I really, really recommend this book:
http://www.healfaster.com/
"Prepare For Surgery, Heal Faster" by Peggy Huddleston. Either the book or the tape, really. I thought it might be bogus, but decided to try it anyway when I had to have surgery (laproscopy, admittedly not major surgery, but I was still freaked out about it). I was so surprised to find that it really helped. Good luck, guys! Heal well.
- Leela