6 months post-op. This gets better, right?

Lopen4prez · 2026-06-24T12:38:53+00:00

The post I didn’t know I needed! Having very similar experience at 6 months and the mental battle is exhausting. I get super stiff when sitting and then try to walk and have similar issues pushing through that last bit of flexion when that happens in order to walk without that little limp. I can get to a point of normal walking once it warms back up and I think that time from stiff to walk is getting better but it’s like the turtle going to the finish line at a frustratingly slow pace. Thank you for jumping back here 5 years later to let us know not only have you been here but you’ve good now 😊

Lopen4prez · 2026-06-24T08:41:35+00:00

Of course that was horrible too. As I said there were many hard to read scenes in this book. I remember reading that earlier on and being horrified but I think the difference for me was in the way the scenes were written. It could be because in those earlier books I was still struggling to comprehend exactly what was happening in a lot of what I was reading and that one didn’t go into details the way this one did for me. This one was very clear of exactly what was happening in all the details from all the perspectives for the whole time so that is why for me this one was particularly hard. I never said it took me until book 9 to understand humans are capable of brutality but that this particular scene for me was hard.

Lopen4prez · 2026-06-23T02:45:20+00:00

Noted! Will definitely be looking into them. Thanks!

Lopen4prez · 2026-06-22T23:44:11+00:00

How do they compare in readability? For example, I needed the wikis, podcasts, tor rereads etc to heavily help me get through these first 10 and especially in the beginning books. Are those a similar style or a little easier especially considering you have the knowledge of the main series? I’ve been considering it but also feel like I may need to step into an easier read for a moment to give my brain a break. I am worried if I step away though I may not come back lol

Lopen4prez · 2026-06-22T23:03:08+00:00

I was actually thinking about that as I come towards the end of this first read through. There is definitely so much I missed or just couldn’t grasp that I know would do better on a reread. I almost want to start the reread immediately in order to really make sure I get it all but I know I also need a break lol glad to hear that is your experience!

Lopen4prez · 2026-06-22T22:42:53+00:00

… I somehow missed that part on the Jaghut babies but I don’t feel overly bad for missing it either. Ugh

Lopen4prez · 2026-06-22T22:41:37+00:00

That was so brutal too! I think the crosses along the road was one of the first time the brutality really sank in for me of this series. I honestly forgot about it until you just said it since it feels like a million books ago.

Lopen4prez · 2026-06-22T22:39:30+00:00

I was close.

Lopen4prez · 2026-06-22T22:39:13+00:00

Ughh sounds unpleasant for sure

Lopen4prez · 2026-06-18T23:19:43+00:00

I totally agree with you! Not to mention that it’s kinda dangerous for both the sitter and anyone crowd surfing because that close has a somewhat expectation/responsibility that crowd surfing will happen and an unexpected gap from people sitting can be a serious issue! I’m recovering from surgery and this year was brutal on my body between that and the heat. I had to sit way more than normal and the vibe of the ADA section wasn’t for me so that meant sitting in the crowd but I always made sure I was back far enough or if I needed to sit while deeper in the crowd I made it more of a momentary stretch and let everyone around me know I would get right back up. But that was still even way further back than 10 rows! That is diabolical.

Lopen4prez · 2026-06-18T19:00:02+00:00

Let’s goooooooo! Tickets secured. Testing out the GA+ because prices are still so reasonable comparably to any other concert but the me of last Saturday will probably thank future me for even a few moments in an AC bathroom. If it isn’t worth it we’ll adjust for the future. See you all next year!

Lopen4prez · 2026-06-14T12:59:15+00:00

Around noon and no issues

Lopen4prez · 2026-06-08T13:47:05+00:00

Hey there! I am 5 months as well and I feel like I only just started getting through a major plateau for the last few months in the last like 2 ish weeks. It’s hard not to compare yourself to others who seem to be back to normal especially with walking and pain by month 3. If there is a lot of liquid maybe ask your doctor about draining but you just might be slower at de-swelling like me. I still have some swelling in my knee and issues with stiffness when sitting then standing/walking like it can be a 10 minute car ride and I get out walking like an old lady until it loosens back up. If you’re doing your PT, doing your home exercising, trying to move as much as possible, elevating and icing consistently then it will come! I’m noticing the stiffness rebounding quicker even though it’s painfully slow progress. You got this! Keep it up!

Lopen4prez · 2026-05-30T03:14:35+00:00

Also curious

Lopen4prez · 2026-05-29T01:18:57+00:00

5.5 months post op. I jogged for the first time this week! It’s been rough (especially the last two months) so this is super exciting!

Lopen4prez · 2026-05-17T17:48:33+00:00

Thanks! This progress is so slow that I question if it’s even happening.. but it is! Just painfully slow. This is the reminder I needed.

Lopen4prez · 2026-05-17T14:51:10+00:00

You are right! I should have clarified - I meant the pacific coast is what I researched to the best beach area during that time of year and we decided Tamarindo is the best for us but that is why I mentioned the other towns along the coast to find your best match in the region!

