I slept in a regular bed after surgery, putting the catheter bag in a bucket next to the bed (someone I know put the bag on the floor with no bucket and stepped on it with bad consequences). I did not need narcotic pain medication -only OTC ones-and did't take laxatives. I never used the leg bag--placed the catheter bag in a shopping bag and carried it very inconspicuously in the few times I went out before the catheter was removed. I bought tear away basketball pants (the kind you see players wear on the sidelines-available on Amazon), which are perfect for dealing with the catheter. No problem with stairs. My favorite thing was renting a lift chair. I quickly realized that no chair in my house was comfortable and adjustable enough to get through a couple of weeks. The lift chair had multiple adjustments and can lift you onto your feet, avoiding stress on the incisions and abdomen. I wanted to keep it but my wife said no--it was pretty ugly looking. Good luck!