After Surgery Home Care Concerns

Hi all!

Is there anyone who lives alone here and have had Laproscopic RNY???

Just curious because I live alone in Buffalo and my family all lives 2 hours away in Syracuse...

If I have this surgery...my mom can stay with me a week after surgery and then maybe my sister can switch or something.  My sister said for me to get a nurse!  Um...I don't think I can do that....it's not like this is hospice or something like that.  She also said to get the surgery done there in Syracuse but I am planning to go to Synergy here - center of excellence and all...

I'm wondering how long you needed someone to help or look after you post-op?  I know that recovery is different for everyone but I would like to hear other's home care/out of work experience.

Thanks in advance!

I had family and friends close by, but really it wasn't needed.  I felt fatigued for the first couple of days, but I just took it easy.  I had no problems taking care of myself at all.  My surgery was done open...not lapriscopic, so most feel that is a bit harder on you.  I didn't feel that way.  Everything went very well and although I had lots of offers for help I really didn't need it.  I made sure that my house was in order before the surgery and that all my laundry was done so that I wouldn't need to do any lifting or vacuming, other than that I was set.  I have an office job where no lifting was required also, so I was back to work in 2 weeks.  It doesn't seem to me that there would be a need for a nurse, unless you have issues where your in a wheelchair or something and you'll need assistance getting up and down.  I have a friend who has that problem and has had to adjust her situation to compensate for that.  One thing I would have changed was that I would have made sure that I had a recliner chair to sleep in for the first week or so.  It was very uncomfortable to sleep in my bed laying on my back and I would have killed for a recliner.  Don't you know that I saw one 2 weeks later at a garage sale.  I hope this helps you.
Dee

My surgery was October 7th.  I came home on Friday Oct. 10th.  I live with my husband and dog.  I was walking a little slower than normal but other than soreness.  I did not need an help.  As for fixing you some Jell-o, heating some broth and things like that it is nice to have someone around but not really needed.  Today I drove 50 miles for a nail appointment and to go grocery shopping.  A friend went along for the ride.  She did most of the lifting and such but I could have done it myself.  You will be fine.  An afternoon nap is wonderful to recharge your battery is you are tired. 

Oh, I am back to sleeping on my stomach.  I get a twinge when I turn over in bed but not bad at all.

I also live alone and I was fine by myself. You will just be moving a little slower that's all. I also had no problem sleeping in my bed right from the get go. I even felt fine enough to drive myself to go shopping at my local grocery store the day I came home from the hospital. I had absolutely no pain except from the staples which I felt only when I tried to twist and they pulled on my skin. Once I got them out I was perfectly normal in all activities.


***disclaimer*** I know that you are not supposed to drive until you get your staples removed but I only drove less than a mile to my grocery store and Wal*Mart and I was under absolutely no pain medication that would interfere with my driving. So I recommend following what ever your surgeon recommends and not me as I am a rebel!

Thanks all - I sure hope that my recovery goes as well as yours!

I had my surgery on Oct, 6th,  I was very grateful to have my sister with me the first week.  I sometimes needed help getting out of the chair and bed.  I also had to wrap my abd in saran wrap to shower, and can't imagine how I would have done it by myself!   By one week post-op I was completely independent.  I took 4 weeks off from work, and am glad I did.  Still get very tired, but it is better everyday.

Good luck with your surgery. If you can have someone with you the first week I would recommend it. Just make sure the person wants to be with you, other wise they will just aggrevate you (doesn't sound like your sister really wants to be there)!!