Ashley has submitted this list a few times for people, it is stickied in the forum but also belongs here. If you don't read anything else on this site, read this! - Andy

1. Fill the fridge and freezer with food that is easy to eat.

2. Buy paper plates to eliminate need for washing dishes.

3. Fill pain med prescription in advance and put the meds in a non child-proof easy to open container. Also put Advil or other OTC pain med in easy to open container. Put a piece of paper and pencil beside the meds and write it down EVERY time you take something. You'll get fuzzy-headed and won't remember whether you already took the meds. Do not put the meds and log in your bedroom. You want to get up and out of bed so you don't take meds while half-ways asleep.

4. Have lots of ice on hand and buy some gel packs at Wal-Mart to recycle.

5. Open juice bottles or cans of food you plan to use the first few days and store them in fridge. You won't be able to twist the tops or use the can opener without a struggle.

6. Fill the car with gas

7. Get slip-on shoes

8. Put a table against the side of the bed with your good arm. Put a basket on the table to contain TV remote, book, pencil, phone, etc. Otherwise you never can keep track of those essentials.

9. Get someone to take you to first post-op appointment since you won't be allowed to drive.

10. Don't be hesitant about asking people to stop by for a few minutes to help with odd errands that come up. For example, pushing the shopping cart at Wal-Mart was a killer the first few weeks. Let someone else do it.

11. I don't have a recliner, so I bought a foam wedge off the internet that really helped the first 10 days or so. It is 28" x 28", with an incline of 12 inches and cost approx $50.