Hip replacement -- two at a time?

[fishfry]

I'm going in for THA (total hip arthroplasty). Both hips need to be
done. I have a choice of both at once (one-stage bilateral) or one now,
one in a few months. My surgeon, who's one of the best around, says I'm
cleared for takeoff if I choose both at once.

I'm 56, 30-40 lbs overweight, out of shape, but otherwise healthy.

Pros are obviously one surgery, one anasthesia, one recovery period
instead of two.

Cons are: slightly higher chance of blood clots in the leg; heart attack
from blood loss; general surgical complications from two wounds.

Also, I assume the rehab is tougher because I don't have a good leg.

This will be minimally invasive surgery, and my doc has done a lot of
these and is very highly regarded.

Any advice? I really hate to go in for two surgeries; but I don't want
to have a surgical complication either; and I don't want to be totally
out of commission for very long.

[vvp]

Hi, It would be nice to know what is the pathology warranting a
bilateral THA then decide on either one or two surgeries

Post by fishfry
I'm going in for THA (total hip arthroplasty). Both hips need to be
done. I have a choice of both at once (one-stage bilateral) or one now,
one in a few months. My surgeon, who's one of the best around, says I'm
cleared for takeoff if I choose both at once.
I'm 56, 30-40 lbs overweight, out of shape, but otherwise healthy.
Pros are obviously one surgery, one anasthesia, one recovery period
instead of two.
Cons are: slightly higher chance of blood clots in the leg; heart attack
from blood loss; general surgical complications from two wounds.
Also, I assume the rehab is tougher because I don't have a good leg.
This will be minimally invasive surgery, and my doc has done a lot of
these and is very highly regarded.
Any advice? I really hate to go in for two surgeries; but I don't want
to have a surgical complication either; and I don't want to be totally
out of commission for very long.

[Joe Jared]

Post by fishfry
I'm going in for THA (total hip arthroplasty). Both hips need to be
done. I have a choice of both at once (one-stage bilateral) or one now,
one in a few months. My surgeon, who's one of the best around, says I'm
cleared for takeoff if I choose both at once.

I'd recommend that you buy a really good bed. You're going to be spending
alot of time there so you really ought to be comfortable.

Post by fishfry
Pros are obviously one surgery, one anasthesia, one recovery period
instead of two.

True, but splitting the work up is less dramatic. Think of it like your
feet. If you have spurs removed, you can't put that foot to the ground
until it's heeled. Now you have spurs removed from both feet. So much
for walking, with or without crutches.

Post by fishfry
Cons are: slightly higher chance of blood clots in the leg; heart attack
from blood loss; general surgical complications from two wounds.

So you have a better chance of waking up dead.

Post by fishfry
Any advice? I really hate to go in for two surgeries; but I don't want
to have a surgical complication either; and I don't want to be totally
out of commission for very long.

Define very long.