Well, I'm new to this discussion, and haven't even been through the trial implant, but I've been through abdominal surgery and know what it's like when you can't bend, so here's a tip:

I found a gizmo much like this one very helpful for putting on socks: http://www.wrightstuff.biz/sockaidtwo.html. It's a minor thing, but nice to be able to do for yourself and not have to depend upon others to do for you. The one I had worked great--it was just a half-pipe sort of thingie with two rope handles.