@kmart I shaved my head the Saturday before my surgery on Tuesday. If you don't want your whole head shaved the dr will shave the area he needs after you are put to sleep. I was allowed to use pajamas the third day after surgery after I was moved into a regular room. I was allowed to walk and sit in a chair the third day after surgery. I handled the steroids well. I took them in the hospital and took them for a week after I got home from the hospital. My pain was more like a headache. The insision and surrounding areas are numb from where they cut, so that doesn't really hurt. I was given morphine while I was in ICU and don't remember a lot about that time. I didn't know I was on morphine until my mom told me. When I was moved to a regular room I took Loratab by mouth when needed. I took Tylenol when I got home from the hospital when needed. At my preop appointment I told them that I usually get sick from anesthesia so they gave me medicine through my iv to help with that and I didn't get sick at all. I also told them at preop all the medications that I have had a bad reaction to after surgery so they avoided giving me those. Tell them at your preop appointment anything you have had a reaction to after surgery and they should be able to avoid those. I had to go to Columbia, SC for surgery, which is about two hours from my house. I will have to go to Columbia for all my future checkup appointments. I hope this helps some. Keep me posted and I am praying for you!