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i have previously posted about my diagnosis. Short story, incidental diagnosis after having acute renal failure following campylobacter infection from rare duck. Initial diagnosis was mid-August. Working through the system I selected a surgeon at a major hospital in North Texas. CT scan showed a 6cm tumor plan was to do an open partial.

A 2 month delay and the MRI showed a 10x6x7cm tumor that had invaded the interior of my kidney (it didn't grow in that time, the MRI just had better resolution than a CT without contrast).  No use in trying to save the kidney so he referred me to a colleague that does laparoscopic nephrectomy. I also had a hernia at my navel so asked if that could be repaired at the same time (hernia was from a robotic prostatectomy in 2009). Like a union shop he couldn't do it so we had to coordinate with a general surgeon. Another delay. I finally had my procedure this last Monday. When I came out I had 3 holes for the lap, one for the drain and an 8-10" incision through my navel to remove the "football" size mass the urologist removed. The general surgeon repaired my hernia at the hole created to get the huge mass of kidney, tumor and fat out which is why I came home with a drain. 

I came home yesterday.  Pain has been minimal, in fact I rarely took anything for pain while in the hospital and haven't taken anything since I got home. 

The general surgeon said when he walked into the operating room my intestines were piled up on my lap so the urologist could get the "impressive" mass out. They explained the intestine is very sensitive and when touched tends to "go to sleep."  Waking them has been my biggest challenge but they seem to be awake now!

As a lot of you said, post-op wasn't/isn't as bad as I feared. We thought we would go nuts waiting for the day to come. Also as others have said, walk, walk, walk, before and immediately after the procedure. Bloat has been the most miserable aspect of recovery and walking is the best way to get relief. Don't get cocky immediately after the procedure, the worse period is the day after, you're higher than you realize when you come out.