2 Week Post Op Appointment

I met with Dr. Peter's PA for my post op appointment yesterday. It was a workout for me to get down the stairs, into the van, and walk all the way to the appointment. Thank goodness I had the handicap placard to park close! It was a good visit though and I learned a lot of things. Here is my list of questions and concerns that I was able to have answered:

-Pain Meds:
Q-What is the goal to taper off? Should I do more and take more or do less and taper off quicker?
A- The goal is to be off pain meds at 6 weeks. Right now I am taking 2 oxycodone every 4 hours. The goal is to move to 2 every 5 hours, then to 6 if I can, then go to 1 oxycodone every 3 hours and slowly go longer as I am able. I told her about my whole pain ordeal and got new prescriptions. I ran out of oxycontin and she gave me 12 more pills to take as needed on bad nights. She told me it is more important to taper off pain meds than to do more. So do less and take less meds.

-Numbness
Q- Is all of the sharp, tingly tumbness I have normal. It is across the top of my quad down to my knee and on the outside of my leg?
A- Yes, those areas are normal. If you were to have numbness on the interior part of your leg, inner thigh, groin, then it would be concerning.

Meds
Q- Is there a reason I have been told to take Tylenol instead of Ibuprofin. I think Tylenol is a joke. It does nothing. My SIL and I are amazed it is still on the market. The only time I take it is when I have nothing else I can take, like when I am pregnant.
A- Yes, Tylenol pretty much does nothing. But Ibuprofin can slow bone growth and we do not want to do that.

Physical Therapy
Q- If and when do I start PT?
A- After 6 week appointment.

Incision
Q- Is the swelling normal? (I had quite a bit of swelling start 2 days ago)
A- No it isn't too common. Keep a close eye on it. Ice it for 1 week. If it is not gone by then, ice and then heat to try to fool your body. This hopefully will help to heal. If your incision area becomes bigger, more red or oozes at all then you need to come in.

Q- When can I get the incision wet?
A-24 hours from now! Steri-strips are going on today after we take the staples out.

Pain
Q- Is the inner groin pain I have normal. It has really been bothering me lately?
A- Yes, it is normal.

Sleep
Q- My legs are twitching like crazy at bedtime. Is this normal and what can I do about it?
A- Yes, it is normal. Prescribed muscle relaxers or I can take 1/2 Xanax like I have been as needed.

Blood Clot risk
Q- How long do I wear the TED hose? How would I know if I had a blood clot?
A- Need to wear TED hose for 2 more weeks (total 4 weeks post op). Blood clots would cause increased swelling in your op leg and intense pain. You would need to elevate your leg with 3-4 pillows while lying down. If this doesn't alleviate the swelling or pain, you need to go to the ER.
You also need to get up every 2 hours and walk around a little (except when sleeping). Also continue taking Aspirin (1/day) for the next 4 weeks.

Other instructions per doctor:
-Cannot submerge wound in water (pool, bath) until 3 weeks from staple removal. (5 weeks from surgery date)
- Continue walking as much as you can tolerate
- The key is to keep your hip quiet and not angry!
- Use both crutches full time until 6 week appointment.
- Watch temperature. Call nurse if it is above 101 degrees.
- Work on putting more weight on your operated leg.

I also told her about my whole pain ordeal and that the patients need to be better educated in the hospital about post-surgery care, meds, and how to taper off. She said that was something they were working on and would make note of it for their discussion.

I left feeling so much better about where I was at. That I wasn't a druggie. That the on-call doctor at the hospital was totally out of line to say what he did. That I still can't hold my "baby" for a long time. That I need to keep an eye on my swollen wound and ice it more. She also told me no more bending as to not aggravate the swelling. That's a tough one. It makes me so dependent on other people. I drop my crutch, what am I supposed to do? Need to reach for a pillow from my recliner? socks on, shoes.... you get the picture. Anyway, it was a good appointment. Hopefully I keep getting better!