Quote:
Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald
When I had my foot surgeries 14 years ago, my surgeon and I had a huge argument over whether to knock me out or do a local. I kindasorta won out. She was afraid I would move my foot while she was injecting the local. I've had cortisone injetions which were worse than the injections she would be doing and never flinched but she didn't want to budge (picture two very strong minded women facing off!). We finally compomised by agreeing to have an anesthologist on hand in case I needed to go out completely and he would merely sedate me while she did the injection then let me wake up during the surgery. That worked out well; I was fully alert during and after the surgery (which ran longer than it was supposed to; they were amazed how well I handled it) and had no side effects. The second surgery was less extensive. They did the same thing but I wound up sleeping through the entire surgery since I had been up all night trying to finish the installation of a replacement central air uint on my home and was pooped. Again, no side effects and I even finished wiring up the thermostat afterwards while I could before the local wore off. The pain level afterwards wasn't too much; the strongest pain med I took was ibuprofen.
My surgeries were very invasive and extensive, especially the first one (I still have a titanium screw in my right foot), I came out alright. You'll probably have some physical therapy afterwards but that will keep the knee from freezing up and isn't bad. I was off work four weeks then back for four weeks of light duty; since I had a very physical job (warehousing), my surgeon and I agreed I didn't need pysical therapy. The second surgery didn't involve cutting any major bones so I was back to work full duty in four weeks.
Again, you should do just fine, especially since you have opted not to have a general anesthesia.
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Dear All:
I am happy to have elected to go without full anesthesia and only the local!! Safer and I am always curious anyway. Besides, maybe I can read while the surgeon scopes. OR... when the surgeon and nurses see my Pocket PRO I can sell some!! "Pardon me, nurse, but what do you think of Steven Lake's latest novel. Oh, thanks for swabbing up that blood." "By the way, we have a special medical sale on now. Buy the Pocket PRO and get the complete works of the Mayo Clinic in EPUB!"
No, my latest worry is the Coumadin (Warfarin) that they give you to prevent blood clots (DVT)! Anybody ever been exposed to that? My initial reading online tells me it may be worse that the blood clot: "No need to let a clot ruin your life. Our new medicine will kill you well before you have any clot!!" I hope I am wrong, folks, but I am about to risk the blood clots and kiss off on the Coumadin. For the first time I am beginning to understand I may very well die from this operation!
The risk factor jumps way up of getting a blood clot if you smoke. Monday I quit smoking!! That is something. Being overweight raises the risk! Alright, I am dieting and have vowed to lose twenty pounds by July 15! I was exercising even with the painful knee.
I want to thank you all!! Now let us hope !!