Four Years Stronger: My Hip Replacement Surgery Anniversary
Hip Replacement Recovery Success: Four Years Post-Op and Thriving
Four years ago today, at the age of 50, I had both of my hips replaced - at the same time.
If you’ve ever lived with severe hip pain, you know how much it affects everything. However, for me, this surgery marked both an ending and a beginning.
It was the end of unrelenting pain that touched every part of my life: sleeping, standing, walking, working. Despite my best efforts to avoid surgery, it became inevitable. But it was also the beginning of reclaiming the things I love like walking fast, lifting heavy weights, sleeping through the night (yes, I really love my sleep, even if I don’t get enough), and even running. Running isn’t my favorite, but it feels empowering to know I can do it. Like the time I sprinted after a greyhound to protect my friend’s dog. That is a story for another day, but the point is this: without the preparation and work I put in, I wouldn’t be in the shape I am today.
But the truth is my recovery from surgery didn’t happen by accident. I put a lot of work before and after surgery. Intentional work. And it paid off.
As a physical therapist, strength coach, Pilates instructor, and functional medicine health coach, I knew how important preparation and guided recovery were. What I didn’t know at the time was that this experience would influence both how I work with patients in the clinic and the direction of the coaching programs I now offer.
Keep reading below to learn more about my hip replacement journey.
Preparing for Hip Replacement Surgery: What I Did Before the Operating Room
People often search for “how to prepare for hip replacement surgery” or “best exercises before hip replacement.” Here’s exactly what I focused on and what I teach my patients and clients now:
Strength training to preserve muscle and endurance.
Mobility work to keep my body flexible and functional.
Nutrition and hydration to give my body the foundation it needed to heal.
My Mindset Choosing positivity, focusing on what I could control, and envisioning success.
This pre-surgery work is one of the reasons my recovery went so well. It wasn’t about just surviving surgery. It was about setting myself up to thrive afterward and return to life as quickly as possible.
Hip Replacement Recovery: What Helped Me Heal from Surgery and Get Stronger
Once my bilateral hip replacement was done, I shifted into recovery mode. If you’ve ever Googled “what to expect after hip replacement,” you know the timeline can vary. I rebuilt strength, mobility, and endurance step by step. I focused on small wins and refused to rush the process. You can even find an Instagram post of me wearing slippers on my Peloton to help keep me from pushing too fast, too soon.
Over time, I noticed something surprising. I wasn’t just regaining strength. I was becoming as strong as I’d been in a really long time.
Why My Experience Became the Heart of My Coaching Practice
Going through hip replacement surgery and recovery as both a patient and a clinician opened my eyes. I realized how many people face surgery without the tools, guidance, or support they need to prepare and recover well. That is simply not enough.
My own journey became the foundation of the health coaching programs I now offer.
Through Aspire PT & Wellness and my online surgical coaching services at Dr. Stacy King, PT, I guide clients through the entire process:
• How to prepare for orthopedic surgery
• What to eat before and after surgery
• How to build strength safely
• How to reduce inflammation
• How to recover with confidence
It’s the blend of physical therapy principles and functional medicine strategies that I wish every patient had access to.
Four Years Stronger and Grateful
Today I’m celebrating not just the anniversary of my surgery, but what it gave me but the strength, resilience, and purpose it gave me. I am living proof that with preparation and the right support, orthopedic surgery can be a turning point toward a stronger, healthier life.
If You’re Preparing for Hip Replacement or Recovering From Surgery
If you or someone you care about is facing orthopedic surgery, you don’t have to figure it out alone. My Surgical Success Coaching Program is designed to help you:
• Build strength before surgery
• Reduce the fear and overwhelm
• Know exactly what to expect
• Recover with confidence
• Get real answers from a professional who has also lived it and coached hundreds of surgery patients through it
If you’re ready for steady support through the process, reach out through Aspire PT & Wellness or here at DrStacyKingPT. I’ll help you get clear on your goals and choose the right next step.
Let’s make your surgery a true turning point toward healing and strength.