When in Doubt… Do It !!!! Thanks to Dr DiFelice for Changing My World
Picture it…. Days before Thanksgiving 2015 43 years old, I played basketball like it was a religion, in good shape and overall healthy guy. Over the years it had become harder and harder to compete at the highest level (at least in my head it was the highest level). I decide to check out this persistent pain in my hip. Days before Thanksgiving, I learn that I have a fractured hip and need a hip replacement. At 43 there is no way I would need a hip replacement. I’m an athlete, I’m the cool guy who doesn’t even look 40 (again all in my head)….. I was devastated and thought to myself what a way to go into the holidays. I was referred to Dr. DiFelice and pretty much , sad, annoyed and scared. That all changed from the first call from Dr. DiFelice’s staff. They were kind, attentive, quick and got me in to see Dr. DiFelice right away. I appreciated Dr DiFelice’s “real talk” and ability to put me at ease about the procedure and post surgery. I had my reservations, but really didn’t have much of a choice… so I walked on faith and said screw it… it is what it is. Dr DiFelice went above and beyond to educate me about the process and made me comfortable about this happening… he did everything in his power to get me in as quickly as possible. He knew I had a big vacation to Brazil in March and I wanted to be able to attend my trip pain free. His team scrambled to work with his schedule to get me in before the Christmas holiday. I have not seen attention to detail and quality of service this spectacular… EVER. I think his team should be a case study of effective hospital care. I was able to get in and have the surgery on December 19th. You go through all kinds of thoughts. From your own mortality to darn it, I will never be the same. Once again Dr. DiFelice calmed me down, eased my fears. The surgery went smoothly. To be honest, I woke up nervous; what will this new hip be like? How much pain will I be in?… and was surprised because I felt minor pain or discomfort (hey, could have been the drugs–who knows). They had me up and walking around the hospital the first hour. I was out of the hospital in three days (i stretched it out—the service was that good), but also just a precaution. Only two weeks after the surgery I was moving around, slowly but to my surprise… Little pain and I actually felt pretty good. I even stopped using pain killers after the first week. I got stronger and stronger with physical therapy. One month after the surgery, no kidding, I was ready to go back to work. I felt great. Rested and literally feeling like a new man. I had my follow-up in six weeks and once again the team and Dr. DiFelice were amazing. Unbelievable team !!! Just weeks earlier I would have never thought that the nagging pain i was feeling would result in a total hip replacement and here I was feeling brand new and better than I had felt in years. It’s now been three months since my surgery and I was able to go to Brazil and had the time of my life. No pain, and walked miles and miles on the beach (and dancing in the club– thinking I was still 21). I had a great time. I owe Dr. DiFelice a huge THANK YOU ! I am still going to physical therapy two times a week, but I feel like I have a new lease on life. I am in great spirits and doing great…. way ahead of schedule. I thought it was pretty much over because I was 43 and needed a hip replacement. In fact it was just the blessing i needed. I think being younger helped my recovery and now I have a pretty good hip for the next 25-30 years. You can’t beat that. If you are debating having a hip replacement and need a surgeon Dr. DiFelice is the man to call. His team is best in class and he is freaking awesome. Even my scars healed to the point it can barely be seen. I may have said it a million times since my check-in’s… but Thank You Dr. DiFelice. I am so very grateful to you and your staff.