Impending surgery concerns

[Rosebud1027]

Impending knee replacement and worried about impact anesthesia and post surgery pain killers could have on already level 3 liver disease. Has anyone undergone orthopedic surgery and how did it go? What I don’t want to happen is to get a new knee and then need liver transplant because of meds.

[nash2 Partner]

Haven't had that particular situation, but try to get your hepatologist and the anesthesiologist and orthopedic folks to communicate. things like that should be managed as a team.

[Rosebud1027 in reply to nash2]

That’s how I felt too but nobody seems to feel the need. I’m having it done at the orthopedic hospital and my GI is at another area hospital. I considered switching to have it done at the hospital where my GI and PC practice but the GI doc said there is no need to do that if I’m happy with the orthopedist- he’s done my other knee and hip. I feel like I’m over thinking everything but a level 3 feels very dire to me.

[geneticnash]

I recently had foot surgery (7 weeks ago) and had the same concerns. My gastro and hepatologist told me it could be hard on my body to suffer through without the meds. I am taking pain meds (still - very slow recovery progress) but only once per day - to sleep. The lowest dosage possible. I agree with Wayne - let your docs all discuss it, but make your point known for sure!