HI GUYS!! Do you recommend having buddies at the hospital with me?

Hey everyone, my computer is fixed and I am so happy to be back on the boards! I have a question, I have read all the previous posts about what to bring to the hospital, surgery is less than a month away!!, but what about bringing people to help you? I have enough dear friends who actually WANT to come stay with me so I won't be alone and they know I'll probably be sleeping a lot the first couple of days after the open RNY but they want to come anyway. Is this a good idea or am I asking for a headache?

I think having someone come along with you and stay is wonderful, My husband stayed with me the whole 4 days and I was very appreciative of him being there, especially when they started getting me up and wanting me to walk. Just make sure that its someone that will help you out and not mind sleeping on a hospital cot or chair and being sleep deprivated. Good Luck on your surgery! keep me posted . 4 months post op Monica

Hey Monica, thanks for the reply! I think now I will definitely feel good about having my freinds there. By the way, my two best friends went to UT Martin and I used to drive up there and visit every few months. We always ended up hanging out in Union City or driving up to Paducah. Ahhh, memories!

Hi Kym, I don't know about other hospitals, but my son stayed with me the first 2 days. He didn't help much, except to help me get up when it came to walking. The nurse (male and a fox) would then help me walk. Just knowing Phillip was there was ablessing. I had a private room, and they had like a day bed, not a recliner that actually was more like a bed. If you have an open, yes you will need help, and forget about sleeping in a bed for a few days, sleeping in a recliner is a whole lot easier to get in and out of it once you are home. I would say your room will have one in there, and yes you can have someone stay over. Especially when needing to get up, go to the bathroom, or helping you walk around. It really helps so the nurses can help other patients also. So hospitals are short handed in that bariatric unit. Make sure the nurses know when you having to get up, just in case you fall or get dizzy. Knowing your friend is there with you to get ice, water, to to hellp you in anyway they can will help you if necessary. I wish you much success and May God travel with you on this journey. I have to get dressed for my appointment to have the two lymphs nodes in my neck needle biopsied in an hour. Love you, Kathy

I have to ditto what everyone else has said. You really do need someone there who knows you and can speak up for you if necessary. My husband stayed with me. When the tech was preparing to give me a sponge bath (God love her, it was wonderful!) he stopped her before she could even unwrap the bar of Dial soap. I am severely allergic to Dial! We had brought my Aveeno body wash and he gave that to her. He was also able to help me with the pressure leggings when I had to get up to go potty - not to mention he had to wipe me because it hurt to try to reach to do it myself. *Take a long handled wooden spoon or tongs to help with wiping. I didn't have a problem pre-op. But for about a week after, I was too sore and swollen. Since you've already been through the Hiatal Hernia surgery, you probably already know this but I thought I'd mention it just in case. I'm so excited for you! Susan

Susan, I didn't know about the tongs idea, after my other surgery, they kept me on a catheter for nearly a week because there were complications and I was in ICU so I didn't have to deal with that...thanks for the heads up on that delicate issue! I am getting excited, nervous, second guessing myself, all the normal feelings I'm sure. But mainly excited so I guess I am on the right track. Right now I am trying to lose a little weight so I am drinking protein shakes for two meals a day. I have found that I like the fruity drinks the best now but of course, that will probably change after surgery. Let me know if you decide on another get together soon!

Hi Kym, I can tell you that the rooms at Centennial are pretty small. My husband did stay with me the first night but was very uncomfortable in the little fold out chair. He was of great help though helping me with personal things (I got my period!!) and getting in and out of bed. I know right after surgery all I wanted to do was sleep but my entire family was there and I felt the need to fight the urge to sleep and "entertain" them... after all they came to see me.. not see me sleep. Does that make sense?? LOL I don't know if Dr. Houston requires an extended stay because he'll be doing an open surgery so I would tell your friends to come visit on days 2 and 3 and so on. The first day all you will want to do is sleep... you'll be bored the rest of the time lol Thats great your friends are so supportive! april

Thanks guys, I knew I could count on you all for some words of advice!