Had my pre testing done today

[Reanna27]

I'm ready to do this and get going. By seeing so many men and women there today for hips and knees gives me some comfort that I'm not alone. I know I'm not alone but it's good to be among others that are going through the same thing.

 

[FlaGranny]

What kind of things did they go over with you? I go on August 8 and I'm patiently (not) waiting for my preop visit.

 

[Reanna27]

How long will the surgery last ? 45min to 1 hour, hospital stay 2nights 3 days. You can shower because the tape dressing is waterproof but I will still put my leg is a plastic bag.

About anesthesia they said 99% is going to get epidural and is given with other medication to make you sleep. I am concern about that cause I do not want to see any surgical equipment or feel anything.

It's a lot but it's important to do the class. I had chest x-ray blood test urine and EKG. they send you home with a walker after surgery. you also need medical clearance from your pcp doctor, about PT and OT and pain from 1 to 5 you will be feeling about 2 and I like that I can handle 2 lol.

I did ask about blood transfusion my family wanted to give blood in case I need it but my doctor doesn't do that and also it takes 30 days to bank blood and the whole transaction to happen and I have only two weeks before surgery.

I was bother because people are talking and can't hear the teacher and she also needed a loud speaker cause a woman next to me keen asking me what she said so it takes time to explain to her. So I'm missing out on information. Also I don't want to be rude to the woman.

 

[FlaGranny]

I'm not sure I can get epidural or spinal because of arthritis in my back. We'll see. They'll probably try it before they try general. Last time I had a spinal was many, many years ago for my first baby in 1959. I don't remember it being particularly painful. They'll give you something before they take you in that, even if it doesn't put you to sleep, you will be relaxed. When I had cataract surgery, I was quite nervous about it because you are awake, but once that drug took effect I was calm and relaxed for the surgery.

How long did the class and testing take. It's a shame you missed things. That lady should have sat up close so she could hear better.

 

[kneeper]

other medication to make you sleep, I am concern about that cause I do not want to see any surgical equipment or feel anything.

You may want to mention that anxiety when you're in pre-op. Personally I found the nurses and other personnel so professional and kind that it really eased my anxiety. And I don't get fazed by seeing medical equipment so that probably helped too. I found it kind of interesting, actually.

I did ask about blood transfusion my family wanted to give blood in case I need it but my doctor don't do that and also it takes 30 days to bank blood

According to my OS and my experience here, they very rarely need a blood transfusion with this surgery.

 

[Reanna27]

You may want to mention that anxiety when you're in pre-op.

That's good to know

 

[Reanna27]

I'm not sure I can get epidural or spinal because of arthritis in my back. We'll see. They'll probably try it before they try general. Last time I had a spinal was many, many years ago for my first baby in 1959. I don't remember it being particularly painful. They'll give you something before they take you in that, even if it doesn't put you to sleep, you will be relaxed. When I had cataract surgery, I was quite nervous about it because you are awake, but once that drug took effect I was calm and relaxed for the surgery.

How long did the class and testing take. It's a shame you missed things. That lady should have sat up close so she could hear better.

Class lasted about 1 1/2 hour and the woman next to me was about 80 years old also was a full room but the good thing about it we got a booklet to tell you every step of the way, so that is very helpful. Oh I went in for Pre OP 9am and I left there almost 3pm

 

[Josephine]

I'm not sure I can get epidural or spinal because of arthritis in my back.

It has to be pretty severe to prevent a spinal. An awful lot of adults have arthritis in the spine to one degree or another but it doesn't usually bother the doctor.

What kind of things did they go over with you? I

You can see that here Pre-op interviews - what's involved?

You can shower because the tape dressing is waterproof but I will still put my leg in a plastic bag.

Not inevitably, Reanna. There are a great number of different kinds of dressings on the market. Some are fully waterproof and other are not. Don't take it for granted which you will have.

About anesthesia they said 99% is going to get epidural

Mostly we call it a spinal. And epidural is different but only for the doctor! Anaesthetics - spinals, femoral blocks, GAs and everything else

I do not want to see any surgical equipment

That's easy to fix - just tell the anaesthetist that as he is doing your spinal. For my first knee, the anaesthetist (whom I knew!) asked me if I had any 'final wishes' and I said yes, I don't even want to see the tourniquet being put on or the theatre doors opening! He gave me the thumbs up and was as good as his word. Between lights out after the spinal and waking up, I knew nothing until I was in recovery!

 

[Reanna27]

It has to be pretty severe to prevent a spinal. An awful lot of adults have arthritis in the spine to one degree or another but it doesn't usually bother the doctor.

You can see that here Pre-op interviews - what's involved?
Not inevitably, Reanna. There are a great number of different kinds of dressings on the market. Some are fully waterproof and other are not. Don't take it for granted which you will have.
Mostly we call it a spinal. And epidural is different but only for the doctor! Anaesthetics - spinals, femoral blocks, GAs and everything else

That's easy to fix - just tell the anaesthetist that as he is doing your spinal. For my first knee, the anaesthetist (whom I knew!) asked me if I had any 'final wishes' and I said yes, I don't even want to see the tourniquet being put on or the theatre doors opening! He gave me the thumbs up and was as good as his word. Between lights out after the spinal and waking up, I knew nothing until I was in recovery!

