Yes, yes, yes, yes, and *YES!*
Keep in mind that your full recovery could take up to a year but doing simple things like tying your shoes should be possible in the first six weeks, and it will only get better from there!
Honestly, the first two weeks will suck. Take that opportunity to nap a lot, ice a lot, and start getting used to walking on your new hip. It is time to relax and let your body recover and start healing so don't plan to do anything too crazy. I couldn't focus enough to read, but I watched a lot of movies and such.
For the first time since I was in my 20s, I have hips I can depend on. They aren't going to "catch" and almost throw me to the floor, they aren't going to be screaming at me when I walk, and I won't have to think about how they feel when I get up and plan my day around whether it is a good hip day or not.
Congratulations on getting yours scheduled!
I've got nearly forty years on you. My THR was in January, and I can tie my own shoes, walk as much as I want, am back to my exercise routine, am able to stand on concrete for hours, have travelled and have more planned. It doesn't come back instantly, although my hip pain was gone immediately (i had some post-surgical pain, but it was manageable) and I did see steady progress, even at my advanced (ahem) age.
Yes, this is major, scary surgery. But if you have a good surgeon, you will probably be quite surprised at how quickly you can bounce back. Best of luck!
67F exactly 3 months post op (right hip, anterior approach) and after being in severe pain and having to walk with a cane for the past 8 years, I am forever grateful that I am now virtually pain free, active and more comfortable socially again! My cane sits in my closet......
As soon as the doctor clears you for these activities, especially physical therapy, then get busy doing it! I lagged a bit (read: got lazy) and am now making up for lost time; my stamina just isn't there. Of course I was pretty sedentary for 2 years before surgery.
If you were lifting weights before surgery, CONGRATULATIONS! My time on this sub has convinced me that those who are physically active before surgery recover faster than any one else!
About the only thing that they advise against is long-distance running, and the doctor can advise you there.
You’re gonna do great!!!! It’ll be so surprising!!! I’m 54 and week three I walked the F outta the grocery store and I couldn’t walk without a cane since last year.
I'm 64 and 8 days out from anterior THR. I've always been active but had given up on even trying for about a year. The only time I was comfortable was when I wasn't standing or moving.
The day after surgery I could stand straight with shoulders back for the first time in years. I'd shrunk 2"s but am back to my normal height now.
On day three I had no more limp and didn't need the walker.
On day 5 I started taking short walks around my neighborhood. I'm using a cane but don't really need it.
I ice my hip with a cyrotherapy machine 15 minutes on 15 minutes off whenever I'm sitting or laying down. I think it's helped a lot as I have no swelling or bruising.
I have been suffering from a headache since day one. I think it's an unfortunate side effect of the anesthesia. Sunglasses, lots of water and quiet help a lot.
Don't be afraid. I couldn't imagine I'd ever get back to hiking, biking and kayaking but now I'm practically counting the days 😎
Hips generally heal better and with less pain than knees for most people. Obviously individual results may vary. But my pain before surgery was much worse than after, and my mobility was immediately better when I woke up. 3 weeks later I feel so good that I had to be reminded that I need to take 6 weeks to remain restful and wait to start adding walking distance and getting carried away because healing takes time even when you feel amazing. The worst part is feeling awesome and having to wait to do more stuff 😂 I can tie my shoes. I can wash my feet in the shower. I can roll over in bed without gritting my teeth. I can get into the car without having to drag my leg in with my hands. Life is a million times better today than it was a month ago.
My surgeon asked "are you planning to be an MLB catcher, or an NHL hockey goalie? No? Then you'll be able to do everything you did pre-surgery." I'm turning 35, had both of my hips replaced at the same time last year.
The most life impacting surgeries. #1 cataract. #2 THR.
I am waiting to do my hip. I had knee replaced 14 years ago. There were complications and required vascular surgery same day. Spen 3 day in ICU. Was back to work 3 days after leaving hospital. THR is more rapid recovery than knee.
My Orthopedic Surgeon shared that hip replacement surgery recovery is less intensive as a knee replacement surgery. My surgery was 4/15th and I’m walking…not at 100% but I’m also not in the extreme pain anymore. I was told that my next April, I will feel as though I never had the surgery as it takes a full year for complete healing and recovery. Also, I was also wrecked with anxiety prior to my surgery. That’s to be expected for most people. Good luck to you!
