"Total hip replacement"

Having had a poor experience when I had my left hip placed in 2001 at EPSOM Hospital, I was apprehensive when my right hip was giving me problems in 2017. I need not have been concerned. The process from being referred by my GP at Medwyn Surgery in Dorking to the Orthopaedic department at Royal Surrey was a very professional one. I thought I was going to have to wait 18 months but in the event my procedure was carried out within 4 months of the referral.

The consultant was first rate and took time to consider what went wrong in 2001 before deciding the appropriate procedure. She managed the process very well and was well supported by the pre assessment team then the anaesthetic team.

After the procedure I woke in the recovery area and quickly came around as I had been given a light general anaesthetic as they had put a sort of epidural in my back numbing me from the waist down. I was then taken to a ward of five other jolly gentlemen who were recovering from hip or knee surgery. Nursing care was excellent and kept a good eye all the patients. The physio team and the occupational therapy teams deserve special mention. Very enthusiastic and got me up and about quickly on the day after. Moving around after such a major operation is a challenge but the teams made the journey as uneventful. Passing water is a bit of a struggle without a catheter but it soon was fine. Others had a catheter. Perhaps it is an age thing.

My procedure was performed late Thursday morning and I was discharged on Sunday lunchtime. On the Monday the physio team phoned and visited. So helpful!

They showed me practical ways of living and went through the excercises. He encouraged me to do as much as my body could manage without pain. I was walking with two crutches. By the end of the next week I walked 9 holes of a golf course and within 6 weeks of the procedure played 18 holes albeit a bit gingerly towards the end. Today it is three months after the procedure and there is no pain whatsoever from my hip.

I saw the consultant 6 weeks after the procedure and will see her again 12 months after the procedure.