post-surgery

[Guest guest]

Bev,

Glad things are going well for you...I hope my second operation will help

me as well. I will be leaving on the 2nd to go to cleveland. I have been

regurgatating a lot and had a lot of problems with food...Have started

taking kiddy vitamins that i can chew up. My meds want to come back up on

me. One thing that has got me concerned is the fact that when i have

stuff come up it looks like coffee grounds...like it is blood or

something. I have had this before but it only happens once in a while

like for a few days and then stops again. Wondering if anyone else had

this especially after having a Heller done. Talk to you all later

Indiana

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Thank you for the input. I am going to the Dr. tomorrow hopefully i will feel better soon.

~val~

-- post-surgery

I really think that the steroids DOES cause a vicious cycle. I do use theNasonex because it seems to help but I just basically will refuse to use anyoral steroids unless I absolutely have to. After my surgery at some pointthe tissues were swelling up again and I was prescribed prednisone, but Ididn't use it. I told the doctor I did, and when I came back in he said,yeah, the prednisone really helped. They look great!I also use something called ENT-SOL spray which is a hypertonic salinesolution (meaning extra salt) and it really seems to work well. I also usedthe antibiotics for a very very short time after surgery, not as long asthey said to do. I never do what they tell me to. What the hell do theyknow? Have they been through four surgeries with me and seen what works andwhat doesn't work?I also insist they prescribe the non-acetaminophen pain killers aftersurgery, because I think they make everything worse. I think maybe more ofus have a tiny cross-reaction to Tylenol than we think, which if takenfrequently after surgery can make the polyps worse. At least I think it'strue for me.I also am going to say a million more times I really think the Singulair orsomething similar makes a big big difference, even if it did not make adifference pre-surgery it can make a difference post-surgery.I don't know if these thoughts will help you now. Oh, and you need somenatural healing things, too, like vitamin C and B in a complex before andafter surgery. I also take probiotics, like acidophilus and other cultures,that can help against some of the bad antibiotic effects on the naturalintestinal flora. The great book Prescription for Nutritional Healing has asmall section on "Preparing for and Recovering from Surgery" that has somerecommendations on supplements before and after urgery that I have foundvery helpful.I'm sorry to hear about all these post-surgery problems. I certainly canrelate, but this time I had a lot more success trying all of the abovethings.Lori

____________________________________________________ IncrediMail - Email has finally evolved - Click Here

[Guest guest]

> Hi, all! My name is Sara and I had TNR on June 30th. I've had

in-home PT and now am doing outpatient PT and exercises at home. My

flexion is at about 105 degrees, and everyone indicates I'm coming

along nicely. However, my OS has not been available to answer

questions as he's almost always out of town. Over the weekend I had a

small drop of clear fluid come out of my incision several times, and

this threw me because up until then my incision had seemed to be

closed and healing. My knee also feels a little tighter than it did.

Should I be worried about this or is it normal? Any information

would be much appreciated. Thanks!

>

> S

ara

HI Sara,

My name is Bev and im going for surgury the end of Oct. for total knee

replacsment. My knee is locked at a angle so I walk with a limp. Im

looking forward to the surgury but im not into needles or even being

in the hospital, so if you could sort of tell me what I have to look

forward to I would appreciate it.

[Guest guest]

Sara: call your doc just to be sure. It may be nothing, but he should

know about it.

Marilyn

Sara Stitt wrote:

> Hi, all! My name is Sara and I had TNR on June 30th. I've had

> in-home PT and now am doing outpatient PT and exercises at home. My

> flexion is at about 105 degrees, and everyone indicates I'm coming

> along nicely. However, my OS has not been available to answer

> questions as he's almost always out of town. Over the weekend I had a

> small drop of clear fluid come out of my incision several times, and

> this threw me because up until then my incision had seemed to be

> closed and healing. My knee also feels a little tighter than it did.

