Last week, I shared what led me to the decision to have a total hip replacement at 51 years old. After years of managing arthritis with injections, modifying workouts, and convincing myself I could keep pushing through, surgery finally became the right choice.
This week, I want to take you through surgery day, those first 72 hours afterward, what surprised me the most, and a few things I wish someone had told me beforehand.
Preparing to Step Away
As much as I was preparing myself physically for surgery, I was also preparing my business.
One of the hardest parts of being a gym owner—or any small business owner—is stepping away. Before surgery, I spent weeks making sure every class was covered and everything at the gym was taken care of. Thankfully, I have an incredible coaching staff and an amazing team. I never doubted they would keep everything running smoothly, but handing over something you pour your heart into every day isn't always easy.
Knowing everything was in good hands gave me the peace of mind to focus on what I needed to do.
Surgery Day
The morning of May 13 finally arrived.
I checked into the surgery center bright and early and was the second surgery scheduled that morning. Everything happened just as expected. The nurses were wonderful, anesthesia went smoothly, and before I knew it, I was waking up in recovery.
What I wasn't expecting was the amount of aching in my leg as the anesthesia wore off.
It wasn't unbearable, but it definitely caught me off guard. The nurses were quick to get my pain under control, and they reassured me that once I was sitting up and moving, I would actually feel better.
They were right.
Taking Those First Steps
Not long after surgery, the physical therapist came in with my walker.
I knew they would have me walking almost immediately, but knowing it and actually doing it were two very different things.
Those first few steps were slow and uncertain. I wasn't afraid because of the pain—I was afraid because my body suddenly felt unfamiliar. Every step required trust.
Before I was discharged, they had me practice getting in and out of a bed and walking up and down stairs since I have two steps leading into my house.
Everything went well, and before I knew it, I was headed home.
By lunchtime.
Honestly, that surprised me almost as much as anything. My husband had enough food to stay at the surgery center all day, assuming I'd be there much longer. Instead, just a few hours after major surgery, I was back in my own living room.
The Biggest Surprise
I expected discomfort.
I expected to use a walker.
I expected physical therapy.
What I didn't expect was not being able to sleep in my own bed.
That ended up being the hardest part of those first several days.
I simply couldn't get comfortable. Getting into bed was difficult, turning over felt impossible, and I was honestly afraid I'd move the wrong way. Instead, I spent those first several nights sleeping in a recliner.
I realized there was a big difference between pain and discomfort. I wasn't lying there in agony. Instead, I was exhausted because I couldn't get comfortable. As someone who constantly tells members that sleep is essential for recovery, it was frustrating to know exactly what my body needed and still not be able to get it.
Looking back, that distinction is important.
Learning My Limits
The first few days, I took the prescribed pain medication as directed.
By Saturday—just three days after surgery—I realized the medication wasn't really helping with pain anymore. It mostly made me sleepy.
Since I wasn't experiencing intense pain, I decided to stop taking it during the day so I could actually be awake and present. I continued taking some at night to help me get comfortable enough to rest.
That decision worked well for me, but it also reminded me that everyone's recovery is different. Listening to your own body is just as important after surgery as it is during training.
The Equipment That Made Life Easier
There were a few things that became lifesavers during those first days.
My walker gave me the confidence to move safely.
My ice machine was running almost constantly and became one of my best friends.
The biggest surprise, though, was the toilet seat riser.
I almost didn't buy it. Someone suggested it just before surgery, and honestly, I thought, "I'll probably never use that."
I'm so glad I listened.
Those extra four inches made sitting down and standing back up so much easier. It was one of those small purchases that made a huge difference during recovery.
Food Became Medicine
One thing I wasn't prepared for was losing my appetite.
I wasn't nauseated—I just didn't feel like eating. Honestly, sometimes it felt like too much work to get up and make something.
Thankfully, friends and members from the gym brought meals, and I can't tell you how much that meant to me.
Even when I didn't feel hungry, I reminded myself that food was part of my recovery.
Protein would help rebuild tissue.
Vegetables would provide nutrients my body needed.
Hydration would support healing.
As a nutrition coach, I knew food was medicine. Now I had to practice what I've preached for years.
An Unexpected Setback
Just when I thought I was settling into recovery, something else hit me.
By the end of that first weekend after surgery, I came down with a miserable head and chest cold.
The timing couldn't have been worse.
Before surgery, I had been instructed to stop all of my supplements for a week. I had gone through the entire winter without getting sick. I had even traveled to Mexico in February and Texas at the beginning of May, and somehow made it through airports, airplanes, and crowds without so much as a sniffle.
Then, just days after surgery, I was sick.
Whether it was the stress of surgery, stopping my normal supplement routine, or simply bad timing, I don't know for sure. But it definitely made me stop and think.
It felt like my body was trying to fight a battle on two different fronts. Was it focusing on healing my new hip, or was it trying to fight off this cold? Either way, I could feel that my body was working overtime.
As someone who talks about nutrition and recovery every day, it reinforced something I've believed for a long time: taking care of your body before you need it matters. Sometimes you don't fully appreciate the habits you've built—or the supplements that may be supporting your health—until they're no longer part of your routine.
That experience reminded me that recovery isn't just about the surgery itself. It's about supporting your body in every way you can, because healing takes more out of you than you realize.
Starting Physical Therapy
Physical therapy started just two days after surgery. The first appointment focused on assessing my mobility, while the second introduced gentle movements like heel raises, ball squeezes, and soft tissue work around the incision. Nothing was difficult yet, but it reminded me that recovery starts with mastering the basics.
Looking Back
When I think about those first 72 hours, I don't remember overwhelming pain.
I remember learning patience.
I remember accepting help.
I remember sleeping in a recliner instead of my bed.
I remember celebrating something as simple as walking down a hallway with a walker.
Recovery has a funny way of changing your perspective. The little victories suddenly become the biggest ones.
And that, more than anything, was my first lesson after surgery.
What surprised me
- Sleeping in a recliner instead of my bed.
- Going home just a few hours after surgery.
- How little pain I actually had compared to what I expected.
What helped
- Ice machine.
- Toilet seat riser.
- Walker.
- Meals from friends.
- Walking frequently.
Lesson of the week
Recovery isn't always about fighting through pain. Sometimes it's about accepting discomfort, asking for help, and trusting that small steps today lead to big progress later.
Thanks for reading!
I'll be sharing another chapter of my recovery each week—from those first uncertain steps to eventually returning to CrossFit.
If you're recovering from surgery, dealing with an injury, or simply looking for support on your own health journey, I'd love to connect.
🏋️ Learn more about CrossFit 4042: www.crossfit4042.com
💚 Follow along for weekly recovery updates: Facebook & Instagram @CrossFit4042
📩 Have questions or want to share your own recovery story? Send me a message—I'd love to hear from you.
Next Week: The first full week at home, settling into a routine, my first real milestones, and the mental challenge of watching everyone else work out while I focused on healing.
About the Author
Amy Locklear is the owner of CrossFit 4042 and a CrossFit and nutrition coach passionate about helping people build strength, improve their health, and live active lives. After undergoing a total hip replacement at age 51, she's documenting her recovery to encourage others facing surgery, injury, or setbacks to keep moving forward—one step at a time.
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