Having just been through some surgery myself recently (at age 65 1/2), I can offer the following tips:

1. If you wake up in a large ICU with a lot of noise, alarms, etc., going on, ask for ear plugs (or bring them and pin to gown) -- Your job is to rest and their job sometimes seemed to be emulating a busy McBurgerDoodle.

2. If there's more than a few days in hospital expected, get a haircut so your hair won't feel greasy. A little thing, but all the little things add up.

3. If you won't be able to talk for a while, bring a clipboard or dry erase board (clipboard is easier, I found) so you can write.

4. If they let you have a cell phone, learn to text before you go in -- You can listen to other folks' voice mail -- Something to do keeps you busy and passes the time if you are up to it.

5. Be prepared for the strongest craving you have ever had in your life for a swallow of ice water!

6. I took along some plastic insects to amuse myself and the nursing staff -- Helped differentiate me from the other patients and smiles and laughter make it all easier -- Some of them were bringing in more insects for me!

7. Try very hard not to wave your arms around until you know for sure which ones have the needles and tubes in them -- This will be harder to do than you might expect if you can't speak.

8. Take it easy in your post-op movements -- Your body will have suffered some serious damage and you have to learn the new limitations before you can safely push it.

Hope these help -- The drugs they use during surgery nowadays are better in the awakening aspects, but far from perfect yet.