Know how you feel, G. I had the same problem , but with the right leg. I would come home from work in agony, and curl up on the lounge floor in a foetal position for up to 2 hours before the pain would subside.
Problem for me was it took 18 months to work out what the problem was, and get it fixed. I had the op done on a Wednesday afternoon, and was home Sunday night. Then about 3 weeks later I was allowed to go back to work (that was the really boring bit- there is only so much daytime tele a man can take!)
Anyway, good luck with the op. Enjoy the pain killer on the first night (supp-type).