@mnpat I'm glad you got answers to the pain in your knees and the muscles. You seem to be concerned about anesthesia with the surgery which is understandable. Have you had prior problems with anesthesia?

<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>Thanks for responding. No previous anesthesia issues, but older people (me!) sometimes have cognitive decline after major surgery.  I am trying to minimize that possibility.<br><br><br><br>

@mnpat, Thank you for coming back to update us on what was going on with your knee. I had a TKR in 2006 and then two manipulations after that, then in 2014 I had my left ankle fused. All of these procedures required anesthesia. From my own experience, not as a moderator or medical professional, I was under the impression the risks of anesthesia-related issues increase throughout life if you have been exposed to it more.

Have you discussed this concern with your physicians, and have you had a lot of major surgeries in the past?

I had a hip replacement in 2003 at age 59. No problems. Anesthesia might have been spinal, but don't remember with certainty.
I had open heart surgery in 2010 to repair mitral valve and replace aortic valve. This required general anesthesia. Some confusion and slow thinking right after, but no long term cognitive effect.

I plan to make appt. with surgeon for knee replacement sometime in February. By then I will be 74 and have been feeling some signs of decreased functioning, so am even more concerned with cognitive issues. In prior appt. surgeon agreed to set up appt. with anesthesiologist prior to surgery (NOT on the gurney on the way to the OR!!!)

I appreciate this forum!

Hi mnpat, gailfaith here. You didn't say where you are planning on having the surgery in Feb, but if at Mayo you will get to talk with the surgeon before the actual surgery. I had surgery in Minnesota back in June of 2016, and I also needed to talk with the surgeon. I arrived at Mayo on a Tuesday, got to talk with the surgeon on the next day (Wednesday) and was on my way home after many tests and surgery on the following Wednesday. Surgery was done on the day before I left. I had 3 flights to get home.

Interesting thing I learned after this surgery: I noticed my hair on the top of my head was thinning, But I had a pacemaker implanted in April......just 3 months prior. I asked my dermatologist about the hair loss and he said after general anesthesia, it takes 4 months (or was if 6 months?) after anesthesia for the hair cycle to get back on schedule. And then in July I had another surgery (all unrelated !) so it is taking a while. I can't speak as to any other side effects of anesthesia, but hopefully this one will not affect you. Oh yes, I am 80!

Interesting reply. Thanks! You must have done really well to be able to undertake a complicated plane trip one week after surgery! My surgery will be done in the Minneapolis area.

About the hair.....I had a hip replacement in 2003.....and lo and behold, my leg hair mostly disappeared (underarm too)! Now it is coming back.....I rather liked not having it. No noticeable effect on arms or head, and I have never read another reference to this effect! Thanks for sharing.

gailfaith again, I left Mayo after the June surgery the day AFTER surgery!! And with age you will again lose all your leg and underarm hair again. But in place of that you may start to get facial hair! Aging is not for sissies as they say. All a result of hormones!

@mnpat, you mentioned that you planned on scheduling your knee replacement for sometime in February, have you decided to do so?

@gailfaith and @sandytoes14 had some great advice for preparing both mentally and physically for your surgery and the community is wondering how you are doing.

Update: I met with the surgeon on Feb. 8 and came out with an OR date of Feb. 21!! So I have been busy running around getting a pre-op check (have you ever had your nose swabbed to check for MRSA??), have a dental appointment tomorrow and a haircut Friday. Also went (with husband) to an orientation session for patients due to have TKR or THR. I was unable to get an appointment with an anesthesiologist, because there are multiple ORs at the hospital and apparently the anesthesiologists are not assigned until the morning of surgery. However, the surgeon's assistant called anesthesiology while I was still at my appt. and informed him/her of my concerns. And I will not leave the "holding room" until I have looked him in the eye!!

Current plan is to have a spinal with a femoral nerve block and light sedation. Following surgery I will be in the hospital 3 nights and then transfer to a rehab center (we toured it today). I intend to be the Little Train who kept saying "I think I can, I think I can" until he made it to the top of the hill!

@mnpat You have been a busy bee preparing for surgery! I'm glad you have a plan for anesthesia and looking the anestheseologist in the eye that day. He will help settle any last minute concerns you have. Be sure to tell your dentist of your upcoming surgery too. I once had a dentist give me antibiotics as a precaution so I didn't develop an infection prior to a surgery I was going to have.
Before long you will be the Little Train that sys "I did it!"
Best wishes for a smooth and speedy recovery!