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Originally Posted by McBTC
(Post 19847965)
Nothing to worry about there– now the therapy... that's altogether another matter.
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Congratulations, you are on the path to recovery and the time immediately post-surgery can be pretty rough. I personally see no downside to taking whatever dose of meds to make sure your pain is controlled. My doc prescribed Norco with a standing order for dilaudid if needed. I also asked for Toradol to complement the Norco immediately post-surgery and that seemed to help. It is an anti-inflammatory drug and if your doc approves of use for your case it can help. A couple of things to think about: (1) if you have a Foley catheter, it should be removed soon, and I found that slightly unpleasant, but not necessarily painful; (2) it is likely you have a drain in your leg and that can be unpleasant to mildly painful. The nurse did not warn me about the discomfort/pain with the drain removal and I was a bit unnerved by it. I thought it was just a short drain, but it seemed like it was 18 inches long and he just keep pulling this thing out of my leg. The second TKR I was ready for the experience and it was not so bad, but just something to be prepared for.
The path from here forward is only up and after you are into recovery and it no longer hurts to walk downstairs or just walk period, you will wonder why you waited so long to have surgery. For me it was life changing and it has made a significant difference in my overall quality of life and especially in my cycling. But, one thing to remember about the path forward is that it is often not a linear recovery: progress and set-backs seems to be the nature of the game. Finding the sweet spot where you do enough in recovery but not too much to cause swelling is the art of recovering quickly. Keep us posted often on how things are going. Sleep when you can...... |
Wish you well.
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Originally Posted by metalheart44
(Post 19848271)
Congratulations, you are on the path to recovery and the time immediately post-surgery can be pretty rough. I personally see no downside to taking whatever dose of meds to make sure your pain is controlled. My doc prescribed Norco with a standing order for dilaudid if needed. I also asked for Toradol to complement the Norco immediately post-surgery and that seemed to help. It is an anti-inflammatory drug and if your doc approves of use for your case it can help. A couple of things to think about: (1) if you have a Foley catheter, it should be removed soon, and I found that slightly unpleasant, but not necessarily painful; (2) it is likely you have a drain in your leg and that can be unpleasant to mildly painful. The nurse did not warn me about the discomfort/pain with the drain removal and I was a bit unnerved by it. I thought it was just a short drain, but it seemed like it was 18 inches long and he just keep pulling this thing out of my leg. The second TKR I was ready for the experience and it was not so bad, but just something to be prepared for.
The path from here forward is only up and after you are into recovery and it no longer hurts to walk downstairs or just walk period, you will wonder why you waited so long to have surgery. For me it was life changing and it has made a significant difference in my overall quality of life and especially in my cycling. But, one thing to remember about the path forward is that it is often not a linear recovery: progress and set-backs seems to be the nature of the game. Finding the sweet spot where you do enough in recovery but not too much to cause swelling is the art of recovering quickly. Keep us posted often on how things are going. Sleep when you can...... |
Originally Posted by TCR Rider
(Post 19849665)
...
BTW I don't have a drain in the knee. Sleep is something I really haven't done in two days. |
Originally Posted by Sixty Fiver
(Post 6692452)
"YOU MUST BE 65+ TO POST ON THIS THREAD!"
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Originally Posted by McBTC
(Post 19849736)
You may see the use of absorbable stitches and a skin adhesive... in which event things will look pretty good compared to sutures and staples. The PT is getting to me and it's sort of like putting your head in the noose because the more ROM you want... YIKES. They say you can't hurt yourself but you have to take that on faith. I was at 108° yesterday and that had everyone excited.
It really helps hearing from you blokes who have already gone through it or are going through recovery now. Got to keep that self pity at bay........it's a most unattractive emotion and does me no good.🙄 |
Originally Posted by FrenchFit
(Post 19849794)
Does that mean 65 and fat, plus sized? I come up a little short on both counts. I'll get back to you. :(
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Originally Posted by TCR Rider
(Post 19850232)
108 sounds good to me at this point. I could only manage a painful 70 deg. yesterday. I'm hell bent on having a successful recovery so pain or more pain I have no choice but to keep on keeping on.�� I have to schedule my pain men's better and take them before PT. Duh ya think. Once I'm out of the hospital I'll have more control over that.
