 My husband, Marty, and I are avid cyclists and for the past few years our end-of-summer tradition was to participate in the Dalmack Bicycle Camping Tour. We start out from East Lansing, ride for four days, and finish the trip by crossing the Mackinac Bridge. As my knees got progressively worse, I had to have injections to cushion my joints so that I could complete the 300-mile ride. Unfortunately, even with the injections, I was unable to complete the trip the last year. It was then I knew it was time for knee replacement surgery. After deciding to move forward with surgery, I never imagined that I could have my knee replaced in the morning, cruise the halls with a walker in the afternoon, and begin recuperating at home all in the same day. I also didn't expect to be the first person to have outpatient total knee replacement surgery at Great Lakes Bay Surgery and Endoscopy Center. I remember when my orthopedic surgeon, Dr. John Murphy, initially approached me with the idea of outpatient surgery. He told me that I was the perfect candidate because I was physically fit and motivated to get back to my active lifestyle. My mid-Michigan physical therapist, Eric Marquardt, prescribed pre-surgery exercises to strengthen my legs and also showed me how to use a walker and cane. The day of my surgery, he even came out to the surgery center, got me up and had me walking up and down the hall. I remember arriving at the surgery center at 6.30 in the morning and by 2 o'clock in the afternoon, being back at home, sitting on my sofa with my leg elevated and ice on my knee. Within hours, I was walking on my new knee. It was great to be at home so quickly after surgery, being in familiar surroundings and sleeping in my own bed. I truly believe this helped speed up my healing process. I started physical therapy two days after surgery and also did therapy at home, which really helped my recovery. While the therapy hurt at times, I knew it was essential to get my movement back. Approximately five months after my left knee, I decided to have my right knee replaced too. The second time around, there was no question about whether or not to have outpatient surgery. Both times, my experience was phenomenal. Dr. Murphy and the staff gave me all the tools I needed to be successful and now I'm back to enjoying the active lifestyle I love.