Colleen,
I had the very surgery you are describing at the Mayo Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona in January 2003. The next day after surgery a physical therepist come to my roon and got me up to start wrlking. The fibula was taken from my left leg. I was told to step carefully as though I was walking on a soda cracker and didn't want to break it. After three days of approximately 15 minutes per day I was told I was ok to talk normally. My leg never did hurt. I have no problems with my leg what so ever. I ride horses every day and have experienced no problems. The only thing is I have a slight numbness on a small portion on the top of my foot. I walk fine, no weakness, and to mount a horse with a saddle I mount using my left leg and put my entire weight on the left leg while mounting. I was 60 years old at the time of my surgery. I was hospitalized for twenty days. I would do it again if it was necessary. IT wasn't bad at all. If I were in your shoes I wouldn't hesitate. Best of Luck You won't be sorry