The 2021 water ski season is completely done and here is a brief summary of how the hip was. My right hip was replaced on January 5th, 2021. I started skiing in mid-May, taking shorter sets and not shortening the rope as much as I normally would. I skied regularly all summer and up until the end of September. Strength and flexibility in my right hip improved as the season progressed and I started to get closer and closer to where I would "normally" ski. However, even at the end of September, my hip was still not 100% in the strength category. I finished the season skiing through 35 like I normally would, though not as consistent as I would typically be.
I just had my left hip replaced with the same surgeon and device on November 3rd. I am hoping that I will be a little ahead in the recovery once ski season returns in the spring.
Overall, I think the hip replacement was worth doing and I believe that my skiing days will continue as they were prior to the surgery.