Any surgery can be fear-inducing, especially ones where a part of your body is being replaced by prosthetics. Another reason for fear, especially for knee replacement surgery is because the surgery needs to be performed perfectly. It requires the experienced hands of a trained surgeon who knows how to perform the surgery perfectly. So, getting this surgery from a top-rated knee replacement hospital like MASSH is absolutely necessary. 

But what about you, the patient? Once you have chosen the hospital and you are scheduled for the surgery, how do you prepare yourself? How can you ensure the best possible surgical experience for you and ensure the best results? Let’s find out and also learn more about knee replacement surgery and how you can replace fear with confidence to prepare yourself for the surgery.

Gain Confidence & Make Knee Replacement Surgery Easier For You With These 7 Steps

Stop Smoking

For the best outcome from your knee replacement surgery, it is necessary you quit smoking well before your surgery. This is crucial because smoking can make it more difficult for your body to fight off infections and it also reduces the efficacy with which your bones, skin, and tissues heal after a surgery. Studies have shown that quitting at least six months before your surgery can help your chances of avoiding post-surgical complications.

Stop Drinking

Similar to smoking, alcohol also has negative effects on your body, which can inhibit your body’s ability to recover from surgery if you keep consuming it before surgery. If you consume alcohol before the surgery it can cause problems with blood clotting and can lead to unnecessary blood loss during the surgery. Similarly, after the procedure alcohol has the potential to increase bleeding after surgery and also cause dehydration.

Make Arrangements At Home

Recovery after the surgery requires a lot of adjustments to be made at your home. This is mainly because you need to rest your surgery site after the procedure for it to heal properly. Given your knees are required for you to move in any way, there are certain adjustments like toilet seat raiser and increasing your bed height. To avoid having to bend or put pressure on your knees, you can arrange the things in your house in order of what you mostly use. This will make finding things easier while allowing you to recover safely.

Get Dental Checkup

This may seem unrelated, but you should know that the germs from your mouth can enter your bloodstream and potentially infect your new joint. So, the rule of thumb is to not get a dental appointment at least six weeks before your surgery to around three months after your surgery. If you have any dental emergencies in the meantime, it is recommended that you speak to your doctor before going for a dental checkup.

Go For A Pre-Operative Appointment

This is a non-negotiable prerequisite for getting your knee replacement surgery as a pre-operative appointment can help doctors ensure that you are in the best health possible to go through the surgery. This checkup can ensure the best possible outcome for your procedure and lower the risks of postoperative complications. In case if you are not at the optimum health for going through the procedure, the procedure can be postponed to ensure your safety. Doctors also try to help you gain positive insights into the procedure during this appointment and help you create the mental strength required to go through the procedure.

Donate Blood (If Recommended)

Based on your health and existing conditions and medications, doctors may recommend that you donate blood before the procedure. This is decided during the pre-operative appointment and the donated blood can help you save your life if you lose too much blood during the procedure. It can also help you save a lot of trouble of being dependent on blood banks when you go through the surgery. Overall, this step is not recommended to everyone, however, based on your age and general health, doctors may recommend donating blood to you to help you go through the surgery safely.

Manage Your Bodyweight

Doctors will recommend you to get in the best shape possible before going through knee replacement surgery. This is mainly because excess body weight can create complications during recovery and may increase your chances of getting an infection after surgery. It is important to note that doctors won’t force you to lose weight, they merely recommend that you maintain a healthy weight no matter your age to ensure the best outcome from the surgery.

Conclusion

Knee replacement surgery may be a serious procedure, but going through it doesn’t have to be scary. With the steps mentioned here, you can properly prepare yourself for your procedure from months in advance. The key is to try and maintain your health and follow the instructions your doctors share with you thoroughly. To learn more about knee replacement surgery and how to prepare for it, feel free to check out MASSH. We are the best knee replacement hospital in the country proud to be working with the top knee replacement surgeon in Delhi. Check out our website to learn more about our experience and expertise.