Ask questions, even if you think you know the answer:
Including, but not limited to:
What will you be doing during the surgery/procedure?
How long will I have to stay in the hospital?
Who may stay with me?
What pain management will be available for me during my hospital stay?
What are possible side effects and complications? What do you do in these cases?
What do I have to do to go home?
How can I make my recovery easier on myself?
What should I start doing or stop doing now to help myself recover faster?
What can I expect my quality of life to look like right after surgery vs 6 months later?
Is there anything I will never be able to do again, realistically or have to learn to do differently?
What medications will I likely go home on?
Feel your feelings about what is happening:
It is best if you mentally prepare for surgery and that includes preparing for the pain, hard work, and fighting that you are about to go through. You can do this!
Clean your home before surgery:
Buy some puzzles and activities that you can do from your couch
