Corey
Where do you live? There are several top surgeons who will give you a free consultation if you send them an email with a copy of your x-rays in a digital format. Dr. Gross of SC, who has done over 1800 resurfacings, will actually call you in a few weeks to discuss your case and tell you if you are a candidate for resurfacing. That's always a good start. Find out what the top surgeons have to say. I believe Dr. Rogerson will do an email consultation, also. The overseas surgeons do, but I don't know if you want to fly overseas.
You don't want to depend on a local orthopedic. You want a surgeon that does hips and a lot of hips. If you want resurfacing, you want a surgeon that has done many hundreds to thousands of resurfacings. The top resurfacing surgeons will also do THRs if you are not a good candidate for resurfacing.
You don't normally need a MRI to determine if you need a hip resurfacing. Most of us ever had them, just good x-rays. When you have bone on bone joints there is little you can do to improve them except get a hip resurfacing or THR. We have all gone the route of taking nsaids, then getting steriod shots and doing PT. Eventually, there is no fix and only surgery will take care of the pain and get you back to an active life.
I don't know any of the top surgeons that make you wait 8 months. Most will see you within a few weeks to perhaps a month or two. Look at my list and choose one of the top surgeons. Call their office. Tell us where you live and we can help.
Pat