Ok, I have another question.

How many night gowns do you need? Did you wear them in the hospital too? I already sleep in gowns; I will probably be in Texas about 2 weeks before I can head home (pre-op, hospital, & post-op).

Also, I have considered the dress option for the very reasons you mentioned. What is your suggestion on how long before you can get into pants or shorts?

Thanks,

Jane

I was in Germany a total of 3 weeks, and I took a mixture of gowns and pj's that added up to 7. Personally, I did not have too much trouble stepping into my pj bottoms, after a 3 level lumbar, but I'm a stubborn ole' mule. I began wearing my jeans after about a week, two or three weeks probably would be smarter. But around the house I wear my yoga style pants which are very comfortable.

Jeans and things I held out at least 2-3 weeks on I wore jogging pants that were a size or 2 bigger than I usually had with the drawstrings in them for a while and the long dresses I mentioned when I was out in public I usually had pjs or a long gown on at home to stay comfy in.
It wasnt so much the getting in and out of pants after say a week to 10 days it was more the rubbing on the incision that bothered me especially when my abdomen was still swollen and mine stayed that way a while too.
HTH

if you really want your surgery to go smoothly, make sure to have someone there with you for 2 weeks post-op. This includes the time while you're in the hospital. There will be times when nurses don't speak with doctors and you won't want them messing with you until you speak with the doctor youself. At that point you need an advocate cause you'll be bedridden and won't be able to chase the doc down.