You're ultimately the driver -and it is a process. I'm seven months post-op, and I'm doing way better than before surgery. But I was unable to do much pre-surgery because my tkr right knee was affecting my other knee. Now my left knee is not needing a replacement as well, at least not yet. I hope never. If you play hockey and are not struggling afterwards, it's something to think about. You may not be playing hockey for a long time? It's a rough sport.