___ A comfortable recliner is a great asset, if not the bed is perfectly fine, just keep your upper body elevated.

___ Have a bucket or pail with a lid at your bedside and on the ride home -- essential. (for vomiting)

___ Have seltzer or regular bottled water with you on the way home to stave off the nausea or to cleanse the mouth after vomiting.

___ A nightstand with all of your medications, ample light, bottled water, a few packages of crackers (NOT garlic or spicy flavored), remote control (with new batteries) & the phone (fully charged) is essential for a comfortable and hitch-free recovery area..

___ Extra blankets; anesthesia can give you rigors (the "chills") after surgery.

___ Freeze ice packs, bags of frozen peas, raspberries or blueberries beforehand if you were instructed to ice.

___ Have a heating pad, hot water bottle or microwaveable pack on hand.  These are great for a sore back -- remember not to sleep on them.

___ A "go-fer", a significant other or an older child can get you things so you don't have to . Please take it easy.

___ Have a robe and slippers (or several pair of thick socks) nearby.

___ Make time for yourself before your surgery; pour a bath, light some candles, listen to some music - relax. Try to gather your thoughts and soothe your mind.

___ The night before (and with some surgeons, for 3 days before) you will be asked to wash your face and neck and sometimes hair with Dial antibacterial or Hibiclens soap to help rid your body of its naturally occurring Staph on the skin's surface -- you do not want a Staph infection.

___ Wash your hair the night before surgery -- it may be a long time before you get to do that again.  As before, if you were instructed to wash your hair with anti-bacterial soap, do so.

___ Talk to your spouse or about any concerns that you may have, they may have some insights or questions you haven't thought of -- they may be experiencing pre-op anxiety as well.

___ Ask your surgeon for valium if you have anxiety, suspect you will experience back pain from sleeping upright for a few weeks or if you need help sleeping.  Alternately, ask if you may take an over the counter sleeping medication.

___ "Black out" your windows with thick drapes, a blanket or other form of dark medium so that when you do get to sleep, regardless of the hours, you can stay asleep.

___ If you think television, video games and reading are eventually going to bore you or stress your eyes - have a discman (or walkman) on hand with your favorite relaxing CDs or audio books.

___ Have your journal and a few fresh, fully inked pens ready if you are wanting to document your post-operative thoughts in writing. Alternately, type it into your lap top or speak it into a miniature recorder. Remember fresh batteries!

___ Alternately, have a nightlight lighting your way to the bathroom should the need arise in the middle of the night.

___ If you don't have a laptop and you have online friends who are eager to hear from you -- have your significant other or friend post" or email them with your recovery news. Give him or her a list of the email addresses and URLs of the message boards.

___ Have an answering machine connected to the phone next to your recovery area. Getting woken up when you just got to sleep can be very unsettling -- you need your sleep. Don't forget to turn down the volume and turn off the ringer.

___ I know you may hear not to look at yourself for a few days but it is very difficult to do, I mean what are you going to do, close your eyes every time you are near a mirror? You know full well you can't not look yourself for an entire week.  But remember when you do break down and peek, your features change every day so please don't get discouraged.  You will have considerable swelling for quite some time.  Please know this beforehand and be sure to print out our Post-operative Emotions Reminder Checklist.