Day 1 of physical therapy

Yesterday I have my two week post op apt. Long story short, the doctor was quite pleased with x-rays as well as general progress of everything. My sutures in both knees were removed and incisions are all healed over. He was shocked how well my incisions healed. In fact, they were healed enough that skin grew over the sutures. You can imagine how that felt when he removed those! On my left, I have five incisions, two which are a few inches in length. On my right, I have two small incisions. I have one more week. In fact, I have one more week before I can take a bath and get into the pool!!! Dr also stated I was on track to begin work on June 4th at reduced hours. Following the apt, I was quite relieved and excited how things were going. Well, that took an oppositite turn today. I had my first day of physical therapy today. I was excited going in and was ready to get the recovery started. I am limited as far as how much I can do due to the range of motion in the left. Post op I was locked with a straight leg. I am now able to range up to 45 degrees, will progress 10 degrees each week. After he assessed my knees, I asked about returning to work, if I would be ready by the 4th. His short answe, most likely not going to happen. However, I didn't explain that I would have an aid to assist and I wasn't returning at full time. Another blow to me, he wants me to decrease the amount of weight I put on my left knee. Imdomhave swelling along the inside of the knee, which is where all the reconstruction did take place. At that point, I was ready to hide in a corner and cry. I do have to say, my standing tolerance and walking distance have improved. So why reverse it, going from weight bearing as tolerated to non weight bearing? I knew this going into surgery and prior to my apt today at PT, I only get 20 visits of physical therapy. To put it frank, that is not a lot when you have had both knees done and one was a full reconstruction. That totally bites. Luckily with my therapy knowledge and my doctors brain, we order. Unit for home to help stimulate and contract my quad muscles. This will help tremendously as I can do more from home. I'm still walking with the walker, putting 75% weight through the left. I've had no problems with the right. I can do one straight leg raise, keeping your leg straight you have to lift it up off the floor. However, to do this simple exercise, I have to full engage my brain to tighten my quad muscles (muscles on top of the thigh). I'm like a kid who has to train the brain to move a body part. I feel like I'm making awesome gains. This surgery and recovery have been going smooth. Now its time to do the hard work in rehab. Bring it on, I'm totally ready to kick butt! I do believe, as well as my dr and physical therapist, that all my time in the gym and losing weight helped tremendously. I am ready however, to get things back to normal.