Nurses having surgery

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Specializes in critical care, med/surg.

On Sept 1st I am scheduled to have a total knee arthroplasty and I am looking forward to it on one level but on another I'm freaking! I've been in pain for years but the last 6 months has been different...everything from burning pain to numbness in my thighs. And the instability makes me walk like I'm 99 years old! I'm only 54 and the reason for the deterioration is multifactorial; numerous traumas, past surgery, arthritis, overweight...so I'm thinking I should do ok. But what is freaking me out is...can I get back to doing more that I have been and lose some wt so it's easier on my joints, help lower my bp, etc. I've actually been fairly active the last few years with hiking and horseback riding but because of the knee pain I have not been as aerobic as I need to. I'm also freaking out that I will gain wt while at home recuperating. I've decided to stay upstairs in my house, on another floor from the kitchen to help with my eating. So there you have it; an ICU nurse, freaking out over what will happen during rehab and beyond. I truly want this knee and expect to do well but anxiety creeps in from time to time. Any suggestions>??:confused:

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Specializes in ER/Trauma, Home Care, Corrections.

Well, I am 54 also and have been overweight and have experienced some surgery too, including a 5 vessel CABG about a year ago. I have lost weight and here is how I did it: Went to my Nurse Practitioner and had her increase the amount of Metformin I take from 500mg BID to 1000 mg. I had started on Beyetta a few months before w/o much change. I also went to a professional hypnotist, paid $99 for 5 weekly sessions, and I return once a month to be re-upped. I have lost 60-65 pounds (32kg for those of you outside the US). I am always apprehensive before surgery. So much so that I had to breathe into a bag before my heart surgery until the Anesthesiologist came in to the prep area, gave me something IV and my cares vanished. Next thing I knew, was being extubated (that was a wretched experience). Will get my rt hip replaced sometime, but will put it off for a while, for sure! The Metformin works by fighting metabolic syndrome, making your body more responsive to endogenous insulin and less likely to hold onto carbs as fat. Even if you do not now have DM, consider trying the Metformin if you can get a practitioner to Rx the drug for an off beat use. Good luck.

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My husband is very into fitness. He paid for a gym membership and got an evaluation by a trainer and a workout plan and asked what would help him lose weight. The guy said "That has more to do with what you do outside the gym."

In other words, you can control your weight more with your diet than exercise.

Good luck!!

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Specializes in ER/Trauma, Home Care, Corrections.

I made it look like I paid just $99 for 5 hypnosis sessions. It was $99 per session, still worth it because of the wt loss and the once cost of the monthly $99 session is more than made up by the food that I do not eat.

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On Sept 1st I am scheduled to have a total knee arthroplasty and I am looking forward to it on one level but on another I'm freaking! I've been in pain for years but the last 6 months has been different...everything from burning pain to numbness in my thighs. And the instability makes me walk like I'm 99 years old! I'm only 54 and the reason for the deterioration is multifactorial; numerous traumas, past surgery, arthritis, overweight...so I'm thinking I should do ok. But what is freaking me out is...can I get back to doing more that I have been and lose some wt so it's easier on my joints, help lower my bp, etc. I've actually been fairly active the last few years with hiking and horseback riding but because of the knee pain I have not been as aerobic as I need to. I'm also freaking out that I will gain wt while at home recuperating. I've decided to stay upstairs in my house, on another floor from the kitchen to help with my eating. So there you have it; an ICU nurse, freaking out over what will happen during rehab and beyond. I truly want this knee and expect to do well but anxiety creeps in from time to time. Any suggestions>??:confused:

Swimming would be better cardio for a knee issue, as opposed to walking/treadmill/bicycling, etc....Go swimming!!!!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, educator.

I'm having bariatric surgery in october. having the same feelings. excited but freaked out at the same time. i feel your emotions.....

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I underwent a UAE procedure (uterine artery embolization) in September 2008 and had an overnight hospital stay. I actually lost weight after the procedure because I had no appetite to speak of. And believe me when I say that I'm one of those people who gains weight rapidly!

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Specializes in Med/Surg-Telemetry.

What would you tell your patient to do?

My best idea is to use this "down" time to focus on creating good habits. Gut your cabinents prior to surgery and stock them with healthy options. That way when you want to snack, you can feel pretty safe with your choices. Unfortunately (or fortunately) your not gonna be able to just run out and grab something for your cravings. There are plenty of substitutions fiber bars for chocolate craving, 100 calorie pack, baked chips, POPCORN (not the super butter flavor), sparkling water instead of soda. Stock what you like with the idea in mind that your not gonna be able to run it off for a little while. (i have been struggling with my weight all of my life and these are starting to work for me)

You'll be back at it before you know it. Good luck with the surgery.

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