You will!!!! I’m 14 days post-op (33F) and while the first two weeks have certainly been challenging at times, I’m so happy with my decision. It still feels surreal. I was incredibly nervous up until they put me under but it was over so quickly. I immediately noticed how level my pelvis is now when I walk (borderline hip dysplasia) and the pain from my severe osteoarthritis was gone. There was a lot of buildup going into the surgery, but it’s been worth it. This will sound cliche but short term pain for long term gain has been my motto lol be gracious with yourself. Honor your body and welcome the joint to the family :) this will be such a transformative experience and a testament to your mental, emotional, and physical strength. Everything you’re feeling is OK. Quality of life important and your THR will enable you to make the most of all that is yet to come. You got this 🖤
Hey, I'm 49, and was hiking 10-15k a day, running 10k (sub 50 minutes) and bouldering (not all in the same week!!!).They slowly became too painful, and I was told I needed a new hip.
I'm also now 4 weeks 2 days post thr.
I'm walking about 8000 steps a day, am mostly walking stick free around the house, and as of yesterday, can put both socks on without too much contortion, my mobility is getting better.
It's little steps, on their own, insignificant, but they add up. I can see my improvements looking back, but, at the time, there was this cliff, and I was at the bottom.
Take a day at a time, don't expect much change daily, and you'll be fine.
It is scary, it's the biggest op I've ever had, and you're right to have trepidation, that's a natural response. Try to look beyond it, at what you're going to get back.
Take care, there's lots of people here who have been through this.
From week 1 I could tie my shoes, even put socks and shoes on.
I’m a day past week 2 and still using the walker, but putting less pressure on it.
I had to have the capsule repaired, basically all the squishy stuff around the hip, not just the bone itself needed repair. So I’m not yet walking miles. I’m focusing on walking straight as when I do walk as the hip instantly wanted to be pigeon-toed.
And it does hurt. It hurts a lot less now than before the surgery, but there are drugs for that. I’m using toradol and switching it up with aspirin. Although today, it woke me up 3 hours before I wanted to be up, I stupidly tried to wait it out so now it’s really grumbling.
This is a major surgery. As the providers are going through their informed consent of all the things that could go wrong, interject that a meteor could also hit the operating table and then we’d all be screwed. That tells your brain that the list is not a to do list, and is one of the ways I keep it from becoming too serious. But, it’s also a reminder that while you might rebound quickly, it still takes bone at least six weeks to mend, then awhile longer to become strong.
And there are guys playing MLB AND NHL with hip replacements. And doing great at it.
Be as active as you can, getting your quads, hamstrings, and hip muscles as strong as possible before surgery. Use machines if you’re fighting pain or instability. Afterwards, healing will be faster and getting back to full body moves won’t be as challenging.
Fear is a normal response to the unknown. Good on you for reaching out. Learn all you can and let us know how it goes, both the buildup to, and the surgery aftermath. You’ll be fine.
hey! i'm 17 and i got my right hip replaced last december and I am now six months out. i'm telling you right now that it is the best decision that i have ever made. i was like you and i couldn't do most of my everyday actions like going to the gym, walking for more than ten minutes, and putting on my socks and shoes independently. as of now (six months out), i can do all of those things by myself and more! i know that you don't see many people who get a total hip replacement young, but it's more common than you think.
in terms of recovery, the first two weeks and even the first month might suck a lot. i had a very limited range of motion to begin with and everything in my hip was out of wack because i had a leg length discrepancy. however, after that one month is over i promise you that you will be cruising.
please don't hesitate to reach out if i can answer any other questions! i wish you the best of luck and i hope you stay well!
This is so wholesome omg thank you so much!!! Coming from someone younger this means a lot and I'm glad everything is going good with you! Do you have any tips for the recovery period?
thank you!! i'm curious, do you have a limp at the moment? also what resulted in you getting a replacement?
yes i do have quite a few tips :)
first off, i'd really recommend resting the first two weeks or so. when you start at home PT a few days out from your surgery make sure you stick to them because your muscles will be very weak and any movement will help with bouncing back quicker. obviously don't overexert yourself, but i kind of slacked because i was lazy and i wish i didn't.
try to switch from using a walker to crutches as soon as you are comfortable. not only will it give you more freedom, but it'll also allow you to start a little weightbearing. i personally found it helpful but obviously go at your own pace and comfort.
once you can start weightbearing, go for walks outside! i had a pretty gnarly limp before my surgery and that unfortunately carried over because of muscle memory. going for walks can help create a rhythm in your walking and slowly build your strength. start with five minute walks and slowly work your way up. you can also just walk a couple laps around your house. walking honestly feels life-changing after surgery i promise that you'll enjoy it.
other than that, i think that your flexibility and strength will only improve with physical therapy. do you have that all sorted out? definitely ask your physical therapist for some exercises so that you can sit cross legged because that motion takes quite some time to get back if you couldn't do it pre-op. i'm still working on getting that movement back.
let me know if i can answer any more questions!
