The Hip Replacement Podcast

Chris Bystriansky

The Hip Replacement Podcast: Recovery Tips, Insights, Inspiration The Hip Replacement Podcast is a leading resource for people searching for hip replacement, hip replacement surgery, hip replacement recovery, and life after hip replacement. Whether you’re preparing for hip surgery, recovering from a hip replacement, or learning how to live fully after hip replacement surgery, this podcast offers real-world insight from someone who has lived it. Hosted by Chris Bystriansky—author, IRONMAN triathlete, and double hip replacement patient—this podcast focuses on what patients actually want to know about hip surgery recovery and recovering from hip replacement. Chris had both hips replaced more than a decade ago and went on to complete two IRONMAN triathlons, endurance events, and maintain an active lifestyle that includes golf, fitness, and travel. His journey demonstrates what’s possible when recovery is approached with patience, perspective, and purpose. This podcast does not provide medical advice. Chris is not a doctor, surgeon, or physical therapist. Instead, he shares lived experience, guidance, and inspiration to help hip replacement patients better understand what to expect after hip replacement, navigate setbacks, and confidently move forward. Each weekly episode explores highly searched topics related to hip replacement recovery and life after hip replacement, including: • Preparing mentally and physically for hip replacement surgery • Pain, stiffness, nerve sensations, and sleep after hip replacement • Tools, equipment, pools, and strategies for hip surgery recovery • How long does it take to recover from hip replacement surgery • Getting back to walking, running, golf, swimming, and daily life • Intimacy, scars, leg length concerns, and confidence after surgery • Overcoming fear, frustration, and the stigma of hip replacement • Real comeback stories and long-term success after hip replacement The Hip Replacement Podcast is for: • People scheduled for hip replacement surgery • Patients recovering from hip replacement at any stage • Active adults seeking a better life after hip replacement • Anyone living with a hip replacement who wants more than “just OK” or "Back to Normal" Chris is also the author of NEW STEEL, a book chronicling his hip replacement surgeries and his path back to endurance sports, and he brings the same honesty and encouragement to every episode. If you’re searching for hip replacement recovery, hip surgery recovery, living with a hip replacement, or inspiration from someone who truly understands the journey, this podcast is for you. New hips. New you. Let’s go.

  1. 11-Year Hip Replacement Anniversary - Ep. 45

    4D AGO

    11-Year Hip Replacement Anniversary - Ep. 45

    Hip Replacement Recovery and Life 11 Years Later ►► Download my Top 12 Tips for Hip Replacement Patients here Get my book, NEW STEEL here - available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audio versions For more information, or to send a question or comment, visit The Hip Replacement Podcast website 11 Years After Hip Replacement: Recovery, Hope, Perspective, and a Bigger Life Hip replacement recovery, life after hip replacement, long-term hip replacement success, hip replacement surgery, active life after hip replacement, hip pain recovery, physical therapy, walking after hip replacement, and confidence after surgery — this episode of The Hip Replacement Podcast is all about what happens not just weeks or months after surgery, but 11 years later. In this episode, Chris reflects on the 11-year anniversary of one of his hip replacements and shares why that milestone matters so much for anyone facing hip replacement surgery, going through early recovery, or wondering what life after hip replacement can really look like. Most people focus on the short term: getting through surgery, using a walker, reducing pain, returning to driving, finishing physical therapy, and hoping they will feel normal again. But this episode zooms out and asks a more powerful question: What can your life look like 10 or 11 years after hip replacement? Chris talks honestly about the uncertainty, fear, patience, and hope that come with hip replacement recovery. He shares how difficult it can be when you are stuck in the early days and weeks after surgery, when everything feels slow, uncomfortable, and uncertain. He also explains why long-term perspective matters so much, especially for people who are wondering whether they will ever fully trust their new hip, move well again, or enjoy an active life. This episode is also about something bigger than surgery. It is about getting your life back. Chris explains why recovery is only the beginning, why a replaced hip should not make you timid, and why movement, exercise, stretching, physical therapy habits, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle still matter years later. He also discusses the reality of occasional aches, tightness, soreness, and questions that can still come up over time — and why those moments do not automatically mean something is wrong. Most importantly, this episode offers hope. If you are only days, weeks, or months into your recovery, or if you are nervous about surgery, this conversation is a reminder that hip replacement is not the end of an active life. It can be the beginning of a stronger, more confident, more active chapter. Eleven years later, the message is clear: be patient, do the work, keep moving, and build a bigger life on the other side of surgery.   New hips. New you. Let’s go. Thanks for joining THE HIP REPLACEMENT PODCAST. -Chris   LIKE, SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you liked this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review!  Your support helps us reach more hip replacement patients who need these insights and inspiration. Thanks for tuning into THE HIP REPLACEMENT PODCAST!  See you next time.

