Other Preparations

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Return to main article: Recovering From Total Knee Replacement

Along with exercising, preparing your home, and discussing your recovery with the people who will be caring for you, there are a few other things you should do to ensure that your knee replacement surgery and recovery will go smoothly.

Discuss the procedure with your orthopedic surgeon. You’ll want to be clear on all the logistics, including what time you should arrive at the hospital, what type of anesthesia you will receive, and how long you can expect to stay in the hospital after the procedure.
Talk with the surgeon about stopping certain medicines before surgery. Some drugs, including aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can raise the risk of bleeding during surgery that is difficult to stop. Make sure the surgeon knows about everything you take, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs and vitamins, herbs, and other supplements.
If you smoke, make an effort to quit. Smoking increases the risk of surgical complications and can slow healing. If you drink alcohol, don’t drink any within 48 hours of surgery.

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