@JMACCA and
@Zelda - the return, or in some cases, the start, of some functioning can be subtle indeed.
I've noticed from physical therapy that I can make the abduction motion (moving the leg out and away from the body) more than I could before. I'm doing it now, as if my demonstration helps illustrate what I'm trying to say. It's like if you were pretending to fly with your arms, moving them out and away from your body, but only with your legs. I'm sure there's a clearer description of limb abduction out there, but maybe you somehow get a picture, and not one of me trying to fly with my legs, which really isn't what I meant.
Everyone will of course be different. But it might have been nice to have received a list of "upcoming features" one can likely expect with the new hip.
Yesterday in physical therapy, I was asked to pedal one of those foot crank type devices. I call it a foot crank, because it has that key mechanism of a bicycle, but there is no bicycle- only two pedals in a base. I felt stiff at the beginning, but then loosened up some. It was the first time post surgery making that circular/rotation motion with my hip. You know how your hand turns when you use a kitchen whisk that has a little crank? Like that motion, but again, with my leg, pedaling a ghost bike, and not whisking eggs.
Before the surgery, when I'd try to ride my full stationary bike at home, that motion was painful, and I'd find myself leaning a lot to one side, as if I were constantly taking an imaginary sharp curve. Using the riding lawnmower was uncomfortable for the same reason.
I'm hoping for more revelations of functioning- both big and small, to continue happening. For me, their appearance is less than a grand announcement, but rather a subtle noticing, as in, "Hey, would you look at that? I can now do this, or yeah, that doesn't hurt like it did before- even with the remaining recovery pain, I can tell that isn't pre-surgery pain."
I've made light of it a bit here, but as Zelda has mentioned, and as you can expect, it can really be emotional as well. It is truly life changing.
I don't have unrealistic expectations of new-found athletic abilities, but being able to do "normal" things with less or no pain than before feels pretty Superhero level as it is.
United States
I also noticed when stepping into the pool, I need to hold someone's hand for stability (forgive me if I already posted this...memory is still not up to par). Thanks for asking! 
the other day, although I did feel effects of the uneven ground on my muscles the next day! I'm still doing physio exercises, especially for my abductors and the ones to keep my step nice and even. My flexibility continues to improve but the left faster than the right which seems weird but I suppose is due to the longer term weakness and greater damage. Going back to work a week on Monday; part time to start with but even that's a scary thought because it has been so long!
LOL...yes, a night out sounds scary, that is until the drinks were thrown into the mix! 
and sacred and anxious 
but I know all will be worth it in the end.
LOL