> Should I be worried about this or is it normal? Any information would

> be much appreciated. Thanks!

>

> Sara

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Marilyn: Just went to the doctor today for follow-up visit, and it turned out it was little stitches trying to work their way out! Apparently this is common and not a problem; however, he had never mentioned it and it never occurred to me. The stitches weren't visible but of course he knew right away what was what. Otherwise, coming along well. Thanks for your response.

SaraMarilyn <mwelton@...> wrote:

Sara: call your doc just to be sure. It may be nothing, but he should know about it.MarilynSara Stitt wrote:> Hi, all! My name is Sara and I had TNR on June 30th. I've had > in-home PT and now am doing outpatient PT and exercises at home. My > flexion is at about 105 degrees, and everyone indicates I'm coming > along nicely. However, my OS has not been available to answer > questions as he's almost always out of town. Over the weekend I had a > small drop of clear fluid come out of my incision several times, and > this threw me because up until then my incision had seemed to be > closed and healing. My knee also feels a little tighter than it did. > Should I be worried about this or is it normal? Any information would > be much

appreciated. Thanks!> > Sara>>>

[Guest guest]

Hi, Bev:

I think the most important thing before the surgery is to gather as much information as you can from people who've had the surgery, from reading on the internet and from your doctor. Ask your doctor every question you can think of because the more informed you are, the less scared you will be. Make sure you find out what your insurance covers as far as physical therapy afterwards, durable medical equipment (walkers, shower chairs and stuff like that) and rehab facilities. Sometimes the surgeon will send you to a facility after you're discharged from the hospital, but that will depend on how well you're doing in the hospital. There will probably be a discharge nurse or someone at the hospital who will help you get ready to go home and make sure you have everything you need to once you get there. At first you will use a walker, then you'll go to two crutches, then one crutch, and finally a cane.

The nurses were fabulous at my hospital and I had lots of support and good care. The anesthesiologist talked to me before the surgery and told me all the options for anesthesia and I opted for a spinal anethesia after talking to her. I told her I didn't want to be awake or remember anything, and she promised I wouldn't (she was right). Afterwards I had three kinds of pain medication: a morphine drip that I administered myself as needed, something I took orally and something else they put into my IV. Over my stay in the hospital, I gradually took myself off each one of them as I started feeling better, but at first you need all the medication you can get.

They will get you up walking the first or second day in the hospital. Each day a physical therapist will come once or twice to help you walk and teach you how to navigate stairs, how to use a walker, and lots of other things you will need to know. These therapists are the ones who really give you the practical knowledge you're going to need to get through each day after your surgery.

I'm not going to lie to you: It is a painful surgery and a difficult rehab, but it's worth it if you end up with a good knee and no pain. Pain management is extremely important. What that means is that you must take enough pain medication after you're home to allow you to do the exercises you need to do. Stay on top of the pain--don't let it get bad because once you do, it's hard to get on top of it again. That means if they say take two pills every four hours, don't wait five hours. Set a clock if you need to, even at night. One thing to be aware of is that the strong pain medication you will need at first sometimes can cause emotional ups and downs, so if you experience those, you'll know it's probably the medicine. There are often other side effects like constipation and loss of appetite, too.

Some doctors recommend a CPM (continuous passive motion) machine for you to have at home; you will probably have used one in the hospital. You put your leg in it and it moves your leg for you; you increase the angle each day. At first I had a physical therapist coming to the house because you can't drive after the surgery for about a month. She came three times a week and put me through a set of exercises. I had printed exercises that I was to do every day on my own. You might be able to get these in advance because it's helpful to do them before the surgery--they're easy but very helpful in strengthening your muscles. Some doctors have a pre-surgery class that teaches you the exercises. The exercises are the most important part of your entire rehabilitation. If you don't do them, you will not end up with a fully functional knee. The doctor and therapist will be measuring your extension (which

is how flat you can get your leg when it's stretched out in front of you) and your flexion (which is how far you can bend it). The exercises will work on extension and flexion as well as strengthening all the muscles in your legs to support your knee. I recommend that you do the exercises in your non-operated knee as well so that both legs get stronger.

