Hip surgery and the liver

[Darsmum100]

Hi guys - some of you may remember me in my previous incarnation as Beauport. I have absolutely no idea how I metamorphosed into Darsmum - technology is beyond my ken!

I'm here to ask if anyone with experience of (non liver) surgery can give me any advice. I'm due to have my left hip replaced on 27th November. The surgeon has already told me that I can't have my operation in the private part of the hospital because my cirrhosis necessitates the nearby presence of the emergency team in case of excessive bleeding during surgery. Are there any other precautions that need to be taken? My liver is compensated and, apart from arthritis and gallstones, my health is generally very good. The last thing I want is for my liver to be traumatised during surgery and maybe become decompensated as a result. I've tried several times to contact my gastro man about this without success (par for the course in my experience).

Any advice would be much appreciated. Love to all.

Carole, mother of Dar

[alfredthegreat]

Hi Darsmum. Sorry I can't help with your questions but would like say that I hope all goes well with your hip operation on the 27th. All the best. Alfred.

[Hidden]

Hi mumofdar

I’m with alfred. Well, not WITH alfred - rather I have same comments as fred and also wish you all the best

Miles

🇧🇧

[pip-lit]

The anesthetist, well 2 of them (I went back for a second opinion) both discouraged me from having a hip replacement, saying that there hospital didn't have liver specialist department, and that without one being available, it was too dangerous to procede. In my case it would take me a three week hospital stay, blood transfusions etc most of the time spent in intensive care.

I mentioned this to my liver consultant at the regional liver hospital. 'Well why don't you come here and get it done here? we have 24 hour care from liver specialists and a superb surgery team. I'm now in the position where I have lost over three stones in weight and my diabetes has temporally gone away and my sleep apnea too. I'm in fairly constant pain though from my hips and my mobility is limited to 20 metre bursts at 0.25 mph. My hip replacement has now become more of a possibility, and I'm keen to walk again.

Very best luck for your hip operation - after a eek you'll be dancing again...

Bob

[kyia]

My partner's emergency surgery to repair a strangulated umbilical hernia caused his liver to go from compensated to decompensated almost immediately. We were told that it was "just something that happens sometimes", as the stress of the op is a big strain on your entire body. Happily, his liver returned to compensated about three weeks post-op. I don't know if there is anything you can do in advance to help prevent it from happening. It may just be bad luck...

[mncold]

Hi Darsmum100,

Good luck with your upcoming surgery.

My husband had a hernia operation and all went well, but I would guess hip surgery being a much longer and more complex surgery brings concerns to surgeons. Since your doctor has let you know that they will be taking precautions knowing your issues it seems to me that he is trying to keep you as safe as possible.

I do think I read some time on here that someone had hip surgery and made it thru without issue.

Again, best wishes for a successful and incident free surgery and a good recovery.

Mary

[Grank]

I was due to have hip replacement surgery today but the surgeon cancelled it when he found out that I had a liver cancer diagnosis (3cm HCC). I have hereditary haemachromatosis which they say is the cause of the early stage cancer. My liver is compensated. The surgeon said treating the liver is more important than treating the hip, and hip surgery could lead to a decompensated liver which is to be avoided. Nothing is without risk.