Have any of you had two hip replacement operations at the same time?

I am asking this question on behalf of my friend, who needs to have both of her hips replaced. Her doctor recommends that she do both at the same time, but she is reluctant and would like to hear from people who have had double hip replacement surgery. Are you sorry you did it? If you could do it all over again, would you do it that way being armed with the aftersight you have today.? Anyone who hasn't had the operation but who may have to face it in the foreseeable future can also chime in here with his or her thoughts. Thank you.

I have had both hips replaced several months apart. That is called a "staged bilateral THR". To have both done in the same surgery is called "simultaneous bilateral THR". I encourage you to have your friend look at this link, from a website developed by an ortho surgeon as a public service to patients (in English translation). Here you will find a discussion of the pros and cons of each procedure.
http://totaljoints.info/bilat_THR.htm (scroll through the whole article for answers to various questions about the procedure)

Here your friend will find discussions about who is a good candidate for simultaneous bilateral and discussion about the differences. For example, one obvious difference is that with a staged procedure, the patient must go through two anesthesias, two surgeries, two recoveries. However, staged puts less stress on the heart and circulation system so it may be recommended more for older people. Younger, healthy patients are more likely to be good candidates for simultaneous BTHR.

One problem mentioned involves the post-op weight-bearing issue that may pose a problem if both hips are uncemented with weight-bearing restrictions (these are temporary restrictions to be lifted as bone ingrowth occurs). In short, if the patient has sharply restricted weight-bearing, it's going to be really hard to get around for a few weeks. On the up side, many surgeons DO allow partial weight-bearing immediately even with uncemented parts. And, usually weight-bearing as tolerated is allowed immediately with cemented or hybrid (usually a combo of cemented femoral component and uncemented or "press-fit" acetabular component).

On a personal note, I can see how some people with two really painful hips and who are healthy, strong, and in a hurry to get them fixed and get back to their working lives, might consider bilateral. I know from personal experience that in a staged procedure, the recovery from the first THR is marred slightly by the fact that the other hip is still painful. I was not in a hurry to get them done because I don't work and had all the time in the world. Plus, I had this notion that once one hip was fixed that that might take some of the pressure off the second hip. I had the worst one done first with the hope that hip #2 would straighten out. It didn't, but just got worse, so 3 months later, I asked the doc to schedule me for hip #2. That recovery was much easier than the first, and I was back on my feet rapidly.

Also, your friend may need to spend some post-op time in a rehab center instead of going straight home. This isn't unusual and may make that first week or two a little easier than going directly home.

The idea of it scares me but I can't help but think of it in the back of my mind. 3 years ago I started having hip pain I have had 2 surgeries to try and fix the pain but it still hasn't helped at all. I'm not sure if I can help with this but if it were up to me I would do both at the same time.

I have never had a hip replacement, but I'll put in my two cents. I have two different friends who have had surgery on both their knees. One friend got them both done at the same time, the other did them seperately. The one who did them seperately wishes he did them both at the same time. Basically, you get one surgery done, and you're out for a few weeks, THEN, you get the other one done, and you're out for a few weeks AGAIN. I say go for both, so you're only out for half the time.

i feel sorry 4 your friend. having one replaced is painfulenough,it takes time to heal and walk properly.2ndlyif u dont do both at the same time you will endure double the time lost and double the pain good luck