Find someone...family, friend, or even co-worker to help you get home and at least check on you periodically post surgery. You don't want to try this alone. Depending on the nerve damage/scarring you may not have much use of your arm/hand initially (or you may be just fine). Start practicing using your left hand primarily now so you'll be ready to do everything with the left for a while.

The only way I could imagine you doing this alone is if they keep you hospitalized for several days until you can fully get around and care for yourself.

I second kelleysf's advice regarding a sling. You might not "need" it, but if you are dependent on public transport its a very good way of making people aware that casually bumping into you is not OK. I hate wearing mine and do anything to avoid it whenever I can, but sometimes I get paranoid that someone is going to walk into me, and when I feel like that the sling really really helps.

My personal experience leads me to suggest that you err on the side of caution when trying to plan a return from surgery. I wouldn't have been able to take care of myself when I left the hospital after my 1st/2nd rib re-sectioning. I'm 2 months out and only now am I at the point where I *might* consider returning to work (if other more recent developments weren't preventing me from doing so). My body still constantly craves rest. If I don't set an alarm, I sleep 12 hours. Every single night. I hope I don't sound like a downer. But be prepared if you can, just in case.

Follow-up appointment with my surgeon today, turns out they are doing 2 procedures, not just 1. thankfully they are keeping me admitted for at least 5 days, probably more because of my past medical history, due to allergies, pain control and swelling.

I asked how long I would be off work for. He was blunt and said 2-3 weeks and I should be back at work (I'm kind of hesitant knowing the type of surgery this is going to be).

Now the waiting game... for a date of surgery...