By MIKE CORN Hays Daily News Rep. Dan Johnson is recuperating at Hays Medical Center after undergoing hip replacement surgery Tuesday. Weather permitting, he could be released from the hospital Saturday, Johnson's wife, Gwen, said today. If icy conditions slip into the area as predicted, he might remain in the hospital a day longer. "He's coming along," she said. "It takes a while to get back going." Johnson, a Republican representing the 110th District, has been suffering from pain in his left hip. "He was having a lot of pain in his left hip and wanted to get it done so he will be ready to go to session in January," Gwen Johnson said. She said he first started talking about the surgery shortly after the 2007 session ended, but it was pushed off until Tuesday. He is scheduled to start physical therapy Monday. "He's getting better," she said. "Surgery is a difficult thing. It will take him a day or two, but they tell me they're pleased with his progress." There is the possibility, Gwen Johnson said, that he might be forced to miss out on some pre-session activities in December as a result of the surgery. Special-projects coordinator Mike Corn can be reached at (785) 628-1081, Ext. 129, or by e-mail at mcorn@dailynews.net.