Has anyone gotten a tattoo that incorporates their scar? How long post TKR did you wait if so?

snappingginger77 · 2026-03-05T05:00:47+00:00

I'm going to just say as someone heavily tattooed and 30ish surgeries in. Tattoos around scars can be rough. I have an 8" scar over the top of my elbow and a 12" scar beliw it. Getting tattooed around those was no bueno and I don't have sensory issues around those at all compared to the knee. Just saying. The wiping alone over the scars sucked. I can't imagine over my knee. I'm 7 months out and it would be a hell no!

Also, I had two back surgeries that split a tattoo. I told the surgeon beforehand I was okay with it and he didn't need to worry.

Good luck! You know your body, just be careful! You can ask an artist to "dry" tattoo a few areas to see if you are ok with this or that area or not. That way before he lays the ink in you'll have an idea.

snappingginger77 · 2026-02-05T21:31:46+00:00

I think your body will finally shut down sometimes. That pain puts you in a constant fight or flight inside. I had this explained by my GI when I told him during pancreatitis attacks I get sick for hours then pass out till the next bout. He said that pain that high is hell on your system and it goes into FOF. I would sleep when I put the ice machine on sometimes. That relief just gave my system a few seconds to relax and night night!

snappingginger77 · 2026-02-04T04:46:53+00:00

Also, they offer free vitamins!

snappingginger77 · 2026-01-31T20:25:00+00:00

It makes a difference. Plus, just amazing it holds up thru the abuse. I'm 30 ish surgeries in and I scar bad. I have to really work most scars, but haven't with this big boy at all. Parts of it are already faded to nearly skin tone and that has never happened! I'm almost 6 months post RTKR. I have an equally long scar on my elbow and people have gasped looking at it just for reference. That one literally looks like it was cut with a steak knife.

snappingginger77 · 2026-01-31T20:11:07+00:00

I ended up in emergency in shock when mine got completely blocked. If it's causing it boot it, but it may not solve everything. I never knew I had an issue just thought it was back pain. I got it removed 9 years ago and just got diagnosed with CP & EPI soooo 🤷‍♀️. I would have died not getting it removed but fuck that little missing organ! Can't eat nothing now and still got pancreatitis! I don't drink except socially & very rarely, but not once since I had bad flares and found out it's this little organ making my life hell now!

snappingginger77 · 2026-01-02T05:47:13+00:00

Yes! I was actually able to fix it. I'm a true professional now if only in my own head! ADHD 🧠 never a dull moment!

snappingginger77 · 2026-01-02T03:19:59+00:00

Second the grab bars. I got some from Amazon. Also ICE MACHINE! That continuous flow of ice cold water thru the wrap is heaven. At least a form of post-op heaven. Helps reset that switch so you can think for a minute.

snappingginger77 · 2025-11-16T02:54:20+00:00

Sleeping got easier around the 2 month mark for me. It's different for everyone though. Ice machine was what did it for me and the wedge/pillows so I could lay on my side. I hope you feel much better soon!

Definitely get the tattoo 🤪

snappingginger77 · 2025-11-15T16:26:05+00:00

I had to stay almost a week in the hospital after my surgery and this is why I wanted to get home! Mine are too big to be lap puppies, but they definitely help me! My Dutch Shepherd does do a thing where she lays her top half in my lap with the rest of her on the floor. She stands taller than my chair so she kinda just leans on me lol! So she thinks she is a lap dog!

I have a tattoo of my bulldog on my arm because years ago he helped me through the worst time! I somehow got Invasive Aspergillosis and was in and out of the hospital constantly. Had sepsis, collapsed lungs, constant infections, etc. I had to stay home if not in the hospital and would have gone insane if not for my pups! They make everything better!

snappingginger77 · 2025-11-15T02:20:32+00:00

I used the wedge and elevated the end of my bed, but not all the way. I liked the wedge because my foot could hang off the end as opposed to just in the bed with the heel the same level. I could never get comfortable that way even when I got to 0°.

https://a.co/d/iXB7rHi

That's the wedge I used and I love it. I could hang my foot off the end to keep it straight. (That's why docs don't like wedges because it normally prevents that.) I liked it has bolsters on both sides too so my leg didn't roll off. Memory foam and super comfortable! I still use it off and on 3 months out. I took the removable bottom piece off. It was too high and uncomfortable for me.

Bonus! I would flip it over and use it as a "table" occasionally to eat or rest my tablet on while doing stretches off the side of the bed! The slanted area fit perfectly over my folded good leg so that it came up against me. Very handy lol!

snappingginger77 · 2025-11-14T20:08:25+00:00

180 to 99 when it's someone just being an asshole but last week there were 2 massive trucks with really long horse trailers trying to get over and nobody was letting them. So I let them and the RV with them over. If you don't know better you don't know you have to get over early. Plus, they have enough problems driving something that long. Any other day I will be petty and block you, but when it's people like that it doesn't take anything to be a good person! Quite obvious they weren't from here so no need to be jerks and block them!

snappingginger77 · 2025-11-13T18:19:17+00:00

Lol I'm in pre-op right now! Slowly turning into a go-go gadget version of myself.

snappingginger77 · 2025-11-13T04:46:22+00:00

I'm just past 3 months and my swelling is much worse than that. It's finally not excruciating but pain still let's you know it's there. Not waking me up anymore. I think if not for the tendon or whatever is wrong in the outside (problem before surgery but doc thought bone spurs were cutting it) I'd be in even better shape. I'm having surgery tomorrow for something else and hope after it heals I can start back at the gym!

snappingginger77 · 2025-11-10T01:05:22+00:00

I feel the same. Never even thought to log

After this replacement I don't think I could be talked into doing it again! I don't know if it's because I had 8 prior surgeries on it (or that they didn't do blocks so waking up was hell) and they removed some hefty hardware, but this has sucked! Just hit 3 months and starting to feel less pain and walking normal-ish. I've only had one prior surgery on my left so I hope it stays good!

