May your recovery be speedy, and your new knee much better than the old one. I'll be watching for updates as mine both creak and crack up and down the stairs. Sure can't sneak up on anyone!! I have spoken with many that wonder why they waited so long to have this done.
Good luck to you, and BE SURE TO DO YOUR THERAPY! I remember when my mom broke her hip she wouldn't take anything for pain as she didn't want to become addicted to painkillers. Of course, this hindered her ability to do her therapy so she finally conceded that a little pain med would be OK if it would inable her to do some exercises. From there on she did great, and was out walking before anyone could believe it.