Mr. Gary, I just started with this forum less than two months ago so I am new also. However, I have had many conversations with people on this site despite that short time.
I had my first total knee done on June 19 and my second one done three months later on September 13.
Ideally it would have been better to wait six months in between surgeries but my work situation meant that I had to try to get all this done sooner.
I agree with Susie shoes in not waiting too long to get the second one done because of what she said. But six months doesn't sound too bad to me and I wish I could have done that.
I am still recovering from my second knee but I did not do much PT this time around. With my first knee I had aggressive and moderate PT which kept me painful all the time. Then when I had my second one, I stopped PT and now I have just been doing very mild stuff and functional activities and a little walking as able, and do not have near the pain I had with the first.
I was very skeptical too about stopping traditional PT and trying to just let things heal for the first 4 to 6 weeks with lots of ice and elevation and rest. I was also worried about things going backwards or just not progressing at all.
I still tend to have a lot of swelling in the knees that likes to stay there, but I do believe the range of motion will increase as the swelling goes down. You are lucky you can sleep on your side. I still can't, even with a pillow between my knees due to my knees feeling too tender and sore. Have to lay on my back with a small thin pillow under my knees which I know is not recommended but is comfortable. My back doesn't get sore though laying on it a lot.
I think if you are able to convince yourself to lay off with the exercises and PT for a week or two, I think you could notice some really good benefits of decreased pain.
United States
I have learned a lot from all of the people on the forum and have a different mindset about everything now. Plus the information is invaluable. 
