How Serena kept singing

Serena Benish, a classically-trained singer and adjunct professor at Utah Valley University, had gone from walking with a limp, to walking with a cane, to using a walker.

She no longer could perform on stage, sitting at the piano caused pain and even sleeping hurt.

“For about two years I accepted being debilitated,” Serena said. “Finally, I got in a place to do something about my pain.”

To identify the culprit behind Serena’s devastating discomfort, Serena met with a team of orthopedic specialists, including Dr. Wallentine, orthopedic surgeon in Provo.

“My right hip had deteriorated. The femur head was crumbling and touching nerves, which caused pain, and the deterioration even made my right leg to shorter,” Serena said.

With her diagnosis came a recommendation for total hip replacement surgery. Serena knew she needed it and she knew exactly where she wanted her surgery performed.

“I say, ‘Take me to Mountain View Hospital’ because I want to recover. I want my life back. I know I will get good care, and I trust and believe in the doctors there,” Serena said.

During total hip replacement surgery, Dr, Wallentine strived to give Serena her life back by replacing the damaged bone with a metal and plastic implant that would replicate a healthy hip joint. 

The goal of surgery was to improve function and reduce pain.

Dr. Wallentine made that goal a reality by performing Serena’s total hip replacement surgery with Mountain View Hospital’s innovative robot-assisted, minimally invasive equipment.

The cutting-edge technology offers 3D visualization and customized surgical procedures to each patient’s anatomy. Plus, it provides greater precision and accuracy, smaller incisions and reduced muscle and tissue damage.

“It was a complete success! The next day, the wonderful medical team came in and said I was going to walk. I thought, ‘This is going to be hell,’” Serena said. “I was astonished. It was astounding how little pain I felt. I’d laugh out loud at how little pain there is! I’m still flabbergasted!”

Though she felt little pain, Serena says she felt an abundance of care and concern for her welfare. The compassionate medical team proved to be one of favorite parts staying at Mountain View Hospital.

“It’s a smaller hospital filled with friendly people. They answered every question so knowledgeably and kindly, and Dr. Wallentine is a brilliant surgeon who’s also a hometown guy. It really was wonderful,” Serena said.

After minimally invasive total hip replacement surgery, most people resume normal activities within a few weeks. Then patients focus on further strengthening and recovery for the next six to 12 months. 

Serena cheerfully reported that she’s walking short distances without a walker or cane just three weeks post-surgery. She’s thrilled with the results and says she’ll forever sing praises for Mountain View Hospital.

“Mountain View Hospital has been – and will be – my hospital of choice for everything,” Serena said. “It’s full of competent, hometown people who are wonderful and very good at what they do.”