"total knee replacement - very happy patient"

I went in on 22.6.16 at 7am for a total knee replacement.

From the moment i walked tbrough the door the staff were absolutely fantastic.

The anaesthesiatist offerered me a choice of general or spinal. I opted for a spinal block and the dr stayed talking to me the whole time.

I was given a sedative and the 90 minutes of surgery passed stress free and quickly.

As soon as i went through to recovery someone came to check on me and brought me a cup of tea.

As i had a spinal block rather than a general i was on ridge ward by 11am and was immediately greeted by a nurse and an assistant.

Staff on the ward were amazing, constantly checking on me and as soon as the spinal wore off they managed my pain very well. I did meet a pain nurse early on.

As i had a spinal block i was unable to use a commode so i had to use a bed pan.

The staff member was fantastic and i was given upmost dignity and respect during a totally embarrasing situation.

Physios came the next morning and i was allowed to walk with a frame.

One doctor was a little rude the day after surgery but the sister and physio spoke to them the next day before they visited and the doctor apologised.

I think they just forgot that i am human and was feeling very vunerable.

All staff work extremely hard and the whole time i was on the ward i dont think i saw a member of staff sitting down.

All members of staff were highly professional and smiled constantly. The food was great and i found the choice really good. The water on my table was changed several times a day and the bay was cleaned very well. The were also spot checks by cleaning supervisors and the sisters on the wards missed nothing.

Although i was on alot of pain medication and not completely with it in the first couple of days i always felt in control.

I wanted to go home on day 4 but wasn't quite ready and the physios explained it clearly and i was happy. At 9am on day 5 the physios said i could go home. Sadly i then had to wait until 5pm for the pharmacy to dispense my medication.

The sister on the ward phoned and sent assistants to follow it up.

It seemed silly that i had to wait 8 hours for tablets.

Overall i found it a positive experience and all staff from the cleaners to the consultants were totally amazing.