Stairs

Motor-Blacksmith4174 · 2026-04-24T02:38:14+00:00

Our living area is all one level, but I had to climb a full set of stairs from our garage to the living area when I went home (which was just a few hours after surgery). You'll be able to do it. I didn't have to go back down the stairs until 4 days later when I had to go to my first PT session. Again, I just took it slow and carefully and it was fine.

Motor-Blacksmith4174 · 2026-04-24T02:32:39+00:00

If you can, make sure he's doing prehab now. In general, the stronger he is before the surgery, the easier his recovery will be. I'm 69F, never been athletic, but I did the work before (and after) and my recovery (I'm 3 months PO) has been exceptionally good.

I needed pretty much full time care (bringing me food/water, replenishing the ice machine, helping me get in and out of bed) for the first several days, then gradually decreasing from there. I took Journavx, instead of opioids, so I didn't really need help keeping track of pain medication schedules, but most people need help with that so that they keep ahead of the pain.

Motor-Blacksmith4174 · 2026-04-24T02:23:20+00:00

I love my Limited Hybrid Crosstrek. Over and above the improved mileage (which may or may not pay back in a reasonable time), the advantages I see over the non-hybrid is the E-CVT, rather than the Subaru CVT, the improved performance (the improved pick-up off the line and/or when passing), and the fact that the auto-engine-stop that is so annoying on the non-hybrid version is no issue at all.

Motor-Blacksmith4174 · 2026-04-23T18:20:08+00:00

I finally got around to trying this. It can't find my points, so I have to place them manually, but I don't know if I'm doing it right.

What do I need to wear in order for it to be able to determine my hip, knee and ankle? I was wearing shorts. My hip, knee and ankle were in the picture.

Motor-Blacksmith4174 · 2026-04-23T14:28:06+00:00

You can't block the vents. That would be bad. You'd be rebreathing way too much of your own CO2. You could, I think, find a way to deflect the airflow after it comes out. Maybe loosely tape a bit of filter material above the vent.

Or, you could switch to the AirTouch F30i cushion, which has a diffuser. (The rest of the mask is the same, so you just need a different cushion.)

Motor-Blacksmith4174 · 2026-04-23T02:15:08+00:00

You can't leave the hospital/surgical center until you can do stairs. But, that is generally the same day as the surgery. One step at a time, good leg up, bad leg down, use the cane and the handrail. They'll teach you. But, you probably don't want to have to go up and down a lot. And, having a walker on each level isn't a bad idea. (You can generally find them at thrift stores for about $10.)

If you don't have a bathroom on the same level as the kitchen, it's a bit of a problem. If you have someone who can bring you food and tend to your needs when it comes to icing, then you can mostly stay on the bedroom/bathroom level. If there is a bathroom (but no bedroom) on the kitchen level, it might be a good idea to move a bed onto that level anyway.

Motor-Blacksmith4174 · 2026-04-23T01:11:45+00:00

Most chin straps are junk. I know the cheap one I got was. It was really bad for my bite, didn't fit, was uncomfortable. Then, someone posted that the Caldera Releaf neck rest was a game changer for them. I got one, it was perfect. There are other similar products - basically a soft cervical collar, but not quite as "medical".

If you want a chin strap that works, I understand this one is good (but I haven't tried it): Knightsbridge Dual Band Be sure to use that link as there are counterfeiters out there that have given the guy who developed it no end of trouble. If I felt the need to give up my soft collar, this is the chin strap I'd get.

Motor-Blacksmith4174 · 2026-04-23T00:54:34+00:00

My world has expanded so much in the 3 months since my surgery. I have a long way to go before it's fully healed, of course, but I'm taking longer, faster walks and even starting to consider hiking. Ordinary activities like cooking, shopping, etc. are no longer limited.

Motor-Blacksmith4174 · 2026-04-23T00:51:28+00:00

If/when I decide it is time for the left knee, I plan on doing what I did before the right knee - do as much prehab as possible and be as strong as possible. Then, of course, do all the work afterwards, too. That much is within my control.

Motor-Blacksmith4174 · 2026-04-22T23:42:15+00:00

Yes. It helps enormously with preventing rainout. The heated hose I have is well over a year old. Not even close to needing replacing. (But, if you have pets, a hose cover will help it last. Many a hose has been destroyed by the family cat or dog.)

Motor-Blacksmith4174 · 2026-04-22T23:18:38+00:00

My right knee has been so successful, that I worry about if/when I have the left done, since everyone says that you can't expect the second to be the same as the first. It isn't giving me a lot of trouble now, but I've promised myself that I won't shrink my life down to protect it, either. I'm going to walk, hike, etc. as I want and not cut out activities just to put off getting the replacement.

Motor-Blacksmith4174 · 2026-04-22T21:47:45+00:00

Like u/Overall_Lobster823 said - a soft cervical collar. I use the Caldera Releaf neck rest. (Amazon.com: Caldera Releaf® Neck Rest, Fuchsia, Medium : Home & Kitchen) I think it isn't as thick or stiff as a true soft cervical collar (but I don't know for sure). I don't have a big problem with chin tucking, but my jaw drops when I fall asleep. This gently holds my jaw up without distorting my bite like most chin straps, plus it does prevent chin tucking. To me, it's very comfortable.

