Not that I'm complaining....but I had to go back to the doctor at the hospital 10 times for post-op check-ups!  Ten!  I've become a regular, just like on Cheers, except instead of sidling up to the bar every week, I take my place on the examination table to get squeezed and poked and prodded.  The nurses recognize me and say, "Oh, back again signora?"  Yup.  Here I am.  I have the routine down pat now.  I know just where to find free parking even though it's the third largest hospital in Italy.  (The underground parking lot for a supermarket across the street).  The place is so huge it would take half an hour to walk around it.  Not that I've tried.  I know just which entrance gets me to day surgery most quickly which is not the one they instructed me to use.  I always carry exact change for my 3.90 euro co-pay that has to be made using a machine that only takes exact change.  I know how to time it so that I don't have too long of a wait, (under an hour usually, which is remarkable as hundreds of patients pass through every day).  I've been reading some great books and have had lots of time for that.....gotta look on the good side, right?   My last check-up was on Thursday and I am NEVER going to have voluntary surgery again!  xxoo me