Things You'll Need:
- crutches
- ice bags
- pillows
- extra bandages
- optional - ginger ale, pretzels, Tylenol (they sometimes prescribe Vicadin, but I didn't like it, as it just made me more sick.)
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Step 1
* I AM NOT A DOCTOR. I ONLY GIVE YOU MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE here.
If you want to have your plates and screws removal see the doctor (where possible) that put the equipment in. Any bone specialist could work, but I recommend going with the person that is most familiar with their work. I waited 4 years of dealing with the restrictions of the equipment and decided it just needed to be done after it just started to become more and more of a problem. Talk to your doctor. -
Step 2
If your doctor agrees to the hardware removal, I would recommend talking with your insurance company to make sure you do everything expected of you, in order, to make sure you aren't stuck with a big bill. Some insurance companies require certain preoperative test, but for younger people its a technicality. That said I found I had an abnormal heart (just by chance) during those tests, so if they schedule tests do them.
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Step 3
Try to schedule your tests in a surgical center, instead of a hospital, (unless you have complicated medical needs that require the other specialties of a hospital). A surgical center will provide you with a much nicer (read pleasant) experience. You won't be around traumas, your appointment will be kept on time, and best of all you wont be around a majority of the viruses found in the hospitals. Surgical centers are only for screened operations. Of note make sure if you have an HMO that not only is your doctor in network, but the place and everyone that will be working on you is also in network.
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Step 4
Waiting for the call the day before the surgery can feel like forever, if you don't get one be sure to call the center to make sure everything is in order. You are very nervous by now, but don't be. Just look forward to being able to get back to your life in a few weeks. (I'd like to say a few days, but saying a few weeks is playing it safe.)
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Step 5
Don't eat or drink the night before surgery. This may even include water, but check with your doctor or nurse. If you have prescriptions or other medications be sure to check with your doctor to see how this will interact with your surgery. Keep in mind I am not a doctor and all the advice I mention here is what I have done before my procedure.
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Step 6
When you arrive to do your paper work have your ID, insurance card, and co-pay if necessary. You will also need any referrals for insurance companies. You should have a driver to take you home. Have your driver also bring a pair of crutches, it will make your post operative life easier. Be sure your driver holds your valuables - phone, wallet, jewelry, etc.
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Step 7
The first thing they will do when you get admitted is tag you with a bracelet, it will list any allergies you have be sure they know what allergies you have. Be sure the information they have about you applies, and that they are scheduling for the proper procedure.
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Step 8
They will take your vitals and ask you if you have any questions. They will give you an inter-venous drip via the hand. You should ask them if you should, and when, to make a fist so they can find a vein easier. Generally they may not ask you, but it may help some.
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Step 9
After the IV, the anesthesiologist the person that "knocks you out" will talk to you. They will ask you about your medical history. They would love to know if you have ever been administered gas or been put out in the past. If you ever had a problem let them know. You may also want to know if they will be administering pain medication while you are under. Some do, sometimes the doctor also does local numbing of the site. You might like to hint that you want Phenyl after surgery as it helps your body produce its own pain relievers and doesn't get you sick as it uses your bodies endorphins to relieve pain. That will ultimately be the doctors decision.
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Step 10
After the surgery you will very likely have a sore through and a nasty ache in your leg. This obviously is normal, when they ask you about your pain you should tell them accurately what you are feeling. However you should also know that anything below a 5 is pretty much ignored, by the nurse. A 4 might get your sympathy, but they likely will ignore that too. So if it hurts tell them it hurts. Its pretty hard to quantify pain, so they are basically are asking you how YOU quantify this pain.
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Step 11
If you have some Luden cough drops that could help the throat a little, I wouldn't take anything medicated. However if you are in a lot of pain, ask them to give you one pain pill to go while there, as your pharmacy may take hours to fill your prescription.
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Step 12
My mode of transportation for a few days...Take it easy when you first get home. Try to have someone to help you around. If you have a backpack use it and your crutches to get around. If you are a Rambo, you may not even need crutches, but I didn't want to damage the stitches so I did. Keep your foot elevated and continually cooled with an ice pack, keep your bandages dry (put something between the pack and the bandages so the ice doesn't condense on the sutures.)
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Step 13
They wrap it up nice and tight, this comes off in a day or two after the surgery.Follow your doctors recommendations for the removal of the bandages, cleaning, etc.
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Step 14
Make a follow up appointment about 2 weeks from your surgery.
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Step 15
Enjoy your life, you are probably 10-25% better then when you had those plates in there. Some research that says having the plates removed while you are younger can help the bone. Some preliminary research says that the bone becomes dependent on the plates and cause the bones to be rigid and more fragile, removing them earlier helps the bone grow properly. Once again I am not a doctor, but feel free to talk with one to ask them about any of this. Please feel free to comment and tell us how you are doing, I can share with you my updates as well.
Good luck!
