private duty nurse vs. home health aid

HI. I am going to be staying in a hotel after my ETT with lipo for a couple of days(first night will be in hospital). At this time do you think I would need an RN or would a home health aid be okay? A home health aid cannot change bandages but what do you really do the first few days after TT? What kind of care do you require? Thanks-Amy

Hi Amy, I am a home health nurse. It would really depend on how you were doing after surgery. If you had any outstanding medical problems that you needed a skilled nurse to help you manage, then that would be a good idea. You should probably ask your surgeon what he anticipates your needs will be. I imagine you will have drains to empty. Would that be something you could do on your own? Do you have any other comorbidities? Talk to your surgeon. He might be able to better guestimate. Good luck, Amy (too!)

Hi Amy, What is a comordity? I am not expecting any issues and I think I will be ok doing drains. I'm thinking if there is an issue, they won't let me leave the hospital-I'm staying overnight at NYU hospital. Thanks-Amy

Amy - It really depends on how you handle pain. I had a lower body lift jan 9th, and had no pain. On a scale of 1- 10, I was a 1. I had 4 drains which I emptied out myself, no bandages were involved. Pretty much I had to take it easy the first week, keep my legs elevated to reduce swelling. I bought a cheap stool at Target, to put my drains on so I was able to shower on my own. I was up and back to work (I have a physical job) 4 weeks post op. On the other had my ps did the same surgery on a guy a month prior to me and he told me the guy had to hire a private nurse because he was in so much pain. He couldn't take care of himself. I would definitely recommend that have some one stay with you when you get out the hospital; then I would see how you feel and take it from there. Godd Luck ! Donna open rny mar 18 2003 282/143/140