the hip surgery.... i work in orthopaedics..... and we are seeing many younger people now having either hip replacements, or the new procedure of hip resurfacing, there are many new ways of dealing with OA for younger people nowadays.
and weightloss surgery? goodness, that sounds like it will help you along speedily!
many drugs are used for their pain relieving side effects, that is not unusual. they will keep trying them out until you find the thing that works for you.
xx