I'm scared!!

[karenmeal 0]

I went in to speak with an orthopedic surgeon this morning about my knee. As I was leaving I got scheduled for surgery on wednesday!! I'm freaking out! I've never had surgery before and am really scared.

It's arthroscopic surgery where they will be loosening one ligament on my kneecap and tightening/repairing a torn ligament on the other side of my knee cap and clearing out the torn cartilage on the back of my knee cap and scoping for bone fragments in my knee. Holy moly it sounds like a lot of stuff to me.

edited to add: Please only tell me nice happy things about what to expect.. I can't handle any scary stories.

"Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham

[freeflir29 0]

PM tmaricle55. She's a veritable EXPERT on knee surgeries.

[kelel01 1]

Here: happy stuff.
I LOVE anesthesia. Granted, I've only had it twice, but my body gets along with it very well. I was in a happy, happy, happy daze for about 48 hours one time (all the way under), and for about 4 hours the other time (twilight sleep).
Make sure you have someone to take care of you.

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[NWFlyer 2]

If you're seeing someone from the Sports Medicine Clinic, you're in good hands - is Dr. Peterson doing it, by chance?

They took really great care of me when I had my shoulder surgery... didn't even have nearly the pain they warned me I would have. You're gonna do awesome, and if you need someone to ferry you around and/or hold your hand, let me know - I can clear out some time on Wednesday.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[lawrocket 3]

Expect to not be able to leave the hospital until you can demonstrate that you can walk on it. You won't walk well, but you'll be walking a bit. Then they'll give you crutches. Think about it - they'll want you to WALK!

So, you should be able to see that you are not in for something THAT bad. You'll be walking just as badly as now, maybe worse, but give it a couple of weeks.

You'll probably have three little scars from it that look like "%" and that's it. Physical therapy may be the real trouble, though I dont' see yours as "rehab" so much as PT.

You'll do well!

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[skydemon2 0]

I had minor surgery and was jumping in 5 weeks!!

Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes clean to the bone!

I like to start my day off with a little Ray of Soulshine™!!

[Misslmperfect 0]

my boyfriend had this done 3 days ago!!! almost the exact procedure. he was in and out of surgery very quickly and home the same day. he even walked from the car to the house - they didn't even put his leg in one of those boots, just bandages!

the pain has been managable, and after 3 days he is already bending his knee 90 degrees. he says the key is ICING! remember to ice it!

Oh Canada, merci pour la livraison!

[guppie01 0]

I've never had surgery as an adult.... But I'll send some warm fuzzies your way!
g

"Let's do something romantic this Saturday... how bout we bust out the restraints?"
Raddest Ho this side of Jersey #1 - MISS YOU
OMG, is she okay?

[karenmeal 0]

I actually went to bellevue orthopedic surgeons for a second opinion and decided to go with them. Smiley recommened them and has had 2 surgeries from the guy that I'm seeing.

I've got Jeff who will be taking care of me on Wednesday and hopefully Thursday as well. But I might be in need of lots of beer and wine and good food in the near future..

"Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham

[NWFlyer 2]

Well, there you go - you've got a second opinion and a good recommendation, so you should be set for a good surgical experience.

Anesthesia is weird, but not scary, I don't think. You may be a bit disoriented when you first wake up, though. If you have questions, make sure the anesthesiologist or nurse anesthesist explains things to you.

And this would be one time where being 100% honest about your weight is highly recommended. Though they'll probably stick you on a scale anyway.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[freeflir29 0]

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Smiley recommened them and has had 2 surgeries from the guy that I'm seeing.

CHEESE AND RICE! Does he have a little punch card and get the third one free?

[karenmeal 0]

cheese and rice?

"Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham

[freeflir29 0]

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cheese and rice?

A somewhat religious Puerto Rican friend of mine years ago used to say that. Sounds like "Jesus Christ" without being blasphemous.

[skydemon2 0]

Actually I wouild have never gotten jesus christ from that!!

Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes clean to the bone!

I like to start my day off with a little Ray of Soulshine™!!

[Shell666 0]

I had the same procedure done 21 years ago (by the best Sports Medicine Surgeon in the city - the Edmonton Oilers surgeon).

I was up and walking as soon as the anesthesia wore off. I left the hospital on crutches but they told me to try to wean myself off of them as soon as I could. They want you to walk!

IIRC (I'm old, after all!) I was off the crutches completely a few days later and it was pretty much all healed and good to go (after PT) about a month later.

