Preparation suggestions to do at home for your return.

-raised toilet seat
-shower chair
-long handled reachers/grabbers
-long handled back brush for showering
-shower mat so you don't slip
-soap on a rope, or liquid soap for showering
-extra bed pillows to prop your back up when side lying and for between your knees and down to ankle
-remove all throw rugs so you don't slip or trip on them
-elastic shoelaces for shoes that tie, or
Slip-on shoes, a Wedge pillow, and oversized underwear until the swelling goes down.

-straws for drinking while laying down
-a stack of good books, magazines,or small crafts to keep you busy
-go to movie rental store and/or library and make a list of what you will want to watch/read during your recovery
-if you have cable, get a couple of movie channels
-put new batteries in the remote control
-a walkman with your favorite music
-have all your clothes and pjs easily accessible
-prepare meals ahead of time and keep in the freezer
-get paper plates, napkins, and plastic silverware so you have less clean up to worry about
-list of emergency phone numbers close by
-keep prescriptions close by
-check your drawers around the house, and if they stick, use a bar of soap to make them glide easier so you don't have to yank on them
-re-arrange cabinets, refrigertor etc. to have the things you use frequently at a height that won't cause you to bend
-if you'll be wearing a brace, wear it for a while pre-op to get used to what it's like to get around in it (if you have it pre-op)
-raise your bed on blocks for ease in getting in and out of bed
-move your computer to your bedside so you can keep in touch with all your cyber friends
-have lots of extra cotton t-shirts or tank tops to wear under your brace.
-make sure your clothes will fit over a brace
-teach your significant other, or kids to work the washer and dryer
-Also make sure if you have pets that you have help in feeding them or walking them if needed.

Just some suggestions - use what you might need.

If you are going to Europe

Taking medication to Europe.

Patients taking medication to Europe are recommended to carry it in their hand luggage. Also to have a letter from their doctor that says they are authorised to do so.

A good idea is to take a spare prescription with you should you lose your original medication, or it gets lost in luggage.

It is not a good idea to take "Social Drugs" to Europe (and I'm sure nobody does) the European scene is now sniffer dogs at customs and extremely serious penalties for people who do this.