three questions before surgery

[sykeRN]

Hi all!
I have three unrelated questions that have swirled around in my head the past few days as I get closer to my 8/10 LTKR surgery.

1.Did any of you take vitamin C before or after surgery? (I am a firm believer in Vit C-as well as other supplements) I've done some research on positive effects on healing.

2. Have any of you used meditation or guided imagery for enhanced surgery healing?

3. What shoes did you wear in the hospital and after surgery for support?

This is an odd assortment I know! Especially the shoes---I basically wear Crocs or Ryka walking shoes. I am having a LTKR but my R arch plus foot is painful due to some arthritis and hypertrophied calcium deposits(broke my tibia and had a walking cast in the 80's).
Anyway--:D---thanks for your help. Nancy

 

[Texas]

Hi well they made me stop all medicines even my vitamins prior to surgery, And I dont know about the middle one but if it works I would think its fine, In the hosp I wore slippers. I wore tennis shoes that had a none slip sole on them for PT. Good Luck to you on your surgery. I hope you post after when you are up to it and let us know how you are doing......We have all been thru it so your certainly not alone.....Believe me no questions is crazy here....at all......

 

[cripplenomore]

In the hospital, I pretty much just wore the socks with the treads that they give you. I kept them on all the time, so it was easier getting up and down. I even did PT in them! Just find something easy to put on and off yourself. Just a hint - get yourself a leg lifter to take in the hospital with you. I finally got one after about 5 days, but it really would have helped me if I had it sooner. I was able to walk to and from the bathroom with the walker, but I had to call for help because I couldn't lift my leg in and out of the bed myself. I wrote in the survey the hospital sent me that they should supply them to their TKR patients. They cost less than $20. Good luck with your surgery! I'm sure you'll do great. Take care, Paula :wub:

 

[skigirl]

Yes, I used lots of vit c---took 1000mgs the week prior to surgery every day. I also used so much protein in the weeks after surgery. I bought naked juice protein drink--30 g of protein. Now, I buy whey protein and make my own smoothes.

I wore crocs in the hospital, easy on, easy off. Also, I put them in the washing machine after I got home to avoid bringing in germs. I wear a light hiker for support--similar to your walking shoes.

meditation is an important part of my life--why not use guided imagery.? I use a lot of positive speak to myself--you can do it.

 

[Texas]

Check with the hospital your going to but I have read on here alot of times you stop taking medicine even vitamins....just saying.....Every place is different....

 

[loggon]

You need to talk to your doctor. He will tell you what to take and what not to take. It is a simple call and you don't want to risk a problem by taking anything, including viatamins!

 

[edk]

My doc pre op instructions actually suggested taking a "good quality multivitamin including iron and calcium" for a month before surgery.

 

[calling_all_angels]

Syke RN (nurse?)
Hello!! I am so glad to meet you!
I love Vitamin's could not live with out them!!! supplements!!!
And if it were not for meditation I do not know where my life would be at today!!!
And I encourage myself (ok I talk to myself)
Also a little Calcium Magnesium Zinc supplement is also good to take.
But I had to stop 4 days before surgery. So you will have to call and ask how they feel on this.
Slipper sock are what they like you to use at the Hospital. Croc's for going home should good.

 

[Oldie]

My OS recommended taking 1000mg of Vit C for the month before and after surgery, also toke a multi-vit and Calcium Vit D and magnesium. The only meds he says to stop a week before surgery are anti-inflamatory drugs such as Advil etc. He strongly believes Vit C helps with the healing. I also wore the slipper socks in the hospital and even after at home. Good walking shoes for going out.
Good Luck with your surgery.

 

[Jamie]

My personal feeling is that you need to hold off on the Crocs for a while and wear some good tennis shoes (walking or cross trainers) once you get home. The slipper socks are good in the hospital (most places require you to wear them to prevent falls) and at home around the house. But as you start therapy and begin walking outside your home, you will benefit from the extra support and stability you get from a good pair of tennies.

 

[FrogFeathers]

1.Did any of you take vitamin C before or after surgery? (I am a firm believer in Vit C-as well as other supplements) I've done some research on positive effects on healing.
I did not take any Vitamins at all.