After a few weeks you start outpatient physical therapy at a clinic. This is helpful because they have a lot of equipment like stationary bikes and weights that can help you progress more quickly. You can ask the therapists any questions that come up--they are very knowledgeable and have usually worked with a lot of other knee replacement patients. You can probably go back to work after 6-9 weeks depending on how you're progressing and what kind of job you have.

I hope this is helpful and that I haven't made it sound too scary. The thing is, the pain gets better every day and each week you accomplish new milestones and you can see your progress. It's important to notice how well you're doing and keep your eyes on the light at the end of the tunnel. Feel free to ask any other questions you have, and best of luck to you!

Saracubacloudy <cubacloudy@...> wrote:

> Hi, all! My name is Sara and I had TNR on June 30th. I've hadin-home PT and now am doing outpatient PT and exercises at home. Myflexion is at about 105 degrees, and everyone indicates I'm comingalong nicely. However, my OS has not been available to answerquestions as he's almost always out of town. Over the weekend I had asmall drop of clear fluid come out of my incision several times, andthis threw me because up until then my incision had seemed to beclosed and healing. My knee also feels a little tighter than it did.Should I be worried about this or is it normal? Any informationwould be much appreciated. Thanks!> > SaraHI Sara,My name is Bev and im going for surgury the

end of Oct. for total kneereplacsment. My knee is locked at a angle so I walk with a limp. Imlooking forward to the surgury but im not into needles or even beingin the hospital, so if you could sort of tell me what I have to lookforward to I would appreciate it.

[Guest guest]

I hope this is helpful and that I haven't made it sound too scary. The thing is >>>> May I finish that statement Sara? The thing is.... better honest then lied to about the process... is my theory on it. I think you had a terrific post... alot of helpful information and insight which should be of benefit. If another sees it as "scary" then maybe they honestly need to reconsider their decision. You didn't give scary... you give honest reality about your case. I'm certain that some may think my posts are graphic or shouldn't have been or I maybe should've skipped that detail said because it might make someone worry. Well my response to that is.... better them HONESTLY CONSIDERING ALL alternatives and making them THINK about REAL POSSIBLITIES as an out come then candy coating everything and them waking to a nightmare that becomes their life reality. My intent isn't to scare anyone out of making a choice that's fitting to their needs. My reason for voicing my case and being VERY blunt about it all is so they DO CONSIDER & QUESTION.... why "what if that's me" when it's done..... can I handle that ? It's much harder adjusting to a life of unexpected "after the fact" then it is if you go in prepared for all possiblities ahead of time. I'm certain there would always be a shock of.... "why me" to deal with... but going blindly assuming ANYTHING about your case based on the out come of anothers is a huge mistake. The only thing I say with certainy is their body won't be at your surgery. Know risks, know complications, know every detail you can... and be honest with yourself about your choices. Least looking back... you'll have no regrets about what you could've or should've done differently on the matter~

[Guest guest]

Hi Bev,

I had my TKR on the 1st and have been in PT for a week. I saw my OS Thursday for a checkup and he is well pleased with my progress.

I used my pain meds religiously while in the hospital and still use my pills before PT. I'm beginning to need them a little less, but I still need them some.

PT is tough, but it is worth the strain and pain. It will be tough emotionally, mentally, and physically. You will need it to get strong and get the range of motion back. I don't have a cpm at home, but I did use one in the hospital. If you are allergic to wooly fleece make sure they line that thing with a sheet. I found out the hard way about the allergy and have a rash on my leg that is just now clearing up.

I too got great care and support in the hospital. In fact, I have gotten a couple calls since I've been home, checking up on me and the girls making sure I'm doing ok.

