I did this at Kaiser back in '83. My first knee surgery, right medial meniscus tear repair/synovectomy.
It would have been very interesting but I had too much IV fluid in prior to surgery while waiting (surgery pushed back several hours) and didn't get catheterized prior to surgery so almost *burst* during surgery (begged to be cathed but wasn't). Also begged the surgeon to "hurry up"~ he was a nice guy, said he'd never ask another woman if she wanted to stay awake and watch her own surgery again!
You'll probably enjoy watching the surgery if you are able. My second knee surgery was more involved and while I didn't even think to ask to view it one of the Residents I knew described it in detail to me at some point after I was released from the hospital (wasn't pleased at ending up w/long leg cast so wondered why I needed it and surgeon didn't give me much of an explanation).
I know that feeling of being ready to go in terms of knee pain. Good luck ~ keep us posted
