One thing I forgot to mention is that the Iovera didn't numb the areas it should have so I would talk to the doctor about that. My knee was not numbed at all and where I was having the pain was not numbed. The outside of my thigh and down my shin was numbed, I don't think it would have helped with the surgery at all. My pain is in the kneecap and the inside of my knee (not sure of the technical term) and the Iovera was useless for the pain. But, if you know a lot of people that it helped, I guess you just have to weigh the odds. I too am terrified of the surgery but I was very active and really want my quality of life back. I sure wish you a good experience if/when you decide to have it and I hope you are a successful Iovera eperience too.