Hi Tom,
I live in the outskirts of the Portland area. I had my sx done in Vancouver by Dr. Sparling (who says he has now done over 500 HR). I am assuming that from your location, you either used Dr. Sparling or Prichett?
Dr. Sparling seems to be more conservative than most any other Dr. I've read about on this website. I was not alllowed to really put any but the slightest, weight on my leg until about 6 weeks after my sx. I was to use crutches or a walker. No driving. No lifting anything heavier that 10 lbs. He even adviced me not to work until the 6 weeks were over.
After that, I got the 50% lecture. Then finally, (I think at about 2 months) as much weight as was comfortable. I felt way behind eveyone else on this website! Even after 2 months, I was using a cane. I am an equestrain, and I was not allowed to ride or do any really physical activity until the 3 month mark.
I too, had an enormous amount of bone spurs. In fact, that was really the only "damage" to my hip. A person would of thought I was bone on bone, however, if they had watched me walk!
I followed my Dr's orders faithfully. When I was finally released to just plain try to walk with little or no assistance, I improved rapidly. I only used the cane for about 7 days.
Dr Sparling told me at the time I had the proceedure done, that he had had only two failures and both were due to femoral neck fractures. Take your restrictions seriously, let bone intergrate, strenghthen and heal. You will be just fine after the 2 months! You sound determined and anxious to get back to life so I have no doubt that when you are released to walk unaided, you will do fine.
I am at 14 months now, and do anything I want, more or less. I have given up only the most obnoxiuos riding I used to do. I still do cutting (rowdly horse showing involving chasing cows), and trail riding. I hike for miles. Sit comfortly for hours... live a normal life.
Good Luck, keep positive. You will have piece of mind after the 2 months are over, that your bone is strong and healed. Lu