• Expect good days and hard days

• Give yourself patience during recovery

• Remember why you chose surgery

  • You have worked through other options first

  • Patients do best when they feel confident surgery is the right next step

• Arrange help from family or friends

• Have someone available for the first few days

• Social support matters on the tough days and helps you keep moving forward

Before surgery, we will review informed consent so you understand your options.

Common risks we discuss include:

• Wound healing issues and bleeding

• Infection (the biggest risk we work to prevent)

• Fracture or injury to nearby structures (rare)

• Stiffness from scar tissue

• Hip-specific risks: dislocation and leg length concerns

We take precautions to reduce risk, including:

• Medical clearance and optimization

• Special pre-op soap and skin prep

• Antibiotics before, during, and after surgery

• Guidance on therapy and movement to prevent stiffness

We want your body in the best position possible for a safe surgery and smooth recovery.

This may include:

• Nutrition and protein intake

• Prehab to improve strength and range of motion

• Smoking cessation when needed

• Reducing chronic opioid use when possible

• Diabetes control (A1C goals may apply)

• Coordinating with specialists (cardiology, primary care, etc.)

• Holding blood thinners safely with a clear plan

Before surgery, we submit your records to your insurance for approval.

• This process can take time

• If your insurance denies something, we work to correct and appeal it

• Sometimes a code is denied (like a robot code) even when the surgery itself is approved

• Our goal is to protect you from surprise bills and make sure everything is approved ahead of time

• The hospital or surgery center will call you with instructions

• You may need special soap, fasting instructions, and medication changes

• Some medications (including certain diabetes and weight loss medications) may need special planning

• You may arrive a few hours early so the process is safe and efficient

• You will meet with:

  • Dr. Pitts

  • Anesthesia team

  • Nursing team

• Most joint replacement surgeries take about 1–2 hours

• You’ll start walking with physical therapy soon after surgery

• Many patients go home the same day

• Some patients stay overnight if needed for safety (nausea, dizziness, breathing issues, or comfort)

• Home health physical therapy starts within about 24 hours after you get home

• Showering is usually allowed around 72 hours after surgery

• No soaking the incision (baths, hot tubs, lakes) for about 6 weeks

• Dressing is typically changed around post-op day 5

• Home PT continues for the first 2 weeks

• At around 2 weeks, you return to clinic for incision check and next steps

• Outpatient PT usually continues for about 4 more weeks

• Many patients feel like they “turn the corner” around 6 weeks

If you have questions or concerns, contact us.

• Text the office line during business hours

• Call after hours if something feels urgent

• Send photos of your incision if needed

• If you need medication refills, try to give us 1–2 days notice

We want you to feel supported and confident through the entire process.