For FindingNemo - that is quite disgraceful Contact your MP (doesn't matter which party).
I've had both sides done, planned after about 2.5 years slowly moving up the queue. One was at an NHS hospital (but specialising in such treatment, Nuffield Orthopedic in Oxford), the 2nd was at a private place, but paid for by NHS.
In both cases, I was in on day 1, op that afternoon, out by teatime on day 3. The first one gave me a big batch of exercises to do (and folk SHOULD do them!!), the second one called me back for outpatient sessions with their physio, but he soon realised I was fine anyway.
I never needed more than a single stick, but some folk like 2 sticks, or crutches, oh, and I could pretty much walk unaided after a week. However, NOT ALL NHS hospitals will do the ops as well, BEWARE if you get sent to a place that does all kinds of surgery, as they're not so used to the op?!
Oh, and as with most treatments, the NHS service round the Uk will vary quite a bit!!