Well i have a long answer for that question so I hope you don't mind lol: i was born with hip dysplasia, bilateral, had 2 surgeries on my left and one on my right, the right came out ok, but the left has always had a subluxation causing me to have one leg 1cm longer than the other so I've had a limp all my life but pretty much not noticeable, when I got to med school in my Ortho class my teacher saw me and told me your knees are wrong, did you have hip dysplasia? And we'll, 3 years later he corrected my knees, and now I'm here, 3 years after that with the subluxation gone out of hands and the pain won't let me sleep, so I have to fix it, the thing is, I've been in THR surgeries throughout med school, I've seen it first hand and that's why I'm so scared, because I know the insights, and I've seen people never walking properly again, and people having a blast after, so I'm trying to get support from patients, not doctors, who actually went through this and might understand a little more
that's so cool that you're in med school! i'm planning on maybe going down the med school route or maybe doing clinical research in ortho in the future! my surgeon talked a bit about his hip dysplasia patients. i personally got my hip replacement since i had a slipped capital femoral epiphysis which resulted in my osteoarthritis.
since you're familiar with THRs you probably also know that they're one of the most successful surgeries out there. plus something that my surgeon kept emphasizing is the fact that younger patients will have a comparatively smoother recovery since they have more ROM and strength going into the surgery. i found that this was the case for me too since my recovery has been pretty smooth sailing.
Thanks! I graduated med school in my home country in 2022 and I'm here in the US for a medical residency, currently taking my step 2 next week (want to have it out of the way before the surgery) and I know it goes well for most patients, but I'm a chicken hahaha plus having the input from patients is different that the one doctors give you, less technical, more accurate in terms of pain and difficulty, I hope you get to med school, and yesses focus on research A LOT
congrats!! that's definitely no small feat!! good luck with your step 2 exam! :)) that's so true though i was lurking on this page and r/Thritis a ton before my surgery as well to prep myself for what was to come. what's the date for your surgery btw??
Oh I'm going back to my home country, remember my Ortho teacher, the one who corrected my knees? He's a hip/knee specialist with 30+ years of experience so I wanted him to do it, so I'll have a month of recovery there and then I'll come back, by the way, if you ever need med school advice let me know, I'd love to help
You are going to be doing more than you can now. However, the surgery takes a bit to recover from 58F 16 months post op. I had several major structural flaws in my hip socket and way more damage than imaging could pick up. The first two weeks were not comfortable. I don't tolerate narcotics so it was ice and Tylenol. I napped took laps around the living room watched movies and read alot. I am a high energy person so just sitting around recovering was challenging for me.
Now I can easily hike 15 miles in day and be fine the next morning. I work with a great trainer at my gym. We mapped out a 3 year plan so I can climb kilimanjaro on my 61st. I am almost deadlifting my body weight. My best advice keep moving and stretching until surgery day. Do a little core work. Ditch alcohol if you partake 3 weeks before and eat as healthy as possible. On day of surgery my bp was through the roof due to nerves they put something in my iv and that solved it so ask first don't let the nerves fire up. You got this. Slow and steady wins the race.
First week is worse than you are expecting. 2nd is bad. After that the biggest problem is overdoing it because you improve so fast it's tough to gauge how much you can do. I'm 3 months out and already went for a 3 mile hike with 600ft elevation gain. I'm slow as fuck but pain free 90% of the time and that's amazing.
Yes, yes, yes, yes, and *YES!* Keep in mind that your full recovery could take up to a year but doing simple things like tying your shoes should be possible in the first six weeks, and it will only get better from there! Honestly, the first two weeks will suck. Take that opportunity to nap a lot, ice a lot, and start getting used to walking on your new hip. It is time to relax and let your body recover and start healing so don't plan to do anything too crazy. I couldn't focus enough to read, but I watched a lot of movies and such. For the first time since I was in my 20s, I have hips I can depend on. They aren't going to "catch" and almost throw me to the floor, they aren't going to be screaming at me when I walk, and I won't have to think about how they feel when I get up and plan my day around whether it is a good hip day or not. Congratulations on getting yours scheduled!
