taking care of yourself

This is for you post-ops. At what point were you able to care for yourself after surgery? My wife needs to know how much time to take off of work. I'm having a lap RNY on a thursday. I hope to be home on Sat or Sun. Will I be able to fend for myself on Monday until my wife gets home from work? Thanks, Eric C.

Eric, Best of luck on the upcoming surgery. I had the same surgery in April. Everyone heals differently. For me, I had help for the first 3 days. It is difficult to get up from a sitting position. After that I was fine on my own. Hope that helps. Deb

I had surgery on Tuesday Dec. 14th, came home on Thursday afternoon. Stayed home by myself on Friday. I would suggest having someone there. At least the first few days. To me it was a real ajustment. I was hoping all day someone would come to visit, but all were working. By Sunday, I was ok. Hope this helps. Good Luck!!! Prayers are with you.

I would agree with Marsha,,I had my surgery on 12-15-04 lap RNY and came home friday. My hubby assisted me over the weekend then Monday I was on my own. I did not have any problems. I think you'll be fine on your own. Best of Luck to you!

Eric, I had surgery on a Monday and needed help in the hospital beyond what the nurses could make time for. I was there until Saturday. I would say that I needed help for the whole next week which was a total of two weeks. It was hard for me to get up and down because I had open. Other than getting up and down I think I would have been ok, so I think since you are having lap you would not need as much help. I bet fours days would be enough Cheryl

Hi Eric, Like they say, everyone is different. But I had RNY on a Monday, went to Mom's house on Tuesday, home on Wednesday. But couldn't really stay by myself for a few days, had some dizziness etc. Only complication so far has been infected incision which was treated about 10 days out. Felt very tired and wea****il 13 days out when I suddenly got some energy (immediately after I went off the clear liquid diet). Returned to work 14 days out (desk job). It's a little too soon, but as they say, I needed the money. But it's been do-able. My best wishes to your wife for her upcoming surgery! Kitty B. RNY 12/13/04 251 / 230

My husband had lap RNY on Wed., came home on Thursday, which I didn't expect. I had to work on Friday, so he was home by himself and did okay, but it would have been better if I could have been there to get his food taken care of for him. I don't think he had as much food and fluid as he should have that day. I had surgery on a Tuesday, came home on Thursday and was fine by myself from the time I got home. Depends on how you think you will do. Sue

I had surgery on a Monday, got out Wed Night and had my mom stay with me Wed and Thurs. By Friday she left in a huff (i couldn't take care of her every whim). I realize now I could have been by myself the whole time. I had an open RNY, was walking the night of the surgery, and walked my dogs for 1 block on Thursday. It would be nice to have someone, but isn't a necessity except for safety's sake if you have complications.

I had open on a Thursday Came home on Sunday and only had a person there on SUnday to help. But each person is different as everyone has said. One thing that helped me was using protein early to help healing. It was hard to sit up for awhile though.