Angela the Breeder

In 2004, I suffered a broken back, just to find that I have disk degenerative disease.  In other words, the broken back was only the beginning of back issues and pain.  Living in pain cause me to find a spot on the couch...and never move again.  I had a job that allowed me to work from my laptop, and a sympathetic family.  However, the weight just kept piling on.
So now I'm less than a month to surgery am and really excited.  I have three fears.  1)  Being too fatigued to do anything.  2)  Afraid of not being able to keep water down.  I live in Arizona.  It's easy to get dehydrated here.  3)  Trying to swallow a normal pill.  I take Depakote 500mg, and they're large, like a big vitamin.
Any advice is welcome!