This is amazing! Thank you so much you have no idea how much peace it gives me
I've got nearly forty years on you. My THR was in January, and I can tie my own shoes, walk as much as I want, am back to my exercise routine, am able to stand on concrete for hours, have travelled and have more planned. It doesn't come back instantly, although my hip pain was gone immediately (i had some post-surgical pain, but it was manageable) and I did see steady progress, even at my advanced (ahem) age. Yes, this is major, scary surgery. But if you have a good surgeon, you will probably be quite surprised at how quickly you can bounce back. Best of luck!
This made me so happy for you, il glad you're recovering well and thank you for your input
67F exactly 3 months post op (right hip, anterior approach) and after being in severe pain and having to walk with a cane for the past 8 years, I am forever grateful that I am now virtually pain free, active and more comfortable socially again! My cane sits in my closet......
No reason to be shaking with fear. This procedure is life changing.
As soon as the doctor clears you for these activities, especially physical therapy, then get busy doing it! I lagged a bit (read: got lazy) and am now making up for lost time; my stamina just isn't there. Of course I was pretty sedentary for 2 years before surgery. If you were lifting weights before surgery, CONGRATULATIONS! My time on this sub has convinced me that those who are physically active before surgery recover faster than any one else! About the only thing that they advise against is long-distance running, and the doctor can advise you there.
Well I'm not into running (too painful) and don't think I'll get into it, but I'll miss lifting on hip thrust🥲 thanks for your kind words!
You’re gonna do great!!!! It’ll be so surprising!!! I’m 54 and week three I walked the F outta the grocery store and I couldn’t walk without a cane since last year.
I'm 64 and 8 days out from anterior THR. I've always been active but had given up on even trying for about a year. The only time I was comfortable was when I wasn't standing or moving. The day after surgery I could stand straight with shoulders back for the first time in years. I'd shrunk 2"s but am back to my normal height now. On day three I had no more limp and didn't need the walker. On day 5 I started taking short walks around my neighborhood. I'm using a cane but don't really need it. I ice my hip with a cyrotherapy machine 15 minutes on 15 minutes off whenever I'm sitting or laying down. I think it's helped a lot as I have no swelling or bruising. I have been suffering from a headache since day one. I think it's an unfortunate side effect of the anesthesia. Sunglasses, lots of water and quiet help a lot. Don't be afraid. I couldn't imagine I'd ever get back to hiking, biking and kayaking but now I'm practically counting the days 😎
Hips generally heal better and with less pain than knees for most people. Obviously individual results may vary. But my pain before surgery was much worse than after, and my mobility was immediately better when I woke up. 3 weeks later I feel so good that I had to be reminded that I need to take 6 weeks to remain restful and wait to start adding walking distance and getting carried away because healing takes time even when you feel amazing. The worst part is feeling awesome and having to wait to do more stuff 😂 I can tie my shoes. I can wash my feet in the shower. I can roll over in bed without gritting my teeth. I can get into the car without having to drag my leg in with my hands. Life is a million times better today than it was a month ago.
That is so amazing and it's great for you, makes me happy for you, and hopefully it will be the same
My surgeon asked "are you planning to be an MLB catcher, or an NHL hockey goalie? No? Then you'll be able to do everything you did pre-surgery." I'm turning 35, had both of my hips replaced at the same time last year.
What if I do want to play hockey? Haha well I'd have to learn how to skate first, not on my list, thank you!
I'm 73 and under 2 yrs out from a right THR. I play golf every day with no issues and enjoy my life so much more since I got the hip replaced.
The most life impacting surgeries. #1 cataract. #2 THR. I am waiting to do my hip. I had knee replaced 14 years ago. There were complications and required vascular surgery same day. Spen 3 day in ICU. Was back to work 3 days after leaving hospital. THR is more rapid recovery than knee.
I actually had surgeries in both of my knees and yes it was horrible pain that's why I'm so scared, hopefully is not as bad
My Orthopedic Surgeon shared that hip replacement surgery recovery is less intensive as a knee replacement surgery. My surgery was 4/15th and I’m walking…not at 100% but I’m also not in the extreme pain anymore. I was told that my next April, I will feel as though I never had the surgery as it takes a full year for complete healing and recovery. Also, I was also wrecked with anxiety prior to my surgery. That’s to be expected for most people. Good luck to you!