    18 min
  2. Get More Distance Comfortably - Ep. 44

    APR 14

    Get More Distance Comfortably - Ep. 44

    Walk Farther After Hip Replacement ►► Download my Top 12 Tips for Hip Replacement Patients here Get my book, NEW STEEL here - available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audio versions For more information, or to send a question or comment, visit The Hip Replacement Podcast website Get More Distance Comfortably Hip Replacement Recovery: Walk Farther With Less Pain and More Confidence Hip replacement recovery, walking after hip replacement, pain after walking, running after hip replacement, golf after hip replacement — in this episode of The Hip Replacement Podcast, Chris shares a simple but powerful lesson that can help you get more distance more comfortably. As Chris trains for an ambitious golf goal — attempting to qualify for the US Open and US Senior Open — he is forced to build more endurance, walk longer distances, and recover smarter. Along the way, he discovers something that many hip replacement patients, joint replacement patients, and active adults need to hear: the surface you choose matters. If you’ve ever wondered why your hips feel stiff, your legs ache, or your body feels beaten up after a long walk, this episode may explain why. Chris compares walking on grass vs pavement, concrete vs softer surfaces, and why choosing the right environment may help you walk farther, recover faster, and stay more active with less pain and discomfort. This episode is especially helpful for people focused on hip replacement recovery, walking endurance, returning to activity after hip replacement, golf after hip replacement, or even running after hip replacement. Chris talks about gradually increasing distance, avoiding unnecessary pounding on hard surfaces, and finding smarter ways to stay active without feeling wrecked afterward. If you are trying to improve your mobility, build endurance, return to exercise, or simply enjoy longer walks with greater comfort after hip surgery, this episode offers practical insight you can use right away. Sometimes it is not your body failing you — sometimes it is your environment. Tune in to The Hip Replacement Podcast for recovery tips, real-life experience, and encouragement to help you live a bigger, more active life after hip replacement surgery.   New hips. New you. Let’s go. Thanks for joining THE HIP REPLACEMENT PODCAST. -Chris   LIKE, SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you liked this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review!  Your support helps us reach more hip replacement patients who need these insights and inspiration. Thanks for tuning into THE HIP REPLACEMENT PODCAST!  See you next time.

