Barbara, a keen gardener from Kingsbury had life-changing total hip replacement surgery on Choose and Book at BMI Clementine Churchill Hospital, in Harrow when she was 72, despite having COPD.
Eight years previously Barbara had been working and found even walking from the car park to the office very uncomfortable and was quite a struggle. She kept going for years and when things became so much worse 18 months ago, she decided to do something about it – so she went to her GP who sent her for an Xray and MRI.
She was referred to Mr Vedi who went through her Xray and explained it thoroughly to her – showing that she had severe osteoarthritis and her hip bone was very worn away. Barbara agreed to have the much need hip replacement surgery - but she had an added complication – she had COPD. They agreed the best option was for her to have an epidural. But when she went to have her epidural the anaesthetist found Barbara couldn’t have it afterall - as the bottom of her spine was fused together – so instead the team decided to give Barbara a general anaesthetic.
Barbara was also a bit of a bleeder, so she stayed in hospital for four nights - a little longer as she needed a blood transfusion. But afterwards, she could move around straightaway and there was no more pain. She had two walking sticks initially and after four weeks she was able to up and down the stairs unaided.
Barbara said “I did all my exercises and went to the physio and I abided by the rules which my aided rapid progress and my speedy return to normal life.
Barbara concludes: “My experience was very, very good with Mr Vedi. He is so charming, friendly and calm that I was not frightened at all and felt completely reassured. I also had a dedicated nurse who was wonderful, and nothing was too much trouble. If my other hip went, I would definitely go back to Mr Vedi. I’m now looking forward to getting my garden ready for the Spring.”