Participant Spotlight: Linda

Linda joined the programme to help her prepare for her upcoming total hip replacement. She’s now 1 week post-op and has surprised both herself and others with the speed of her recovery so far. Linda loved how the programme was completely personalised to her needs, and credits her health coach with having helped her to correct her unhealthy relationship with food.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m 59 years old and I had a right hip replacement 1 week ago after having lived with osteoarthritis for quite a few years.

During lockdown I also started having problems with my knee on the same side, and after struggling with the pain for quite a long time I was eventually referred to the musculoskeletal clinic where the physio referred me directly to the consultant. So, I’m now waiting on a knee replacement after I’ve recovered from the hip.

It’s 1 week today since I had the hip done and I’m feeling really well. I’m needing fewer painkillers already and I’m going for 2 walks a day and doing all the physio exercises

Why did you choose to join the Sapien prehabilitation programme?

I didn’t really know anything about it, but I chose to participate because I wanted a good outcome from my surgery. 

I had already managed to lose quite a bit of weight on my own before the programme started, but I was really interested in the support the programme would give me to improve my all-around health.

I had been given some general information by the physio and my doctor, but I wasn’t really given any specific advice to help me prepare for surgery. When my coach offered that support I jumped at it because I wanted to carry on losing weight and to get the best outcome possible from my operation.

I think having been through the programme I’ve had an absolutely excellent outcome. The nurses and physios in the hospital were all astounded at how quickly I could walk. I don’t think I would have been as strong and able to recover quite so quickly if I hadn’t been through the programme.

Did you experience any other benefits?

It’s helped a lot with my eating habits. I’ve been a yo-yo dieter all my life and my coach helped to take away the negative thoughts I used to have around food. He’s taught me how to enjoy food in moderation and not feel guilty when I do have a treat.

He also gave me lots of helpful information to read about different food groups. When I first started, I had put myself on a very calorie-restricted diet in a desperate attempt to lose weight. He explained that I could be harming myself and taught me how to lose weight in a healthy and sustainable way.

When I wasn’t losing weight and my weight had plateaued, he explained why that happens and not to get down about it. He taught me to look for other markers of success besides just the number on the scales.

He’s also really helped with the mental side of things and the anxiety of going for surgery. I was really anxious about the anaesthetic and what happens during surgery. He explained the whole process in really simple language and totally put my mind at ease.

What did you like most about Sapien?

I liked the fact that you could be in touch with your coach whenever you wanted using the Coach Chat. So whenever I wasn’t feeling so good, or if I had a question to ask, I could text my coach and he would get back to me fairly quickly.

Also, the information I was given to read really helped.

I think it’s the first time I’ve ever spoken to a health professional who seemed to really understand and wanted to help me as a person. The whole experience was very individual to me and I really appreciated that.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about taking part in the Sapien programme?

Engage with it fully because it does help! I don’t think I would be as strong physically or mentally without having participated in the programme.