Clearly not everyone's surgery will be the same, but I will give you a rough guide based on my operations (I'm currently recovering from my second ACL reconstruction on my right knee).
Before the day:
Before the day:
Prior to the day, you should receive information on how to prepare for the surgery. Read this attentatively, as it contains important information for your health and safety, particularly where the anaesthetic is concerned. Take note of any medications you shouldn't take in the leadup to the operation, and the time you need to start fasting. Failure to follow these instructions could jeapordise your safety in the operating room! Call your surgeon if you don't understand something or have any questions.
You may be sent two special sponges to clean your knee. In my case these were to be used in the shower the night before and morning of the operation. You might get them a couple of weeks before the surgery, so try to keep them in sight at home so you don't forget or lose them.
What to bring?
If you're only staying overnight, you won't need to pack too much stuff. Bring any x-rays you have of the knee, toiletries, something to keep you entertained (you may have to wait a while to be taken to your room after arriving, and you may wake up overnight and find yourself unable to get back to sleep), underwear, water (for the way home, you mustn't drink it while fasting), phone, wallet, etc.
What to wear?
Something loose, keeping in mind that your knee will not fit into something tight the next day! Track pants are a good bet, and slipon shoes are easier so you won't have to try leaning over the next day (nausea and/or pain will make tying shoelaces very unpleasant).
Ladies - I recommend not wearing an underwire bra, as this will have to be removed for surgery, and don'wear nail polish or make up. I forgot to do this this time, but try to get your legs waxed before surgery too, as shaving them will be a difficult task indeed afterwards.
After the operation:
You will probably wake up while still in the recovery room, however you will still be very drowsy. You may be able to look around a bit and talk, but it is equally possible that you will find it prettymuch impossible to open your eyes, let alone talk. Your mouth will be very dry, so if you can manage it, ask for a sip of water. If you are very nauseous at this stage, you may have had a bit of a reaction to the anaesthetic. Remember this, as you may need to let them know that this happened if you get another operation. They will then be able to make some changes which hopefully resolve this second time around. It may even be worth mentioning it to the doctors and asking them to note it down for future reference. I experienced terrible nausea when waking from my first knee reconstruction, but I let them know about it prior to the second one, and my recovery has been a thousand times more comfortable for it.
After a short period in the recovery room, you will be taken back to your room. Once there, perhaps after an hour and a half or so, your leg will probably be put in a movement machine which will bend it. This is a tad uncomfortable, but not awfully painful. You should now have the chance to eat, and depending on how awake and/or nauseous you feel, you'll either be very eager to eat (as I was this time) or you will be repulsed (as I was the first time). Apart from that, you'll probably just spend a lot of time sleeping and sipping water, as you will likely still be parched. This does put you in the unfortunate poition where you must inevitably use the bathroom, which you will either have to do in a bed pan, or the bathroom depending on how well you think you can bear standing. This is one of the most unpleasant parts of the whole ordeal if you ask me.
Ladies - I recommend not wearing an underwire bra, as this will have to be removed for surgery, and don'wear nail polish or make up. I forgot to do this this time, but try to get your legs waxed before surgery too, as shaving them will be a difficult task indeed afterwards.
After the operation:
You will probably wake up while still in the recovery room, however you will still be very drowsy. You may be able to look around a bit and talk, but it is equally possible that you will find it prettymuch impossible to open your eyes, let alone talk. Your mouth will be very dry, so if you can manage it, ask for a sip of water. If you are very nauseous at this stage, you may have had a bit of a reaction to the anaesthetic. Remember this, as you may need to let them know that this happened if you get another operation. They will then be able to make some changes which hopefully resolve this second time around. It may even be worth mentioning it to the doctors and asking them to note it down for future reference. I experienced terrible nausea when waking from my first knee reconstruction, but I let them know about it prior to the second one, and my recovery has been a thousand times more comfortable for it.
After a short period in the recovery room, you will be taken back to your room. Once there, perhaps after an hour and a half or so, your leg will probably be put in a movement machine which will bend it. This is a tad uncomfortable, but not awfully painful. You should now have the chance to eat, and depending on how awake and/or nauseous you feel, you'll either be very eager to eat (as I was this time) or you will be repulsed (as I was the first time). Apart from that, you'll probably just spend a lot of time sleeping and sipping water, as you will likely still be parched. This does put you in the unfortunate poition where you must inevitably use the bathroom, which you will either have to do in a bed pan, or the bathroom depending on how well you think you can bear standing. This is one of the most unpleasant parts of the whole ordeal if you ask me.
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