Sara's advice on the pain meds is right on. Don't let the pain get ahead, because it is very hard to get back ahead of it. This is not surgery for a wuss. You have to be strong enough to handle some pain and discomfort. If you're ready, you'll be fine. For me, it has been worth it. I'm beginning to see a major difference already.

Take care,

Sara Stitt <romare@...> wrote:

Hi, Bev:

I think the most important thing before the surgery is to gather as much information as you can from people who've had the surgery, from reading on the internet and from your doctor. Ask your doctor every question you can think of because the more informed you are, the less scared you will be. Make sure you find out what your insurance covers as far as physical therapy afterwards, durable medical equipment (walkers, shower chairs and stuff like that) and rehab facilities. Sometimes the surgeon will send you to a facility after you're discharged from the hospital, but that will depend on how well you're doing in the hospital. There will probably be a discharge nurse or someone at the hospital who will help you get ready to go home and make sure you have everything you need to once you get there. At first you will use a walker, then you'll go to two crutches, then one crutch, and finally a cane.

The nurses were fabulous at my hospital and I had lots of support and good care. The anesthesiologist talked to me before the surgery and told me all the options for anesthesia and I opted for a spinal anethesia after talking to her. I told her I didn't want to be awake or remember anything, and she promised I wouldn't (she was right). Afterwards I had three kinds of pain medication: a morphine drip that I administered myself as needed, something I took orally and something else they put into my IV. Over my stay in the hospital, I gradually took myself off each one of them as I started feeling better, but at first you need all the medication you can get.

They will get you up walking the first or second day in the hospital. Each day a physical therapist will come once or twice to help you walk and teach you how to navigate stairs, how to use a walker, and lots of other things you will need to know. These therapists are the ones who really give you the practical knowledge you're going to need to get through each day after your surgery.

I'm not going to lie to you: It is a painful surgery and a difficult rehab, but it's worth it if you end up with a good knee and no pain. Pain management is extremely important. What that means is that you must take enough pain medication after you're home to allow you to do the exercises you need to do. Stay on top of the pain--don't let it get bad because once you do, it's hard to get on top of it again. That means if they say take two pills every four hours, don't wait five hours. Set a clock if you need to, even at night. One thing to be aware of is that the strong pain medication you will need at first sometimes can cause emotional ups and downs, so if you experience those, you'll know it's probably the medicine. There are often other side effects like constipation and loss of appetite, too.

Some doctors recommend a CPM (continuous passive motion) machine for you to have at home; you will probably have used one in the hospital. You put your leg in it and it moves your leg for you; you increase the angle each day. At first I had a physical therapist coming to the house because you can't drive after the surgery for about a month. She came three times a week and put me through a set of exercises. I had printed exercises that I was to do every day on my own. You might be able to get these in advance because it's helpful to do them before the surgery--they're easy but very helpful in strengthening your muscles. Some doctors have a pre-surgery class that teaches you the exercises. The exercises are the most important part of your entire rehabilitation. If you don't do them, you will not end up with a fully functional knee. The doctor and therapist will be measuring your extension (which

is how flat you can get your leg when it's stretched out in front of you) and your flexion (which is how far you can bend it). The exercises will work on extension and flexion as well as strengthening all the muscles in your legs to support your knee. I recommend that you do the exercises in your non-operated knee as well so that both legs get stronger.

After a few weeks you start outpatient physical therapy at a clinic. This is helpful because they have a lot of equipment like stationary bikes and weights that can help you progress more quickly. You can ask the therapists any questions that come up--they are very knowledgeable and have usually worked with a lot of other knee replacement patients. You can probably go back to work after 6-9 weeks depending on how you're progressing and what kind of job you have.

I hope this is helpful and that I haven't made it sound too scary. The thing is, the pain gets better every day and each week you accomplish new milestones and you can see your progress. It's important to notice how well you're doing and keep your eyes on the light at the end of the tunnel. Feel free to ask any other questions you have, and best of luck to you!

