Hip replacement/anaesthesia/weight issues

[suedonim]

It's looking likely that my almost 80yo mum is going to need a hip replacement op in the near future. I'm rather concerned as she's very overweight. At a guess, I'd say she is at least 15st and she's 5ft 4in tall, which makes her BMI over 30. She seems to be in denial about her weight.

My understanding is that hip ops are not offered if the patient is overweight, partly due to the strain on the new joint and partly due to the danger of anaesthesia. Are there any guidelines about weight? And how on earth can can I get my mum to face her weight problem?

DEFFO BRILL NEWS that she is back on the ward

Hope she makes a good recovery and will be up and about soon

Mum's doing ok today, although she's having a blood tranfusion as her count was low. I know she's been on iron as she was a bit anaemic recently so maybe blood loss in the op tipped her over the edge?

Ds2 is going to visit tonight and my best friend will see her tomorrow, taking mum a print-off of the email I've just sent via bf.

great photos in your profile

Thank you!

I spoke to mum on a hospital cordless phone tonight. The staff have obviously been enlightened as to my life history as when I called I was asked if I was the 'dd living in Africa'. It turns out that mum did indeed have the op by epidural, as mentioned lower down this thread. She never once mentioned it beforehand! She says that she has some soreness from the op but the pain has gone completely - brilliant. And I know she's feeling better because she's on the warpath, as usual. It seems her GP never treated her for the anaemia she had, hence the blood transfusion, so Mum's planning on giving the GP a piece of her mind, lol.

I have been quite upset tonight over my brother, who hasn't even once bothered to phone to see how mum is. I was all upbeat with mum, telling her to think about all the nice visitors she has had etc, but after coming off the phone, I burst into tears myself. Still, that's a thread for the Relationship topic, not that this one!

Just to say, my mum went home today! She sounds fine and says it's marvellous to be without the constant aching pain she'd had for the last 18mths.

I'm a little concerned as to aftercare as she was a bit evasive when I asked questions about exercising etc but I'll be home in less than four weeks and can grill her about it then.

DEFFO BRILL News that she is home

Hopefully she will have a district nurse to come out to her and for her excercises

Have a great time when you go to see her

Yes, a nurse is coming in to see mum, so I hope she be chivvied into doing her exercises.