I am at four weeks post op now and doing well. I failed to mention that just prior to surgery, the P.A. asked if I objected to the doctor inviting students to observe the surgery. Of course, I did not mind a bit. In fact, I was pleased. I am told my surgeon is considered to be one of the best, if not the top knee man in Tulsa. I am told he performs 15 to 20 replacements per week. By allowing students to observe suggests to me that he probably performed the procedure in a textbook manner and if special methods of his design were used, he would explain them to the observers. I had my first PT outpatient apppointment yesterday. I think the therapist knows what he is doing. He said that I am now at 92, less than previously reported. He performed several activities, most of which were not painful, but were slightly uncomfortable at each conclusion. However, this morning, I am really tight and sore, but am somewhat relieved after doing my homework exercises and applying an ice pack. Also, my pain medication schedule is now two 10 mg hydrocodone every six to eight hours when awake. At 6' 1" and 280, one pill doesn't phase me. The eight hour time frame is my design, not wanting to take more of this stuff than necessary. I'm sure if I'm all wet, someone will jerk me up and tell me. If the time schedule doesn't work out in taking the pills just prior to bedtime, the dogs start barking very loud at the six to seven hour time frame. I've noticed that when the hydrocodone kicks in, it is just like flipping a switch. All of a sudden, the pain vanishes. If I take the pills on an empty stomach, things happen in about twenty minutes. If I have just eaten, I plan on about an hour before the pain is addressed. Thanks for listening.
United States
