Hi Julie- I was in the hospital-start to finish- March 24th, day of surgery to The evening of March 26th. It should have been afternoon but paper work and shift changes made it last until evening. It will all depend on your health and how you are doing. I knew I had to get up and start walking as soon as I could. I had a catheter, and a chest tube, IV pole, etc., but with a nurse by my side, was walking the hall by the next afternoon. The chest tube is to inflate your lung until it can stay inflated on its own. It sounds worse than what it is. They will take all of that iut the following day if all is well. You’re in a liquid diet for the first day and then you can move to softer foods if all is going well. I had things prepared before I went in. I had meals prepped so they just needed reheated, I had everything at a reachable height. I had a bed table that had my drinks, tissues, book, remote, etc. so I didn't have to reach. Put your cat’s dishes on the counter and dishes so you can just feed it without reaching down or up. (I had 2 cats and a Husky at my surgery time). Preparing before hand is the beat thing you can do! If you don’t have an adjustable bed gather lots if pillows or a wedge pillow. You won’t want to be laying flat. Getting out of bed is ine if the hardest chores because it pulls on your incisions. You should be able to talk with your Doctors and the Hospital. They may have programs to help you. Medical transport, and home health services maybe? Talk with them before so they can work with you and have it set up for a smooth transition to your home. They should also be able to talk with your insurance company to help you get the things you’ll need. I hope this helps? I’m sure there are others on this connect that can also give you advice on what they know of. God Bless You! I wish I were close as I would come and help you myself, but I am in AZ.