@cindiwass I had a total hip replacement in 2019 and like @trishh I attended a pre-op class. It was at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. I worked with a PT within a few hours after I woke up from surgery. He got me up walking and went over all kinds of stuff. The PT, in fact, had to "sign off" on me before I was discharged.

I'd had so much discomfort and pain prior to surgery that I already had a routine for sleep with pillows under legs and between my legs. Interestingly, I did not need any of that after surgery. Had I needed it I could have put a pillow under my legs while sleeping on my back. But I mostly sleep on my back anyway. There were no restrictions on sleeping position when I was discharged from the hospital but I found sleeping on my back was most comfortable.

Like you, I was frightened before surgery but I figured my hip would only get worse with time. So I can relate to your scary feelings. I even talked with my pre-op nurse about this before I went to surgery and he was very reassuring and validated my feelings. I'm so glad now that I went through the surgery. Walking and exercising has only become better. I wish the same for you.