Each surgeon and circumstance are different. Some surgeons want you in the hospital and prepped up for many hours (10-20?). Once I got the offer, I did not have to report to hospital until 24 hours later. At that point, knowing it was a good matching liver, I was prepped and waited about 6 hours until actual rollback. My wife then took our travel bags and waited in general waiting area for my 8 hour surgery. Thankfully, I was admitted directly to a room after surgery and not ICU (very relieving when I awoke). My wife was already settled in our new home for 5 days (again super relieving to wake up and see/feel her). I should also note, I had one dry run where the liver was not viable. Surgery times are all different, but I believe the caregivers have plenty of time to take care of luggage and update friend/family during your surgery/post op recovery.