If anyone is offered to attend one of these optional pre-op educational classes, I highly recommend it.
I just had mine today, and it was wonderful. It was a 3 hour event, and didn't have any doctors/your surgeon, but instead had people who worked at the hospital.
They had a social worker who talked about post-op care and things they can provide. She gave us numbers to call about borrowing walkers etc, and just helped with how to get the small details taken care of pre-op.
The physical therapist took us through some pre-op strengthening exercises to do, and talked a lot about post-op and how our recovery will be handled in the hospital and out of it.
The Pharmacologist talked about the blood thinners and pain killers we'd be given, the side-effects of each and offered solutions to help with them. He also answered any questions about current medications and how/when to stop them before the operation.
Lastly, the Nurse took us through out entire stay. From check-in, all the way to check-out. She told us what would happen, what our schedule would be etc, in as much detail as we wanted.
I almost didn't go, as going out for me means no pain-killers since they make me too groggy, and it's just a painful, irritating experience anytime I have to leave the house.
If you're in a similar situation, it is definitely worth the misery. Having everything explained prior to when you're on a bed signing paperwork was wonderful.
Rob
Yes I went to one and found it a tremendous help. It really was a one stop necessary shop and I have heard that some hospitals make them virtually compulsory. It also makes you realise just how many people are in the same boat
Hi Scubarob
Great idea. The hospitals here in the UK should take note. This is a much more time-efficient way of doing things.
Hope all goes smoothly for you with your op. Have plenty of reading matter ready for your convalescence.
Hi Scubarob
Really glad you to hear how useful you found the joint class. Im in the uk too and went to one of these courses before my first op in January. It wasnt quite as comprehensive as yours but I found it really useful and at the end we each saw a physio who checked leg height etc to confirm what seat height we required and also gave us a pair of crutches/toilet seat etc that we took home with us.
Yours sounds incredible and seemed to cover everything to prepare you fo your hospital visit.
Perhaps they should also give out this website address as well !!?😀
Linnet x
I'm in essex and had one, it was compulsory and yes very helpful, it's where I ordered my aids and because I was going away for a few days they delivered the items the very next day.
Great service 😊
Good morning, i have an appointment today where i see the surgeon etc., hope it helps as much as yours did.
Good luck with your appointment!
I would suggest writing any questions/concerns you have down before-hand. I had a talk with my surgeon when we talked about my surgery and I spaced half of the questions I wanted to ask.
Thank you one thing i have learnt from here is thatbright a list of things that are worrying me, did all measurements lst week, i think once i can get my worries sorted i will feel better.
sue
I agree Rob, well worth the time...
Yes same arrangement here, in Brisbane, Australia. Local public health clinic worker comes and sees that you have, in your home, over toilet seat, a chair at the right height in your lounge, your bed not too low or too squishy, shower chair or bench for bath. I also attended hospital clinic, took most of one morning, you see, anethetist, junior registrar, chemists (checking on your regular medication) and for me writing down what I had to stop taking and when. physiotheraphy staff. You are given a booklet explaning what is going to happen, with diagrams, and it also includes your physiotherapy exercies, contacts at the hospital. and lastly a medicinal sponge that you shower with the night before your surgery and the morning of your surgery. they seem to leave nothing to chance, it is all written down in the book, so no excuses for not following their instructions. I know when you get to the hospital there is a questionare they put you through before they admit you. I know one man ahead of me at admittance, was sent home, not happy about it, nurses expressing disgust that he had not followed instructions, I don't know why he was turned away just that he was.
Hi Rob ...
sounds wonderful - it was not offered to me (I am in Holland, which doesn't mean that no hospital is offering this) but I had pre-op appoitnments with anestesiologist, pharmacist, discharge person and a 2 hours long presentation inc. physical therapist -
It was so incredibly overwhelming for me - I only remembered: dislocation is very bad and infections are fatal ...
this pre-op is mandatory -
when is your surgery ? sorry to ask - you probably already mentioned it before ...
big warm hug
renee
Hi Rob,
Yes amazing isn't it. I was so impressed. We were even introduced to the pain control team and the physios who would be looking after us post op.
I was so grateful for all the information which even included a fact sheet of sexual positions post op. Which may not be seen as a priority but I thought, very thoughtful and helpful.
We had to take in furniture measurements and our legs were measured so we knew what furniture we could use and what needed to be put on blocks and how that could be done.
I came out of there feeling very well informed.
I wonder if all areas have joint school? I hope so.
Hi Renee!
My surgery is scheduled for the 20th of November. Sneaking up fast.
Ok what a day didn't realize an assessment can take so long, any ways met physio and nurse who was wonderful, dont have to give myself needles they give pills to go home thank god. Feel alot better, found out about the ward, the lot so feel less sressed. Met a lovely lady who 10 mins after the session her op got cancelled poor love. Happy weekend everyone xx