"Know that you will be very tired and asking for help with everything. You'll need help changing clothes, bathing, cooking, even getting a glass of water if the cups are stored above chest height. Advice: take it easy, put your pride on the shelf, ask for and accept all the help you can get." —Micah, 21, Trans

"YOU WILL NEED HELP. This surgery will knock you on your butt. Just getting up to use the bathroom was a challenge, I couldn't imagine having to make my own food and do other things on top of that. Having someone to help for at least the first three days is a must. Also, be careful with eating after you get home from surgery. I waited a good five hours and then thought it was safe enough to eat a bowl of light soup. A half hour later I threw up said soup." —Anonymous

"Having someone to help you change drains will make it much much easier. As they strip them toward the bottom, hold the end that's stitched to your side steady so it doesn't tug with one hand. With the other, follow along and hold the tube closed after they strip it down, so that suction doesn't pull stuff back up when they let go to move farther down." —James, 27, Trans

Post-surgical drains can be one of the most annoying parts of recovery — but they're there for a reason. "Drains collect the excess fluid that your body produces in response to trauma," explains Bluebond-Langner. "We instruct patients to pour the fluid in the drain bulb into a measuring cup and write down the amount." When the level is low enough, the drains are no longer needed.