Things may be stressful after joint replacement for at least a few weeks. Prepare now to make the surgery go smoothly and to speed up your recovery. Ask your doctor how long the surgery will take. Can you have outpatient surgery, without a hospital stay? What type of anesthesia will you need? What kind of rehab will you get? Should you bank blood before the procedure? How long will you likely be off work? Write down the answers. Better yet, have family or friends come with you and do it.