It's been over 4 years now. I don't remember much from the first day except waking up to my family, thinking morphine was my friend, worrying about the catheter extraction (valid, very valid), and hobbling over to see my brother. I was walking the next day. Was not until day four that I left the hospital. Wish I would have kept a diary for the first year as it is somewhat foggy. Every experience seems to be different with some things quite common: Gas, stitch pain, some let down after you give up the organ, and fatigue. It is major surgery so if you recover quickly, thank your lucky stars. If it takes longer and you are healthy, again, be thankful -it is not like there is a competition. Not every one has a wonderful experience. Procedures have improved but it is not like we are all 64 Chevy impalas with Chilton manuals. Ok, close, but the variations are probably wider.