I just had my second knee replacement. It is now outpatient surgery. It was done with an epidural and I was just barely asleep.(like for a colonoscopy). Surgery was at 8:00 AM and by 12:00 I was walking the halls in the hospital. I was able to come home in 23 hours. Loved it. My other knee was 3 years ago, it was general anesthesia and a 3 day stay. I do feel that sometimes they are releasing patients too quickly but it is better to go home.
Insurance does rule a lot of medicine any more. It would be nice if it was easier for doctors to decide when patients should be released then insurance decide.