••Get all of your medications prior to surgery. Bring at least a few days worth to the hospital just in case you have to stay overnight.

••You will need a stool softener like Miralax. Pain medications cause constipation. You will want to take these medications as soon as you get home, and regularly, as you're on these pain medications. Make sure that you drink plenty of water to help get your bowels moving.

••You will also want hard candies or throat lozenges. During surgery, you will be intubated, which is where they put a tube down your throat to help you breathe (you won't be awake for this!), and you will wake up with a sore throat. The last thing you want to do is cough - it's painful! Drinking warm tea with honey can also help. Your scratchy, sore throat will go away within the first week.

••Be sure to have someone who will drive you to and back from surgery, as well as someone who can take you to your first post operative appointment, if needed. Ideally, you will want someone with you for at least the first week after surgery to help you with medications and meals.

••Prepare meals in the freezer, and easy and lighter snacks. You won't want to eat heavier foods at first. Snacks will help when you're in the boring phase of recovery watching TV for hours on end (you will get bored of this!). This is a great time to invite friends over to watch movies with you and talk.

••During surgery, they will fill up your abdomen with gas. Your shoulders will hurt the first few days after surgery, and you'll feel a little bloated. A heating pad on your lower back or shoulders can help ease these pains. Walking around a tiny bit each time you get up can also help get the gas out of you. Take it slow and easy. Listen to your body. If it hurts, go back to bed and rest. Don't push yourself.

••Be sure to wear loose-fitting clothing on the day of surgery. This will also be what you wear on your way home. Loose yoga pants, sweatpants, or shorts could work. Your abdomen will be sore, and any pressure on the surgical incisions will be painful. Slip on shoes will help, if you have them! If you don't, a nurse will be helping you get dressed anyway.

••Pack a small bag to bring to the hospital in case they end up keeping you overnight. You will want your phone charger and phone, underwear and socks, toothbrush and toothpaste, and a hairbrush. You'll be too exhausted to want much else with you. It is likely that the hospital will provide all of your medications, but it is a good idea to bring them in case they don't. You can bring a heating pad, but they don't always let patients use them. Anything else you pack will likely go unused. When you feel well enough, they'll be sending you home.

••Ask the nurse or your doctor for an anti-nausea patch after you check in for surgery. This will go behind your ear and it will last a few days. You'll also get plenty of anti-nausea medications through your IV during surgery. Tell your doctor if you are worried about nausea and they will do their very best to prevent it.

••If you happen to be on your period on the day of surgery, they will still perform your surgery. You will be asked to remove everything but a gown they give you, which can be a little messy. You will wake up cleaned up, with a menstrual pad. Nurses are amazing!

••Your first period is often brutal! After surgery, your body will be inflamed and irritated. You'll want to use some pain medications from your surgery for this one. It is rough! Whatever you use to manage pain before surgery will be helpful to use during your first period. Just know that your periods will get better.

••Your recovery time will depend on how long you are in surgery, and what they do. On average, you can expect a recovery time of 4-6 weeks. The first two weeks will be the hardest! Fatigue is usually the last to go. If you're having trouble with pain management or something doesn't feel right, call your surgeon! They have an emergency line for a reason. Use it!!!

••If you are working, you will want to make sure your job knows that you are going in for surgery, and what to expect. You, your doctor and employer need to be on the same page. Some people will go back after two weeks, but unless you work a sedentary job, you will not be able to perform physical tasks until your surgeon releases you to do so. Lifting heavier items can tear your incisions. Always listen to your body and let your doctor and employer know if you need more time before returning to work

••Listen to your body and to your doctors' instructions. If you push too hard, you could add on days of recovery. Take this time to rest and catch up on television shows or movies. Invite friends and family over and spend time with them. Before you know it, it'll all be over!

Here are some tips to help you prepare for, and get through surgery for endometriosis.