Beauty

[monicakm]

I've been meaning to ask this for awhile but figured I better do it now before we're thrown to the curb like last weeks trash (or is it yesterday's trash)?

My knee surgery may take place in the next two months.  I spoke to my Dr's nurse to ask about hospital stay (how long?).  It's a total knee replacement.  
She said it's OUTPATIENT!!!   Not in my universe it's not!  I don't even want to wake up for a week! LOL  Everyone I've talked to said 2-3 days.  

If you've had knee surgery or are a friend of or a friend of a friend of someone with recent total knee replacement surgery, how long were or they in the hospital?

[Bookplate]

Overnight, but I could have stayed a second night if I chose to.  Outpatient status does not sound humane.  My friends who have had this surgery stayed two nights.

[Shanus]

@monicakm   Thanks for letting us know about your upcoming surgery in the midest of this BS going on w/ the forums. Your surgery is going to be a piece a cake.  Recovery/PT may be a bit more  challenging. Sorry we all won't be here when you need us.

[Etoile308]

Release from a hospital, and after care can depend on a variety of issues and insurance coverage. If you are elderly and live alone, have steps to navigate, etc. you may be able to have a caseworker feel it's better for you to spend a couple nights at a nursing facility. While others feel they'll heal and rest faster at home.

Don't think there are ever one size fits all answers with healthcare.

[riley1]

@monicakm - I haven't had a knee replacement but I did have Rotator Cuff surgery and I was sent home the same day.

[spent2much]

I've had knee replacement surgery.  I think I was in the hospital for 2 days.  Could have stayed 3, but I wanted out of there.  Just be SURE you have enough pain medication.

Within a week, I started PT at home - a PT was sent to my home.  If I had it do over, I would have waited another week... not recommended, but that's what I would have done.

I've had 15 surgeries and I have to say this one took the longest to recover from (but it wasn't the most painful).  Don't be alarmed - it's tolerable - it just takes quite a while to recover completely.  If I had stayed in PT longer, it may have helped, but I was SO done.

[tansy]

For my first knee replacement in 2008,  I stayed four days, instead of the usual three because I had hypotension when I stood up.  I was also out of shape from having bad knees for several years.

The second knee?  It was inpatient and I went home with my husband an hour or so after I was released from the recovery room.  I was delighted.

The surgery has improved tremendously, @monicakm.  My husband was released on the same day after his TKRs, too.  I thiink there's less chance of infection.  

Good luck.  I hope your hospital offers a clinic on what to expect and how to prepare.

[Spacrazy]

Had mine done in June and was home same day at 4 p.m. Stayed at my granddaughter’s house next door for two sleeps and went home (this was at my insistence). I live alone and I did fine. We had everything set up and organized and my family brought in my meals for a couple of days and made sure there was plenty of ice for “the machine”(which is great) and prep in frig/freezer for smoothies (highly recommend). The hardest part was being away from my little Westie (this was our first time apart in eleven years) so my daughter had him while I was gone.

I promise you do not want to be hospitalized any longer than is necessary. The new techniques and meds are miraculous. Just take it easy and follow instructions. It was worth it for me since the birth of my first great grand baby and I cried when I held him on my lap for the first time free of pain three weeks after my surgery. I continue to do well and send best wishes for your recovery - it will be worth it!!

[monicakm]

@Shanus 

Thank you!  I'm such a sissy.  NO pain tolerance!

I hadn't thought about the fact that I wouldn't have you guys here to keep me company during my recovery   I think every one of us here need the rest of us in our lives for some reason or another.  We get used to having our virtual buddies at our fingertips.  Gosh, first dear sweet Mel and now you guys!  I'd want to say "my life is OVER!" but that might come off a tad melodramatic :/

[judianne]

I had a TKR 3 years ago , stayed 2 nights only because I couldn't keep anything down .  It was supposed to be a 1night stay . I did well at home . First thing I did was get rid of the leg contraption that moves your leg up and down . Not only expensive but totally  not necessary .  My cousin had hers as a same day surgery . But she had to go back to the hospital the next day for therapy and lived 35 miles away !