Dr. Su and the Hospital for Special Surgery

I had a right hip resurfacing on 3/5/09 performed by Dr. Edwin Su at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS). It is now 3/23 - I am feeling great and walking comfortably with the use of a cane. The lead up to surgery was two years of limping and pain. The decision to have surgery was an easy one. After doing my research - much of which was on this site - I met with Dr. Su once, on 1/29/09. He recommended resurfacing (I'm 55) -- I agreed. Christina (his assistant) took it from there -- her demeanor leading up to the surgery was both professional and reassuring.

3/5/09 arrived quickly. Everyone associated with the HSS is to be commended. The intake was seamless. Zoey (sp? - the intake nurse) and John (who prepped my hip) were both engaging and thorough (in fact John made it a point to visit me twice while I was in the hospital). Dr. Su visited me before the operation, and as he did when I first met him, he put me totally at ease with his quiet confidence, compassion, professionalism and his obvious love for what he is doing. Soon thereafter I was wheeled into the OR - followed by an epidural and sedation.

I woke up in the recovery room approximately 2 hours later. No pain, just muscle soreness and stiffness in my right hip. I had great care in the recovery room (I was there overnight as beds were in short supply on this particular Thursday night - my surgery was at 6:30 PM.) The activity in the recovery room acutually served to pass the time and the warmth and caring of Eileen (the recovery nurse) and the others who attended to me there was much appreciated. I had my first visit from PT -- Mia and Lee. They were engaging and understanding and had me up and about in a walker.

By Friday afternoon I was in a room - East River view no less! Mia and Lee visited me in the afternoon and in the evening Suzanna (from PT) took me for yet another "stroll" with a walker. Her good humor was wonderful. Dr. Su came by in the evening after what I can only imagine was a very long day, sat on the window sill and chatted. He fielded all my myriad questions with his usual grace.

Saturday began with Rebecca from PT and a choice of crutches -I chose the metal forearm version. Walking with crutches was not a problem - although lightheadedness sent me back to my room before I could try the stairs (a prerequisite for discharge).

Later that morning Dr. Su called (from his home) to check on my progress! My room nurse was Jordan - friendly, humorous, informative and patient - as capable a professional as I have ever been around. At around 3 PM Rebecca from PT returned - this time I passed the stair test. Rebecca was encouraging, patient and caring.

I was discharged thereafter and had dinner at my kitchen table with my family at 6:30 PM pm on 3/7 -exactly 48 hours after my surgery. As noted above it is now 3/23 - my recovery has been slow and steady with the muscle soreness and stiffness getting better every day. Daily walks and visits from Farel (home PT) have gotten me stronger and steadier on my feet. My next visit to Dr. Su is on 4/1.