    12 min
  3. Cycling After a Hip Replacement - Ep. 43

    APR 11

    Cycling After a Hip Replacement - Ep. 43

    Biking After Hip Replacement ►► Download my Top 12 Tips for Hip Replacement Patients here Get my book, NEW STEEL here - available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audio versions For more information, or to send a question or comment, visit The Hip Replacement Podcast website   Cycling After a Hip Replacement When Can You Ride a Bike After Hip Replacement Surgery? Cycling after hip replacement: when can you ride a bike, what risks matter, and how do you return safely and confidently? Cycling after hip replacement, bike riding after hip replacement surgery, hip replacement recovery, stationary bike after hip replacement, outdoor biking after hip replacement, and returning to exercise after hip surgery are questions many patients ask as they start feeling better and want their life back. In this episode of The Hip Replacement Podcast, Chris tackles one of the most common recovery questions: Can hip replacement patients ride a bike after surgery? The answer for many people is yes—but only if they think beyond whether the new hip can pedal in a circle and focus on whether they can ride safely, confidently, and without creating a setback. Chris shares his own connection to cycling, including how it was one of the few activities he could still do before surgery without as much hip pain, and why biking can feel like freedom during recovery. This episode breaks down the real-world factors that matter when getting back on a bike after a total hip replacement: mounting and dismounting, hip mobility, fear of falling, balance, timing, strength, pain, swelling, bike setup, seat height, saddle comfort, and whether you are riding a stationary bike or heading outside on the road or trail. He also explains why a stationary bike is often the safer place to start and why outdoor cycling requires a completely different level of control, awareness, and confidence. This episode also covers the difference between short, easy rides and longer or more demanding efforts, including hills, gravel, clip-in pedals, crowded paths, group rides, and unpredictable riders around you. Chris talks about why even if you feel good during a ride, you still need to think about how your body may respond later that day and over the next few days. For hip replacement patients eager to return to cycling, this is a practical conversation about patience, judgment, progression, and respecting the recovery process instead of rushing it. If you are wondering when you can ride a bike after hip replacement surgery, whether a stationary bike is safe after hip replacement, how to return to cycling after hip surgery, or what precautions matter most, this episode gives you a smart framework. It is not just about getting back on the bike. It is about getting back on the bike in a way that supports hip replacement recovery, rebuilds confidence, and helps you move forward.   New hips. New you. Let’s go. Thanks for joining THE HIP REPLACEMENT PODCAST. -Chris   LIKE, SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you liked this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review!  Your support helps us reach more hip replacement patients who need these insights and inspiration. Thanks for tuning into THE HIP REPLACEMENT PODCAST!  See you next time.

    40 min
  4. Varying Rates of Recovery - Ep. 42

    APR 5

    Varying Rates of Recovery - Ep. 42

    Hip Replacement Recovery Timelines and Schedules Differ Hip Replacement Recovery Is Not a Race—Stop Comparing Your Timeline and Recovery Speed   ►► Download my Top 12 Tips for Hip Replacement Patients here Get my book, NEW STEEL here - available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audio versions For more information, or to send a question or comment, visit The Hip Replacement Podcast website Varying Rates of Recovery After Hip Replacement Why Hip Replacement Recovery Looks Different for Everyone Hip replacement recovery, hip replacement surgery recovery, recovery timeline, hip surgery recovery, and comparing recovery after surgery—this episode of The Hip Replacement Podcast tackles one of the biggest mental and emotional traps patients fall into: comparing their recovery to someone else’s. If you’ve ever wondered, “Why am I not walking better yet?” “Why am I still stiff?” or “Why does someone else seem ahead of me after hip replacement surgery?” this episode is for you. Chris explains why recovery after hip replacement surgery is never identical from person to person, and why even your own hip replacement recovery timeline can speed up, slow down, stall, or surge depending on the phase you are in. In this episode, Chris breaks down the many factors that affect hip replacement recovery, including age, strength, fitness level, overall health, pain tolerance, surgical differences, complications, rehab consistency, mindset, expectations, sleep, swelling, inflammation, activity level, and the very real danger of the comparison trap. Just because someone says they were golfing quickly, walking without a cane early, or “back to normal” fast does not mean your hip surgery recovery should look the same. This episode also explains something many people miss: your recovery can vary within your own journey. You may improve quickly in one phase, then hit stiffness, fatigue, soreness, poor sleep, or mental frustration later. You may walk better before you sleep better. You may feel stronger before you feel mentally normal again. That does not mean something is wrong. It means recovery from hip replacement is uneven, personal, and influenced by many moving parts. Chris also makes the case that recovery does not simply end after 3 months or even 1 year. Instead, recovery often becomes maintenance. If you want long-term success after hip replacement surgery, mobility, strength, stretching, exercise, and consistency still matter. If you are feeling discouraged, frustrated, or behind in your hip replacement recovery timeline, this episode will help you stop measuring your progress against other people and start focusing on your next step, your consistency, and your own long-term gains. Because your recovery is your recovery—and that is exactly how it should be. New hips. New you. Let’s go. Thanks for joining THE HIP REPLACEMENT PODCAST. -Chris   LIKE, SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you liked this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review!  Your support helps us reach more hip replacement patients who need these insights and inspiration. Thanks for tuning into THE HIP REPLACEMENT PODCAST!  See you next time.

