I really cannot remember how long recovery took, I do remember it was a few weeks before I could walk up stairs at a normal speed. I have never returned to my weight lifting training but that is due to my COPD problems not a result of the surgery. Exercise classes at the Y started about a month or two after surgery. Am told my recovery was quite fast considering my age and it was credited it to my having been in Y classes on a regular basis for the previous years. I give much of the credit to my surgeon and his staff as I had great confidence in them and I do believe that helped me a great deal. I expected nothing but the best result and that is what I got.