-Get your prescription for pain meds filled prior to surgery, so you don’t have to worry about it.
-Shower the night before and the morning of with Hibiclenz, an antimicrobial soap.
-Use a Sharpie marker to indicate the injured knee for surgeon.
-Remove all nail polish and don’t wear any perfume/lotion. You want to bring the least amount of bacteria into the op. room.
-Rid your cabinets of junk food. (Think about it, you won’t be able to workout for a while.)
-My friend Amy says to set up a “station” next to you with magazines, meds, remotes, drinks, ice and a computer. 
My right knee after the tear. Where’s my kneecap?
Tonight’s schedule: sleep well, arrive at the hospital at 6 a.m. to get knocked back out and wake up to a new knee. I reached the point where I can’t mentally prepare or anticipate what the unknown will feel like anymore. I just have to go with it. In a few short hours, what’s been the “unknown” to me for the last four months will finally be revealed. Then, I can tell you all about it. And post some pics of the new (frankenstein) knee.
One last thing, a lot of you have asked if I will be capturing the surgery via videos or tweets. The answer is no. I don’t want to distract the surgeon. If you really want to see the non-sugar-coated knee surgery highlights, click here.
Good Luck on your surgery!
I had the same surgery you did. I tore my acl back in feb of last year and had the reconstructie surgery with a hamstring graft the day before yours actually, on the 19th of may. Good luck with your recovery!!
Thanks, Eddie! What a coincidence! I hope you have had a hopeful recovery. And I’m sure you are full of good advice, too, so please jump in and comment with your ACL recovery words of wisdom!
Hi!
Were you able to achieve full extension (0 degrees) prior the surgery? I torn my ACL 3 weeks ago and I still haven’t achieved full extension and flexion.