Mr Richard Westerman

Written by a patient at The Meriden Hospital - part of Circle Health Group

After waiting approximately 16 months for a hip replacement I contacted Mr Westerman at The BMI Meriden Hospital and within 3 weeks my replacement was done. He is a very thorough, caring consultant. Very willing to explain every aspect of the procedure with you and puts you at your ease immediately. I was on my feet a few hours after the operation and sitting eating breakfast the following morning. My replacement was done on the Wednesday afternoon and I was home on Friday morning. Pain relief is given so that you dont suffer at all, and i reduced it rapidly when I was at home until I didnt take any at all. I was walking with one stick within two weeks and as I am a keen walker I was going for short walks after 6 weeks. It is very important to do the excercises that are given to you and attend the physio sessions booked for you. My left hip now is not the in the best shape and I will need a replacement at some point. I will have no hesitation in contacting Richard Westerman when the time comes, he and his team are excellent. Very talented. It has now been just about 12 months since the replacement, and I am walking 3 or 4 times a week for 4 or 5 miles each and feeling fit. No one should have any apprehension about having a total hip replacement procedure. Geraldine Geelan

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Written by a patient at The Meriden Hospital - part of Circle Health Group

I recently had a total right hip replacement, and having seen excellent reviews from all of the surgeons at BMI Meriden, I chose Mr Richard Westerman as my Consultant, and what a great choice that was. Richard was so easy to talk to, and listened to me explain that I had been waiting over 2 years for an NHS operation, and the pain level was becoming beyond hideous. He studied the X rays with me, and what he said next was such an amazing boost to me. He told me that he and his team couldn't wait to begin to operate on me on the 27th of June, and give me back my life!! I can't thank Mr Westerman, all of his incredible team, and indeed every member of staff at the Meriden enough for doing exactly that. I am now able to walk a decent distance with the aid of crutches, for the first time since 2018. I have run out of superlatives to describe his skill as a Surgeon, and the after care he has provided too, and I have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending Mr Richard Westerman to any prospective patients . Steve Gayton

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Written by a patient at The Meriden Hospital - part of Circle Health Group

Total Hip Replacement From the very first meeting I just knew Richard Westerman was the right consultant surgeon for me - he knew his stuff, was open and clear about what the procedure involved, how I should prepare for it and what to expect post-operatively. Key was the preparation before surgery - physio to strengthen and give my muscle memory time to establish - this, combined with plenty of post-operative exercises, really helped me recover extremely well. The surgery itself was pretty straightforward - spinal block so no nasty anaesthetic after-effects, and standing with the aid of a frame just a few hours later! The whole hospital stay was fine, just three days, and the physio give me confidence to go home knowing what to do to protect my new hip. One slight criticism would be that I was pumped full of opiates as I came round from surgery which made me really sick. Once these were stopped and all I had was intravenous paracetamol I was fine - which was all the pain relief I needed. It would have been better to start with just the paracetamol to see if it was enough... otherwise the my whole hospital experience was as it should be. For anyone considering hip replacement I cannot stress enough the importance of physio both before and after surgery. I had 14 post-operative physio sessions and religiously did exactly as I was told - not doing too much too soon was key. But after just three weeks I was walking unaided and now, one year later, am fully recovered.

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Written by a patient at The Meriden Hospital - part of Circle Health Group

Mr Westerman was recommended by a colleague and throughout the process was positive and encouraging. He obviously enjoys improving peoples quality of life. I actually went in with knee pain but was diagnosed with a dodgy hip joint which was replaced within a couple of weeks and sorted out the "referred" knee pain. I was up and about after a couple of weeks and playing golf after a few more weeks and apparently I am an inspiration. I would recommend the procedure if you are struggling with pain and would definately recommend Mr Westerman.

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Written by a patient at The Warwickshire Nuffield Hospital

I am 77 and had osteoarthritis in both hips making walking slow, difficult and uneven. I initially went to a talk given by Mr Westerman at the Warwickshire Nuffield Hospital with his anaesthetist, Dr Ramesh Sadasivan, where the process of hip replacement was fully explained. Both inspired confidence and following an Xray, it was arranged that I would have both hips replaced - with the worst one first - the left one. As I have a biventricular pacemaker Mr Westerman liaised with my cardiologist to ensure that it was safe to proceed. I had a left cemented total hip replacement in April 2019 with a spinal anaesthetic and sedation and I was comfortable throughout the procedure. I stayed in hospital for 3 days learning to use crutches with the physiotherapists - for walking and going up and down stairs. The pain relief was excellent. Soluble stitches were used so only a plaster needed to be removed a fortnight later - done by a nurse in hospital. I returned to the hospital for physio and at 6 weeks started to use a single walking stick. I saw Mr Westerman again to check progress and saw my Xray of the new hip. How lovely it was to be able to drive again! After a four and a half month gap, in September, I had my right hip replaced. Both my legs are exactly the same length! With having a strong left hip to support the newly operated right hip, progress was much quicker - so that after one week I was down to one crutch and shortly after that down to a single walking stick. At about four and a half weeks, I could start to move independently (no stick) within the home. Physiotherapy at the hospital will continue to improve my mobility. I can stand up straight and walk comfortably again with much greater speed, which is a real joy! Through out the process, Mr Westerman, has been positive, very approachable, willing to explain procedures, very skillful, and keen to "get it right first time". I would have no hesitation in recommending him. Thank you.

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