Hope your surgery goes well, and your recovery should really benefit from your pre-op exercises! Not sure if my surgeon insisted on help at home - I guess he just assumed because he knows my family. Was nice to have husband around, and visiting kids from time to time, but could have done it solo if necessary. Actually, after 4 days I chased hubby out onto the golf course since I was tired of compassion and concern..... wanted to suffer in peace 🙂.
Home PT is nice, of course all PT depends a lot on the individual therapist. As an alternative, some people elected to transfer to a rehab program within the hospital, if that is an option for you. I met a few people who had fabulous results doing that.
Regarding the driving: I’m pretty sure I was driving around day 17 after surgery, had been off opioids since day 8 or 9. Yes, it was my right knee as well - driving is not the problem. Getting into the car takes some maneuvering, it’s the getting OUT of the car which is the most challenging. Easier if you have an SUV-type verhicle - I don’t......
Tongue-in-cheek advice: enjoy the first 6 to 8 hours after surgery, while the nerve block is still in place. Even with proper pain management, that will be the last time for a while that you are not feeling a thing!!!