It really helps hearing from you blokes who have already gone through it or are going through recovery now. Got to keep that self pity at bay........it's a most unattractive emotion and does me no good.�� My surgeon used staples and after a week or so those came out and that was a non-event. And, sleeping in the hospital was next to impossible with the blood pressure and other checks they did every 3-4 hours. Then, once you get home the sleep issue does not go away for awhile because it is just hard to find a comfortable position. I kept my leg elevated in bed and it just took awhile to get more than a few hours sleep at night. So, sleep when you can and eventually you get back to a normal pattern. I am sure you are ready to go home or to the rehab facility and maybe today is the day? Here is what my leg looked like the day after surgery.... |
I'm in!
(Since last year, in fact) |
The dressing was removed yesterday. The Doc used glue rather than staples. Significant swelling in fact the leg looks like a giant kielbasa :p
At PT yesterday walked a bit further with a walker and did some stairs with a cane. Managed to get the flexion to a painful 80 deg. I'm not getting into rehab:mad:so I should be going home later today. We shall see. Posting from my phone and can't seem to get a picture attached to the post but it's not a pretty sight anyway. |
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Best looking I've seen over the last 4+ years... going into week-7. So, no complaints about that from me. But, a lot of swelling still although down by 4 cm across the middle. Big surprise for me is having to deal with shin pain over the last week. Never saw that coming. I think your experience is going to be a lot better than most.
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1 Attachment(s)
Originally Posted by McBTC
(Post 19852396)
Best looking I've seen over the last 4+ years... going into week-7. So, no complaints about that from me. But, a lot of swelling still although down by 4 cm across the middle. Big surprise for me is having to deal with shin pain over the last week. Never saw that coming. I think your experience is going to be a lot better than most.
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Well, I guess I can *officially* post here!
I'm getting back into cycling after 40+ years. Currently riding a 'fitness' bike and gradually working on my mileage, but I'm getting to the point where I think a proper road bike would be beneficial - especially with the ability to change hand positions, as I have carpal tunnel syndrome. (I have more than that, but not looking for pity!) So, in two days, I'm going to look at a private seller Trek (2014 model.) Componentry certainly has changed a bit! I wish they had carbon fiber and ultra lightweight components back when I was younger. They would have helped a great deal during those interval sprints, trying to outrun the Velociraptors! :-) |
Welcome. :thumb:
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I'm back. No damage or flooding at our house. Lost power after Irma and it came on during the night last night. Happy, happy. :)
Still no gas or ice at most places. I drove to the Withlacoochee Trail yesterday just to see how bad it was. There are trees, limbs, leaves, clumps of moss and mud/sand everywhere. It may be a few days before the trail volunteers get out to clean up the mess. They're probably taking care of their own homes. Any others in the SE going thru cleanup or repairs? |
My heart and sympathy goes out to all of you who have suffered because of Harvey and Irma. I feel blessed that I was unaffected where I live and can enjoy my retirement w/o the stress of losing my valued possessions.
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in East tennessee all we got was some rain and a little wind, couldn't ride but nothing compared to Fla,Georgia
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I just realized I'm now eligible to participate with the really wise crowd. I even now have a Medicare card. What have I missed?
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Originally Posted by jppe
(Post 19869656)
I just realized I'm now eligible to participate with the really wise crowd. I even now have a Medicare card. What have I missed?
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Originally Posted by jppe
(Post 19869656)
I just realized I'm now eligible to participate with the really wise crowd. I even now have a Medicare card. What have I missed?
Actually, we're glad you finally got here. :thumb: |
Originally Posted by MidSouthBiker
(Post 19884304)
My Medicare card arrived in the mail this week. So far, I have applied for only Part A, which goes into effect next month. I'm planning retirement the first of the year.
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Originally Posted by McBTC
(Post 19886544)
If you make a lot of money, Part B is a beeotch--e.g., can be > $300 /mo
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Originally Posted by MidSouthBiker
(Post 19886606)
I don't make enough for those premiums. In my State I'm looking at some Plan G's for just over $100.00/month. Also some Plan F's for just over $130.00/month.
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Originally Posted by linberl
(Post 19892244)
All those different plans just gave me a headache. I got an HMO supplement (Kaiser) and called it a day. It's worked out fine so far (monthly prescription thyroid meds and one kidney stone surgery and that's all I've needed in the past 4 years). The older I get the less time I want to spend deciphering Medicare pamphlets!
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Originally Posted by MidSouthBiker
(Post 19892332)
I am new to all this Medicare stuff, and I cannot believe how difficult and complicated the government has made it.
