2026 Spring: Dimitri's Hip Replacement Surgery in Lyon

      We were warmly greeted upon our arrival at the Warwick Reine Astrid (24 boulevard des Belges, 69006 Lyon, +(33) 04 72 82 18 00). People remembered us and it was a delight to be "home". 

    Dr. Sebastian Lustig arranged all of the pre-surgery appointments that Dimitri needed (otherwise that would have been a nightmare). So our first week was consumed by that.

   Finally, April 8, the day came for Dimitri's hip replacement. It was past-time and Dimitri could not believe that he had originally thought that he could wait until June. Imagine going to Thailand the Philippines for two months in severe pain, on the maximum dose of pain killers and using crutches all the time.

    Unlike Kent a year earlier, because of Dimitri's age, the protocol was for him to stay in the hospital overnight. Thursday was a good day because his pain level was #2 (the continuing effect of hospital drugs) and because he got out of Croix Rousse, that awful hospital. He no longer felt that hip, groin and knee pain and was thrilled. Friday, the at-home administered pain meds were not as effective (and the delivery system is beaucoup worse than the Vail Health system). Plus the nurse came at 6:30 am so that meant we had to get out of bed too early.

    Then his kiné (that's short for kinésithérapeute, which is the French equivalent of physical therapist) came to our apartment on Friday Dimitri did exercises and Côme Dray massaged his leg. After that Dimitri was worse off. Saturday was not good and Sunday he was not happy either.

    The icing delivery system was also worse than the Vail Health one. Dimitri could not walk without crutches yet. The injections of the anti-coagulant were done by a nurse but they left Dimitri groggy, with little energy and other unpleasantnesses. Dimitri's surgeon said he could take 48-hours off of the medication and those two days were good days for Dimitri. Back on it, Dimitri's energy level lowered and he didn't do his exercises (but did walk the corridor in our hallway).

    So, in conclusion, he is glad that his hip has been replaced and that it seems like Lustig did a good job. We are grateful to our friend Kent for having checked the doctor out and for giving us the recommendation. However, Dimitri will not have any more surgeries at Croix Rousse or any other public hospital or anywhere else than Vail Health for that matter. 

    Needing the hip replacement was one of those "unknown unknowns" that worry us. Now that it is over, and the outcome was good, we are greatly relieved. Now of course we will wait for the next unknown, unknown.