Helpful links to other sites
These are links that I have found to be useful, correct, rich in facts, and non-patronizing. Needless to say, it is a short list, but it does grow from time to time. Each of the descriptions below is a link --- just click on the sentence, and that site will open in a new window.
This is probably the best video of the surgery itself. If blood and guts bothers you in the least, this is probably not a video for you. At this point I find it rather reassuring, especially when I see tools I recognize, such as screwdrivers, small sanders, and the like.
One woman's story of practical post-op advice. This is a very unaffected discussion. According to the description, the video was made nine days post-op.
A general guide to the surgery put out by the Mayfield Clinic. There is a better version for physicians, but the public does not have access to it. Oh well. Everyone is selling something.
Here is a good list of items to collect before and after surgery.