Question:
Did any of you need paid assistance after surgery? Are stairs doable?
Would someone talk a bit about assistance needed post op at home. Should partner plan to take off any time or might I need to hire a helper for a few days? Some of you talk about how hard it is to get out of bed and the difficulty walking initially ... what about stairs. Could I expect to do them once a day or so? Thanks. — Carol M. (posted on May 18, 1999)
May 18, 1999
I was lucky in that I had help for 3 days. However, if I had not had help
it still would have been doable as help is mainly to be a
"gofor." Stairs once a day shouldn't be a problem. One of the
main problems with having no help is retrieving things you've dropped on
the floor or picking up heavy objects.
— [Anonymous]
May 18, 1999
Carol, although the first week post-op is painful, I was able
to sleep upstairs in my own bed. The surgeon will probably tell
you to get up and move around quite a bit to avoid blood clots in
your legs. So I felt that by going upstairs twice a day ( at
night and for a nap in afternoon) I was really helping my recovery.
My husband stayed home from work with me for 3 days and I was glad
he was there. After that I've been on my own and just fine.
— Lisa B.
May 18, 1999
It depends on how quickly you heal..how many stairs etc. I could NOT have
done stairs for at least 2 weeks after my VBG. I was 47 at the time and
before surgery could no longer even attempt to go to the store for
groceries.
I didn't think I'd need help at home...but I was in for a surprise! I'd
never had surgery before and thought I'd bounce back like I didn't after
each of my 5 children. Wrong!
My hubby did everything for me. He washed and changed my
bandage, he wiped my bottom after I used the restroom(because of the
incision I could NOT bend that way), he gave me a shower(I simply hung onto
the wall...he did the rest)..he washed my hair...he was ABSOLUTELY
wonderful!(and all of this after 5 kids and 30 yrs of marriage!).
I truly appreciated him for his humble service...he took 2 weeks off of
work, and then called 3 times a day to make sure I was ok.
Some need help, some don't. I have no small children at home..only a 17 yr
old at the time...but I still needed not only his physical help, but his
emotional support as well.
— Ben R.
May 18, 1999
If you live alone you need to have a friend come in for at least the first
week in you home. NO STAIRS ALLOWED. I hope you plan to take off work for
at least 4 weeks. Even that is too soon to go back. One thing that the
Center or place that does your surgery makes sure you have someone in the
house with you to help with your recovery. That is very important during
your recovery time. You need to get out of bed as soon as possible after
your surger. I was up 3 hours after my surgery. The nurses are not going to
allow you to stay in bed. You need to get up as soon as possible. The more
you get the less chance of fluid developing in your lungs It is quite
difficult to get up at first but then that goes away. Also - no driving
for two weeks. Hope this helps. Good Health. Sheila
— Sheila W.
May 18, 1999
Stairs should be fine, in fact the more excersise you get the better, I had
to be careful about most everything but everything is doable......
— JAN C.
May 18, 1999
Stairs are doable, as is walking and getting in and out of
bed. But, yeah, it is going to hurt big time doing it for
about a week. I wouldn't worry about getting any type of
in help care, though. If your spouse is able to take a
couple days off it will make your life easier, but isn't
a necessity. (Unless, of course, there would happen to be
other complications).
— dboat
May 18, 1999
Its nice to have your partner near by for a couple of days, it really
depends on the person and how healing is progressing, stairs are fine once
a day, you need the exercise after any operation for blood clot purpose,
you need to move around, like walking, take your time and dont over do it,
let the family take care of the house for a few days, so you can
recouperate.
— Sandra S.
May 21, 1999
Most likely you won't need a lot of help after you get home from the
hospital. Perhaps a visit from a friend once a day or so to get you a cup
of tea or bring you something to drink or eat.
Walking is gonna be slow the first few days home and so will the stairs...
(how many stairs do you have to climb?)
It's a little bit uncomfortable getting out of bed the first few times in
the hospital but alll in all I've had dental surgery that was more
debilitating.
If you feel that you might be very weak, before you leave the hospital you
can probably arrange for someone from the hospitals' social services to
stop by (once a day is enough, esp if you need a dressing change or
something).
I was back to work after two weeks home from the hospital.
If you are all alone right now: shop in advance and bring home lots of
bottled water, diet jello, Carnation Instant Breakfast, cottage cheese and
skim milk and some baby food/cereals.
Good luck
Susan
[email protected]
— Susan C.
May 21, 1999
After your hospital stay, you probably will want someone to assist you at
home. You will not be able to lift much at all, it will be a bit painful,
and you will tire easily. Stairs will be challenging for a few weeks.
Good luck!
— Elizabeth W.
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