Day of Surgery

I was feeling pretty nervous the night before surgery and barely slept at all. I had to report to the surgery center at 7:30am. Around 5:30am I got up, took my required shower with the special soap they give you, drank some black coffee (I was allowed up to 10oz of fluid until 2 hours before surgery), and double-checked my hospital bag since I knew I’d be there for at least two nights.

Because I was my surgeon’s first case of the day, I was called back and prepped pretty quickly. Before heading to the OR, the anesthesiologist performed a nerve block. During my last surgery I had received a spinal, which helped tremendously with pain management during the first 24 hours. Not getting one this time made me really nervous that I’d wake up in intense pain.

Soon after the nerve block, I was rolled into the OR. I remember about two minutes of being in there… and then I was out.

I woke up around 1:30pm with the surgeon talking to me, but I don’t remember much because I was completely out of it. I always think it’s funny how they give you important updates while you’re still high on a cocktail of drugs and barely awake. I do remember him telling me he corrected my hip angle from 18 degrees to 31 degrees (normal is anything above 25). That felt like a big win.

The rest of the day I mostly slept. I could barely keep my eyes open. Honestly, I’m thankful I slept through most of day one because it meant I wasn’t in a lot of pain. The nerve block and medications definitely did their job.

At one point physical therapy came in just to have me stand at the side of the bed. Since I tolerated that well, they transitioned me to the recliner. They explained the goals:

1. Stand
2. Get to the recliner
3. Sit in the recliner for one hour

I lasted two hours. Crushed it.

Day After Surgery

I finally felt like I came out of my fog around 6:00am the next morning. I ordered breakfast — my first real meal since two days before — and coffee. My appetite was very low for the first 72 hours after surgery.

Soon after I got up it was time to use the bathroom. One thing I was nervous about was using the restroom after they removed the catheter. During my 2018 PAO, I had a really difficult time and ended up needing the foley reinserted — which was not pleasant. Thankfully, I didn’t have that issue this time. I do think not having the spinal may have contributed to that smoother outcome. Just something to be aware of if you’re preparing for your first PAO.

Around 7:00am the physician assistant for the FAI repair checked in, and then my surgeon stopped by as well. I am so incredibly thankful for the surgical team I had. Both surgeons and their PAs were attentive, kind, and reassuring.

Physical therapy came back around 9:00am to have me try crutches and make sure I could manage stairs. I passed that test with flying colors and was told I could technically go home that day.

But I chose to stay one more night.

Resting in a hospital with nurses and pain control on demand felt a lot more peaceful than going home to four kids (as much as I adore them). It just felt wise to soak in one more quiet night.

The second day was definitely my most painful. By then the nerve block had fully worn off, and the more I had to get in and out of bed, the more soreness I felt. It wasn’t unbearable, but it was noticeable — that deep, achy, surgical soreness that reminds you your body just went through something big.

Post-Op Days 2 & 3

Discharge day! By about 1:00pm on post-op day two, I was heading home with a stack of medications and detailed recovery instructions.

It felt so good to be back in my own bed.

The following day happened to be my 37th birthday. I had a few visitors and family over for cake and ice cream. Considering the circumstances, it was actually a really sweet birthday.

Days 4–14

Most days have looked pretty much the same:

Bed → recliner in my room → back to bed.

I’ve basically been living in my bedroom. I haven’t really gone downstairs yet. Stairs aren’t impossible, but they’re not exactly enjoyable either. I’d rather stay cozied up in my little recovery nest for now.

I’ll have to venture out for my post-op appointment on day 16, and after that I’ll probably start spending my days downstairs and only heading upstairs for bedtime.

To keep my mind occupied, I’ve been:

• Reading
• Doing my Bible study
• Watching TV
• Working on this blog
• Running my decluttering business
• Visiting with sweet friends who stop by

Honestly? It hasn’t been terrible.

Mentally, I’ve been doing really well. My pain has been well managed overall. Some days are definitely more sore than others, but nothing overwhelming.

Around day 12, I started weaning off the stronger pain medications. As of day 14, I’m just taking Advil and Tylenol during the day, plus half a muscle relaxer and one oxycodone before bed.

Overall, I’ve been really pleased with how this recovery is progressing. I know there will be ups and downs — recovery is never perfectly linear — but I’m hopeful and praying the next few months continue building momentum toward full healing.

Check Out My PAO Resources

If you’re preparing for a PAO surgery yourself be sure to check out my PAO Resources page! If you have any questions at all I’d love to chat with you! Feel free to message me on my Emily Living Well Facebook page, or you can email me at EmilyIsLivingWell@gmail.com.