DAY 1

Admission at 14.00 at the hospital. Preoperative exams, blood analysis, ECG (electrocardiogram), chest x-ray and x-rays of hip are done. Admitted at the orthopaedic ward or short stay at the “Jan Palfijn” hospital.

DAY 2

SURGERY DAY
Back to the ward in the afternoon or evening, after stay at the recovery room (NO intensive care). BLOOD TRANSFUSION is quite safe in Belgium (Voluntary, not granted blood donation). For a unilateral resurfacing most frequently no blood is given. For a bilateral resurfacing often a blood transfusion is done with 2-4 units of Packed Cells. Cell-saver system can be used to regain the patients own blood cells.

DAY 3

GETTING OUT OF BED AND WALKING FULL WEIGHT BEARING.
Removal of all catheters and infusions. With a unilateral procedure no bladder catheter is used. In bilateral resurfacing a continuous epidural catheter is used for comfort of pain.

DAY 4

Drain is removed from the wound. Patients with a unilateral resurfacing leave at midday to the Rehab Hotel (Surgery on Tuesday – Hotel on Thursday / Surgery on Wednesday – Hotel on Friday). Bilateral resurfacings stay until Sunday or Tuesday (5 to 7 days hospital). When the patient leaves the hospital, all drugs (medication) for three weeks are given with the patient (Subcutaneous heparin injections and indomethacine tablets).