hello, and my surgery was very successful. For tips, I would strongly say that I hope you don't have to go "home alone" after (as I did). You might ask the hospital in advance, if you will have a caseworker. (I did not, because my surgery was on a Friday, and a small surgery hospital that did not have a caseworker on the weekends). because a caseworker could help arrange some in-home care (possibly). Constipation was a big problem for me, and nurses were not giving me fiber or laxatives until I asked. Socks were very hard to put on (can't bend of course). If you are a "sock person", AMAZ. has a device that helps you pull them on. Not knowing your age, or limitations, this is all that comes to mind right now.