First of all, you will be in excellent hands at Mayo! At the bottom of all the fears and worry (you are not alone in that state of mind), is the knowledge that you will be cared for by the best in the field. Now, everyone is different, the entire experience will be scheduled for your particular needs. I had 2 days of preliminary tests and interviews (Tuesday and Wednesday), surgery on Thursday, discharge later on Tuesday (5 nights as a patient), and we drove home to upstate eastern NY Wednesday morning arriving early evening on Thursday. I was very comfortable, no pain, just slower than normal movements and care on how I maneuvered my body. We had walking tours of just about every rest area between western Wisconsin and home (if you can borrow a walker, it will save the expense of purchasing one). Many others stayed in Rochester for a few days, it all depends on how you feel and the discharge plan. The recovery takes time, you may be assigned to cardio rehab. I hope you will be as amazed as many of us were at how well you feel and at the things you are able to again in due time.