I think there's a misunderstanding going on with "different" being equated with wrong or right. Anyone who's been reading here for more than a few days can readily see how many uniquely "different" approaches each surgeon has to the very same procedures and recoveries. In fact it's astonishing that, almost to a person, no two OS's have had the same practice or recommendations --be it type of surgery, meds, PT, pre op, post op etc. Read the follow up visits of each person and see the endless varieties of surgical protocols on one forum of @20,000 posters. There can't be just one, one-size-fits-all "right" way for everyone. And with that, all medical practice is and should be fungible and in flux, as new discoveries are made, and then tailored to fit each individual patients' needs ...as we too are each uniquely different.
I had narrowed my search down to two well-reputed OS's to interview extensively, both happened to be in the same group at the same hospital. Both do Makoplasty robotics as well (it's not that new btw, been around almost 15 yrs I believe?). But the surgeon I picked -- who had 5 star ratings across the board and heads up the orthopedic surgical department at the hospital, and was rated as the number one OS in the country by one survey--- he chooses to only use Mako on knees alone, not hips. I didn't ask why. For THR, he does anterior Surgery on the Hana table and has phenomal success rates by all reports I've found.
My interviews with both surgeons showed me also the
differences between them, even within the same group. Not that one was flat out right or wrong. Mine doesn't use the stockings after. (Oh Happy day!) He believes in walking only for 6 weeks plus some basic gentle isometrics and exercises if you want --but not to focus on ROM or muscle strengthening until well after initial healing has been achieved. He focuses on nutrition more than the other. And, interestingly, neither of the two Mako surgeons I interviewed said that I would be going into any sort of agressive PT program after surgery, in fact they both stressed the trauma of the 2 largest bones being broken, sawed, reamed... And the need to allow healing time.... And so here are just 3 Mako surgeons who all differ considerably in opinion. One doesn't need to be declared as right or wrong. In his practice, my surgeon continues to evolve and refine methods based on observations and findings coming in from his patients.
For example, my surgeon now no longer recommends the antibiotics regime for dentistry. He also just added the newer practice of electrolyte drinks the morning of surgery (I went with coconut water) He gives no restrictions post op, but advises to listen to your body and if it hurts don't do it. And so on. They're all different. So are we.
As for the geographical fitness and athletic caliber... Los Angeles is not any couch potato slouch town. I suspect we have more gyms and Pilates studios than we have Starbucks. The pressure to maintain physical looks and fitness here is perhaps higher than anywhere in the world due to so many people earning their living on camera, in the public eye. And the opportunities for outdoor sports activities are unlimited.
In the end, I think the real voice of authority for each of us is the voice of our brilliant bodies --that most always tells us loudly and clearly when we're doing either too much, too little, or something that may be ultimately harmful. Mine sometimes screeches, but it's all with good intent!