dressing popped loose at one corner. I don't think any significant amount of water, if any, got in.

I was advised to wait to shower until the bandages came off and the staples were removed.
Until then I was supposed to have a flannel wash (yuk!)
I am glad I did wait as it does eliminate one more possible contamination of the wound

 

[Kulindahr]

Details, details.

Glad you managed to get in and out of the shower without a major incident.
Changing your sheets could be a bit challenging - bending over the bed and all that.

The shower is no problem -- it's a walk-in shower/tub, so I just grab the sides and swing myself in, then sit.

Changing sheets is challenging because I have to walk back and forth and around the bed.

 

[Kulindahr]

A belated congratulations to you Kuli, hope you mend quickly and the pain disappears.

Oh, the pain....

I'm supposed to "moderate" my pain using acetomenophen, and only take the oxies when it "breaks through". It's a not-fun balancing act; I'd much rather just take canna-coco-butter tabs and oxies and make the pain go away, especially now that it's just a deep, deep ache that never turns sharp but is bad enough I get bouts of nausea even with the painkillers.

 

[Kulindahr]

I was advised to wait to shower until the bandages came off and the staples were removed.
Until then I was supposed to have a flannel wash (yuk!)
I am glad I did wait as it does eliminate one more possible contamination of the wound

There was a damp spot on the sheet this morning where my hip rested overnight. I couldn't decide if it was moisture from the ice pack I had on before sleep or leakage from water that somehow got under the dressing in my quickie shower. I peeled the dressing back and it felt dry underneath, so I taped it back down with new tape (they sent me home with a roll!). But I'm supposed to remove the dressing tomorrow anyway, so when I manage to locate the "at home" care instructions I'm going to call and ask if I should leave it be or maybe just go ahead and remove the dressing, since I have clean sheets and clean clothes.

Losing track of things has become a big deal: either the pain is enough I can't track what's going on, or the meds are occasionally strong enough that I don't care if I track what's going on. I prefer the latter, but it isn't the better route to getting better, really.

 

[DonQuixote]

Oxy can be a bit insidious - and habituating.

Just ask you favoritest talk show host in the whole wide world - el Rushbo.

 

[Kulindahr]

Oxy can be a bit insidious - and habituating.

Just ask you favoritest talk show host in the whole wide world - el Rushbo.

He was doing a different oxie.

 

[LeicsDom]

There was a damp spot on the sheet this morning where my hip rested overnight. I couldn't decide if it was moisture from the ice pack I had on before sleep or leakage from water that somehow got under the dressing in my quickie shower. I peeled the dressing back and it felt dry underneath, so I taped it back down with new tape (they sent me home with a roll!). But I'm supposed to remove the dressing tomorrow anyway, so when I manage to locate the "at home" care instructions I'm going to call and ask if I should leave it be or maybe just go ahead and remove the dressing, since I have clean sheets and clean clothes.

Losing track of things has become a big deal: either the pain is enough I can't track what's going on, or the meds are occasionally strong enough that I don't care if I track what's going on. I prefer the latter, but it isn't the better route to getting better, really.

As soon as you are allowed to remove the dressing the whole thing will dry out very quickly

Losing track - I had that problem on pain relief. Don't stress about it. All will return to normal as you reduce the meds

 

[LeicsDom]

Oh, the pain....

I'm supposed to "moderate" my pain using acetomenophen, and only take the oxies when it "breaks through". It's a not-fun balancing act; I'd much rather just take canna-coco-butter tabs and oxies and make the pain go away, especially now that it's just a deep, deep ache that never turns sharp but is bad enough I get bouts of nausea even with the painkillers.

As above. Bear with it short term. You will be amazed at how quickly you can start reducing the pain relief. If I remember rightly I went from 3 times a day to once a day within 3 weeks. Way better than the previous 10 years when it had crept up to 3 times a day for the last year or so

 

[LeicsDom]

Changing sheets is challenging because I have to walk back and forth and around the bed.

Apply your mind to bed changing and I am sure you will work out the most efficient (and therefore least uncomfortable) method for you

 

[Kulindahr]

As above. Bear with it short term. You will be amazed at how quickly you can start reducing the pain relief. If I remember rightly I went from 3 times a day to once a day within 3 weeks. Way better than the previous 10 years when it had crept up to 3 times a day for the last year or so

I've already dropped from six or seven oxies a day to three or four. Yesterday I needed more after sitting in the truck seat -- the blasted bucket seat pinched the incision and it has just a few hours ago stopped throbbing.

I think I'm gaining some weight because I can't take any acetomenophen at all without food unless I want the nausea. Since that's what I supposed to be mostly using, I snack a bunch.

 

[Kulindahr]

Apply your mind to bed changing and I am sure you will work out the most efficient (and therefore least uncomfortable) method for you

Heh. My efficient method is get someone to help with the side opposite of what I get in on, to get the sheets and first blanket on and then tuck them in at the bottom. The rest I can do myself, and then crawl in when done.


Oh -- I called the doc's office about the "Did I get it wet?" issue, and they said go ahead and take the dressing off. So now it itches every time I move and the sutures and scab catch on my shorts. OTOH the weird tugging the adhesive made when I move is gone!

 

[gsdx]

So now it itches every time I move and the sutures and scab catch on my shorts.

Did you get sutures or staples? I had staples. Lots of them. I can still see the marks from them. They were a treat and a half to take a few of them out. They weren't put in straight and they pulled like hell when they were taken out.

 

[DonQuixote]

Ah, yes, the shared "war" stories, lol.

 

[Kulindahr]

Did you get sutures or staples? I had staples. Lots of them. I can still see the marks from them. They were a treat and a half to take a few of them out. They weren't put in straight and they pulled like hell when they were taken out.

Sutures. And they're the sort that get absorbed by the wound as it heals. I can't see arpound to count them, but there are at least two dozen.

 

[gsdx]

Sutures. And they're the sort that get absorbed by the wound as it heals.

Whether they're staples or sutures, I think the main concern with them getting wet is infection more than anything. The nurses were regularly checking my incision for infection. There was never any indication. Here's hoping you have the same luck.