re: Double knee surgery on Jan 18th

First time on this forum. WOW! You guys are great. Lost weight and having all the issues I am having. I will be having both knees replaced at PA Hospital in Philadelphia on the 18th of January. I know it'll be tough, but I like the idea of 1 anesthesia, 1 hospitalization, 1 therapy and 1 re-coup time. I know I'll be sorry for the first few weeks, but I hope it'll be over quick and I can get back to the gym to work out. I especially love water aroebics and usually swim about 40 laps 5 times a week. I know I'll miss it for a month. Surgeon already said I have to wait to get in the pool. Infection issues. Any words of wisdom for me?? Elissa

Hi Elissa, I just found this forum regarding arthritis and saw your message. I hope your surgery was successful and you are well on your way to recovery. You were very brave to do two at once. I am leaning the same way. Someone at work heard I was considering knee replacement and said whatever I do, don't do 2 at once. Were you able to rehab at home or did you go to a nursing home temporarily? Any words of wisdom, since you have had the experience? I am not sure how much weight I should lose prior to the surgery. If I should delay having the surgery as long as possible. If I should go for two at once or one at a time. I am 48 and was told I have no cartilage left in my knees and my ability to bend my knees at this point is minimal and painful. I had WLS on 12/28/05 (286 lbs.) and was hoping my knee pain would improve as I lost weight. I think I have lost about 38 lbs. at this point but the knee pain seems worse not better. My mother had one knee replacement at the age of 66 and my uncle (a retired orthopedic surgeon), always on the slim side, has had one knee replaced. Another Aunt, as well, has had knee replacement. Bad knees seem to run in the family. Are you swimming again yet. I also do water aroebics but I don't think I could do all the laps you do. Need to try though. I was once a very good swimmer. Take care, Jenny

I just saw this. I have had both knees totally replaced. My sister in law did also at the same time. We had the same doctor. He did both of her knees at the same time. He said I was too heavy to do both of them together. I was about 190 then! I am so glad I didn't do both of them together. I could use the other knee to balance. I healed better than my sister in law also and she said she wished that she had done one at a time

I had both mine replaced at the same time.  It wasn't fun.  Unfortunately, I didn't have a good leg to stand on if I just did one, so we went with both.  Double the pain, double the fun... but both fixed in one..