Surgery highlights
I (31F) just had a right labrum repair + femoroplasty yesterday. Just wanted to share a few thoughts while they're fresh on my mind in case they're helpful.
Nerve block: I highly recommend getting a block if you can! It likely won't fully take care of the pain but it definitely helps keep things under control. I got a PENG block and a lateral femoral cutaneous nerve block. My anesthesiologist used exparel, which is a local anesthetic that lasts for 3-ish days so I am still getting a lot of pain control right now. It's not perfect, I do still have some pain but it has been manageable with tylenol and celebrex. I have oxycodone for breakthrough pain but I've only needed to take it twice.
Helpful postop supplies: recliner (electric, ideally), crutch bag, warm socks, loose/high waisted pants or joggers, icyhot (I used it for shoulder pain because of how I was positioned during the surgery), neck pillow (for sleeping in the recliner), wedge pillow (for sleeping in bed), grabber, toilet riser with handles, shower chair, miralax, and a big bag of ice (for filling up the ice machine if you have one).
Regrets: I wish I had done more to strengthen my core/upper body/left leg. I also wish I had practiced walking with crutches before I actually needed them.
Surprises: When I first woke up, my right heel and ankle were a lot sorer than my hip, I assume because of how my foot was secured during the surgery. And my right thigh and butt cheek are huge right now because of extravasation of the irrigation used to visualize the surgical site.