What I Wish I Knew Before Hip Replacement

What I Wish I Knew Before Hip Replacement Surgery

If you’ve been told you need a hip replacement, chances are your head is spinning with questions. What will it feel like? How long will it take to recover? Will I ever feel ‘normal’ again? The truth is, no one can fully prepare you for every twist and turn, but hearing from someone who’s been there can make all the difference. Looking back, there are a few things I wish I’d known before going in. Not just the medical facts, but the everyday realities that don’t always make it into the leaflets.

Hip replacement surgery is life-changing in the best possible way but it also comes with its fair share of challenges, surprises and learning curves. So, here’s what I wish I’d been told before the big day.

The Pain Before Is Worse Than the Pain After

Before the surgery, my hip pain was constant. Sharp, grinding, exhausting. Walking was a chore, and sleep was almost impossible. I knew surgery would hurt, but I didn’t realise how different that pain would feel. Post-op pain is a healing pain. It's sore, yes, but it has a purpose. It’s not the bone-on-bone agony you’ve likely been living with for months or years. Knowing that it gets better makes it far easier to manage.

The First Few Days Are a Bit of a Blur

Immediately after surgery, things move quickly. The hospital staff are brilliant at getting you up and moving, sometimes within hours. But those first days? They’re a haze of painkillers, physio sessions and learning how to do everything slightly differently. Getting in and out of bed, sitting on the loo, using walking aids all of it feels a bit alien. It’s OK to feel overwhelmed at first. Just take it one movement at a time.

You’ll Need to Rethink Your Home Setup

No one told me how awkward it would be to reach things. I suddenly understood why people mentioned grabbers and raised toilet seats. Chairs that were once comfy felt too low. I couldn’t bend to tie my shoelaces. Simple changes—like keeping essentials at waist height or investing in a long-handled sponge made daily life smoother. I wish I’d done more of that prep before the operation, not after.

Sleep Can Be a Bit Tricky

I wasn’t prepared for how difficult it would be to sleep on my back for weeks. I’m a side-sleeper by nature, and having to lie flat and still felt unnatural. Add in the swelling and discomfort, and sleep became a nightly challenge. What helped? Pillows under the knees, gentle bedtime routines and accepting that rest rather than deep sleep was enough in the early stages.

Your Energy Will Dip Then Slowly Return

One of the biggest surprises was how drained I felt. Even short walks around the house left me exhausted. This wasn’t just physical—it was emotional too. The body works incredibly hard to heal after major surgery, and fatigue is a normal part of that. Recovery doesn’t happen in a straight line. Some days you’ll feel amazing. Others, you’ll need more rest. That’s not failure—it’s healing.

Physio Is Essential but It’s Also Hard Work

Everyone says to do your physio exercises and they’re absolutely right. But I wish someone had warned me that it would be frustrating at times. Some movements feel impossible early on. Progress can feel slow. But stick with it. Those small, repetitive stretches build strength and confidence day by day. And when you suddenly realise you’ve walked to the kitchen without thinking, it’s all worth it.

You’ll Feel Oddly Emotional

There’s something about surgery that opens the floodgates. I felt grateful, scared, hopeful and occasionally very weepy all in the space of a day. That emotional rollercoaster is more common than people think. Part of it is the stress of surgery, part of it is the meds, and part of it is the sheer relief that pain is finally being dealt with. Let yourself feel what you need to feel. You’re not alone.

It’s Not Just a Physical Journey

Yes, it’s about replacing a worn-out joint but it’s also about getting your life back. That means rebuilding confidence, re-learning independence and trusting your body again. It can feel daunting, but it’s also empowering. Walking without wincing, sleeping through the night, sitting in a restaurant without fidgeting all those little wins add up to something huge.

People Recover at Their Own Pace

Comparing your recovery to others is tempting, especially if you know someone who bounced back in record time. But every body is different. Age, health, mindset and even the reason for surgery all play a part. You might walk unaided in a few weeks or you might need a bit longer. That’s OK. This isn’t a race. The finish line is a pain-free, mobile life and you will get there.

You Won’t Regret It

Even on the hard days, I never regretted my decision. The relief of being free from that grinding hip pain is something I still marvel at. I can walk further, sleep better, stand longer and feel more like myself again. Yes, recovery takes patience. Yes, it’s not always glamorous. But for me, hip replacement surgery gave me my freedom back and that’s something I’ll always be thankful for.