I had surgery day anxiety before both of my knee replacements. Honestly, before every surgery I’ve ever had, and I’ve had 12 of them.
Pushing the worry away never worked and I doubt it’s working for you either. What worked was giving my mind three things to stand on. I call it the triangle: my surgeon, myself, and my why.
Corner One: Trust Your Surgeon and Your Medical Team
Your recovery team is three people: your doctor, your physical therapist, and you. Start with the first one and look at your evidence.
How long has your surgeon been doing this? How many knees have they done? Mine had 20 years behind him, with a few surgeries a day, several days a week. He was voted a top doc in Arizona and ranked in the top 250 in the country. I only knew that because it was framed on his wall. I found out later that he had the lowest infection rate in his hospital over those 20 years.
Corner Two: Look at What You’ve Already Gotten Through
Now look at what you’ve already done. Both of my ACLs were grafted. I quit smoking after 20 years. I lost weight, went to college, and raised my son. I lost my dad and my brother.
Every one of those was hard, and I got through every one. Each hard thing set me up for the next one. My foundation was my faith, and Ephesians 3:16-19 carried me. If that’s not your source, lean on whatever is.
Corner Three: Find Your Why for Knee Replacement
Pain alone isn’t a strong enough reason to get your knee replaced. It wasn’t for me either. There are pain pills for that. A wheelchair is also an option. You’re choosing surgery for something bigger.
Mine was that every step hurt, and I could see the wheelchair coming. I wanted a bigger life than that. Three weeks before my first surgery, my husband proposed. I pictured myself walking down the aisle in my wedding dress and 3½-inch heels. Every bit of my recovery pointed at that woman.
So, what’s yours? The floor with your grandkids? A trip you’ve never taken? A marathon?
Degenerating Pain vs. Healing Pain After Knee Replacement
Before surgery, I called my pain what it was: degenerating pain. After surgery, I called it healing pain.
I pictured my new knee as the new neighbor moving in, and the whole neighborhood was under construction. My quad, calf, and tendons were all angry and making noise. But the construction meant something was being built.
Fix Your Focus on Surgery Day
When anxiety blocks your view, pick the corner you can stand on: your surgeon, your own track record, or your why.
I’m not a medical professional. This is just what got me through. Talk to your surgeon about anything specific to you.
Surgery day anxiety has a cousin: the idea that you’re supposed to walk in fearless. I break that myth down in my latest video.
Want more help getting ready? Grab my free eBook, where I share what I wish someone had handed me before my first knee replacement.
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