The Big Day... Dun Dun Dun

This is a picture of me right before the surgery. I was joking with my mom that I look like a lunch lady haha. Make sure that you shower the morning of the surgery!!! Showering post-surgery is very difficult and you most likely won't want to get out of bed for a few days.

Types of ACL surgeries:
1. Hamstring Graft--> My doctor refuses to do this surgery because she believed that you need your hamstring and doesnt make sense to do it this way.
2. Patellar Tendon Graft--> This is the surgery that I went with. It is the "golden" surgery for ACLs, longest used and most successful. This is the most common surgery on younger people as well. Here is a link of what the surgery actually entails. It is not graphic at all and very informative. Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction Animation
3. Cadaver--> The cadaver is where they take the ligament of a dead person and use it for your new ACL. This was my second option because of the smaller incision. My mom also tore her ACL and had this surgery and it was very successful. They use this one on older patients because it is an easier recovery.

Before the Surgery the nurses will ask you to put the gown on with just underwear on. Make sure to take out all of your jewelry AT HOME! (I made this mistake for the first one and almost left all of my jewelry there). They will check your vitals and start to give you the IV. The surgery and anesthesiologist with come talk to you and ask you which knee they are operating on at least 15 times. The surgery will also initial her name on the knee they will be operating on.  They will then take you back to the OR (Operating Room).

The first thing they did in the OR is administer the nerve block in my right left in addition to the traditional general and localized anesthetics. In the surgery it doesn't really matter because I was out cold. However, when I was in the recovery room it is a much better experience due to the reduced use of general anesthetic. By the time I was to be discharged my head was clear and I felt generally great. My leg stayed numb until the next morning at my Post-Op appointment. The last thing I remember is them getting the nerve block and then I woke up in the recovery room. I was very aware and apparently was chatting it up with the nurse and asking about her entire life story. I stayed there for about an hour until I was ready to go home. I woke up with a PolarCare Ice machine on my knee (see to the right). Ask your doctor about this before the surgery, if your insurance does not cover it, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND GOING AND BUYING ONE! I use it all day every day. It is very important in getting better by keeping swelling down. Polar Care Coolers

After the surgery, I just went home and slept until the next morning. When the doctor says to take painmeds every 6 hours around the clock, DO IT!!! Don't sleep through the night, set your alarm and take them! You will regret doing otherwise.

Which surgery did you have and was it successful?