Full Knee Replacement – Recovery, Reality, and Building Inside Wealthy Affiliate

Full Knee Replacement – Recovery, Reality, and Building Inside Wealthy Affiliate

On the 3rd of February, late in the day, I had a complete knee replacement. I had mentioned this was on the cards in my last post. The day had started at 4am, so by the time it was done I was more than ready for food and water.

It’s quite something when you think about it. You go in with a worn-out joint and a few hours later you come out with a brand-new mechanical one. Modern surgery is remarkably efficient.

I was discharged the following Saturday. Many leave sooner.

What they do warn you about, and they’re right, is the first two to three weeks. The pain spike after discharge can be sharp.

Because I’d been on long-term pain medication for my knee and back, plus other maintenance meds, my first few days were more of a roller coaster than expected. Low blood pressure led to caution regarding pain relief. In the clearer moments between drowsiness, I explained that a heart medication might be contributing. That was reviewed and paused, my blood pressure stabilised, and the correct pain management followed.

There was still a feeling that something wasn’t quite aligned. I raised it again. A further medication adjustment was made, and things settled properly. After that, recovery felt like it was moving in the right direction.

They’re not exaggerating about the pain spike. If you’re unlucky, it comes early.

The medication helps, but it also brings fogginess, drowsiness, and the occasional “what was I saying?” moments. Recovery isn’t dramatic. It’s slow, uncomfortable, and very real.

During the first week my leg swelling increased, which meant more calls and eventually a visit back to hospital yesterday for a DVT clinic check. Thankfully, no DVT. Just swelling and routine monitoring.

I’m sharing this in case other members here are heading toward similar surgery.

· The operation itself is straightforward and very well organised

· Make sure your full medical picture is clearly recorded

· The NHS process has been solid throughout

· The first two weeks are the toughest

· Improvement happens, but you must respect the pace and keep up with the therapy, even when it feels minor

My family and friends tell me my improvement is really noticeable, but for me, it doesn’t feel like it.

It isn’t something to fear, but it is something to prepare for mentally.

With movement restricted, I’ve realised something practical. Building online is one of the few things you can still do from a chair or a bed, in short bursts. Even small edits or planning sessions inside Wealthy Affiliate feel productive without overdoing it.

From a business point of view, being forced to slow down showed me something useful in my online and Wealthy Affiliate world. The plans were still there. The structure still made sense when I came back to it. That tells me I’m building in the right direction. For now, the priority is simple: recover properly and then return at full strength.

So I’m easing back into writing and publishing. No rush. No, trying to compensate for lost days.

New knee. Same direction.

And yes, I’ve had a few comments about how neat the incision looks. I’ll give the surgical team the credit for that.

If anyone here is about to go through it, I’m happy to share more as it progresses.

Thinking of others.

Rob