My surgery is on Monday anxiety is high

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!

It is normal to get yourself freaked out obsessing over your upcoming surgery although there are some knuckleheads (like me) who has no issues with surgery. At 28, I had my first back surgery and would use a local anesthesia when my knee would require arthroscopic surgery. In 2000, my lower back was fused L4-S1 successfully with only periodic bouts of pain, I was fortunate. For a minute. The surgeries kept happening. As of today, I have had over 45 surgeries and I'm almost 64 years of being really old, for the first time in as long as I can remember I went a full year without a surgery (last was April 23, 2024I stroked after surgery). In 2011, I developed pancreatitis, had my first flight aboard a life flight helicopter and was kept in a medically induced coma for almost 3 months and then 45 days in inpatient PT. My surgeries were 6 in left wrists, 4 in both my hands,4 total in lower back, 4 cervical fusions (all at different times), a total reverse shoulder replacement (R) 4 previous surgeries, 2 on my left shoulder and on June 15, 2023 I lost consciousness while driving and drifted into oncoming traffic and collided head on with an oncoming vehicle. I didn't survive it but was returned to life during my 2nd life flight, spent the 1st 6 weeks in a coma. still recovering today. No BS, all true and I wouldn't believe me either. No drugs, no alcohol, no nuthin'. Obviously, I'm accustomed to surgeries now but in the beginning of my surgery streak, shi**** bricks, so I asked the surgeon if I could talk to some patients he'd operated on and got the real scoop from other patients (the doctor's office would reach out tp the prior patients and make sure it's ok with the prior patients). Additionally, I would research as much as I could on the upcoming surgery I was scheduled for, started just reading about the procedures but got braver later where I would watch videos. Knowing more about the upcoming surgery made me a better patient, certainly more knowledgeable. Be an advocate for yourself, it really helps. Promise. Get walking, best exercise you can do but start short distances. Somehow, I received a lemon of a body. I just found out I have a cancerous mass on my right kidney. Stay strong, stay positive and upbeat. Good Luck!!

Bob

I had my knee replacement on a Monday and it was a long weekend. Like you, I chose my surgeon well and had full faith in him. He always answered my questions and was reassuring. His team was excellent. Yes, there is pre-op anxiety. All the staff realize that and are very comforting.

Good luck on Monday and please let us know how it went. We are all wishing you the best!

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.