One week ago, I went in for knee replacement surgery. Today, I’m on the other side of those first seven days—and I can confidently say this: recovery is a journey of highs, lows, surprises, and small victories that feel bigger than you’d expect.

I wanted to document what this first week has truly been like—not just for myself, but for anyone who might be preparing for surgery or wondering what those early days are really like.

Day 1: Surprisingly Smooth

The first day after surgery was, without question, the easiest.

The swelling hadn’t fully set in yet, and thanks to the nerve block, pain was minimal. I was able to move around more than I expected, navigating with the walker without much trouble. It almost felt… manageable. Encouraging, even.

If the entire recovery process felt like Day 1, this would be a breeze.

My physical therapist came by that day and set an early goal: reach 90 degrees of knee bend by the following Friday. It felt ambitious—but also motivating. She gave me a few simple exercises, and I committed to doing them daily.

Day 2: A Game-Changing Medication

Day 2 marked the point when the nerve block wore off—but this is where something unexpected made a huge difference: Journavx.

It’s a non-opioid, non-narcotic pain medication, and in my experience, it’s been a game changer. Not only has it managed the pain effectively, but it’s also allowed me to sleep well—without the heavy, groggy feeling you might expect from stronger medications.

Since surgery, I’ve been consistently taking Journavx, Tylenol, and aspirin, and that combination has worked really well for me.

Day 3: Progress—and a Lesson Learned

Day 3 brought both progress and a quick lesson in medication awareness.

I learned the hard way that aspirin should not be taken on an empty stomach. The result was an uncomfortable, almost itchy sensation internally. Once I started taking it with food, that problem disappeared completely.

On the positive side, this was also a breakthrough day in physical therapy. I was progressing quickly, and for the first time, I transitioned from the walker to a cane—something I didn’t expect to happen so soon.

There was also a small, unexpected moment: while I was walking outside with my cane, my dog Kobe got out and ran past me, excited just to be outside. He didn’t interfere with my balance, but it definitely got my attention. My physical therapist immediately jumped into action and spent about 10 minutes making sure he was safely back inside.

Days 4–5: Feeling Good… Maybe Too Good

Over the weekend, I focused on staying active. I kept up with my exercises, started using the stairs again, and even tackled some laundry.

At the time, it all felt like progress.

Looking back, I may have overdone it.

By Sunday night, the swelling had increased significantly. I had already been dealing with swelling, but this was noticeably worse—my body’s way of reminding me that recovery isn’t something you can rush.

Day 6: The Reality Check

Monday brought a bit of a reality check.

The swelling made the day uncomfortable, and when my physical therapist arrived, she immediately pointed it out. Her question was simple: “Are you elevating and icing enough?”

I thought I was—but clearly, I wasn’t doing it consistently enough.

The new plan: elevate and ice every hour for 20 minutes until the swelling is under control. A small adjustment, but an important one.

She also introduced short arc quad exercises (SAQs), and this moment stood out to me in a big way.

Before surgery, I couldn’t do these at all because of the meniscus tear. I assumed my muscles were weak—but that wasn’t the issue. This time, I performed them immediately, without hesitation.

That realization was powerful. The limitation wasn’t my strength—it was the damaged knee.

Day 7: One Week In

And just like that, one week is complete.

It’s strange—part of me feels like this has been going on for months, while another part can’t believe it’s only been seven days.

I’m proud of the progress I’ve made so far. More importantly, I’m motivated. Each day brings small improvements, and those small wins are starting to add up.

The goal now is to stay consistent, listen to my body, and keep moving forward.

Because when this is all said and done, I’m planning on having one of the best summers I’ve had in years.

If you’ve gone through knee replacement—or are preparing for it—I’d love to hear your experience. What was your first week like?