Had a total knee replacement here in April under a spinal block and sedation. Unfortunately, I woke up on the operating table and could hear what was going on and see some blood on the screen and surgeons visor. I was asked by the nurse if the sounds were upsetting me but apart from this brief exchange I was left laying on my own listening to my operation being completed, instructions being given for the wound to be closed up and watch my leg being bandaged. I appreciate what happened to me may not happen to most people (everyone else I saw being brought into the recovery room whilst I was there was still asleep) and operating theatres are busy places but I would have appreciated some reassurance. I am not overly squeamish or sensitive but did find this upsetting. The following day despite having been sick more than once and being told I was not well enough to go home I was then told not more than an hour later you can go home if you want too. I was still in considerable pain, exhausted through lack of sleep and distressed by what had happened the previous day. At this point I felt under pressure with the expectation being that I would go home. There was no mention on my discharge notes of the fact that I had been unwell and despite feeling extremely hot and being sick no further checks had been carried out on me since the early morning rounds. The hospital itself is spotlessly clean and the majority of the staff are lovely but as one admitted to me they never really get the chance to know their patients as they are discharged so quickly. Nobody wants to stay in hospital any longer than they have to and perhaps if I had been asked how I was feeling and whether I felt up to going home I may have felt more able to say I didn\t feel up to being discharged.

I think the saying times flies couldnt be more apt on this occasion. Is it really 6 months since I had my total hip replacement? Thankfully the days when I was hobbling around with a stick are a very distant memory. No doubt the post-op exercise progamme I was given has hugely contributed to the fact that my recovery continues to go from strength to strength. I can well remember the days when I would wake up in the morning knowing that just putting one foot in front of the other would be a painful challenge throughout the day! Total hip replacement is major surgery but one that, in my case, was life changing which is why I would have no hesitation in recommending the wonderful medical and support staff at Plymouth Practice Plus if anyone is considering the operation. Youll be in very safe hands! Trudi