Injury

While it may sound a bit flippant, you will not be looking at your knees while they are doing the surgery so I would not think about what it looks like as your basis for your decision making for getting it done. I was training for a half marathon and doing yoga 4 times a week then an injury put an end to all that. I've had a rib, teo neck muscles, a muscle in my chest removed, shoulder surgery and numerous chest tubes to correct collapsed lung. And that's just the surgery stuff. I will do what ever it takes to get back as close to my pre injury life back. Post/op knee replacement physical therapy is a lot of work but the new knees are really awesome (yes I am in the medical field), so if you really need the surgery and you want quality if life back and you are willing to do the work, then don't think about what it looks like, think about what your life looks like without having it done vs having it done.

I have a friend in his 80's who just had his knee done. He was walking around without a limp at 3 weeks post-op. I was impressed as I know it can take longer. We're lucky to have this amazing technology to enable us to live more fully despite our aging joints.

I'd have that surgery in a heartbeat if I needed it. I remember an episode of 20:20 on TV where old Hugh Downs had both of his knees replaced at the same time. He had a film crew film the surgery and his recovery process. It was pretty neat. He was back traveling around the world and scuba diving in a few months.

this forum is everything right now! I lost over 100 pounds but now an injury had thrown a monkey wrench in everything. the only option is a hip replacement (at 35 years old blah) to get myself back to the active lifestyle I've come to love. am I terrified..... absolutely.