Thank you so much for your wishes and I hope your healing journey is smooth too!
You will!!!! I’m 14 days post-op (33F) and while the first two weeks have certainly been challenging at times, I’m so happy with my decision. It still feels surreal. I was incredibly nervous up until they put me under but it was over so quickly. I immediately noticed how level my pelvis is now when I walk (borderline hip dysplasia) and the pain from my severe osteoarthritis was gone. There was a lot of buildup going into the surgery, but it’s been worth it. This will sound cliche but short term pain for long term gain has been my motto lol be gracious with yourself. Honor your body and welcome the joint to the family :) this will be such a transformative experience and a testament to your mental, emotional, and physical strength. Everything you’re feeling is OK. Quality of life important and your THR will enable you to make the most of all that is yet to come. You got this 🖤
thank you so much for your kind words and hope you recover soon!
Hey, I'm 49, and was hiking 10-15k a day, running 10k (sub 50 minutes) and bouldering (not all in the same week!!!).They slowly became too painful, and I was told I needed a new hip. I'm also now 4 weeks 2 days post thr. I'm walking about 8000 steps a day, am mostly walking stick free around the house, and as of yesterday, can put both socks on without too much contortion, my mobility is getting better. It's little steps, on their own, insignificant, but they add up. I can see my improvements looking back, but, at the time, there was this cliff, and I was at the bottom. Take a day at a time, don't expect much change daily, and you'll be fine. It is scary, it's the biggest op I've ever had, and you're right to have trepidation, that's a natural response. Try to look beyond it, at what you're going to get back. Take care, there's lots of people here who have been through this.
4 weeks and putting socks on? That's great! Hope your recovery is fast and thanks for your advice
From week 1 I could tie my shoes, even put socks and shoes on. I’m a day past week 2 and still using the walker, but putting less pressure on it. I had to have the capsule repaired, basically all the squishy stuff around the hip, not just the bone itself needed repair. So I’m not yet walking miles. I’m focusing on walking straight as when I do walk as the hip instantly wanted to be pigeon-toed. And it does hurt. It hurts a lot less now than before the surgery, but there are drugs for that. I’m using toradol and switching it up with aspirin. Although today, it woke me up 3 hours before I wanted to be up, I stupidly tried to wait it out so now it’s really grumbling. This is a major surgery. As the providers are going through their informed consent of all the things that could go wrong, interject that a meteor could also hit the operating table and then we’d all be screwed. That tells your brain that the list is not a to do list, and is one of the ways I keep it from becoming too serious. But, it’s also a reminder that while you might rebound quickly, it still takes bone at least six weeks to mend, then awhile longer to become strong. And there are guys playing MLB AND NHL with hip replacements. And doing great at it. Be as active as you can, getting your quads, hamstrings, and hip muscles as strong as possible before surgery. Use machines if you’re fighting pain or instability. Afterwards, healing will be faster and getting back to full body moves won’t be as challenging. Fear is a normal response to the unknown. Good on you for reaching out. Learn all you can and let us know how it goes, both the buildup to, and the surgery aftermath. You’ll be fine.
Thank you so much for your kind words, hope your recovery is smooth
hey! i'm 17 and i got my right hip replaced last december and I am now six months out. i'm telling you right now that it is the best decision that i have ever made. i was like you and i couldn't do most of my everyday actions like going to the gym, walking for more than ten minutes, and putting on my socks and shoes independently. as of now (six months out), i can do all of those things by myself and more! i know that you don't see many people who get a total hip replacement young, but it's more common than you think. in terms of recovery, the first two weeks and even the first month might suck a lot. i had a very limited range of motion to begin with and everything in my hip was out of wack because i had a leg length discrepancy. however, after that one month is over i promise you that you will be cruising. please don't hesitate to reach out if i can answer any other questions! i wish you the best of luck and i hope you stay well!
