Post-Operative Appointment

I saw Dr. Sampson for my post-operative check-in appointment, and he told me my progress looked great. After watching me walk with crutches, he gave me an “A.” He explained to me the surgical process by showing me photos from the operations, which was informative and exciting to learn about. 

Dr. Sampson said I should be able to return to school in January for the Spring semester, although I will likely still be sore by then. The left hip is going to heal much more slowly, and it’s hard to know how much pain relief I will get on that side, due to the previous failed surgery, but he thinks we should be able to tell a big difference at six weeks, and then again at three months, with the actual healing process taking over a year. He said there’s not going to be any danger in engaging in normal activities—and even in physical activities, although it’s impossible to tell how much I’ll be able to do. At this point, Dr. Sampson didn’t want to answer my question about whether I’ll need another surgery many years down the line, saying it’s best to just concentrate on getting better now, but that it is possible and unlikely.

I feel pretty positive after hearing from both Lisa Green and Dr. Sampson that they think I’m doing well. I’m able to do more every day. Each time I succeed at something new, I feel so happy and excited.

At the doctor's office in San Francisco

Here is the operation report.