Bubba On the Lake – Episode #27: Knee Replacement with Dr. Richard Berger
Date: August 27, 2025
Host: Bill "Bubba" Bussey
Guests: Betty Lou Bussey (wife), Caitlin Bussey (daughter)
Theme: Bubba shares the full story of his recent knee replacement surgery in Chicago with Dr. Richard Berger, joined by wife Betty Lou and daughter Caitlin for a candid, humorous, and informative recap of their “knee replacement adventure.”
Episode Overview
Bubba sets out to demystify knee replacement surgery, sharing his personal journey—decision-making, the travel and procedure itself, recovery, and emotional moments. The family dynamic takes center stage, providing comic relief and real talk about aging, logistics, and health. Bubba also spotlights Dr. Richard Berger's minimally invasive technique and why he chose to travel to Chicago, rather than use Alabama’s many excellent surgeons. The episode blends medical insight with Bubba’s trademark humor and family banter.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Why Go to Dr. Berger in Chicago?
[02:00 - 03:50]
- Bubba explains he knew for years he’d need a knee replacement and put it off as long as he could.
- He had local options with “world-renowned surgeons” but was swayed by numerous friends’ exceptional outcomes with Dr. Berger in Chicago.
- Dr. Berger’s minimally invasive procedure allows much quicker recovery—crucial due to Bubba’s demanding sports broadcast schedule at Jacksonville State.
- Notable anecdote: A whole Sunday School class considered a “group knee replacement trip.”
"Dr. Berger had done several of my friends… very good results. He’s a unique story. He was an MIT mechanical engineer, invented a new knee and hip, then went back and got his doctoring license so he could install it himself. Pretty smart guy that picks up doctoring as a second hobby after mechanical engineering."
— Bill Bubba Bussy [07:04]
2. Traveling to Chicago: Family Logistics & Humor
[06:53 - 15:14]
- Bubba, Betty Lou, and Caitlin detail their early-morning trek from Birmingham to Chicago, full of travel quirks, family roles, and airport mishaps.
- Caitlin teases that traveling with her parents is “prep for children,” as she handles logistics and jokes about generational role reversals.
- Staying at Trump Tower turned out to be a highlight—great views, excellent service, and spa time for Caitlin.
"Traveling with y'all was like my prep for children."
— Caitlin Bussey [01:39]
"I'm honestly not ready to take on the role of y’ all being dependent on me. Like it's always been roles reversed, and I would love to keep it that way as long as possible."
— Caitlin Bussey [12:13]
- Light-hearted exchanges about being overly early at the airport, getting lost looking for Chick-fil-A, and generational differences in travel habits.
3. Impressions of Chicago
[08:09 - 11:29]
- Family expresses initial apprehension about Chicago’s reputation for crime, but report feeling “safe at all times” and loving the city’s beauty.
- Betty Lou and Caitlin enjoyed sightseeing solo while Bubba visited a broadcast technology supplier.
- Trump Tower selected for proximity and vanities; Caitlin revels in the spa and jokes the family almost roomed together.
4. Meeting Dr. Berger: The “Machine” at Midwest Orthopedics
[15:14 - 18:41]
- The pre-op appointment was quickly and efficiently run—“they’re a machine”—with X-rays, consult, and paperwork all done in about 35 minutes.
- Dr. Berger, accompanied by his team of fellows and interns, impresses with courtesy, expertise, and organization.
"We got in there, we were a few minutes early… got paperwork done, X-rays done, met with the doctor, got everything ready for surgery, and we were back out in front of the building waiting on our driver at 12:35."
— Bill Bubba Bussy [17:43]
- Bubba’s humor evident, joking about “the second most famous man in Chicago after Michael Jordan.”
5. Pre-Surgery Good Omens & Family Rituals
[18:41 - 20:40]
- The day before surgery, Bubba noticed fortuitous signs ("godwinks"), including a double rainbow over the city, which reassured him.
- The family’s regular driver, "Big Mitch from Macedonia," contributed calm and reliability.
- Pre-surgery, the Bussey family shares an emotional routine from the film Somewhere in Time:
"The Jane Seymour movie... 'Come back to me, my love.' Which I feel silly doing it... but it is the routine, and it relaxes me."
— Betty Lou & Bill Bubba Bussy [27:28 - 27:51]
6. Surgery Day at Surgical Center in Indiana
[23:06 - 32:24]
- Surgery took place in Chesterton, Indiana (about an hour from Chicago), at a “beautiful” new surgical center.
- Bubba commends the staff’s professionalism and warmth throughout prepping and surgery.
- Caitlin jokes about military-level sendoffs and her parents’ expressions of love.
- The procedure involved a spinal block (with novel numbing patch), and the next memory Bubba had was waking up post-surgery—famously requesting his usual pizza order!