2. Have any of you used meditation or guided imagery for enhanced surgery healing?
I've used my own personal guided meditation to get me from the "I need my pain meds" call to the nurse to the actual "You'll get your pain meds [insert time]"... deep breathing and trying to focus enough to let my mind go on the guided meditation thing (I used to use a tape of my own voice reading a guided meditation, but I don't need the tape anymore as I can bring it up from memory). I don't know if it helped really, or just occupied me for the 30 to 45 minutes till I was given my drugs. They'd tell me "stay ahead of the pain" and when I'd try, they'd tell me "it isn't time yet". Well, jolly good then, I'll just tell the pain to go away and come back later.

3. What shoes did you wear in the hospital and after surgery for support?
I wore Airwalk brand sneakers with orthodic inserts my podiatrist gave me (not custom inserts, they cost around $40). The Airwalks have a completely flat sole- I guess they're what is called "casual sneakers" because my Avia Cross-trainers have a load of tread and a shaped sole that felt really unstable for me after surgery. (and the Airwalks were way easier to get on and off because of the style of lacing). The inserts cost more than the actual Airwalk sneakers!
:lvros:

 

[Josephine]

I've taken Vit C and Omega 3 for ages. I even took them the morning of my op and the day after and thereafter. I cannot see any reason whatsoever for stopping them.

I have practiced self-hypnosis in the past, still do occasionally, but I was so hyped the day of the op, and the anaesthetist was an old work-chum, so I was pretty relaxed anyway.

As for 'shoes' I bought a pair of granny slippers to use in the hospital. Ended up having to cut down the side because my feet were so swollen but wore nothing else in hospital - had nothing else, actually!

 

[Motherofmany]

1. I've taken 1000mg of Vitamin C with a regiment of other vitamins to help with OA (arthritus) and build my immune system. The combination has worked well for me. The only one they wanted me to stop from one week prior to after stopping the blood thinners was Flax Seed Oil.

2. I spent a lot of time praying, listening to praise music and others reading me my Bible (since I didn't feel up to reading myself). Kept me distracted from pain and difficulty of complications.

3. In hospital wore the threaded socks they gave. Wore Dr. Sholes walking shoes home with arthritus inserts home. During PT at home and outside I went barefoot. Didn't trust the feel of shoes. Now I wear the Dr. Sholes again to do any walking and therapy.

 

[sykeRN]

Thanks to all of you wonderful caring people that have responded to my questions. I really got the info I need-----tomorrow I go to my GP for my pre surgery physical plus blood work and I have planned to ask her(MD) about the vitamins plus lots of other questions.

I'm a firm believer that everyone needs to be their own health care advocate as well as taking charge of their own wellness for life. I trust my physicians etc but also do my own health research----I tell my family often that I will live to be 107---they of course roll their eyes and laugh! Anyway-thanks to all of you--I feel your support. Nancy

 

[Texas]

I sure hope you live to 107. I hope Im with ya...lol

 

[AZgirl]

Hi! I haven't had my TKR yet but read a wonderful article in our newspaper by Dr. Andrew Weil (an MD who practices alternative health as well). He advocated Vitamin C for 5 days before and after surgery of 1000 to 2000 mg. He even said he liked a drip of Vitamin C during surgery but that many surgeons might not go along with this. He suggested a tape of healing statements to be played while under anesthesia. He said a study showed patients who heard positive affirmations required 50% less medication than those who did not. He suggested affirming tapes by psychotherapist Belleruth Naparstek on her website healthjourneys.com or the "prepare for surgery" program by psychologist Peggy Huddleston. I think I may look into this as I believe in alternative medicine myself. It might help me as I am very anxious.

 

[Judles]

Anything that works, AZ!!! You might not have the patience though! You'll never know until the time comes!!!

 

[sykeRN]

Hi AZgirl! I am a big fan of Dr Weil,MD. I also read the vit C recommendations for surgery and I SO believe in Vit C for the immune system (as well as a range of other supplements).

Strange though--when I went Monday for my pre-surgery checkup with my regular MD--she said to discontinue all vitamins-including C. She is not very informative concerning my more holistic ideas---so I decided to continue my vit C until Friday--I will ask the RN giving the KR class what the OS recommends.

I also have been doing some healing pre-surgery guilded imagery---as well as exercising and strenthening my quad muscles like most folks. Again my surgery is 8/10. Nancy

 

[Texas]

I know pepole will wonder what !...I have not been into vitamins but I am trying now why vit c I know good for colds etc...whay does it help the knee or what are the benefits for it. ..Others may not want to ask or my know but I dont...help

 

[Oldie]

My OS requests l000MG Vit C for a month before and a month after knee surgery, He says it helps the healing of the tissues and all, my gen. pract. also said the same thing. I took it and I think it probly helped. Am doing it again.