    30 min
  5. Exercise Diversity - Try Something New - Ep. 41

    APR 2

    Exercise Diversity - Try Something New - Ep. 41

    Exercise After Hip Replacement: Build a Bigger, More Active Life ►► Download my Top 12 Tips for Hip Replacement Patients here Get my book, NEW STEEL here - available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audio versions For more information, or to send a question or comment, visit The Hip Replacement Podcast website   Best Activities After Hip Replacement Hip Replacement Recovery: Exercise After Hip Replacement for a Bigger, More Active Life   Hip replacement recovery, exercise after hip replacement, and life after hip replacement do not have to mean doing the same safe, boring routine forever. In this episode of The Hip Replacement Podcast, Chris tackles one of the biggest challenges after hip replacement surgery: how to stay active, hopeful, and mentally engaged without feeling limited to walking, basic rehab, or the same two or three activities every week. If you are asking what comes next after hip surgery recovery, this episode is your reminder that life after hip replacement can be bigger, more fun, and far more interesting than most people expect. Chris explains why hip replacement recovery is not just about surviving surgery or getting back to baseline. It is about building strength, improving balance, protecting your new hip, expanding confidence, and creating a more active life. This episode explores the idea of mixing physical activity, social activity, and mental activity so that exercise after hip replacement becomes more sustainable and a lot less boring. Instead of only focusing on walking, Chris shares a wide range of activities after hip replacement that may help you feel alive again, including jump rope, hula hooping, yoga, ballet fitness, Tai Chi, dance classes, drumming, water aerobics, paddle boarding, rowing, rebounder workouts, gardening, pickleball, volunteering, acting classes, choir, indoor climbing, circus arts basics, cooking classes, travel, and adult sports leagues. Along the way, Chris also talks about practical guardrails for hip replacement exercise, including starting small, respecting your surgical history, thinking about balance and fall risk, being careful with deep forced positions and quick pivoting, and using your surgeon’s guidance as part of the decision-making process. The message is not to be reckless. The message is to stop assuming that after hip replacement surgery your world has to get smaller. Whether you are preparing for surgery, early in hip replacement recovery, or years into life after hip replacement, this episode will challenge you to ask a better question than, “What exercise should I do?” The better question is: What kind of life do I want to build after hip replacement? If you want more confidence, more movement, more variety, and more fun after hip replacement surgery, this episode will help you rethink what is possible.     New hips. New you. Let’s go. Thanks for joining THE HIP REPLACEMENT PODCAST.   -Chris   LIKE, SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you liked this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review!  Your support helps us reach more hip replacement patients who need these insights and inspiration. Thanks for tuning into THE HIP REPLACEMENT PODCAST!  See you next time.

    53 min
  6. Going from 1 to 2 Hip Replacements - Ep. 40

    MAR 20

    Going from 1 to 2 Hip Replacements - Ep. 40

    Going From 1 to 2 Hip Replacements ►► Download my Top 12 Tips for Hip Replacement Patients here Get my book, NEW STEEL here - available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audio versions For more information, or to send a question or comment, visit The Hip Replacement Podcast website Second Hip Replacement Surgery: What Changes When You Go From One Hip Replacement to Two? Second Hip Replacement Recovery What Changes After a Second Hip Replacement Surgery Second hip replacement surgery, bilateral hip replacement, double hip replacement, hip replacement recovery, total hip replacement, leg length discrepancy, physical therapy, and walking aids — this episode of The Hip Replacement Podcast tackles what really changes when you go from one hip replacement to two hip replacements. If you’ve already had hip replacement surgery or you’re worried your other hip may eventually need attention, this episode is for you. Chris breaks down the physical, mental, and practical differences between recovering from one artificial hip and living with two hip replacements. He explains why a second hip replacement is not just a repeat of the first surgery, and why the recovery experience can feel more complex than people expect. In this episode, you’ll hear Chris discuss why some patients may eventually need a second hip replacement, how compensation patterns can overload the non-operated side, and why hip replacement recovery after the second surgery may involve different balance, coordination, symmetry, and mobility challenges. Chris talks about fear before surgery, time between surgeries, whether to use the same surgeon and same surgical approach, and how physical therapy, stretching, walking aids, and long-term recovery habits can make a major difference. Chris also shares personal insight on issues many patients are not warned enough about, including leg length discrepancy, balance issues, altered gait, coordination changes, and protecting both hips during recovery. Whether you’re preparing for your first procedure, considering a second hip replacement surgery, or wondering about double hip replacement recovery, this episode offers honest perspective, practical advice, and encouragement. If hip pain is limiting your lifestyle, movement, confidence, sleep, exercise, golf, walking, or daily activities, this conversation will help you think more clearly about what happens when one surgery becomes two — and how to recover smarter, move better, and live bigger after total hip replacement. New hips. New you. Let’s go. Thanks for joining THE HIP REPLACEMENT PODCAST. -Chris    LIKE, SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you liked this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review!  Your support helps us reach more hip replacement patients who need these insights and inspiration. Thanks for tuning into THE HIP REPLACEMENT PODCAST!  See you next time.