"Every single time, you verbatim, kind of look around, and you go, 'Can I get a thin crust? Half Hawaiian, half meat lovers, Domino’s.' Every time. It's so funny."
— Caitlin Bussey [28:12]
7. Post-Op Recovery: A Family Affair (and Comedy Show)
[31:40 - 34:53]
- Bubba’s up and walking almost immediately—using a walker, then a cane, then no assistance—with staff “impressed” and the family filming his “throw down the cane” moment.
- Lighthearted, slightly embarrassing moments: hospital gowns with “three strings in the back”; Caitlin’s horror at seeing her dad’s hospital attire.
- Bubba’s optimism and lack of grinding pain amazed the family:
"It felt so good because it wasn't grinding anymore. And I'm used to that grinding feeling. And I didn't have that... it just felt so good."
— Bill Bubba Bussy [31:55]
8. The Return Home: Planes, Pills & Taco Bell
[34:53 - 42:37]
- Recovery exceeded expectations—Bubba is up and wanting to go out to dinner soon after surgery.
- Airport logistics required wheelchairs and extra help; family discusses managing medications and the comic result of overmedication (“my eyes were crossing and I couldn't uncross”).
- Caitlin credits herself with wrangling travel details while poking fun at her parents’ travel style.
- Homecoming celebrated by much-needed Taco Bell—a highlight for Bubba, who methodically enjoys a Crunchwrap for 45 minutes on the drive.
9. Week-After Update: Exceptional Progress & Minor Mishaps
[42:52 - End]
- A week after surgery, Bubba is walking better than in years, though notes his “legs may be different lengths now.”
- The family deals with minor medical device mishaps (ice machine bladder break) and continue their lighthearted dynamic through recovery.
- Bubba expresses deep gratitude for family support and Dr. Berger’s skill, credits “meeting protocol” for this stage of recovery.
"If it’s an inch longer, I don’t care because it don’t hurt."
— Bill Bubba Bussy [43:32]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On role reversal:
"I'm honestly not ready to take on the role of y’ all being dependent on me, though. Like it's always been roles reversed, and I would love to keep it that way as long as possible."
— Caitlin Bussey [12:14] -
On the rainbow over Chicago:
"We had this rainbow... a sign. I mean, we've had two godwinks in this... And it was very reassuring to me to see that."
— Bill Bubba Bussy [19:12] -
On post-op euphoria:
"I was just relieved to have it behind me, you know, and like, okay, I survived. My knee is still here... it’s just such a relief."
— Bill Bubba Bussy [34:07] -
On family routine before every surgery:
"'Come back to me, my love.' Which I feel silly doing it... but it is the routine, and it relaxes me."
— Betty Lou [27:28] -
On rapid recovery:
"I was shocked at how well you felt... like, let's go to dinner."
— Caitlin Bussey [34:28] -
On priorities:
“Before we even got there, that I slept real good the first night. You changed ice packs on my knee. Didn’t wake me up.”
— Bill Bubba Bussy [36:03] -
On the hospital gown dilemma:
"Of all the advances we've made in medicine, we can't beat that [hospital gown]."
— Bill Bubba Bussy [31:20]
Timestamps for Notable Segments
- [02:00] – Bubba explains picking Dr. Berger
- [07:04] – Dr. Berger’s background and innovative methods
- [12:14] – Caitlin reflects on generational shift/caring for parents
- [15:14] – Clinic efficiency and first impression of Dr. Berger
- [19:12] – Double rainbow moment before surgery
- [27:28] – Family’s pre-surgery "Come back to me, my love" ritual
- [28:12] – Bubba’s post-op pizza ritual
- [31:55] – Walking post-op: "it wasn’t grinding anymore"
- [34:07, 34:53] – Rapid recovery, joking about being “healed”
- [43:32] – Bubba shrugs off possible leg discrepancy: “I don’t care because it don’t hurt.”
Tone & Style
The show is upbeat, warm, and often irreverent, balancing gentle self-deprecation and medical information with familial ribbing and sentimental moments. The trio’s southern wit and plainspoken honesty make even the technical details approachable.
Final Thoughts
This episode offers both a roadmap and a morale boost for anyone facing joint replacement. It highlights the value of thorough research, embracing innovation, and leaning on loved ones. Bubba’s recovery exceeded expectations, thanks largely to the expertise of Dr. Berger and a family determined to make the journey memorable.
"Thumbs up. Good trip. Praise the Lord—we're home and you’re doing great."
— [47:01 - 47:03]
For further details on Dr. Berger, driver Mitch, and the travel logistics, Bubba promises links and notes at the end of the show.
[Ads, intros, outros, and non-content sections have been omitted.]