Saracubacloudy <cubacloudy@...> wrote:

> Hi, all! My name is Sara and I had TNR on June 30th. I've hadin-home PT and now am doing outpatient PT and exercises at home. Myflexion is at about 105 degrees, and everyone indicates I'm comingalong nicely. However, my OS has not been available to answerquestions as he's almost always out of town. Over the weekend I had asmall drop of clear fluid come out of my incision several times, andthis threw me because up until then my incision had seemed to beclosed and healing. My knee also feels a little tighter than it did.Should I be worried about this or is it normal? Any informationwould be much appreciated. Thanks!> > SaraHI Sara,My name is Bev and im going for surgury the

end of Oct. for total kneereplacsment. My knee is locked at a angle so I walk with a limp. Imlooking forward to the surgury but im not into needles or even beingin the hospital, so if you could sort of tell me what I have to lookforward to I would appreciate it.God bless you!

Start your day with - make it your home page

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Sassy. I agree with your philosophy completely. Before my surgery, I met with a woman who had it a year ago and she decided to leave out all the "bad" parts because she didn't want to scare me. Fortunately I got a lot of information elsewhere and mostly knew what to expect. I would've been blown away if I had only talked to her and then had to face the reality of the surgery and rehab. I'm sure she thought she was doing me a favor, but I look at it the way you do: better to know as much as you can so you can make an informed decision.

Two other things I'd like to mention, Bev:

If you live alone, you will need help taking care of yourself at first. Line up friends, family, coworkers, neighbors--everyone you can--and don't be shy about asking for the help you'll need. Stairs will be difficult and you won't be able to drive. Find out if there are grocery stores in your area that deliver. Set up as much as you can before the surgery (e.g., have your mail held at the post office if you won't be able to get to your mailbox).

I found it very helpful to keep all the information in one notebook from the time I scheduled my surgery. I wrote down every phone number, everyone's names, dates, times, and all the information I was discovering. This came in very handy many times. Even if you have a good memory normally, the pain medications can mess up your thinking and you might not remember the name of the person you need to talk to or be able to find the phone number you need. If it's in one notebook, you always know where to look and it eliminates one source of stress and confusion.SassyLouYou@... wrote:

I hope this is helpful and that I haven't made it sound too scary. The thing is >>>> May I finish that statement Sara? The thing is.... better honest then lied to about the process... is my theory on it. I think you had a terrific post... alot of helpful information and insight which should be of benefit. If another sees it as "scary" then maybe they honestly need to reconsider their decision. You didn't give scary... you give honest reality about your case. I'm certain that some may think my posts are graphic or shouldn't have been or I maybe should've skipped that detail said

because it might make someone worry. Well my response to that is.... better them HONESTLY CONSIDERING ALL alternatives and making them THINK about REAL POSSIBLITIES as an out come then candy coating everything and them waking to a nightmare that becomes their life reality. My intent isn't to scare anyone out of making a choice that's fitting to their needs. My reason for voicing my case and being VERY blunt about it all is so they DO CONSIDER & QUESTION.... why "what if that's me" when it's done..... can I handle that ? It's much harder adjusting to a life of unexpected "after the fact" then it is if you go in prepared for all possiblities ahead of time. I'm certain there would always be a shock of.... "why me" to deal with... but going blindly assuming ANYTHING about your case based on the out come of anothers is a huge mistake. The only thing I say with certainy is their body won't be at your surgery. Know risks, know complications,

know every detail you can... and be honest with yourself about your choices. Least looking back... you'll have no regrets abo! ut what you could've or should've done differently on the matter~

Sara

The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. – Galbraith

[Guest guest]

Hi girls,

I agree with you Sassy, I'd rather have someone be flat out honest with me about anything to do with my health. That way I'm going into whatever with my eyes wide open. I went into surgery for my TKR ready for whatever comes because I was informed by this group and my doctor about what to expect. I knew there would be pain and discomfort but I also knew that I would probably feel much better after it was over. I would not turn back for anything. Even though it has only been 12 days since surgery, it has been a journey well worth the taking.

