Peter Braccia

I watched Dr. Gregory DiFelice’s video online and liked what I saw. It was very obvious to me that he was empathetic (being an ex-athlete himself), confident and possessed the latest medical acumen.

I am an active male with no real medical problems.

I narrowed it down to 3 HSS surgeons and Dr. DiFelice was my first office visit. Being a native New Yorker myself, he had just the to-the-point style that I like. “Your hip is shot, you need a new wheel,” he said and I grimaced. He said “you are going to really feel much better. If that was my hip, I’d be on that table next Thursday.” He went on to explain in very simple terms what I could expect and how things would work. I was at ease already, he went on to say “and in my hands, you’ll be just fine.” I immediately cancelled my other 2 surgeon appointments, I felt that good about what I had just heard!

Well, it wasn’t “next Thursday,” but I scheduled a surgical appointment for a total hip replacement within a few weeks. I was happy to get a Saturday date! The pre-surgical team at HSS was great. I was indeed very prepared on all levels thanks to all these pros. I got the feeling all throughout the process that I was getting superior care, well beyond just good and acceptable care. HSS, this is where these procedures were born!

The surgery went very well. I was in the hospital just 2 days, not even long enough to complain about the food. I couldn’t believe how good I felt. The intense pain that I had been living with was all gone! I did the in-home physical therapy, then 3 weeks of outside physical therapy without any problems. Back to work in 5 weeks, I believe I could have gone back even sooner. You just have to do it in a gradual fashion. There are some restrictions and precautions that all patients need to follow. After all, you will want this new hip to last a long time, so be reasonable how you treat it.

I am now 3 months post-op and feel fantastic. I can walk again without the slightest bit of pain. The 2014-15 NYC winter has been a brutal one, but I expect to be out there walking, swimming, golfing, and gardening WITHOUT pain this season! Why did I wait so long? Thank you Dr. DiFelice and HSS. Arthritis makes you feel old, you do not have to feel that way. Do not hesitate to seriously consider a THR at this very fine hospital.