Klaus, 66, is expected to walk today with help from nurses, following a two-hour operation to replace his hip with an artificial one on Tuesday. Doctors say he will remain 10 days in the hospital, then will go home for three months of intensive physical therapy.

Although the president has had hip pain since last summer, he has been putting off the operation due to the February elections. Since the operation means three months of recovery, he will not be able to attend the Olympic Games in Beijing.

For most of his time in office, Klaus has enjoyed good health. Strep throat caused him to cancel naming three Constitutional Court judges in 2003; in January 2004, he cancelled his attendance at the Davos Economic Forum due to the flu. In May 2005, he twisted an ankle walking; and in June 2005, he pulled a muscle while playing tennis at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival.

Klaus has a television in his room and is eating typical hospital food, aides reported. He insisted that he be subject to the same hospital fees as regular citizens.