Hi Alex,
Unfortunately, you will get different answers depending on the specialist you ask.

Normally, we always want to go in and remove the hardware at some point. A risk of infection is always present when the skin is opened, so don't know why you got told that as a reason to NOT remove the hardware. Additionally, most ortho surgeries require a preop, during and postop administration of prophylactic antibiotics. Perhaps they didn't want to keep an active young woman from weight-bearing for any length of time to allow proper healing? I don't know.

I recommend that you get more than one opinion. Take your x-rays and your operative reports with you to your appts.
Good luck hon,
Okie