Mom is having knee replacement surgery -is it as safe as they claim it is?

My mom is going in for knee replacement surgery tomorrow 3/6/07. Is there really anything that can go horribly wrong with this?? I wasn't all TOO worried.....but now that it is tomorrow my mind is playing tricks on me.

Also...mainly.....I'd like to send flowers (I'm out of state 2000 miles away). Can I do this, is there a infection problem, like when you are not able to send to ICU.....? Does the patient go to ICU....or just a theraputic room.....I really don't know much, and I don't want to alert my mom and worry her by asking too many questions.
Any other suggestions on something I could send.....besides magazines, crossword puzzles and books....she is bringing all that in with her.

Thanks!
Katie

The biggest risk from knee replacement surgery is having blood clots from the surgery end up in the brain or lungs, whcich makes it as safe as any surgery. Blood clots can happen with any type of surgery, and it can happen even without surgery when a person bruises, so its always a risk. However, leg surgeries have a higher incidence of blood clots than many other types of surgery, so its very important for people to follow the doc's instructions following surgery. Usually aspirin or blood thinners are prescribed to control clotting. If your mom has had any trouble with clotting in the past, it would be good to make sure she mentions this to the doctor before she leaves th hospital.

And flowers would be just fine - people usually go to a recovery room for a couple of hours until they wake up, then they are transferred to another room. You might just make sure that anything you send gets delivered in the afternoon, so she is out of surgery and assigned to a room.

There are risks with ALL surgeries. But my aunt had both knees replaced in the last year and she's doing great. Hopefully, someone is going to be with her and they will call you when she gets out of surgery to let you know how she did....? You can ask then if she can have flowers in her room.

Yes! My grandmother had knee surgey last year or the year before. It went real well. Good luck to your mom! She will be in my thoughts. :)

if you call 1800 FLOWERS YOU CAN SEND FLOWERS that way, if your mom is going under anestesia there is always a chance of something going wrong...well anytime you are going into surgery there is that chance but some are riskier than others...if they said that it wasnt risky then it prolly isnt....but if your mom told you that she might not want to tell you the truth afraid of you worrying too much...but like i said there is always a chance that something could go wrong...just life as we know it...noones perfect not even doctors I think it is great that you are sending her flowers...maybe you can send her a card too or a get well balloon...good luck hope she recovers easily

Like the above mentioned, I agree with them!!! My uncle and brother had knee surgery and they are better then they were but they have a limp still!!! You have to remember that when the body breaks in any way, it is still broke to an extent, because it will never be the same as it once was, just better then the worst of it!!!

My aunt is a heart surgeon, and my dad has knee problems too. So he asked her if he should get a replacement. My Aunt said the surgery would be fairly simple. There were no complications (thank God) and now he has a fully replaced knee. The doctor did say that he may have to have another surgery in about 7-10 years to replace and damaged or worn pieces and possibly a completely new knee again. But i would not worry i'm sure your mom will be fine. I suggest a sudoku book those things take forever or maybe a doctor phill book my mom is always reading them.

hope ur mom ends up ok!

Yes you can send flowers. They usually end up in a recovery room for a few hours (to make sure that there is no immediate issues). She will probably end up in a bed for a while or she may be discharged (if it is outpatient). If they are not allowed in the room they send them home with whomever is the contact for your mom at the hospital.

Like any surgery there is always a chance that something could go wrong. Even the simplest surgeries can have unforeseen problems that can lead to everything from needing to do it over again to death. HOWEVER, knee replacement is common place nowadays. The chances of problem are small. You are more likely to slip and fall in your bathroom and die from that then have major complications from knee surgery.

Don't worry much. My mother had it also, and she did fine.

There are risks with every surgical procedure including infection, bleeding and death. What room your mother will be sent to will depend upon her past medical history and her condition after surgery. As far as flowers that depends on the policies of the hospital. I would call the gift shop at the hospital and see what they have. Perhaps a nice picture frame, figurine or even a card would be sufficient.