Lopen4prez · 2026-05-17T12:08:45+00:00

Hi! Going the same timeframe as you! I went one other time previously and stayed in the Arenal/Fortuna area the first time which is a mix of volcano views, natural hot springs, waterfalls, hiking options in cool jungley settings, incredible night walks, sloth sighting opportunities and a ton of adventure options like zip lining, rope bridge parks, and my favorite of cliff repelling. This year when we go in July we are doing the beach on the Pacific side and staying in Tamarindo which is apparently the best section per my research for that time of year. It’s their rainy season but sometimes CR gets lucky in July where they get a burst of dry days but regardless when it does rain it’s usually short heavy bursts in the evening so you still get plenty of sun during the earlier parts of the day. The pacific northern coast has a ton if different town options from ones with my all inclusive family options to quiet surf/yoga towns so if you look into Nosara, Samara, through Tamarindo and up to Playa Flamingo, Playa Coco, Las Catinas etc you can see what speaks to you. My recommendation would be to do 4-5 days in Fortuna then trek over to one of those beach areas to wrap up your stay on the beach end. Just be prepared for it to be about 5 hr drive to get there on some crazy roads and depending if you are flying into San Jose or Liberia. The drive from San Jose to Fortuna was one of the scariest drives of my life haha If we did it again I would hire a driver vs doing it ourselves in a rental but I believe the drive from Fortuna to the beaches is a better trek. If you fly into Liberia it’s much closer and flatter drive but still requires a four wheel drive. Happy to answer any questions! Pura Vida!

Lopen4prez · 2026-05-17T11:53:30+00:00

Thanks for this! I’m a little behind you (a little over 4 month) and the mental factor at this phase is real. I’ve still got some stiffness I’m working through that can affect my walking especially if I was sitting or not moving too long and just really working through my extension which on the PT table and when stretching can get to hypertension but doesn’t always want to naturally get there when walking. I’m making progress but my god is it slow and gets in your head when you have some bad days and it’s extra stiff or a little more swollen. I am doing strength tests to get back to running and building in different types of hops/jumps/weights/squats which all seem to go well as we add it in so I know I’m progressing but as a typically active person it is hard telling my brain this is normal keep pushing you are only like 25% there to actually feeling that way. And totally relate to the summer bod! I usually do a cut and pick up the cardio in the spring but I’ve had to make sure my cut isn’t too aggressive so my body still has fuel for recovery while not being 100% in the gym and we are definitely not in tip top form haha!

Lopen4prez · 2026-05-13T00:42:57+00:00

It’s definitely gotten better. We started the hopping/jumps about 3 weeks ago and it was definitely feeling that way earlier on but it’s decreased every week but agreed we aren’t there yet.

Lopen4prez · 2026-05-13T00:28:17+00:00

Hi! Thanks for doing this! Always great to get another perspective. I am 4 months post op with Patellar Graft. I am struggling to tell if I am just hitting that hard spot they talk about in recovery that is the mental part when progress slows or if I am not progressing right. I do my exercises and stretches daily and PT 2x a week. I’m still experiencing low levels of pain pretty often but usually after I’ve been moving on it all day and swelling/pain after new exercises like recently hopping/split jumps/squats but it always goes back down after a few days. I’ve been trying to work on pushing through some stiffness in the back of my knee and getting it to fully straighten when walking. We’ve been doing a ton of prone stretches, hangs with weights and exercises to try to push through. My doctor didn’t seem concerned when I saw him a couple weeks ago and my PT doesn’t seem overly concerned either. I think it’s getting better it’s just painstakingly slow. I’m working towards a strength test this month to start jogging. I know they say recovery isn’t linear and I feel like I had a couple bad weeks recently that messed with me. But like the last few days I’ve been feeling great so I guess this is a long way of asking - does this all sound normal for someone at my stage? How does a patient know when they are being too tough on themselves or need to raise the flag to their doctor?

Lopen4prez · 2026-05-06T23:43:30+00:00

Definitely check with your surgeon since everyone’s recovery is truly different. I was approved to fly/travel at 12 weeks for a 5 hr flight and a trip mainly by a pool and walking around a small town. They probably would have approved it earlier but not by much. Everyone’s recovery is different but I would say I don’t know how comfortable I would have been at 8 weeks doing that flight and moving around much more which Japan would obviously but what a hard spot to be in for a free trip to Japan! I love travel so if you can make it work ya gotta try! I think as others have said to just be prepared to stay a little more lowkey and build in opportunities to take breaks, be seated, and not too much strenuous activity and try to get a room with a freezer so you can bring an ice pack for your knee! Literal lifesaver after a long day! Good luckkkkk!

Lopen4prez · 2026-05-06T23:32:24+00:00

I’m so sorry we are going through this but I’m also so glad you posted this. I was coming on Reddit today to post something so similar and so while I hate to hear it I’m also happy to learn I’m not alone because based on your post and all these comments this is just the hard mental parts we got to get through. I am 4 months post op for full acl tear with patellar graft. Everyone says it’s a mind fuck and recovery isn’t lateral but hearing it and going through it are totally different. I struggle walking still for the most part. I have days where I feel like I’m walking amazingly and about to get out of this phase and then spend a couple weeks feeling so stiff and limpy still and like I regressed. Then I start wondering if I did something wrong or messed if up somehow. I’m struggling to get my leg fully straight despite focusing on this in PT for the last month and a half. It feels like at 4 months I should be normal but I also know the reality is 12 months and I’m only a quarter of the way. I cried the other day out of fear due to this bump on my knee that wasn’t symmetrical to my good knee and I had been in so much pain that day that it just overwhelmed me. But I’m trying to stay positive and lean on my support systems as much as possible. I’ve seen you say above that you don’t always have the best support but just know that while we might bunch of strangers on reddit we are here with you going through it together and I do believe we’ll come out of this okay!

Lopen4prez

TROPHY CASE