There is a universal premise for recovery that we use here on BoneSmart and you'll find most doctors and therapists will agree to. That is - common sense.
Common sense says you don't push inflamed and painful tissues when they are in that state. You do whatever you can (rest, ice, elevation, pain meds) to get the inflammation and pain under control.
Common sense says you cannot do "normal" activities or strengthening exercises until healing has taken place first. Healing takes time and cannot be rushed. It is on your body's timetable and not your doctor's, your therapist's or anyone else's. Each of us is unique in how we heal from a trauma like surgery.
Common sense says you know your own body better than anyone and can listen to what it's telling you as you GRADUALLY increase any activity or exercise. Ignore your body's messages to scale things back and you will be in pain.
Common sense says you realize that you cannot wish your knee into normal. It will heal at its own pace. Actually, your second knee is barely one month out from surgery! It is entirely normal to still be spending much of your day resting, icing and elevating. You have an incorrect perception that you should be able to do more at this early stage.
That information Kneeper posted for you should be your reading on a regular basis until you can accept that you are still in a healing phase and need to take things easy. I encourage you to take all this to heart and change your viewpoint about recovery from this very major surgery. While you don't have any control over how fast your knees heal, you do have control over your attitude and approach to your recovery. You're making yourself miserable and no one here is going to be able to help you with that if you continue to push.
It would not surprise me that your surgeon would be horrified to learn exactly what you're attempting to do at this early stage. It's possible the same could be said for your therapist if you honestly tell them all you're doing besides the exercises they give you.
Your knees will get better. Healing will take place in spite of you. But if you want to try and do it your way and push through this pain, you're going to have a very difficult recovery. I don't recommend it.
I'm sorry if my guidance appears a bit blunt. My concern is really you. You are doing yourself more harm than good and I really pray that you recognize this and change what you're doing. This is your health and well being you're messing with. Recovery and its inconvenience is only temporary. It doesn't last forever. No house chore or event is worth risking your health. Please reconsider how you approach your recovery from this point forward.
As for tonight, be sure you are taking something for your pain. If you are hurting bad enough and have some prescription pain medications left, there is nothing wrong with taking a regular dose or two to get the pain under control. Uncontrolled pain will lead to more swelling, which leads to additional pain. It's a horrible cycle until you break it with proper pain management. If you don't have prescription meds (or don't want to take them), take 1000mg of Tylenol every 6 hours on a schedule through the day and night until the pain is controlled again. Be sure you aren't taking any other products (like cold or sinus medications) that have acetaminophen in them as 4000mg is the maximum you can take in any 24 hour period. Use ice constantly, taking care to put a towel between the ice source and your skin so you don't damage it.
Once you begin to feel better (none of that exercising and chores until you do!), gradually add small bits of exercise or activity a day at a time. Then check how you feel the next day. If you don't have much pain or swelling, then you can add a little more the day following. Put a "wait and see" day in between each addition of exercises or activity until you gradually work your way up over a period of a month or two. Don't expect to be close to normal until about the 6 month point from your last surgery. You won't be bed bound, but you won't be normal for about that length of time and maybe more. You and your body deserve this tender, loving care to get you the best possible result.
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