SassyLouYou@... wrote:

I hope this is helpful and that I haven't made it sound too scary. The thing is >>>> May I finish that statement Sara? The thing is.... better honest then lied to about the process... is my theory on it. I think you had a terrific post... alot of helpful information and insight which should be of benefit. If another sees it as "scary" then maybe they honestly need to reconsider their decision. You didn't give scary... you give honest reality about your case. I'm certain that some may think my posts are graphic or shouldn't have been or I maybe should've skipped that detail said

because it might make someone worry. Well my response to that is.... better them HONESTLY CONSIDERING ALL alternatives and making them THINK about REAL POSSIBLITIES as an out come then candy coating everything and them waking to a nightmare that becomes their life reality. My intent isn't to scare anyone out of making a choice that's fitting to their needs. My reason for voicing my case and being VERY blunt about it all is so they DO CONSIDER & QUESTION.... why "what if that's me" when it's done..... can I handle that ? It's much harder adjusting to a life of unexpected "after the fact" then it is if you go in prepared for all possiblities ahead of time. I'm certain there would always be a shock of.... "why me" to deal with... but going blindly assuming ANYTHING about your case based on the out come of anothers is a huge mistake. The only thing I say with certainy is their body won't be at your surgery. Know risks, know complications,

know every detail you can... and be honest with yourself about your choices. Least looking back... you'll have no regrets about what you could've or should've done differently on the matter~ God bless you!__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I

can't believe that's what I am! Surgery with Dr. Bridwell was last

Monday -- 10 days ago. He took out all of my old broken hardware and fused from t3 to L5.

I feel like I was run over by a large truck and ended up with someone else's back.

He

wants me to get xrays next week and then will decide if he needs to do an

anterior fusion in the coming months. He found five levels of nonunion, which was more than

expected. He decided to wait to do the L5 to s1 fusion at a later date, after the large curve is

stabilized. My large curve was over 90 degrees right in the middle of my spine and the rods were broken

I am

tired, sore, scared, feverish, and my stomach is horrible. Mostly I'm terrified I will bend or twist by accident and ruin everything and have to go through this again! But hoping i'm on the good

path to recovery now.

A

huge thanks to everyone here who helped me with things large and small - bless

you all! I brought to the hospital everything you suggested and asked all the right questions and I was soooooooooo glad I was prepared. More later,

Eve

Sent from my iPod

[Guest guest]

Eve,

Wow! that's a lot of non union. Did it show on xray, the non unions?

I am so glad to see you posting after day 10. Good for you. I hope you

have a good solid recovery and remember it will get better , slowly day

by day. Take Care,

[Guest guest]

Eve,

Whoopie! Congratulations! Welcome to the other side. Phewwwwww!

I dont know exactly how you feel...but I know you are still in the

very early healing and it will be awhile until you really start to

perk up. I bet by the time you get to your own home and surrounding

family and friends you are going to feel a heck of a lot better.

Interesting that you had 5 levels of nonunion..and it goes back to an

earlier conversation we were having about undetected non-

unions......they sometimes can't be picked up until they open you up!

I hope this does the trick for a good long while. Ann Mc had a

similar situation where DrRand did the L5-s1 fusion about a year

after the bigger part of the work...she said it seemed fairly easy in

comparison to what she thought it was like for those of us that did

it all in one fell swoop. So thats a good thing for you, I hope.

Please, rest easy and when you feel more like giving us all the

details...please do. I am glad that you felt well prepared, but if

you find anything new that needs to be added to our lists don't be

afraid to say so while its fresh in your mind!

Good Healing,

Cam

[Guest guest]

HI Eve,

Congratulations! It's great that you were able to email so soon after surgery. It was great to hear from you and to know that you are doing well.

Bonnie