It sounds very much like my mother at about the same age, the first several weeks of rehab. She ended up doing 12 weeks at rehab, then another 6 weeks or so at my house before she was comfortable walking anywhere. Most of hers was fear of the pain, but she was only taking Tylenol when she had a prescription for stronger pain meds if she needed them, so the fear of pain must have been stronger than the actual pain, but I can understand. At that age, balance is precarious, and the surgery shifts the center of balance, which is also scary, I'm sure.

It seems that if he came through this surgery, it ought to mean that he is a better candidate for the other surgery he needs. I hope that someone finds a way to alleviate his fears and depression so that he can heal. The good news is that when Mama got home, she went up the three steps onto her front porch much better than I did. One day, she was in the kitchen making a snack (PT had me let her make her own lunch and snacks as part of her PT) and forgot to use her Rollator to go from the refrigerator to the sink several times. I had seen it from another room and came in and congratulated her. You should have seen the look of surprise, but after that, it seemed that the fear left, and she progressed very quickly after that. Praying that your dad does not have complications and can get past his fear and depression soon.