    34 min
  7. Sleep Long After Hip Replacement - Ep. 39

    MAR 18

    Sleep Long After Hip Replacement - Ep. 39

    Hip Replacement Sleep Problems Years Later? What Patients Need to Know. ►► Download my Top 12 Tips for Hip Replacement Patients here Get my book, NEW STEEL here - available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audio versions For more information, or to send a question or comment, visit The Hip Replacement Podcast website Sleep Years After a Hip Replacement Sleeping Better After Hip Replacement Why Sleep Can Still Be Difficult Years After Hip Replacement   Hip replacement sleep problems, sleep after hip replacement, and pain at night years after hip surgery are more common than many patients expect. In this episode of The Hip Replacement Podcast, Chris talks about what it’s really like to deal with sleep years after a hip replacement, including stiffness, side sleeping, hip tightness, mattress issues, sleeping positions, stretching, and discomfort around the hip long after surgery. Many people assume that once they recover from hip replacement surgery, sleep should go completely back to normal. But even one year, five years, or ten years after surgery, some patients still notice hip stiffness, tightness in the front of the hips, soreness in surrounding muscles and tissue, or discomfort tied to how they sleep. This episode explains why that happens and what to consider before assuming something is seriously wrong. Chris shares his own experience as a double hip replacement patient and explains how sleep position after hip replacement can affect the way the body feels the next morning. He discusses sleeping on the back, stomach, and side, how pillows can make a big difference, and why the issue may not be the hip joint itself but the muscles, soft tissue, lower back, and surrounding areas. He also talks about how mattress firmness, stretching before bed, activity level during the day, and even food, caffeine, sugar, or alcohol may affect sleep quality after hip replacement. If you’ve ever wondered why your hip feels stiff in the morning, whether side sleeping is causing discomfort, or how to improve sleep after hip replacement surgery, this episode offers practical ideas you can try right away. It’s an honest look at life after hip replacement, with useful insight for anyone dealing with hip pain at night, sleep discomfort, recovery questions, or long-term hip replacement challenges. Whether you are preparing for surgery, recovering now, or living many years beyond your procedure, this episode of The Hip Replacement Podcast will help you better understand hip replacement recovery, sleep issues after hip replacement, and how to improve comfort, rest, and daily function over the long term. New hips. New you. Let’s go. Thanks for joining THE HIP REPLACEMENT PODCAST. -Chris    LIKE, SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you liked this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review!  Your support helps us reach more hip replacement patients who need these insights and inspiration. Thanks for tuning into THE HIP REPLACEMENT PODCAST!  See you next time.

