Preparing for Hip Replacement Surgery Hip replacement surgery can become a necessity for some individuals throughout the course of their lives. As with most surgeries, a hip replacement surgery is designed for the benefit of the patient and will only be undergone when it is deemed a necessity by the hip replacement surgeon. Often times, in fact around ninety percent of the time, patients who undergo a hip replacement surgery report decreased pain and improved functionality of the surgically repaired hip following the procedure. But while the surgery will most likely be extremely beneficial for the patient, there are still many who are scheduled for hip replacement surgeries who feel the building anxiety of the upcoming procedure.
Ways to Prepare for a Hip Replacement In these instances, it is best for a person to become prepared for their approaching surgical procedure by taking action steps to become so. Such steps of personal action that will help a person prepare for their hip replacement surgery include becoming aware of the details of the surgery from personal research and asking the hip replacement surgeon questions along the way. Learning all one can about their upcoming procedure serves multiple purposes. The first and main purpose why one will want to know all they can about their approaching surgery is because knowledge on the subject lends comfort to those who have anxiety about the procedure. Second, learning about the future hip replacement surgery will give a person the opportunity to learn how best to recover so that they can literally get back on their feet as soon as possible. While learning about how to recover quickly, a future patient will most likely learn the next step in becoming prepared for their upcoming surgery—exercise. Exercise before the surgery will be a great aid to those who have a scheduled date for the operation. Becoming as physically fit before the procedure will greatly aid and enhance the recovery process for many people, especially for those who can lose weight before the operation. Losing weight throw exercise increases muscles, which may atrophy slightly following the surgery and will therefor need to be built up beforehand, and cuts down on body fat. With less body fat, a person’s body will be better able to heal itself.
Asking Questions After preparing for the upcoming surgery through researching, learning, and exercising, a person can further their preparations by simply asking their doctor any questions they may have about the approaching procedure. Thinking of questions on the fly can be difficult, but one should not miss out on
the opportunity to ask their hip replacement surgeon some questions concerning the procedure or recovery. Therefore, a person may wish to write down any questions that come to their minds as they are researching and learning about their procedure and then take these questions into the doctor’s office the time they have an appointment. If there is not another scheduled appointment before the surgery date, a person can consider calling in to their doctor’s office and asking their questions over the phone. By being prepared for their upcoming surgical procedure, those who are receiving a hip replacement will put themselves in a better position for recovery. Other steps for preparation can be suggested by one’s surgeon and these steps likewise should be followed in order to promote recovery and success. Photo Credit: Ambrozjo , nikareteku