Small scar on the side of my knee and one below the knee cap (each about a 1/2" long).

NO problems with it until I tripped over my cat about a year and half ago!

It'll be fine! But tell Jeff that he has to wait on you hand and foot for the next year, just so you don't reinjure it!

Good luck with the surgery!

'Shell

'Shell

[livendive 8]

I had arthroscopic surgery on my knee in 1993 or so. Was released the same day and it only took about 4 weeks of PT to get it strong enough for normal activities. I opted for an epidural anesthetic, but would go for a general if I had to do it again.

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[NWFlyer 2]

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Does he have a little punch card and get the third one free?

I know a couple where the wife has had both knees worked on and the husband has had one, all by the same surgeon. They figure they're due for a freebie if he needs the other one done.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[karenmeal 0]

That is good to hear. (Besides the evil cat in your story.)

From what I have been reading on the internet I thought that I was due to be on crutches for a few weeks. I guess I am somewhat scared of the surgery itself.. but also scared for the first couple days after surgery.. being on pain medicine and crutches sounded like a challenge to me.

"Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham

[tmaricle55 0]

Surgery is a breeze since you don't have to do anything. As far as getting around, when you got to go... amazingly you'll find a way! Relax, think good thoughts, and know your in the hands of experts!

Muff Brother # 3883, SCR # 14796 ICD # 1 - Pres.
Yeah, I noticed and I think it's funny!

[Amazon 7]

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But I might be in need of lots of beer and wine and good food in the near future..

Funny you should mention that..... We just happen to have another keg of Skydiver Blonde that was not even tapped... AND then there is the 3/4 full keg of Mandarin Hefeweisen...... and we have this old couch.... where you can just kick back and have a few and not have to move around.

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[karenmeal 0]

Funny you should mention that... we have a big jug of Skydiver Blonde in our fridge that I am sipping on to calm my nerves! Thank-you for the free beer Jeanne!

It is possible that I will be at the DZ this weekend just relaxing. I have no clue how my knee will feel.

"Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham

[normiss 898]

Arthro is easy cheesy Japaneesy!
You'll be out...two little incisions prolly...like 2 stiches and super glue for each...and within a coupla hours you'll walk out on crutches.
Just keep flexing the knee to get your entire range of motion back!
BEST WISHES!

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[pattersd 0]

You'll be fine.
for the first 24-48 hours after getting home, ice it as much as you can, also keep it elevated and do range of motion exercises. talk to the doctor about how hard you should push it during the first couple of daysn and listen to what is said. don't do like I did, he said spinning on a bike trainer for a few minutes at a time would be good, so on the third day I went out for a 45 minute ride, then the knee swelled up and set me back almost a week before it felt as good as it did after walking out after the surgery.

[TheAnvil 0]

My brother had successful arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder. It will probably go well for you too. Pretty common procedure these days.

Vibes...

Vinny

Vinny the Anvil
Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL
JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

[wildcard451 0]

The surgery itself probably will not take all that long. You will likely be under for only about an hour, maybe less if it's just what I am imagining, depending on what they find. in there. Likely, with you being in good health, they may not even use a full endotracheal tube for you, but a Laryngeal mask airway, which will serve the same purpose. Had it for my knee back in 2002. You could be up and out of the hospital in a very short order, depending on how you tolerate recovery from general anesthesia.

Make sure you not only have someone there to pick you up, but someone to wait it out and be there to receive instructions from the surgeon. Even though they will talk to you as you are coming around, it is likely that you may still not remember. Some do, some don't.

Orthopods are fairly liberal with pain medication. Those first 24-48 hours after the surgery will likely hurt like a bitch. Don't be afraid to take the dose of pain medication that they give you. If you have some aversion to opioids, then you should have already discussed that with your surgeon. (I personally lost three days of my life to 2 percocet 10mg q4h after I had my patellar tendon stitched back onto my tibia, but damn was I high )

All in all it sounds like you are in good hands with your surgeon. As far as preop goes, it you are a little nervous about the procedure, let anesthesia know and they will help calm that little fear . For mine I chose not to receive any preop sedation, but I also knew them and was bullshitting with them right up until I was wheeled into the room.

One final thing.....everyone likes to fight the anesthesia. They think it is a fun little game. Can't blame them for that. However, when they put the mask on your face and tell you to take deep breaths, that is just oxygen. Nothing to fight in there, so please, breathe. It makes you not look so stupid in the gasman's eyes.