My favorite way to exercise is walking around Lake Harriet and Lake Calhoun. When it became too painful to do that, I knew I needed help. I had my first hip replacement in August 2013, at the age of 56, by Dr. Owen O'Neill. It was done in the hospital and involved a short hospital stay. My recovery went well and the results were fantastic. Within a month I was back to enjoying all the things people take for granted until they can no longer do them; like going for long walks and being pain free. By the beginning of 2017 it became clear that I would need the other hip replaced. Dr. O'Neill explained a new program, started after my first procedure, called EXCEL. It involved having the surgery done at the same day surgery center with an overnight stay at an assisted living facility. I felt a little nervous about not recovering in the hospital. The way things went, my worries were unfounded. I had my second hip replacement done in March 2017 . My experience with the EXCEL program was that the recovery was faster and easier than my first surgery. The accommodations for the overnight stay were top-notch. I had my own private room and one-on-one nursing care.I was walking the halls and having physical therapy within a few hours of having the surgery. My pain was well controlled, I got a comfortable nights' sleep and was able to go home by noon the next day. Once home, I was surprised at how quickly and uneventful my recovery was. 4 weeks after my procedure my husband and I went to Minnehaha Falls. I was able to walk down and back up 110 steps without difficulty! I would highly recommend the EXCEL program and Dr. Owen O'Neill. I feel I've been given a second chance to enjoy my life, and am very grateful to TCO for all they have done for me.