In reply to @heyjoe415, @vinran, and all: Great advice! And @vinran, I'm so jealous! I thought my 2nd recovery was good, but you have me beat in the shade. Way to go!!
An additional piece? I have back trouble, too, and sciatica. I was advised to tell the surgeon so he could take care not to stress my back during the operation, and that worked for both knees.
For the second knee, I went against my doctor's advice and delayed. Bad results, extra pain, both before and after. If my first one needs redoing as it was a problem, the second I'm told I will give the ok for surgery. And I'm not a surgery fan.
My sister didn't lose weight and couldn't manage the exs. She has trouble walking, is unable to do any stairs, and now sits through life. Take your pain medication 20 mins. before you start your exs. post-surgery and keep an ice pack handy. You'll be a rockstar!