Sending a prayer that all goes well. My first knee operation was on both knees at the same time (not a smart move, as I didn't have a leg to stand on!), but I was in my early 30's, so it went well. The problem was the therapy that followed. They were too aggressive and I ended up re-tearing the meniscus in one knee. Therapy is critical, but it shouldn't be done to the point where it really hurts.

I had a total hip replacement in July and did go to a rehab facility, which was great, The hospital social worker asked me for my 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice. Then its up to which one has room at the time of discharge. What I did beforehand was check out a few of the nearby places I was considering. Two friends had done rehab at one of them right in the neighborhood and highly recommended it. It made me claustrophobic. My surgery was scheduled quickly, so I didn't make formal appointments, just kind of popped in when I could (usually late afternoon, not a busy time for them) just to get a feel for what they were like. They were all good enough to give me a short tour... the rooms for short term rehab, the exercise room, and I asked about meals--where do we eat, the type of menu. I did fill in an application for "the one" I really wanted, and when the SW contacted them, they had a room so I got my 1st choice. I also have Medicare and BCBS. There was a $50/day copay for rehab that Medicare doesn't cover. Came as a surprise, but the place was sooo worth that and more. Doesn't seem to matter if you pick the most or least expensive, the copay is the same. And there is really very little price difference between them! The visiting nurse and PT come to your house when you go home, whether its right from the hospital or do rehab first. You'll do fine.

I want to thank everyone for your good wishes. I will answer some of your questions. I am still going to to PT 3 days a week. My knee is doing very good & my range of motion is 125 which they say is great. My problem is my ankle. The Dr said when you have knee surgery your ankle will swell but when I fell the first time I hurt it. By the end of the day the ankle is 3 times the size it should be. I am having PT on that too. marie-ndcal, they have checked me for everything you asked about & all was normal. lisa fl, I am not home alone, my husband is here with me. I am not doing too much but my body was run down with that many surgeries in 1 year. 1 surgery was planned but the others were not. jemdandy, I know there has to be a reason for my passing out but no one has been able to find out why. I do not get tunnel vision before I pass out. I was talking to my husband & in the middle of saying something I stopped & was on the floor. I have no warning at all. This is not the first time I have passed out, this has happened over the years & many many tests. I don't think there is a test out there that I have not had & all have come back that I am fine.

ALLEUIA,this is the first i've been able to get on here in several days,since i posted that question about the security alert.After i posted that,i could never get back here til now.I was having severe withdrawl symptoms!!LOL Anyway,i need to have knee surgery,and have needed it for the past few years.Dr has suggested that i wait awhile as it really doesn't last for the rest of your life.So i have done that,but am seriously considering having it done this spring.I too have arthritis in my knees,and i'll be 70 in March. My ds had it maybe 5 years ago,but his knees were worse than mine due to motorcycle/dirtbike racing.He got the knees from a cadaver and is doing very well.His recovery was super fast,He had it done on a thursday and went back to work on Monday,at first in a wheel chair for a couple days,then on crutches.He never went to rehab,instead he had some contraption set up in his bedroom at home as he told his dr,i have a businees to run,and don't have time to be running to someplace for therapy,so they got him set up and he did very well.Now you would never know he had knee problems. My sons dr and my dr both told me i should start exercising my legs now to get them strong before the surgery as that will make the recovery shorter and less painful.So ds is going to bring me his stationary bike and set it up in my sewing room.Yipee!! Not,LOL Kathi