I just don't know what to do. My knee surgery is next month and after doing some required reading about it I'm scared and don't know how to do all of the things in their plans.

Hi Friend,
Let us know what you're having trouble with and we'll try to help you get it sorted so that it's not too overwhelming.

They would give you times to prepare on the day of the surgery and the night before regarding eating and drinking fluids. That varies but it would be on the forms somewhere.

Apart from those things, is it a day surgery or will you be in hospital for more than a day?

You would possibly need to have someone who can take you there and/or bring you home.

Another thing would be to do some meal prep. You have a month? Think about the types of meals you can buy or prepare yourself in advance and freeze a few in containers so you don't need to spend too much time doing all that in the week after the surgery. If you share a fridge put your name on the containers.

What type of surgery is it? Some will need different recouperation than others.

Please let us know what you are worried about the most and we'll help sort through it if you like.

Lists are good. Even if you just write a list. e.g. example list below from me...

• questions to ask the doctor before hand e.g. recovery time, any rehab needed like physio and if you'll need pain meds filled and if they're okay to take with any meds you're on already
• prep before op e.g. nil by mouth times. last meal you can eat. last fluids you can drink. Also you'd need to know if you can take your regular meds on the day of surgery. Doctor's office should explain all that.
• what you'll need to take with you - that'll depend if day surgery or overnight or longer. e.g. toiletries, pjs, slippers etc.
• getting there
• getting home
• stock up on food
• stock up on fluids
• will you need medications filled e.g your usual ones if on any. Make sure you have plently.

let us know what's worrying you the most.

P. S. >>>. Another thing you may need to organize ahead would be your blood tests unless you've had them already. They may want to run specific ones prior to surgery.

If you have complex forms to fill for health cover or insurance or things like that, I don't know how it works in the USA but there is a forum here at NeuroTalk for Social security and Disability so maybe you could ask there as well if you get no replies about that on bipolar forum here. Sorry I can't help with that.

https://www.neurotalk.org/social-security-disability/

On 2nd look that forum might not be as helpful as I first thought. It looks pretty complicated and more about other issues than going to hospital. I'm not sure.

My tablet is shutting down again. I'm try later. BF

I'm doing better. I was panicing. I talked to my mental health case manager and my insurance case manager on the phone today. They calmed me down. I also saw my primary care physician today. They helped me with a lot of my questions. Thank you Lara and everyone else for attempting to help me. I was panicky and my tablet was shutting me down. I feel better. BF:

I'm glad you're feeling calmer about it all and that your team have helped you get it sorted.

I'm glad that your team has helped you straighten it out.

I'm honestly not going to be any help. Because each knee surgery
which is what I think you said it is. Is different. And you really need
to figure out what kind of help your going to need and get that
arranged ahead of time.

Donna

I am hoping that your anxiety has lessened with time to get detailed descriptions of what will happen post op and PT.
keeping you in my thoughts friend.
((((((HUGS)))))
bizi


have you figured out how to get to the new forums "my support forum"
these close in a week on july 5th.
bizi

Thank you bizi. (Hugs) BF

BF and other BP members,
Please know you are more than welcome to continue to use the social forum here at NT to stay in touch with each other as well. Here's the link:
https://www.neurotalk.org/social-chat/

Even though the Bipolar and other mental health forums are closing and discussions relocation to mysupportfoums.org - the rest of NeuroTalk is still open, so we do hope you continue to feel welcome here