Question:
Seeking Others Who Had No One At Home to Help Post Op.
I am divorced and my kids will be with my ex the week I return from the hospital. I don't want him to know about the surgery. I had planned on just taking care of myself. Is this unreasonable? — Sharon B. (posted on April 16, 2003)
April 16, 2003
I just wanted to let you know my husband was going to take off work. I did
not need anyone. I sat and watched TV, I walked around my yard, I fixed my
own protein drinks, and whatever else I felt like. I did not do any heavy
lifting. Just my journey all is different. Good luck and God Bless.
— Lana H.
April 16, 2003
hi sharon :) first of all, congrats on your upcoming surgery! i have a
friend that is in the same situation and she did well all on her own,her
surgery went very well and there were no complications.. had i known her
at the time, i would have offered my help. she did very well, just took it
slow . im sure you can do it too !id do things ahead of time like have
pillows placed in a nice comfy chair incase you cant lie flat for a while,
have your vitamins in an easy to reach place, have things bought like
lotion, chap stick, wetwipes incase your nor up to a shower on some days,
maybe one of those lifty medical stick things to help you avoid bending
down too much if you have to pick stuff up and have broths and sf jellos
and bottled water and crystal lite and the like stocked ahead of time so
you dont have to drive to buy this stuff after as you may not be up to it.
tip though, you wont need alot alot of food so you dont need to go too
crazy on all that stuff, oh also depending on your surgeons specific diet
instructions, eggs n cottage cheese might be good items to have too, but it
just depends on what you tolerate. i wish you the best of luck sweety! even
during the rough times you may or may not encounter , just remember the
saying "this too shall pass" and its all so very worth it! email
if ya need a good listening ear. [email protected]
— carrie M.
April 16, 2003
Just have a backup in case. I planned on being able to do alot for myself
after surgery and had a really bad time. When I came home I could not
even get up from toilet or wipe myself. I am three weeks post op can do
all that myself now but still cannot get up from a lying position on the
bed my husband has to help me. I also am still so weak I can do small
things like getting a drink etc but to care for kids at this point I know
I would not be able to. I had an open RNY. Hope that helps.
— thesaurkratkid
April 16, 2003
Hey good luck on your surgery. I stayed home by myself the entire time
after surgery my husband had to work and kids in school. It will be fine
just trust in GOD he will help you. I have never been week since my
surgery. GOOD LUCK
Debbie
— Debbie C.
April 16, 2003
Sharon, I don't think its unreasonable. I had someone with me after my
WLS, but I was actually fine and not in much pain. I didn't have anyone
with me after I had both my abdominoplasty/breast lift and thigh lift and I
was fine both times. The worse pain was from the thigh lift. I had bought
five gallon water home with me and kept it upstairs (yeah it was warm, but
I tolerated it), I also had other foods and protein supplements with me. I
really only had to go down the stairs twice a day if I wanted to. I think
we all have to do what we have to do. Hopefully, you will be able to call
someone to help you if
you are not getting along by yourself. Best of luck!
— Lisa N M.
April 16, 2003
Hi! I live alone. Some things were difficult the first few days (I had an
open RNY) but I managed. My beautiful sister was a phone call and a couple
blocks away in case I really needed help. Plus, she took my dog for a while
since I would not be able to scoop his poops!) I made sure I had jello,
broth, water, and popsicles before I went in. However as another poster
suggested, it is a prudent idea to get a backup, a neighbor or friend who
will be available as you will not be able to drive for a while (depending
on your surgery). It's best to play it safe. terry
— Terry R.
April 16, 2003
Hi Sharon~ I am almost 12 weeks post-op lap RNY. I have 4 kids, all in
school except my little one who is 2. I was worried, since we were the
only ones home all day, but it all wokred out great. I was fine when I
came home from teh hospital. I have heard soem people need to take naps
often, but that is ok, if you need them. You should be fine. Everyone has
different recovery, so it is hard to predict what it will be like. good
luck, and don't worry about it, cross that bridge when you get there.
— Sandy H.
April 16, 2003
I did the hospital alone and I live by myself. I am 50 years old. I did ok
home alone. I wish I had made arrangements to have someone with me at the
hospital. There are not enough nurses to go around. I needed someone to
answer phone, get cups of ice, help me walk, hold my hand.
— Wanda R.
April 16, 2003
HI! I just wanted to thank ya for askign such a question. It has eased my
mind knowing that most people who need to do it alone or mostly alone doing
ok! I am having my surgery this next tuesday and I am a very independent
person and I was thinking the same thing. I will have my 10 year-old
around in the evenings after school to truly help me, plus i only have a
one story. I do have some backups in case i have diffculties but I plan to
be as self sufficient as possible, including driving my 6 yr old back and
forth from school.
— Kerry R.
April 16, 2003
Hi, Sharon. Congrats on having the nerve to come home alone. You can do
it! I'm single and live alone and was alone every night. No problem. I
had the lap RNY surgery Tues, came home 1 day early on Thurs. My brother
dropped me off (he had to get to work) and I went to sleep in the recliner,
my sister dropped off the meds a few hours later and back to sleep I went
in the recliner. I NEVER had a problem. Thank God for that recliner
though. I slept in it for....I think nearly 2 weeks. Today I'm four weeks
out and there's nothing I wouldn't do (except maybe haul bags of top
soil!). You'll be fine. You go girl! Best of luck to you. Email me if
you'd like more info.
— msmaryk
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