Hello all,

I just had my left ankle reconstruction and stabilization surgery last Weds. on 1/11/06. Everything has gone really well. I thought I would be in a lot more pain than this, but I'm actually almost off my pain meds. My doctor told my husband that htere was more damage than we all thought once he opened my ankle up. He was surprised that I was still able to get around and work full-time with my ankle as messed up as it was. I will see my doctor for my first post-op visit this Friday 1/20/06. I will finally get to see my ankle with the surgical dressing and cast removed. My doctor also took pictures during the surgery that I will get to see. That should be amazing! I'm able to get around with the help of my walker, but I'm not up too much due to the swelling and throbbing that comes along with having my foot hanging down. I want to thank you all for the great advice and how to prepare for the post-op recovery period. I followed everything, and it has made life so much easier. I'll try to post now and then and let you know how things are going.

Wow... glad to hear that you are feeling so good! Just take it slow and remember to keep it elevated. It gets hard because you get really bored just sitting around on the couch. But let the pain be your guide. I don't think I could keep mine hanging down for more than 5 minutes for weeks after the surgery. Even after it stopped hurting so much when I let it hang, it would turn the most amazing colors... That actually didn't stop until 6-8 weeks after surgery when I got off the darn crutches and started walking on the thing.

Just think healing thoughts. :-)

Oh, and I'm jealous that your doctor took pictures... I actually took my digital camera in so that they could take pictures for me, and the nurse did take pictures. I got two of my pristine ankle propped up waiting to be cut open. Nothing else. I could have taken those pictures at home! I did get two sheets of arthroscopy pictures from the doctor, which were interesting. But I wanted to see the whole gory picture with my foot all cut open and the drill in my bone and stuff. (Okay, so I'm a little morbid...)