They say if fall down, could tear something loose an would have to start over, infection sounds nasty if happens

Dave, focusing on the negatives is the worst thing you can do right now. I'm 7 weeks post op from a full knee replacement. Wish I had all this advice going in. I had a spinal block never felt it, I remember the mask getting pulled over my head and then I was waking up. Take the meds as directed for the first week. Then you can reevaluate how much and how often. My oxy dose was one every four hours, at four days I pushed it to 6 hours then stopped the oxy at 7 days and could manage with Tylenol and Celebrex after that but I always took one 2 hours before PT just to be safe. Look into renting an ice machine, it's a bladder that has cold water circulating through it. wear it all the time you're sitting and especially when sleeping. Make sure you have a compression sock also preferably a full leg one. A recliner for the first 5 nights is a big plus. PT is a must and do what they tell you when your home. You don't have to overdo it, walking with a walker around the house for the first week will do a lot for you. Most of all be patient things will take time, Don't put yourself in a position to fall watch where you step stay on the flat and level. I was beaver trapping at 6 weeks, but had to really pay attention.

I have a friend who had two bad knees. He said it went so well with the surgery and the recovery on the first knee, he decided to do the other knee a month later. He said he wished he had waited a little longer on having the second knee done, as it slowed down the healing a little on the first knee. But, now all the pain is gone and he's glad he did it.

They give u a ice machine an a walker, u would think wetness on the skin is bad by incision but I guess not, does the sedation put u to sleep during surgery?

Had one done a year ago. I'm 74 and it wasn't that bad. Sleep was a little uncomfortable for a month. Not really painful, but enough to make it hard to sleep for more than an hour at a time. Get an ice machine, a walker, an elevated toilet seat, a reaching tool, It's going to be a little tougher without someone to help you. I watched nearly every youtube video on total knee replacement, and I think I had a pretty good idea what to expect. It's nothing to fear. I trapped last season, I'm gardening and golfing. You'll be happy you did it.

As far as the ice machine goes its a wrap that goes around your knee with plastic hose going thru it.when you turn the machine on it circulates the cold water thru the lines around your leg.you should have or going to have a consultation with someone before the day of surgery(or at least they did in platteville when my wife had hers done)that tells you what to expect after going home all of the do's and dont's.if you haven't had that consultation yet write all of your questions down on a piece of paper and take with you they can answer them better then most of the people on here.there were around 10 people in my wife's meeting and there were all kinds of questions asked there's no such thing as a stupid question if you dont know the answer.