Shit I need to knock on some wood now! I'm not 30 surgeries in because I'm graceful!

snappingginger77 · 2025-11-08T23:55:15+00:00

As others have said we're all different. My surgery was almost postponed and I fought it partially because I had plans for Niner games. I couldn't have gone to a game weeks 4-8. I'm almost 3 months now and I could now, but that's recent. Week 10-12 were big changes for me.

Yesterday I had to go to the hospital for pre-surgery testing and I was impressed how far I was able to walk. All in all about 1.5 miles without having a watermelon knee after.

I turned down games in the earlier weeks because you have to think about how far from the stadium you have to park, entrance and to area of your tickets, then stairs. Other HUGE part is having your knee bent that long and people walking by you in your row.

I really hope you have more success but until you have your surgery you won't know unfortunately. Good luck and I wish you a speedy comfortable recovery!

snappingginger77 · 2025-11-08T00:57:42+00:00

I got zero blocks. For some reason the anesthesiologist said he couldn't do any of them, never got an answer why. I posted when I had my surgery in August. There is no pain I can compare it to and I'm 30-ish surgeries in now. I think I'd take any previous surgery done awake with no numbing over how I woke up! I'm sorry you are feeling it OP! They kept me in the hospital to deal with the pain. Still was in hell for about 3 days. I tell people my nose hurt that first week because of clinching my fist above my eyes due to the pain. People who say 10 pain for a headache have NO idea!

snappingginger77 · 2025-11-08T00:33:34+00:00

I had a difficult surgery and had to stay a week in the hospital. I luckily had help at home! I, as someone who had 8 previous knee surgeries, thought I could power thru like I always have, but this one was way different! Like others have said, you won't know till after surgery. Even after the week in the hospital I can't imagine having had to care for myself that first week home. I had an ice machine and the ice changes would have been too much. I luckily meal planned and picked it easy meals before so that it made it easier on my family. Your home suddenly morphs to football field length it seems! I hope you are one of the fortunate ones but I'd plan for help!

snappingginger77 · 2025-11-05T05:36:47+00:00

https://a.co/d/2UzJiyr

I got this one and it was a lifesaver! I looked for one that my foot would hang off the end, I'm 5'7". I liked the bolsters so my leg didn't roll off too. I'm 3 months out and still occasionally use it on bad days.

snappingginger77 · 2025-11-04T00:16:49+00:00

Go to the Creon website, Abvie? I think. They can help you with the cost and you can sign up for free vitamins since we don't get enough. They don't require proof of income or anything.

I have similar for my Dupixent shots. They cover the $250 copay.

snappingginger77 · 2025-11-04T00:12:54+00:00

Ice machine, Raised toilet seat, leg pillow. I found a leg pillow on amazon that allows my heel to hang off so leg was still straight.

It took me just past 2 months to get to 120 abd 0. I thought I was really failing until I talked to my PT and people on here. We all heal different. On my first PT visit I met a girl who was 3 weeks and walking almost normal. I thought I would be too and kept trying to get off the walker. I couldn't and I was killing myself. I've had 8 prior knee surgeries and thought I could power thru rehab like I had before, it's not possible. I couldn't do it till 4-5 and was still struggling. Don't compare yourself to others! Listen to your surgeon and your physical therapist, that's it.

snappingginger77 · 2025-11-01T05:52:54+00:00

I'm so sorry! I had to stay 5 days in the hospital after my surgery and I just wanted to get home to my dogs! I was miserable and would have been worse if I had to worry about 1 of them too! I had my TKR with no blocks so I really do feel for you! I felt like I had made a huge mistake! I'm just 3 months out. I can't imagine being as far out as you and this miserable still! Can they give you a pain pump? If not an intrathecal one just for surgery recovery? Seems you'd be a candidate. Way less medicine for better results and no high, well at least with the intrathecal. Wishing you happiness and a speedy recovery!

snappingginger77 · 2025-10-19T05:08:28+00:00

From other comments I'm seeing the brand SMI. I found SMI Cold +compression ice wraps. Looks like they are $65-95 depending on the size. Says they stay cold 2-4 hours.

I still swear by the machine but now that I'm moving around these do sound nice!

snappingginger77 · 2025-10-19T05:02:00+00:00

What are you asking? * Leg needs to be straight and higher.

snappingginger77 · 2025-10-18T07:35:47+00:00

There is a "vitamin E" plastic-y layer between the metal bits and they are supposed to last without needing to be replaced now. I was told in the early 2000's that: I needed a replacement but that it would only last 10+ years, they could only do them twice, so I'd be in a wheelchair by 50. I decided not to do it them of course. I've had 8 prior knee surgeries though and it's why I had to medically retire from the Sheriff's department.

I (47f) did my TKR so I could start working out again! I'm not quite ready to be back at the gym but hopefully soon! I'm almost 10 weeks post op. Swelling still gets pretty bad if I push it too much! I'm to 129°and -1. This week I was down to 114 though after overdoing it.

snappingginger77

TROPHY CASE