spilman, depending on which leg ( lead or rear boot) they took the cartilige from and how much of it, your water skiing days may be over. I have about 20% of the cartilige left in my lead ( left) leg knee after 3 scope ops and hitting wakes and waves is brutal. BONE HITS BONE essentially. A ten minute slalom turned into 3 days of sitting and icing to get the the swelling down. I have about 50% left in my right knee but badly tore the ACL in that one so my skiing career, water and snow ended permanently. Matter of fact, I don't skate anymore eother. Doctor said something about "anything that could cause your legs to go in different directions is BAD." I guess I shouldn't have mis spent my youth skiing bumps like an idiot.