Oh, and putting the various pieces of info together, it sounds like it would be a good idea to:
a. have the surgery in the late spring or summer (not when it's likely to be very cold, rainy, or icy and snowy outside) -- to minimize the risk of falling
b. avoid having the surgery during the cold and flu season (to minimize complications from other infections)
c. try to build up your muscles and generally get as fit as possible beforehand, because there will be so much atrophy afterwards

Of course, this is assuming that it really is "elective" surgery and not an immediate necessity.

Does this sound reasonable?