My surgery is on Monday anxiety is high

I had a total hip replacement 2+ years ago. I was so terrified but I chose a top notch surgeon at one of the best hospitials in the country. I have been fortunate to live close to NYC and Boston. Anyway, I had total faith in my doctor. When I was getting hooked up to an IV by the anesthesiologist he told me that once he did not we were on our way to the operating room. A few minutes later I was being wheeled down many corridors and I was yelling BEEP BEEP the whole way. Whatever he gave me worked. Of course once I got into the ER there was, I am sure, more drugs to be had but I didn't remember a thing. Cannot even imagine how I was released the same day or how we got home after huband got lost TWO times. You will be OK. It's very very scary.

I think what you are feeling is very normal. But you have covered the big issue-faith in your surgeon. I had a hip replacement to my left leg with no harm to my knee. Now the knee that bothers me is my right that has had no surgery. Go figure. They do this surgery a lot and your surgeon is an expert. I am very happy with mine and you deserve to have less pain. Best Wishes!

I really understand about your dread for your surgery Monday. I’m sure it’s adding to your health issues because you need to be as healthy as possible before then. I’m having knee replacement surgery in June also and have been so stressed about it. I’m not worried about if the doctor will injure my knee, he will be right there to fix anything, but I’m stressed because I don’t know what I’m going to feel like and you hear stories about awful pain afterwards. So I decided to get the best advice I could and avoid those YouTube videos about it. They don’t represent the experience I can expect to have. My doctor has told me that I won’t have to be terribly disabled afterwards like those videos depict. Also, I’m lucky that my medical facility, the University of Utah, offers a zoom type meeting where I can get up to date information on how to prepare and what exactly to expect. For me, knowledge and understanding are essential for my mental and emotional health. Good luck to you and I will be praying for your healing and wellbeing.

I agree and I am on some Facebook pages for hip replacement and I take what people write with a grain of salt. I know they are from all over the world and there is different types of healthcare out there. I have complete faith in my surgeon and I will listen to what I need to do to have a successful recovery. I'm the type of person that needs to see the best case scenario and the worse case scenario. I have to be honest I learned a few tricks on these pages and also have prepared myself with items I needed to buy beforehand. It's my first major surgery and knowing eventually I will need both knees done is scary. That's a lot of major surgeries. Like my surgeon told me "we're going to take this one step at a time. Don't look at the entire picture and stress out. We will take it one issue at a time". I wish you the best of luck with you knee replacement! Thank you for taking the time to answer me. Good luck!

Hahaha that happy cocktail they give you is great! They should let you take it before you leave the house LOLLLLL I DO NOT want to see that OR and what's in there. I saw Steve Corell explain his and NO THANK YOU! I'm also in NY and live on Long Island. My surgeon is one of the best out here and the hospital is Northwell. I was unable to go to hospital for special surgeries because my insurance did not cover it. I've heard Northwell Orthopedics has a great system and was rated very high as one of the best. Praying for a good outcome. Thank you for answering me. I appreciate the support.

Celebrated my 1 year replacement anniversary yesterday!
Part of the surgery plan was a document of what to expect. This included all that would happen when I arrived the day of surgery.
The pre-op area was the calmest and best experience because of the info given to me ahead of time. The nurses gave me a “ cocktail” of medications to calm me and load me with a long-release pain med as well. Some were oral and some through my IV. The anesthesia team also came in and explained everything before proceeding with what I had read first. I really trusted everyone as they all treated me like I was part of the team. Their calm, intelligent and assuring attitudes really helped.

I think the more info a patient has before helps to alleviate concerns. A knee replacement is a huge decision. By the time you finally make it, you know it is time.

Follow all of your directions, prior to surgery for the best outcomes. Take a sleep mask to the hospital ( wear it to bed the night before, it may help you).
Definitely get an ice machine for comfort after.
Best wishes. You got this!

You will definitely meet the entire surgical team well before they wheel you in. If you are very anxious at that time, they are usually very willing to give you something. Just think , you’ll be able to dance at your daughter’s wedding, pain free !!!

I had a partial knee replacement October 2024. They get you up and moving the next day. Initially, ice and taking pain meds on a strict schedule for the first few days is the key. If you do that, the pain is more than manageable. Plan to use Miralax 2x per day, while on the pain meds!! PT exercises as ordered are a must! Good luck !

I also lived on Long Island for most of my life but later on moved to Brooklyn where I was just a subway ride or two from major NYC hospitals. I wish you well. I imagine the protocols are the same and once you get the first IV before going to the OR you will not even know that you are there. Good luck.

Yes, your fear is normal. I panicked so badly the month before surgery I gained 10 pounds on pure sugar! Success getting through an ortho surgery requires great family support, a responsive family physician (because the surgeon will be nowhere around when you need help afterward, trust me), and a therapist who listens and doesn't bully. The good news is that a hip replacement is said to be much less torture than a knee replacement. So lean on your coach. You really will need the coach to help you get the right meds at the right time after surgery, to get you to and from and through the therapy, to hug you when you freak out and melt down at various points, to remember everything all the professionals tell you when you're stoked up on pain meds and can't remember your own name, to fill your water bottle in the hospital, to smuggle stuff you need into the hospital, and to reassure you that you are not losing your mind. Your coach is critical to getting you home safely and into your bed and then waiting on you hand and foot for a long time. I wish you the best of luck and a safe, speedy recovery.