Has anyone recovered at home alone???

Good Morning All! Just wanted to know how many of you have come home from the hospital to an empty house and recovered just fine on your own? As long as there is adequate foods/proteins/liquids, is there anything else you would recommend? I have all my vitamins, bullet. Will need to get a wedge pillow for making my sofa into a recliner, don't have a recliner. Is an egg timer a good idea for reminding about sips? I keep my cell nearby so I have communication to the outside world. I suppose I could set that alarm. My son is leaving for out of state grad school this Aug and I have a feeling my surgery won't be till after that. He's been my big helper. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks,  Alice

Hi Alice, Well, I'm just a bit "I'm independent and can do it myself" person. When I'm sick, just let me be.  Gary stayed home for a couple of days with me, but I really didn't need him except for things like vacuuming and cleaning up after himself, which he does on his own anyway. I slept in my bed from the get go, but did enjoy the recliner when I was hanging out with the dogs in the living room. Since you're a nurse you'll know the symptoms of trouble. As long as there is someone you can call if you need to be taken to the doctor's, I think you'll be ok.  I couldn't drive for 5 days post-op (had it lap), but drove on day 4 due to a car emergency with our son. Take care!

I came home on day two and thought I had someone to come in for a few days and stay with me, but she got it mixed up and couldn't come. The first nite, the lady in the otherside of our duplex came and slept overnite with me, but after that I was on my own and got along just great. I slept in my bed right away, but used a pillow
to support my "belly" cause I sleep on my side. I drove after 4 or 5 days, and drove the two hour trip to see the surgeon in two weeks.

Hope everything goes well for you.

Like Susan, I'm very independent!!

Pat R.

Alice, My husband took some time off after my WLS so I wouldn't have to be alone, but I honestly didn't need him.  It was reassuring to have him there, but I would've been fine without him. Are you going to be allowed to drive after surgery?  I wasn't allowed to drive for 2 weeks and at any rate, the hospital wouldn't discharge me if I was alone.  So you will probably need to arrange for a ride home. Also, I was not allowed to lift anything heavier than 15 lbs for 2 weeks after surgery. It's been a long time since I used an egg timer - how long is the timing interval?  I was told to drink 1 ounce of liquid every 15 minutes.  I used a kitchen timer to remind me. If you are having a lap procedure, you should be fine, though you might want to arrange for your son or other family member or friend to call you once a day to check on you while you're recovering.  If you're having an open procedure, you might need more help.  After my abdominal hysterectomy (a lateral incision, whereas I believe the incision for open WLS is vertical, which I would find more difficult to deal with), I needed help getting in and out of bed and in and out of chairs for a few days after surgery. Jean

Thank you all very much for your help....I'll be having the lap rny...in fact I looked over the info my surgeon gave me on my first visit in April and he said I'd have 3 nut visits...my nut said I have to have 6 nut visits...I'll have to ask her next wk when I go back.  I think the phone call check will be enough...my kitties will keep me company. I may take a cab home from the hospital or ask a friend from work for a ride if the hosp is that fussy. My son's buddies here in town are always asking to do stuff for me so I may take them up on the lawn mowing or snow shoveling (whenever my surgery is.) Thanks so much!!! Alice

Alice....you will be fine. I was alone and grateful for it!! My girlfriend and my daughter wanted to come and stay with me but I turned them down. I had my bowel nicked during surgery. They had to repair that before they finished the surgery. I hurt and was tired but just prefered to go it alone. I  had my phones handy and all the supplies I needed. I slept in my bed right away too. I did great!! Hugs, connie d

Thanks Connie, I think I'll be fine also. And this way I can dress anyway I want!  Thanks, Alice

I had my rny open and was in the hospital for 8 days because of a problem. I had so much swelling that I couldn't get the fluids down. Dr. put me on ice for a few days and the swelling went down and I was fine after that. Bill took his vacation that week and I really didn't need him either. It was just nice having the company and it was nice when he went and did things outside too. lol I slept in bed from the get go and had no problems. I was moving myself in the hospital from day one to get from one side to another since I am a side sleeper too. The wl group gave me a pillow for when I coughed and that but it bothered me but I did use it for turning and my tummy when I laid on my side. Just remember to keep the binder on and it will give you so much support. It is going to be a big help. I am wishing you luck on your new and wonderful life and things are going to be fine. You just drink and walk and read or what ever and make sure you pamper yourself during recovery. But make sure you have someone close by that you can call on if an emergency arises.

Aloha Alice......I'm so happy that your day is coming soon, and you have so much to anticipate.

I live alone, and my son came from Calif. to go over to Honolulu with me for my RNY surgery as a surprise. It was lovely having him there for me and especially to help me through the airport hassle on the way home. After I got home, I was fine...slept in my own bed....and almost couldn't tell I had had surgery except that I was tired and took two naps a day. (I still take one every day!)

As long as you have contact with people who can come in an emergency, you will be just fine by yourself. Good luck to you!

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

Alice: I'm single and live alone with my three cats. My family is all out of state. I have some friends but no one real close. I had to rely on coworkers to get me to and from the hospital before and after surgery. My cat sitter took care of the house and the cats while I was in the hospital and came by when I got home for a couple of days to help with litter box patrol until she knew I was able to handle things by myself. The biggest problem I had for awhile was bending over was a little painful.  I have a recliner, but really, I was very comfortable sleeping in bed. I had a cordless phone nearby for communication and my computer and my TV, so I was very happy being by myself. Didn't need a timer to remind me to eat or drink ... I was always one to drink a lot of water anyway.  When I had my knee replacement surgery last February, I was on my own after the first three days (my brother came over for those days) and I did just fine with a little help from a coworker who lived nearby and brought in my mail, took out my garbage, etc. It's just a matter of how independent you feel. Since I've been living on my own for most of my adult life, I would rather recover on my own than have someone in my house watching my every move. I felt more comfortable after my brother left, actually.  Hope your surgery gets scheduled for you soon, Alice.