Swelling is normal after major surgery, and one week is very early days in recovery. UNLESS you develop a hot, painful or red area, which may be a sign of a blood clot, you can do some self-care and see if it resolves. If this develops call the doctor immediately or go to the ER.

From my own experience in hip replacements (5 of them) the tendency is to "feel pretty good" and slack off on icing & elevation. I know that most literature recommends icing "20 minutes, 3-4 times a day." Here is my personal experience - if you ice pretty much full time, whenever seated or lying down, for the first month, you will not see the swelling. Also, especially for the first month, whenever you sit for more than a few minutes (like to eat a meal) your leg should be elevated.

Remember, your body has been assaulted. Never mind the promotions saying "anterior is easier" - you have still had skin, muscle, nerves and bone either cut or moved around - they are NOT happy. The fluid and swelling is your body's response to the assault, a reminder that all is not healed.

To get the swelling down, elevate your leg above your heart & ice - it may take up to 48 hours to calm down. Then follow the icing/elevation guidelines above. While swollen, if someone can massage the elevated leg, "pushing" the swelling from foot toward your groin, it may help get things moving. Don't quit walking unless your doctor tells you to - just make sure you get that leg up whenever you are not using it.

If the swelling doesn't go away in a couple days of doing the elevation & icing, call your doc.

Are you noticing any improvement today?
Sue

PS After my first hip replacement, I went back to work at 4 weeks, tried to keep the leg up at my desk, and even used my ice a few times a day. But I went home swollen every night for the first month. After the second operation, I worked from home weeks 2-6, so I could stay elevated. It was a much better plan!