Get a supplement plan or an Advantage plan of some kind - don't settle just for the Medicare only part. If something happens, you will be majorly hurt financially as well. good luck on your research. |
I cannot believe how difficult and complicated the government has made it. Toting up last year's expenses tells you which policy would have been best for last year. In some respects, the past is the best predictor for the future, but that's doesn't help with predicting big medical expenses. The real problem is that you can't predict the future, so you can't predict what your best financial bet is for the next year - and insurance is a bet. Your state probably has a State Health Insurance Assistance Plan - for example, https://www.illinois.gov/aging/ship/Pages/default.aspx. If you look at the various regular supplemental plans, you'll see differences between each level (e - f - g - k - l, etc.). You can see the differences in cost. You can see how much more each company charges for extras. You can make your choice. If you look at the Medicare Advantage plans, you can look at the coverage and the restrictions and make your choice. The trick is that some policies with less coverage cost more than policies with more coverage, and sometimes the extra coverage costs more than it will pay you if you need it. Also, some policies raise your rates every year; others every 5 years. but the insurance companies, not the government, make buyers take those risks. I get my 2ndary insurance from my old employer, but I compare that coverage and cost to Medicare supplements. I know it's a pain in the ass, but if you can do spreadsheets, you can make a good decision. Lots of smart people can't do spreadsheets, though; if that's you, ask for help. ************************************************** If you sign up for Medigap or Advantage within, IIRC, +/- 90 days of your 65th birthday, you can't be rejected. If you wait too long, an insurance company can refuse to cover you. I know it's a difficult decision. |
Originally Posted by philbob57
(Post 19894514)
Are you kidding? There are many fewer gotchas in the Medicare supplemental market than in the old personal insurance market. It's much easier to choose a supplement than to navigate the old non-Medicare health insurance market.
Toting up last year's expenses tells you which policy would have been best for last year. In some respects, the past is the best predictor for the future, but that's doesn't help with predicting big medical expenses. The real problem is that you can't predict the future, so you can't predict what your best financial bet is for the next year - and insurance is a bet. Your state probably has a State Health Insurance Assistance Plan - for example, https://www.illinois.gov/aging/ship/Pages/default.aspx. If you look at the various regular supplemental plans, you'll see differences between each level (e - f - g - k - l, etc.). You can see the differences in cost. You can see how much more each company charges for extras. You can make your choice. If you look at the Medicare Advantage plans, you can look at the coverage and the restrictions and make your choice. The trick is that some policies with less coverage cost more than policies with more coverage, and sometimes the extra coverage costs more than it will pay you if you need it. Also, some policies raise your rates every year; others every 5 years. but the insurance companies, not the government, make buyers take those risks. I get my 2ndary insurance from my old employer, but I compare that coverage and cost to Medicare supplements. I know it's a pain in the ass, but if you can do spreadsheets, you can make a good decision. Lots of smart people can't do spreadsheets, though; if that's you, ask for help. ************************************************** If you sign up for Medigap or Advantage within, IIRC, +/- 90 days of your 65th birthday, you can't be rejected. If you wait too long, an insurance company can refuse to cover you. I know it's a difficult decision. |
When I first went on Medicare, I went with an Advantage plan, but ended up not liking it due to having to go only to providers that are on the plan's list. This was not a problem as far as my general practitioner (primary care) doc was concerned, but I found the list of specialists to be very restrictive. The final straw was when I went to the only nearby dermatologist on the list and he turned out to be like in his 80s, thick glasses, and had to be led in by a nurse (only slight exaggeration here!). It was highly unsatisfactory and I was able the next year to switch to a Medigap policy instead (UnitedHealth via AARP). Including the Part D (prescription coverage) policy that I also got, it's definitely more costly, but I have a lot more freedom to go wherever I want.
In fact, on a recent vacation I found that I'd forgotten my meds and was able to go to a nearby "urgent care" center and get a 10-day supply prescribed (it was a weekend so I couldn't call my doctor's office). The total bill to me was $1.20 in prescription copays, and my other plans picked up 100% of the office visit. I'm not sure how the Advantage plans work when out of state. I also think that if you're on Medigap, you can't just switch to an Advantage plan without having to be medically qualified for pre-existing conditions, etc. |
Medicare does appear more complicated. Before Medicare, the health insurance market appeared to be like the wild West - the disclosures were impossible for a layman to understand, and the differences in coverage, when you got to the details, were multitudinous. Medicare advantage was created by ideologues who claim 'the free market' is a better solution for heath insurance. They paid insurance companies 25% more for their Advantage customers than they paid for regular Medicare customers. That's not how I thought the free market is supposed to work, but ... well, I'll shut up.) IIRC, the extra payments are no longer made anyway. |
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