Hip Replacement Surgery
This spring, I eagerly launched Setsuko’s Japanese Lessons page, but then… silence. Why, you ask? Well, the truth is—I had a hip replacement surgery in August! Surprise! For the past 4-5 years, I’ve been struggling with hip pain. This summer was especially crazy; I was running around (well, more like hobbling), trying to get things done despite the pain. Finally, I saw an orthopedic surgeon, and guess what? Surgery was the only option. So, I had to bite the bullet and go for it. 😥
It’s been over a month since the surgery, and while I’m making progress, it’s still a bit painful. I’ve graduated from using a walker (yay!) and now walk with a cane, but things aren’t exactly comfortable yet.
The difference between the U.S. and Japanese healthcare systems
Oh, and can I just say (again, maybe? haha), the difference between the U.S. and Japanese healthcare systems is unreal! Same surgery, totally different treatment! Don’t get me wrong, my doctor, the surgical center staff, and my amazing physical therapist (whom I now see weekly) have all been fantastic. But, outpatient for a hip replacement?! WHAT?! 😮 In Japan, I would’ve been admitted for at least two weeks! Some people even stay for a month for recovery and rehab. But here… outpatient … just… wow.
Outpatient for a hip replacement?!
I have a nurse friend in Japan, and she was absolutely shocked when I told her about my outpatient surgery. She couldn’t believe it!
It was brutal
The day of the surgery, my husband drove me home, but, oh my goodness, getting from the car to our front door took two people and over 30 minutes. I’m not even exaggerating! I was woozy from the anesthesia, in serious pain, couldn’t feel my leg, and to top it off, I was ridiculously nauseous from the aftereffects of the anesthesia. We had to place a chair halfway to the door so I could rest. It was brutal.
Okay, I didn’t mean to scare you with this story! (Sorry!) But things are getting better now! I can make simple meals in the kitchen and I’ve been cleared to drive again, so life is slowly improving.
I’m working hard on my rehab so I can get back to my normal self, and hopefully even get back to Zumba soon! I really miss it.
I couldn’t have made it through without the help of my amazing husband, friends, and some handy recovery tools. Honestly, I would NEVER recommend hip surgery to anyone LOL, but for those who might need it someday, I want to share some of the things that really helped me through the recovery process.
Things that really helped/are helping me through the recovery process
Must haves:
Luckily, I had a friend who had undergone the same surgery, so I didn’t need to buy a shower chair—I’m still using hers every day! It’s so comfortable that I might want to keep it even after I’m fully recovered ;-). If you’re considering buying a shower chair, I highly recommend one with padded armrests! Be careful, as there are models without arms, but trust me, the difference in convenience is huge.
Next, the walker! No matter how much of a superhero you are, this is an absolute must after surgery. I’m using a cane now, but since one hand is occupied, it’s hard to carry things. So, I still use the walker when I shower, hanging my towel and clothes on it LOL. Be sure to get the one with two wheels!
Now onto the cane—this is where I’m at right now. You can easily pick one up at any drugstore, and they’re not too expensive, but if you have the option, why not go for something cute, like a floral design or pink flamingos? A little bit of pattern really lifts your spirits—at least, it does for me :). And yes, it’s another must-have item!
Nice to haves:
This is a hip replacement recovery kit, and while it’s not absolutely essential, my friend who had the same surgery told me, “You definitely need to get one!” So, I bought it on Amazon. And just like she said, it’s super convenient—I use it every day!
However, there are quite a few different kits on Amazon, so think carefully about what you’ll actually need and choose accordingly. For example, I bought the kit in this photo. I use the Prime Grabber every day—I seriously can’t manage without it. When I’m done with it, my husband says he’ll use it to pick up trash LOL.
As for the Sock Aid, my friend swore it was the most useful, but since it was summer, I only used it once. I still use the Shoehorn & Dressing Stick daily, and they’re super handy. On the other hand, I haven’t used the Leg Lifter or Back Scratcher at all. The Bath Loofah, though? Every single day! So, I hope you find the perfect kit that meets your needs!
Finally, let’s talk about a chair with armrests. This is the one I actually purchased myself. You might be wondering, “Why a chair?” Well, before the surgery, I attended a mandatory pre-surgery seminar online, and the instructor said, “Make sure to have a chair with armrests. Absolutely no rolling office chairs!”
In our house, we only had dining chairs, office chairs, and a few folding chairs… and the only chair with armrests was my office chair! So, I ended up buying one. For me, this was definitely a must-have! Without armrests, it’s really tough to stand up from a seated position, especially during the first few weeks post-surgery.
I wasn’t expecting much from the chair I chose on Amazon given the price, but to my surprise, it turned out to be super comfortable! It’s so good that I don’t even feel the need to go back to my office chair! I loved it so much that I even wrote a review on Amazon.
Well, as you can imagine, all these things add up. $$$ 🙁
These are the items that personally helped me a lot—and are still helping me—but I recommend thinking carefully about what you’ll need and preparing accordingly. Good luck!
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