Joan, I can really relate to what you are experiencing regarding surgery. I had the meniscus surgery 6 weeks ago and cataract surgery yesterday. Of course no two situations are the same. Both times I was told I must have someone to drive me home and stay with me for 24 hours. I am fortunate to have children in the area to help me out. They have their own jobs and families, but were very helpful both time. DH was the wild card. With the meniscus surgery he didn't want to come when our daughter came to get me. Two hours later he changed his mind and called our son to come and take him to the hospital. Yesterday, another son came to take me and DH decided to come. Both of them were very bored as we waited. They make you get to the hospital two hours ahead of the surgery. I felt comfortable that son would be able to keep tabs on DH. To my utter amazement when I was wheeled out of the operating room there was DH chatting with someone. I think somehow our son lost his father and DH was trying to find me. I learned a lesson. When I have my next cataract surgery DH will stay home and someone will be with him. The good news I can see, everything is so clear and bright, I did not know what I was missing. The knee is better, still hurts some and will probably need a replacement sometime in the future. I guess all's well that ends well. But, oh, the stress.
It has been 3 years since my meniscus surgery (one knee) and both knees are so much better. No more drugs, just fish oil to control the pain. No more cane or walker either. The second knee was hit with multiple cortisone shots while I was out. I might need to do meniscus surgery on that one at some point, but it looks like what they did worked as far as replacement goes for the time being.
My cataract surgeries were 2 years ago. I was really upset when I left my husband, who was still driving, in the waiting room while they did it. He was in a bad patch, and I knew it was the last time he could drive me to surgery and take me home again. In fact if I hadn't been able to see well enough to navigate we would have been in hot water.
Now I'm just trying to figure out how I'm going to get an eye exam. My insurance company has sent the advice nurses after me.