Thank you! i'm planning it.

 

[FlaGranny]

@Josephine - I hope my arthritis isn't that bad in the back, but 20 years ago my rheumatologist said my back was "ratty." I guess he meant it was pretty bad. Here's hoping I can get the spinal, but I'm usually fine with GA. Never been sick from it. The only thing that ever made me sick was morphine given for pancreatitis. Of course pancreatitis makes you pretty sick itself. I had morphine once before in the past and it did not make me sick at all.

I've actually considered being awake for the surgery and being allowed to watch, but nah, I don't think so. I'm curious, but not that curious.

My main thing I wanted to know about the preop visit was how long? Looks like it will be a good part of the day. I think it would be a good idea to bring my husband if allowed. I forgot to ask. If they don't have room for spouses, I'll send him home and call when done. I'm scheduled for preop on August 8. Three weeks and one day to surgery. I'm not nervous yet.

@Rheanna My surgeon uses glue with subcutaneous sutures and said you can shower right away. There are waterproof dressings also.

 

[Josephine]

I've actually considered being awake for the surgery and being allowed to watch, but nah, I don't think so. I'm curious, but not that curious.

There was a rumour that Michael Douglas, having been conned into it by his macho screen personna, insisted on being awake and after several nights with flashbacks and nightmares, ended up having to have counselling for PTSD!

My main thing I wanted to know about the preop visit was how long? I think it would be a good idea to bring my husband if allowed.

It differs from place to place but I think most take an afternoon. I think most places would be more than happy to have spouses or significant others come along. I would phone up and ask if I were you.

@Rheanna

@FlaGranny if you're going to tag people, you must make sure you have their name absolutely correct or it won't work You can tell if it's worked by checking your post. The name should be blue and be a link like yours is here.

Rheanna's username is actually Reanna27 btw

 

[FlaGranny]

Oh, wow, re Michael Douglas. I don't think that would happen to me, but you never know. I'm not usually squeamish when it comes to things like wounds and blood.

Thank you re: the tagging. I should wear my glasses when on the computer - I don't see so well at computer distance.

 

[Lovestoread]

I have pretty bad arthritis in my spine and I had an epidural with sedation with no problems. I remember being wheeled in to the surgical suite, looking around, seeing my surgeon joking around with some nurses, being told "I'm going to put a tourniquet on your leg" and then waking up in recovery! Never saw any instruments or anything else. I was worried I would hear things, but no...nothing!


Sent from my iPad using BoneSmart[emoji768]

 

[kneeper]

I had a preop appointment where the anesthesiologist looked at my back--apparently routine at my hospital. I had no back issues so the spinal was a no brainer. My mom, on the other hand, had a horrible back and had a general anesthetic with no problems.

 

[newlybionic]

I had my preop broken in two pieces. The first time I went to the hospital was for a chest X-ray, EKG, blood work and a detailed talk with an aesthesiologist. The second visit was the class itself where we were introduced to members of the staff and heard about how every day would go in the hospital during our stay. There was plenty of time to ask questions and we also received a booklet with phone numbers if we had any questions to ask of that staff.

I recently found out I have scoliosis and arthritis in my back but it was no problem getting the spinal. All I remember was sitting up and a little prick and that was it. I'm lucky I guess as I don't remember much of the whole hospital stay (3 days!).

 

[KarriB]

With my TKR the anesthesiologist couldn't get the spinal in due to the arthritis in my back, however my infection surgery was unplanned/emergency surgery, I had eaten earlier in the day and this anesthesiologist felt he could get a spinal and he did. So it all depends on the anesthesiologist.

 

[FlaGranny]

When I had the CT scans of my knees (with contrast), I had an extremely small space to insert the needle, just about the size of the needle itself. The radiologist got the needle in and showed me the picture he took. It was in the joint space without hitting bone. I didn't even feel it. The second CT scan of the other knee he did nick the bone just slightly, which I did feel slightly. It was amazing that he got them in so accurately. The injections were guided by the scanner, but it still takes a lot of experience. Since I'm having my surgery in a unit that does many spinals, I'm hoping the anesthesiologist is as good as the radiologist was.

 

[Lovestoread]

I'm sure your anesthesiologist does these routinely and there's nothing to worry about. Good luck to you!


Sent from my iPad using BoneSmart[emoji768]

 

[KarriB]

Good thing about all the anesthesia, @Reanna27 , I didn't remember anything about the poking or prodding to try and get the spinal. They told me when I was in post-op and that was when I kind of remembered hearing someone say they didn't want to continue to poke me. But I have no memory of the pain that might have caused.

 

[Reanna27]

Good thing about all the anesthesia, @Reanna27 , I didn't remember anything about the poking or prodding to try and get the spinal. They told me when I was in post-op and that was when I kind of remembered hearing someone say they didn't want to continue to poke me. But I have no memory of the pain that might have caused.

Thank you so much! so need to hear that KerriB. It's happening on Monday August1st trying to stay cool but it's on my mind. Thank you again.