The surgery itself usually lasts 60 to 90 minutes

Hip replacement surgery typically takes between one and two hours from the moment you enter the operating room until the surgeon closes the incision. The exact time depends on whether you are having a traditional open procedure or a minimally invasive approach, how complex your hip damage is, and whether the surgeon encounters unexpected bone or tissue issues during the operation.

Most surgeons plan for about 60 to 90 minutes of actual surgical time. If you arrive at the hospital at 6 a.m. for a 7 a.m. surgery, you will not be back in recovery until around 8:30 or 9 a.m. The time in the operating room does not include the time spent getting you ready beforehand or moving you to recovery afterward.

Key Takeaways

  • The actual surgery takes 60 to 90 minutes, but you will be at the hospital for 4 to 6 hours total because of preparation, anesthesia, and recovery time.
  • Minimally invasive hip replacement may take slightly longer in the operating room but can reduce overall recovery time compared to traditional open surgery.
  • Unexpected findings during surgery—such as bone loss or scar tissue—can add 15 to 30 minutes to the procedure.
  • You will spend 1 to 2 hours in the recovery room waking up from anesthesia before moving to a hospital room or going home.
  • Most people go home the same day or stay one night; full healing takes 3 to 6 months.

What happens before the surgeon starts

Before the 60 to 90 minutes of surgery begins, you will spend 1 to 2 hours in pre-op. During this time, nurses will check your vital signs, insert an IV line, and give you anesthesia. An anesthesiologist will talk with you about pain control and any concerns you have. You will change into a hospital gown and remove jewelry, dentures, or hearing aids.

The surgical team will also mark the correct hip with a pen or marker to prevent mistakes. This whole process—from when you arrive until the surgeon makes the first incision—usually takes 60 to 120 minutes. If the hospital is busy or if your medical history is complex, pre-op can take longer.

Recovery room time after surgery ends

Once the surgeon finishes and closes the incision, you move to the recovery room (also called post-op). You will still be asleep or groggy from anesthesia. Nurses will monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen level, and pain. They will also check that you are waking up normally and that there is no unusual bleeding.

Most people spend 1 to 2 hours in recovery before moving to a hospital room or being discharged. During this time, you cannot eat or drink, and you may feel confused, cold, or nauseated—all normal effects of anesthesia. A family member or friend should be there to take you home if you are discharged the same day, since you cannot drive after anesthesia.

Same-day discharge versus overnight stay

Some hospitals perform hip replacement as an outpatient procedure, meaning you go home the same day. Others keep patients overnight for observation. Whether you stay depends on your age, overall health, the type of anesthesia used, and your surgeon's preference. If you go home the same day, you will leave 3 to 4 hours after surgery ends, once you are alert enough to walk with help and keep food down.

If you stay overnight, you will be moved to a regular hospital room after recovery. Nurses will help you get up and walk a few steps, usually within a few hours of surgery. You will receive pain medication and antibiotics to prevent infection. Most overnight patients go home the next morning after the surgeon checks on them.

Minimally invasive surgery may take longer in the operating room

Minimally invasive hip replacement uses smaller incisions and specialized instruments, which can take 10 to 20 minutes longer than traditional open surgery—sometimes pushing the total to 100 to 110 minutes. The surgeon has less direct visibility of the hip joint, so the procedure requires more precision and care. However, smaller incisions mean less muscle damage, which often leads to faster healing and less pain after surgery.

Not all surgeons offer minimally invasive hip replacement, and not all hips are suitable for it. If you have severe bone loss, previous hip surgery, or other complications, your surgeon may recommend the traditional open approach instead, which is faster in the operating room but may require a longer recovery at home.

Factors that can make surgery take longer

Several things can add time to your surgery. If your hip has severe arthritis, bone spurs, or scar tissue from a previous injury or surgery, the surgeon may need extra time to remove damaged bone and prepare the joint. If you have weak or thin bone (osteoporosis), the surgeon may need to work more carefully to place the implant securely. Unexpected bleeding or difficulty removing the old hip socket can also add 15 to 30 minutes.

Your surgeon will discuss these risks during your pre-op visit. If you have had previous hip surgery, tell your surgeon, because scar tissue can make the procedure more complex. Being honest about your medical history helps the surgical team plan for the time they may need.

Timeline from arrival to going home

Here is what a typical same-day discharge looks like: you arrive 1 to 2 hours before surgery, spend 60 to 120 minutes in pre-op, have 60 to 90 minutes of surgery, spend 60 to 120 minutes in recovery, and then spend 1 to 2 hours in a discharge area where nurses make sure you can walk, eat, and take pain medication by mouth. Total time at the hospital is usually 4 to 6 hours. If you stay overnight, add 12 to 24 hours.

After you leave the hospital, healing continues at home. You will use crutches or a walker for 2 to 6 weeks. Physical therapy starts within days and continues for 6 to 12 weeks. Most people can return to light activities like walking and sitting at a desk within 4 to 6 weeks, but full recovery—including return to sports or heavy lifting—takes 3 to 6 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the surgery take longer than 2 hours?

Yes. If your surgeon finds unexpected bone loss, severe arthritis, or scar tissue, the surgery can take 2 to 2.5 hours or longer. Your surgeon will discuss this possibility before the procedure. Complications during surgery are rare, but they do happen and are usually managed without affecting your long-term outcome.

Will I be awake during hip replacement surgery?

No. You will receive general anesthesia, which means you will be completely asleep. Some surgeons offer regional anesthesia (numbing from the waist down) combined with sedation, so you are drowsy but not fully asleep. Your anesthesiologist will discuss which option is best for you.

What if I need both hips replaced?

If you need both hips replaced, surgeons typically do them in separate procedures, usually 3 to 6 months apart. Doing both at once would mean 2.5 to 3 hours of surgery and a longer, more difficult recovery. Your surgeon will recommend the timing based on your age, health, and how much pain you are in.

How much of the hospital visit is waiting versus actual surgery?

For a same-day procedure, about 2 to 3 hours is preparation and recovery, and 1 to 1.5 hours is the actual surgery. The rest is paperwork, discharge instructions, and making sure you are safe to leave. Overnight stays add time because you will be monitored in a hospital room.

Can I eat or drink before I leave the hospital?

Yes, but only after you wake up fully from anesthesia and the nurses clear you. You will usually be offered ice chips or water first, then soft foods like crackers or broth. If you keep food down without nausea, you can have a regular meal before discharge. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery.