Thanks you @Lizzie27 and @Busy-Lizzie, I'm hoping nothing happens to delay the op although things are all looking positive at the moment. I am now feeling a bit apprehensive as it is all becoming very real. I was originally told 18 months so didn't expect it to happen so soon. The next month can't pass quickly enough.
@Busy-Lizzie your family experience is totally unacceptable but I appreciate you can only push gently. Getting on the wrong side of those responsible for getting the required progress would not be helpful.
@KT53, my OH was very apprehensive as he'd never had to stay in hospital before but he had a very good experience in the local private hospital funded by the NHS. Staff were brilliant, very kind and caring and facilities excellent. Pain relief was also good. He had an epidural which meant he recovered more quickly without feeling sick. Out of bed and walking (with help) the next morning! Only drawback with the epidural meant that bladder/bowel functions takes time to kick back in and sometimes urine retention may become a bit of a problem - something to be aware of perhaps.
You mentioned the skin cleaning solutions which OH also had to use. He was asked to have clean clothes, towels and bedlinen every day for the 5 days before the op so we had separate beds to avoid cross-contamination!!
@Lizzie27 nothing was mentioned to me about clothes, towels or bed linen, just to wash / shower using the stuff provided. The nurse who took me through everything says these processes tend to come and go. They were common when she started, then went out of use, and are now back in. She did also say the food is excellent. When my brother-in-law had his done a few years ago staff were brilliant with one exception. She was a throwback to the Matron of old. She went nuts when there were more than 2 visitors, despite being told that we had just arrived and his wife and daughter were leaving. No problems with anybody else.
The bumph I've had about the epidural claims the effects wear off in a few hours. Maybe they use a different drug.
For my new knee I was given a list of things to do - epilate both legs and not just shave them. Total shower with an Iodine product before the op and paying particular attention to armpits, privates and feet. I had an epidural and once that started working they injected the sciatic nerve with anaesthetic so nop pain for several days as that wore off and first lesson for driving cructhes and exercising the knee that afternoon.
It went so well I was let out 3 mornings later. Hip ops are easier than knees - fewer bits to re-connect - so fingers crossed yours goes well @KT53 and @Busy-Lizzie's OH gets his soon.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Thanks @Obelixx. The expectation is that I will be discharged 2 or 3 days after the op. Timing is more dependent on the time of day the op happens than anything else, and I've been told there is a lot of physio undertaken in those couple of days, potentially starting on the day of the op. I don't recall the exact terminology but got the impression that the nickname of 'physioterrorists' may well be appropriate. I'm actually looking forward to the physio as I really enjoyed if after my knee ops. Hard work, but I saw the benefits very quickly.
Yep, but it's worth it @KT53. I'm still doing physio for my knee and chappy can be very inventive with his exercises but also says I need to get t'other knee ready for its turn later this year. My friend, who had her knee done 2 years ago and does not like exercise, is horrified but I'm fitter than I've been since that knee went gammy on me.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
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Commiserations @Busy-Lizzie, fingers crossed that your OH will have his very soon.
He had an epidural which meant he recovered more quickly without feeling sick. Out of bed and walking (with help) the next morning! Only drawback with the epidural meant that bladder/bowel functions takes time to kick back in and sometimes urine retention may become a bit of a problem - something to be aware of perhaps.
You mentioned the skin cleaning solutions which OH also had to use. He was asked to have clean clothes, towels and bedlinen every day for the 5 days before the op so we had separate beds to avoid cross-contamination!!
I'm sure you will be absolutely fine.
It went so well I was let out 3 mornings later. Hip ops are easier than knees - fewer bits to re-connect - so fingers crossed yours goes well @KT53 and @Busy-Lizzie's OH gets his soon.