Hi Bev. About having a nurse that is a friend, I would think that it depends on how close you are. If you are good friends, will it bother you to have her perform some of the more intimate duties (catheter removal, helping in the bathroom, etc.)? When I had my surgery last July, I knew that my neighbor across the street was a surgical tech at the hospital. So even though I don't know him very well, we are neighbors and friendly, I let him know about my surgery. He asked me if I wanted him to be in the OR and after I thought about it, decided that, yes, it would make me feel better knowing that someone was "watching out" for me. Not that I didn't totally trust my doc - I love Dr. Ferrari! He (my neighbor) made sure to go out afterward and let my husband know everything was fine and that I did well. I think he even stapled my incision closed! Good luck with your surgery, and I hope you have a speedy recovery.