    24 min
  8. Simplicity and Consistency - Ep. 38

    FEB 26

    Simplicity and Consistency - Ep. 38

    Hip Replacement Recovery: How to Make Progress (Even When You Feel Stuck) ►►Receive my Top 12 Tips for Hip Replacement Patients here Get my book, NEW STEEL here – available in Hardcover, Paperback, eBook and Audio versions See The Hip Replacement Podcast site for more details Hip Replacement Recovery Progress Feels Slow? Use Simplicity + Consistency to Get Stronger, Healthier, and More Confident. Progress After Hip Replacement Surgery: Simple Daily Habits for Less Pain + Better Mobility If you’ve had a hip replacement, you already know this truth: hip replacement recovery can feel unpredictable. Some days you feel strong and hopeful—then the next day you’re stiff, sore, frustrated, and wondering if you’ll ever be truly pain-free after hip replacement. In this episode of The Hip Replacement Podcast, Chris talks directly to that “stuck” feeling and gives you a simple, repeatable approach to make real progress after hip replacement surgery—whether you’re days, weeks, months, or years into recovery. This episode is built around two principles that drive lasting results: simplicity and consistency. Not perfection. Not a complicated program. Not an unrealistic “miracle recovery” you see on social media. Just the daily actions that actually improve mobility, reduce hip stiffness, rebuild strength, and restore confidence. You’ll learn a practical 4-step process you can start today: Reset the story — overwhelm isn’t a verdict and your recovery isn’t “over” because you hit a rough patch. Commit to the minimum dose — choose 10–15 minutes a day of walking, physical therapy exercises, gentle mobility, or basic strength work. Chip away at progress — stack small wins: fewer limps, better sleep, longer walks, less stiffness. Protect your environment — upgrade your inputs: your thoughts, the people around you, and what you repeatedly tell yourself. If you’re searching for hip replacement recovery tips, motivation to stay consistent, or a simple plan to keep moving forward—this episode will help you feel back in control. Because progress after a hip replacement is often quiet… until it isn’t. New hips. New you. Let’s go. Thanks for joining THE HIP REPLACEMENT PODCAST. -Chris   LIKE, SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you liked this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review!  Your support helps us reach more hip replacement patients who need these insights and inspiration. Thanks for tuning into THE HIP REPLACEMENT PODCAST!  See you next time.

    16 min
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About

The Hip Replacement Podcast: Recovery Tips, Insights, Inspiration The Hip Replacement Podcast is a leading resource for people searching for hip replacement, hip replacement surgery, hip replacement recovery, and life after hip replacement. Whether you’re preparing for hip surgery, recovering from a hip replacement, or learning how to live fully after hip replacement surgery, this podcast offers real-world insight from someone who has lived it. Hosted by Chris Bystriansky—author, IRONMAN triathlete, and double hip replacement patient—this podcast focuses on what patients actually want to know about hip surgery recovery and recovering from hip replacement. Chris had both hips replaced more than a decade ago and went on to complete two IRONMAN triathlons, endurance events, and maintain an active lifestyle that includes golf, fitness, and travel. His journey demonstrates what’s possible when recovery is approached with patience, perspective, and purpose. This podcast does not provide medical advice. Chris is not a doctor, surgeon, or physical therapist. Instead, he shares lived experience, guidance, and inspiration to help hip replacement patients better understand what to expect after hip replacement, navigate setbacks, and confidently move forward. Each weekly episode explores highly searched topics related to hip replacement recovery and life after hip replacement, including: • Preparing mentally and physically for hip replacement surgery • Pain, stiffness, nerve sensations, and sleep after hip replacement • Tools, equipment, pools, and strategies for hip surgery recovery • How long does it take to recover from hip replacement surgery • Getting back to walking, running, golf, swimming, and daily life • Intimacy, scars, leg length concerns, and confidence after surgery • Overcoming fear, frustration, and the stigma of hip replacement • Real comeback stories and long-term success after hip replacement The Hip Replacement Podcast is for: • People scheduled for hip replacement surgery • Patients recovering from hip replacement at any stage • Active adults seeking a better life after hip replacement • Anyone living with a hip replacement who wants more than “just OK” or "Back to Normal" Chris is also the author of NEW STEEL, a book chronicling his hip replacement surgeries and his path back to endurance sports, and he brings the same honesty and encouragement to every episode. If you’re searching for hip replacement recovery, hip surgery recovery, living with a hip replacement, or inspiration from someone who truly understands the journey, this podcast is for you. New hips. New you. Let’s go.

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