Is there a long wait

[cole]

I have been seeing doctors for years now telling me I should get the surgery. I have not been back to a doc for about a year now, just dealing with the pain. I dont want to deal with it anymore. I want to make another apt to see the doc and get this done. How long would I have to wait? Is there alot of pre op stuff, or can I just tell the doc I wanna do it now. How long did you wait to go in after last doc apt? Also what kind of pre op stuff is there for me to do.:sct::sct:

Thank you , cole

 

[Jamie]

Hi, Cole. The wait kind of depends on your doctor's schedule and how busy the hospital is. It could be several weeks, but shouldn't be months unless there is some complication you have to deal with first. The only way you are going to know is to make that appointment and go. The sooner you do, the sooner you'll be on your way toward feeling better.

There can be a number of tests for pre-op. Again, your doctor will have to tell you what he requires....primarily a clearance from your GP and blood work.

 

[sasvermont]

Hi there. I suspect each doctor and hospital has a varying case load. I decided one day that it was time, called the doctor and bumped up my six month appointment and at that appointment (about two weeks later) I told him I wanted the surgery. The earliest surgery appointment was October 27th. (Just a couple of days away from now.)

You can call his/her office and ask the doctor's scheduling person how far "out" he/she is on the surgery schedule.

Yes, there are pre-op tests and you want to leave enough time to work out any corrective measures necessary.... i.e. they found out I had a bladder infection and treated it once, tested twice. So, the tests are important. Usually a physical, blood work, EKG, maybe a chest Xray, urine testing..... I have no known issues such as blood pressure issues etc. and take no medication other than pain meds.

I know how, for one year, I have walked around in pain. Pain sleeping, pain, pain, pain. I know that I will be uncomfortable after the surgery but just can't wait to walk without pain in my hip. Right now, my other leg (knee) is bothering me from putting so much weight on it, avoiding the hip on the right side! Ugh.

I am scared to death, but seeing how many folks have done the surgery and had such great recoveries, I feel I have to take the same steps to get my old life back. I want to be able to garden again, and walk to the bathroom without holding on to the furniture for the first ten steps.

Call your doctor's office and ask the big question. You probably won't even have to identify yourself.

Good luck.

Sas

 

[Texas]

Hey Cole cant add much but when i agreed to have mine its was the following Friday so maybe get ready for that just in case.........Yes call call call dont sit in pain this pain will not go away but the surgery pain will.........good luck to ya!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Texas]

Good Luck SAS i hope you let us know when you are done i wish you the best .......you will be fine............) think positive !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JudyS]

For me it was 6 weeks. Make sure you pick the doc with the most experience and good outcomes. VEry important. Let us know
judy

 

[hopeful788]

Hi Cole, I'm 3 weeks out for LTKR, Nov 16th. I saw my OS last Nov 2008, he and I agreed that when I'm ready, I had a standing order to proceed. I went one whole year, with episodes of pain every so often, until golf season, then after every round, the recycle time to reduce the pain was 24 hours, before I would feel human again. I can't live like this any longer. It has finally changed my quality of life. I'm prepared to put my life on hold in order to fix this knee. I'm 55 and I have a 8 year old grandson waiting for me to take him skiing. We have a vacation home in the Rockies, however, lately I'm only a spectator. It's time to get back in the game. Good luck, no need to keep waiting is my message.