It has been 2 weeks today since my surgery, so I thought I would post an update.
I spent 3 nights in the hospital, and 10 nights in a rehab facility. I came home yesterday. For the first several days, I was in quite a bit of pain that finally relented (somewhat) around day 6. After day 6, I found I didn't need pain meds every 4 hours as I did before. I still need them every day, just not as often.
Being in the rehab facility had its pros and cons. Many of the cons might be facility-specific, so it is hard to say whether they're true across the board. The therapists there were very good, and I received occupational therapy and physical therapy every day while I was there. I used a regular walker for a day or two there, and then I moved to a fancier one with 4 wheels. I went home without a walker.
I was nervous going home without a walker. By the end of the day yesterday and last night I felt pain in both my legs from the feet on up. I hadn't realized how much weight I had been offloading onto the walker. I haven't been used to bearing my whole weight for two weeks. Wearing the compression hose today made a big difference in how my legs feel, though. I do have a cane, but it doesn't seem like I will need it.
At my post-op appointment with the surgeon last week, he seemed very proud of his handiwork. (He acted like he had just given birth!) I don't know if having robot-assisted surgery makes a difference, but he was very excited about it.
I had out-patient physical therapy today. I'll be going 3 days a week (my daughter will drive me there and pick me up). I also had my first unsupervised, unassisted shower today in my own bathroom, and it went fine!
As far as managing with the dog, I am trying to wear long pants so she won't scratch my leg. I've been trying to discourage her from getting on my lap, so she lies up against me instead (for now anyway). I haven't been able to walk her yet, and likely won't for a while. My daughter will be walking her for a bit, and I can let her out in the yard as needed to pee.
Speaking of, I highly recommend getting a high toilet commode. It's an adjustable metal frame with plastic seat that goes over your toilet. It makes sitting on and getting up from the toilet so much easier. (And my toilets are new and higher than the old style.) I got it online from Walmart. It is a Drive Medical brand. I think it was thirty or forty dollars.
I wish I had had the surgery sooner, especially in cooler months, because the heat is just brutal. According to the weather people, it was unhealthy to be outside today, so I will only be walking around the house for a while. But at least my daughter could be here for a while.
My surgeon said that 4 weeks after my surgery, if I felt up to it, I could try practice driving in a parking lot. Since it's my right knee, I am of course wary of being able to quickly move from the gas to the brake and making a sudden stop. I personally don't believe I'll be driving at 4 weeks. But I have made a lot of progress in the last 2 weeks, so I suppose anything is possible.