JBA

sir!
The wife is an RN in surgery with a big ortho/gastro/neuro background, so I asked her.
Your achillies tendon is THE major tendon connecting your lower leg muscle to your foot.
She says that it will take a good 6 to 12 weeks for full movement and recovery (depending on the tear). First, the doc's have them on a restricted physical therapy, usually a cast and crutches. Then graduating to a cane and restrictive "boot". There is quite a bit of physical therapy involved. By 12 weeks you should be walking without pain.
She also says to ask your own doc (depending on the tear) what his opinion is on how long it should be before you can start physical therapy...in other words, how long for your own individual situation (what did the MRI indicate) before it heals enough to start getting movement back without risking un-doing what the surgery fixed.
This is from me: especially the first week of and after surgery, don't be Mr. Tough Guy. If they offer a prescription for pain medication, TAKE IT.
My thoughts & prayers are with you, and I wish you an easy surgery & post-op!
ROX