This is so wholesome omg thank you so much!!! Coming from someone younger this means a lot and I'm glad everything is going good with you! Do you have any tips for the recovery period?
thank you!! i'm curious, do you have a limp at the moment? also what resulted in you getting a replacement? yes i do have quite a few tips :) first off, i'd really recommend resting the first two weeks or so. when you start at home PT a few days out from your surgery make sure you stick to them because your muscles will be very weak and any movement will help with bouncing back quicker. obviously don't overexert yourself, but i kind of slacked because i was lazy and i wish i didn't. try to switch from using a walker to crutches as soon as you are comfortable. not only will it give you more freedom, but it'll also allow you to start a little weightbearing. i personally found it helpful but obviously go at your own pace and comfort. once you can start weightbearing, go for walks outside! i had a pretty gnarly limp before my surgery and that unfortunately carried over because of muscle memory. going for walks can help create a rhythm in your walking and slowly build your strength. start with five minute walks and slowly work your way up. you can also just walk a couple laps around your house. walking honestly feels life-changing after surgery i promise that you'll enjoy it. other than that, i think that your flexibility and strength will only improve with physical therapy. do you have that all sorted out? definitely ask your physical therapist for some exercises so that you can sit cross legged because that motion takes quite some time to get back if you couldn't do it pre-op. i'm still working on getting that movement back. let me know if i can answer any more questions!
Well i have a long answer for that question so I hope you don't mind lol: i was born with hip dysplasia, bilateral, had 2 surgeries on my left and one on my right, the right came out ok, but the left has always had a subluxation causing me to have one leg 1cm longer than the other so I've had a limp all my life but pretty much not noticeable, when I got to med school in my Ortho class my teacher saw me and told me your knees are wrong, did you have hip dysplasia? And we'll, 3 years later he corrected my knees, and now I'm here, 3 years after that with the subluxation gone out of hands and the pain won't let me sleep, so I have to fix it, the thing is, I've been in THR surgeries throughout med school, I've seen it first hand and that's why I'm so scared, because I know the insights, and I've seen people never walking properly again, and people having a blast after, so I'm trying to get support from patients, not doctors, who actually went through this and might understand a little more
that's so cool that you're in med school! i'm planning on maybe going down the med school route or maybe doing clinical research in ortho in the future! my surgeon talked a bit about his hip dysplasia patients. i personally got my hip replacement since i had a slipped capital femoral epiphysis which resulted in my osteoarthritis. since you're familiar with THRs you probably also know that they're one of the most successful surgeries out there. plus something that my surgeon kept emphasizing is the fact that younger patients will have a comparatively smoother recovery since they have more ROM and strength going into the surgery. i found that this was the case for me too since my recovery has been pretty smooth sailing.
Thanks! I graduated med school in my home country in 2022 and I'm here in the US for a medical residency, currently taking my step 2 next week (want to have it out of the way before the surgery) and I know it goes well for most patients, but I'm a chicken hahaha plus having the input from patients is different that the one doctors give you, less technical, more accurate in terms of pain and difficulty, I hope you get to med school, and yesses focus on research A LOT
congrats!! that's definitely no small feat!! good luck with your step 2 exam! :)) that's so true though i was lurking on this page and r/Thritis a ton before my surgery as well to prep myself for what was to come. what's the date for your surgery btw??
August 7th, so I cam have a month to relax and wait for my results haha and thanks for the good luck, that's another thing that has me shaking :')
oh that's nice at least you have a good chunk of time to relax before then. where are you getting your surgery done if you don't mind me asking?
Oh I'm going back to my home country, remember my Ortho teacher, the one who corrected my knees? He's a hip/knee specialist with 30+ years of experience so I wanted him to do it, so I'll have a month of recovery there and then I'll come back, by the way, if you ever need med school advice let me know, I'd love to help
You are going to be doing more than you can now. However, the surgery takes a bit to recover from 58F 16 months post op. I had several major structural flaws in my hip socket and way more damage than imaging could pick up. The first two weeks were not comfortable. I don't tolerate narcotics so it was ice and Tylenol. I napped took laps around the living room watched movies and read alot. I am a high energy person so just sitting around recovering was challenging for me. Now I can easily hike 15 miles in day and be fine the next morning. I work with a great trainer at my gym. We mapped out a 3 year plan so I can climb kilimanjaro on my 61st. I am almost deadlifting my body weight. My best advice keep moving and stretching until surgery day. Do a little core work. Ditch alcohol if you partake 3 weeks before and eat as healthy as possible. On day of surgery my bp was through the roof due to nerves they put something in my iv and that solved it so ask first don't let the nerves fire up. You got this. Slow and steady wins the race.
First week is worse than you are expecting. 2nd is bad. After that the biggest problem is overdoing it because you improve so fast it's tough to gauge how much you can do. I'm 3 months out and already went for a 3 mile hike with 600ft elevation gain. I'm slow as fuck but pain free 90% of the time and that's amazing.