Appointment with Orthopedic Surgeon

Well friends, wish me luck. I am heading down to Indianapolis to the St Vincent Hospital Joint Replacement Center for my initial consult. Hopefully they will be able to do something with this darn left knee of mine. It sure hampers my exerice routine and as a result slows my weight loss. I am praying that they can replace it now and if not give me injections to get me thru until they can do the surgery. My local Dr will not replace it until I am under 250. So I decided to look elsewhere. I know the Center in Indianapolis has several procedures they use, so maybe they can do something. Will report back later. Dan

Good Luck Dan, My orthopedic surgeon told me below 250lbs and older than 60! Going down stairs is my biggest pain. I'm always afraid my right knee is going to buckle. Nothing good would happen after that. You might want to check with Ortho Indy at 465 and 86th street on the west side. They do lots of replacements. I had my knee worked on there. They seemed competent, of course I have nothing to compare them with. Good luck again, Rob

Rob Thanks for your response. In fact I had my appointment today with Dr Hellman at Ortho Indy. I am scheduled for a knee replacement on May 10th at St Vincents on 86th Street. Can't wait to get some relief from the pain. Of course I am 63 so that met that criteria. As for the weight he said since I had lost 115 lbs since Nov that he did not see the weight as an issue. I know it involves lots of pain and lost of rehab but I can handle it. I will be able to do my rehab here in Kokomo. Just have to come to Ortho Indy for my follow-up appointments. Dan

all right.....now this is sure good news....ann had best to watch out...she will have to run to keep up with you after the replacement.....and you darn well do whatever the dr says and nothing less...do not make ann crazy,....

Angie, I will do my best not to drive her any crazier then she already is dealing with me since WLS. Dan

Dr Fragomeni of Ortho Indy did mine in Danville.. I am 50 but have been bone on bone for over 25 years due to a car accident.. he didnt even figure my age into it just my weight.. He had turned me down 2 times prior saying I HAD to loose 100 pounds first. Dan, I am glad I did it but Physical therapy is a killer!!!! It doesnt hurt until I go to PT.. you can walk on it the day or day after surgery but when they start bending it you want to throw something at them... I learned new cuss words... Gary was one of my PT's for a week... he was one four letter word ..Just set it in your head You gotta do it... and you will... then we will be able to really strut our stuff.. Still not bending over 92 degrees and not 100% straight yet.. but working on it. Linda

Linda, I am not looking forward to the PT but that is just part of the process and has to be done. Dr Hellman feels now is the time since my left leg is starting to bow from my shifting my weight around to keep the knee for hurting. I told him I thought that was because I lived in Texas to long. Dan

Dan, I just got on & read your post. Thank goodness you are going to get some relief!!!! It won't be long & you'll be better that "new". You joker- I didn't see any "bow-legged cowboys" in Texas! horse- just lots of Stetsons. Tell Ann Hi & hope to see you at the clothing exchange. (((Hugs))) Ellen