Confessions of a Surgery Junkie
I've just been rambling on a really fun discussion about artificial parts on Facebook, and it got me to realize that I am now an expert in being an orthopedic surgery patient. I've had two major invasive surgeries (back and hip replacement) since November, 2010. And I'm having one more hip replacement this July, 2011. When I include the knee replacement in 2008, that will be four majors in three years. I'm good at this! And I've got some stuff to pass on about it for those either experiencing or contemplating the same.
I lot of people have sent me good healing "vibes" and others have commented on the fact that I have a good attitude. I deeply appreciate both sentiments. And I suspect they're really helpful. But neither explains why this has been such a good ride for me.
So here are three key strategies to making this happen well. I hope they help!
1. Don't wait so long. Wouldn't you do better having a big surgery when you're 60 instead of waiting until you're 80? If the joint's gonna go, it's gonna go. So don't turn yourself into a painkiller addict and finally get it replaced when you can't deal well with the surgery and aren't gonna be able to do much with the joint anyway. Do it NOW. The doc said he'd give me thirty years on my new knee. All I need is 25. How silly would it have been to wait until all I needed was 5!!
2. Be clear about your role. For the doctor, the surgery itself is about 80% of the event. For you, the surgery is about 20%. YOUR other 80%--the meat of your job--is rehab. And here's the big one--the one I just learned. If you have the lead time, become fanatical about rehab BEFORE the surgery. I'm usually in pretty good shape. But I worked out like an animal before this last one, and I'm about three weeks ahead of normal recovery, as I write this. I have a pretty good constitution, but there is no way I'd be so far ahead had I not started a month before the surgery. But even if you don't have the lead time, just realize that the doctor's job is the surgery. YOUR JOB IS THE REHAB. And rehab before and after also means keep your weight right! If you're 50 lbs overweight, you're gonna be better off at 40 lbs overweight. This is guaranteed.
3. Be a patient patient. First, so you don't overwork the rehab. And second, just realize that healing takes some time. You'll get there faster if you start with a slow but steady pace.
These joint replacements represent an amazing opportunity for rejuvenation and getting into old age with a real chance at not being disabled. Imagine this 40 years ago. People used to ask me what I was going to do when my body caved in from all the beatings I gave it. I had no clue. Now I know. I will be able to annoy people on skis until I'm well over 100!
Posted On: April 27th, 2011 By: Weems Westfeldt
