I'm 55, a full time teacher, and really afraid for this surgery. My arthritis doctor said I'll be back in the classroom in 6 - 8 weeks, but what I'm reading here says otherwise!
Quite so, please try and get as much time away as you can, 6-8 weeks is IMO unrealistic.
Im allergic to all anti-inflammatory medications and narcotic medication scares me to death. I'm amazed that some people are on those drugs for months! I'm so afraid I won't be able to manage the pain.
Don't worry about drugs, you will not become addicted. Only people who take drugs for fun become addicted, pain relief doesn't work that way.
I guess my most important question is what can I be doing NOW to help make this surgery and recouperation a better experience? Should I insist on some PT before the surgery?
Not really. Upper body exercise is good, that will be the thing you need most post-op.
I really want to lose some weight beforehand, but......I'm trying, but it's slow.
Good idea, but don't get hung up on it. Fear is worse than the thing itself.
Thank you from a petrified newbie!!
Speaking as THE Biggest Girls Blouse on here, I know how you feel. As soon as the surgery is over, on the Very Day Itself, that awful fear will be gone forever. That alone is enough. Recovery is painful to start with, but not as bad as bone-on-bone. And doing nothing and watching TV is prescribed -- what's to dislike about that?
In recovery don't forget:
-
rest,
elevate,
ice and
take your pain meds by the clock
- If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physiotherapist - to do it to you
- If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it.
- If you won't die if it's not done, don't do it.
- Don't stand if you can sit; don't sit if you can lie down, don't stay awake when you can go to sleep