brachio recovery?

I similar question I saw here made me wonder...

I'm trying to get extended brachio (won't be until Dec because that's when I can take few weeks off), but while I will have rides, I will have no one to stay with me for help. I rent a room in a house with 8 other people so I won't be alone in the sense that if I had an emergency, I could scream and someone would call an ambulance, but that's about it. The thing is that I live 100 miles from the type of close friends who I could ask for that sort of help, and have no family to speak of.

I realize it isn't ideal, or even necessarily wise, but has anyone here done it? Alone from the first day? My only alternative would be to hire a stranger to stay with me, and I can't really afford that.

I was also wondering, if you cannot cope at home and you end up in the ER, will insurance sometimes cover that part? (Have Anthem PPO.)

Thank you.

How old are you and what kind of shape are you in? 

I had fleur de lis tummy tuck at same time as my brachio and I couldn't have been alone.  I'm 62, at goal and in good shape.  I had to depend on my legs to do alot of the work.

I could not reach above my head, extend arms out or back for about a week.  I could not reach shelves in cupboards, couldn't open refrigerator doors, couldn't even flush toilet for a few days.

At one month post op I'm still not to lift over 5 pounds..  I don't know if that is because of arms, tummy or a combination of both.

One of those "grabber" things might be a good investment.  I picked alot of things up with my toes!

You really need someone to respond that just had brachio done, is around your age - I think that would be more helpful.

best wishes

I had an extended arm lift a year and a half ago when I was 58.  My sister picked me up after the surgery and brought me home, the next day she was there to help me remove the bandages (per the doctor's instructions), and a few days later went with me to my doctor's appointment (I was still taking pain meds so couldn't drive).   I needed help the first 24 hours because my bandages went past my elbows so bending them was difficult.  Once they were off I really didn't need help.  Just make sure before the surgery you have all the supplies and food you might need for a week or two and put it at counter height so you don't have to reach up.  I went back to work 2 and half weeks after the surgery. 

Thanks for responding guys:), they help.

~I'm 30 (will be 31 by Dec). I read posts from those of you who have done multiple procedures at one time and I'm in awe of it. I'm terrified of the recovery with just one part of me chopped up!

~Yeah, changing bandages and removing/putting on compression sleeves scares me most. I figure I can live on meal replacement bars and other next-to-the-bed-stuff for the first few days.

 I'm 5 days post op brach and lower body lift.  My sister was with me for 48 hours but I didn't need her for anything other than walking my dog.  She also ran to the store and bought a case of water because my town's water was contaminated.  

My surgeon doesn't do compression garments so I didn't have to deal with that.  I showered myself, made food, got in and out of bed, toilet etc.  

I feel great and have since the surgery.  This morning I woke up and all my swelling is gone. Just got back from a 1.2 mile walk. It's clear recovery varies greatly by individual.

For the first 48 hours post op, I found dairy products tasted off.  

Wow! I'm glad your recovery is going so well. It's very encouraging/reassuring to hear stories like that:)