Question for post-ops

Hi Everyone My hubby and I were talking about the time he should take off of work in order to drive me to and from the hospital. He's a firefighter and works 24hrs on 2 days off...we booked the day of my surgery off...then he would have two days off anyway...we also booked that next day off...again two more days off...but then he is scheduled to go back to work. So that means if I go home on the third day in hospital or even the forth he would only have 1 or 2 days to be home with me after that. How did everyone feel on the 4th, 5th, and 6th day after surgery? Were you able to take care of yourself or would it be better for him to take another day off which would give him 3 more days to spend with me? ~hugs~ Konni

Hey Konni I was sitting here trying to remember just 6 short months ago and believe it or not I couldn't! Soooo I picked up the phone and called my mom (but had to delay that to talk to Prince Charming ) and she said that I needed help for probably a week or so after I was discharged with things like getting up off of the couch and managing stairs. I slept on the couch - being propped up was much more comfortable than the very firm bed she has there and as soon as I moved out of there she converted my old room to a craft room so her bed is the only one in the house. Anyways, I'm assuming since you're going with Dr. Vaughn that you're going to have your RNY done open and I'm sure you've heard this before but everyone is different in how they feel afterwards. If hubby does work that 24 hours, is there someone who could swing by or at least call and check on you? I think you'd be ok as long as you could get up and take your walks and make it to the loo safely. I hope this helps at least a little bit. My thoughts are disorganized - I just took the other half of my pain pill for the night ! If you need anything, just let me know - feel free to email me anytime! Hugz and best wishes! Cathy

Hey Cathy Thanks so much for your response...it helped alot ...I don't really have anyone else that could call and check in and hubby is acting captain for the next 6 months because one of our guys broke his back falling at a huge fire last week ...so I don't really want to count on him calling me or me calling there if I need something...thats where I fall into another problem we never even thought about...with him being captain its going to be difficult for him to take another day off...they are short staffed as it is....hmmm....what to do??...I might see if I can get my daughter to take that day off and be here with me. She works for a really crappy company that makes it very difficult for you to take time off but we'll see. Sooooooo ...whats the scoop on prince charming??? Hope you feel better soon girl...take care of yourself and thanks again for your help. ~hugs~ Konni

Wow I'm sorry to hear about the poor guy who broke his back! Is your daughter far from you? I mean if you called her could she come within a relatively short time? Though just having someone there with you is nice too. By the end of the first week I was ready for some alone time though ... you know how over protective mothers can be I love mine and am so thankful for all she did for me though! Prince charming is just toooo funny! He had me laughing so hard my tush hurt and I was trying not to cry out in pain . I might get to hear him sing Sunday if I can leave my dad's early enough ... Pekin to Alton will be quite the haul though! Then he said that a group of folks might go on over to Belleville to Our Lady to look at lights and maybe I'd come along I get so nervous - I haven't done this in a LONG time! I feel like such a kid ! Whew I better get to bed! I've got a long day tomorrow! Hugz, Cathy

Thanks Cathy....he's at home recovering but from what I hear he's all drugged up from the pain...poor guy...we take care of our own so him and his family will get lots of help...we check in on them and see if they need anything. My daughter lives an hour away so no she wouldnt be able to get here to fast, especially if she is working, they would give her one heck of a time if she said she had to go suddenly...we'll see how it goes I guess lol...thats too cute about prince charming...sounds like he's a keeper ...good luck with that and enjoy yourself!!! I sent you an e-mail...hope you got it. Nanight and have a great day tomorrow! ~hugs~ Konni

Konni, Everybody is a little different.. Once I came home, I was able to take care of myself. I did need help with some things, but that was handled by either waiting until I could or having someone come over to help. You'll be up and around while you're in the hospital and they'll be pushing you to walk more and sit up and get around on your own as much as possible -- then they want you to get up and move around when you are home, too. I think you'll be surprised how quickly and well you recover and are able to do things on your own. Good luck! Stef

My husband had his surgery on a Tuesday, and by Sunday I took my son to a Bears game. I made sure he had food and water available to him with little challenge, and made him promise not to shower (I didn't want to come home to him lying in the middle of the bathroom) His surgery was open, and he was still on pain meds. We talked about 3 times. Leaving him for 24 hours would have been different, maybe, but I was still gone about 18 total, and he was fine. I returned to work the next day, and he was fine then too, although very tired. Mainly, if you can have your daughter give you a call and make sure you are doing ok, you should be fine. Please wish the injured firefighter all the best from me and my family, and tell your hubby THANK YOU for watching out for all of us! I have been fortunate enough not to need the services of our local firefighters (knock on the wood in my head!) but its nice to know they are there when needed! Good luck!

Thanks for your help! I will be sure to pass on your message!

If all goes well and their are no complications, you should do just fine, you'll be very slow, but ok to do the things you need to do for yourself. I was super slow afterwards, and now that I remember, the day after surgery we had friends over for the Bears game. Good luck!!

thanks so much...you guys have all been very helpful