Early Saturday morning, Governor Joe Manchin went under the knife for knee replacement surgery. The procedure was performed at Cabell-Huntington Hospital, and the surgery was a success.

The surgery has been a long time coming for Governor Manchin. It all started 40 years ago when Governor Manchin was just Joe Manchin. He was a student and football player at WVU. At a spring game, he hurt his left knee, but he was able to re-cooperate. But then, he re-injured it in a game the following fall.

He had major re-construction surgery then, and 40 years later its time to go under the knife again.

So, early Saturday morning Governor Manchin made his way into Cabell-Huntington Hospital. Like most patients, he had some pre-surgery jitters.

Dr. Ali is the director of the Joint Replacement Center at Cabell-Huntington. Governor Manchin came to Huntington because he heard Dr. Ali was the best. And while the governor won't be able to do much walking for a while, it won't keep him away from his responsibilities.

According to his staff the governor was in recovery on Saturday evening and was doing extremely well. His wife Gayle was by his side and devoting her time to her husband.

The governor will continue his duties, but in the comfort of the governor's mansion. He also has a long road ahead with recovery, and will go through physical therapy to get used to his new knee.