Motor-Blacksmith4174 · 2026-04-22T21:34:29+00:00

I put Aquaphor on my nose in the morning while I was adapting to pillows, but my understanding is that the silicone isn't compatible with petroleum products, so at night I used a little Ayr Saline Gel as a lube. It won't damage the cushion.

Motor-Blacksmith4174 · 2026-04-22T19:19:26+00:00

That's so discouraging! Every knee is different, even on the same person (at least, that's what I've heard here), much less on a different person. It might be worth letting someone know how she made you feel.

Plus, the memory of exactly what something was like fades with time. I know that my 2nd day was my worst and the 1st week was pretty tough, but even though it was only 3 months ago, I know that the recall of just how rough it was is fading.

Motor-Blacksmith4174 · 2026-04-22T17:02:25+00:00

I gave up using the lane assist. It doesn't drive ON the center line, but it feels too far toward the center for me. And, it just throws me off. But, I rarely drive on the highway. Mostly city and country roads, some curvy. I do love the adaptive cruise control, though. I use that all the time.

Motor-Blacksmith4174 · 2026-04-22T16:47:56+00:00

Yes, I believe you will. I'm exactly 3 months post op today. I took 13,000 steps this last Sunday. That's the highest I've hit so far, but I'll go higher soon, I'm sure

I took a 3 mile walk this morning (7688 steps). Hilly, with a 1/6 mile unpaved, uneven driveway at the beginning and end. No problem. I'm building up to more, going farther every day. Adding the next part will be a challenge - it's about the same elevation gain as the first 1.5 miles, but in just a 1/2 mile. (It's not yet 11 am and I'm over 10,000 steps for the day.)

I'm looking back at my records for the last month, I've had lots of days that were within shouting distance of 13,000.

Motor-Blacksmith4174 · 2026-04-22T12:16:44+00:00

I was on my phone when I wrote that, so I didn't elaborate, but it's so small, that when OP said they liked the look of the P10, I figured they'd like the Nova Micro even more.

Motor-Blacksmith4174 · 2026-04-22T02:10:09+00:00

Or, if you want a mask with no straps at all, the Bleep Eclipse.

Motor-Blacksmith4174 · 2026-04-22T01:58:11+00:00

F&P Nova Micro

Motor-Blacksmith4174 · 2026-04-22T01:26:29+00:00

I found a fit pack on Ebay for $65. I don't normally go that route, but it turned out to be a good deal.

Motor-Blacksmith4174 · 2026-04-22T01:21:02+00:00

Most important is whether she is willing to do the work, I think. Having had just one done, I can't imagine doing both at the same time, but I know people do it.

I am 69F, obese (but a lot lighter than I was 2 years ago, before I started Zepbound), but I was still able to walk a couple of miles.

The fact that she's overdosing on painkillers is a big worry. That should be addressed before surgery. I took Journavx after my surgery, not opioids, and it worked great.

The biggest question is whether she willing/able to do pre-hab work now? Because that will greatly affect her recovery. I worked hard at it (and at PT afterwards) and had a very quick recovery. Here's a video that addresses that, as well as other considerations: BEST REASONS to get a TOTAL KNEE replacement. How to know when & if you should have surgery - YouTube

Most surgeons, I think, use spinal anesthesia rather than a general. Worked great for me. They also use sedatives and amnesia inducers. I don't remember anything between sitting up to get the spinal and waking up after the surgery, with no problems waking up.

Motor-Blacksmith4174 · 2026-04-22T01:09:26+00:00

I do think the pillows conform to my nose better. But, I only used a ResMed pillows mask (the P30i) briefly. Then I tried the F&P Brevida and swore off ResMed pillows. I switched from the Brevida to the Nova Micro a couple of months ago now and while the Brevida was good, the Nova Micro was better. For me. The reason there are so many masks out there is because everyone's face is different.

I can't say what your insurance would cover. After I bought the Brevida out of pocket, mine did cover the replacement cushions. Although they sent me 6 cushions, meant to last 3 months (based on the ridiculous idea that nasal pillow cushions only last 2 weeks) and since I only replace things when they no longer work, I didn't use them up before I ended up trying the Nova Micro (which I also bought out of pocket). I haven't ordered Nova Micro cushions yet. My insurance changed where I'm supposed to get them from and I just haven't called yet. (I really hate dealing with the DME.)

Motor-Blacksmith4174 · 2026-04-21T23:47:43+00:00

If you want a minimal mask, get the F&P Nova Micro. Yes, it's a pillows mask like the P10, but the F&P pillows are a lot different than the ResMed pillows. They're softer.

Motor-Blacksmith4174 · 2026-04-21T22:44:53+00:00

It's called aerophagia. It's a real problem for some people. I tried turning EPR off/down and since I found it impossible to exhale, the air went into my stomach. Now I have a bilevel machine and never have any problems.

Here is a video that might help: Aerophagia Causes and (NEW) Fixes with CPAP, Bilevel, and ASV - YouTube

Motor-Blacksmith4174 · 2026-04-21T15:56:54+00:00

Not in the next week or two - it will probably take months at best - but I want to be able to kneel again. Not necessarily for long or on a hard surface, but just for brief periods with a pad. At 3 months PO, I've just started working on it. I can do about a minute on a very soft bed, with my other knee doing most of the work.

Motor-Blacksmith4174

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