I also had scar tissue removal and trimming of fat pad on the outside of my kneecaps done in 2004. I had both knees done, 2 months apart. The first week I was on the ice machine, crutches. The next week it was some crutches/some walking. The third week I did not need the crutches. It was not bad, as surgeries go. My advice is to make sure to use the ice machine for a full week, I only used it three days on the left knee. Then on the right I used it a week. My right knee, two years later has not built up much scar/fat pad impingement. The left is starting to swell now, and catches some, so I am suspecting there is some of the same problem going on. However, the left had more scar tissue to begin with the first time around, so who knows. Good luck, and take care, Kera
1999, bi-lateral releases, 2004 scar tissue/fat pad surgeries