Question:
Did you have a family member or friend stay with you for your entire hospital stay?

Do you need someone to stay with you around the clock the entire time you are in the hospital - or maybe just the first day or two?    — Margaret G. (posted on March 27, 2002)

March 27, 2002
I had a family member with me pretty much 24-7, the first two days/nights I needed it I think (my hospital didn't have adequate nursing coverage), but after that I probably could have fended for myself if I had to. In fact I almost asked my mom to leave once because she and the nurses were about to brawl and I couldn't ask them to leave. They finally went into their seperate corners and I could sleep in peace. Research your hospital, they are all different with different rules (which is why the nurse and my mom were arguing, they wanted her to leave after 'visiting hours' and she wanted to be with her 'baby girl'-even though I am 21). Good luck with everything!!
   — Angela B.

March 27, 2002
Margaret, Since we lived so far from the hospital my son and husband only came to visit me for a couple of hours a day. That was enough for me. I was lucky in that the nurses were right there if I wanted something. Good luck on your surgery. Helen
   — Helen C.

March 27, 2002
My mother stayed with me 24/7 the first two days/nights. The second two, she and Dad just visited in the evening.
   — BlueGray

March 27, 2002
I would say at least the first two days/nights, and longer if it's at all possible. I have an aunt who is an RN, and she's told me that you should never leave a loved one alone in a hospital, especially after surgery. She says that you need a well-informed friend or relative there 24/7 to be your advocate in case something goes wrong. Most nurses are great, but you never know when someone will be too overworked or under-trained to recognize and deal with a developing problem, and you may or may not be feeling well enough to advocate for yourself.
   — Tally

March 27, 2002
You don't need anyone other then the nursing staff, but it is nice to have fmaily members with you if possible. The nurses will give you the care you need and you will spend most of the first one to two days post-op sleeping. Your family gives you emotional support and a since of security. I was a bit too far from home for any of my family to be with me except for the day of my surgery. I spent 5 days in the hospital and everything went well. But it was great to get home and get on with healing.
   — Susan M.

March 27, 2002
For me, having someone with me all the time was a blessing. I guess it all depends on the hospital you are going to. The staff at the one I went to took a LONG time to respond to anything. My support people had to go get water for me, help me to the bathroom, and physically go to the nurses station to get help for me when I needed it. Guess they were having a shortage of nurses.
   — Jennifer G.

March 27, 2002
My brother stayed with me the day after my gall bladder surgery. He was incredibly helpful. They didn't take my NG tube out until noon. My mouth was so dry and if he hadn't been there to help distract me, I probably would have yanked it out myself and gone running for a water fountain. I'm kidding, sort of. But he did bring me ice chips when I could have them, kept reminding me to use the spirometer and walked with me two or three times. I didn't really need anyone after that. But it was great to have him there that first day. I'm going to ask him to come up and stay with me after my WLS, at least during the day time.
   — garw

March 27, 2002
You may want to see my profile. I will NEVER ever stay in a hospital again without someone with me all 24 hours. My husband was there during most of the day, and that helped a lot. If I ever go in the hospital again, I will hire a private duty nurse for the nights if I have to. I would strongly recommend that you have someone with you all night, if you can swing it at all. I found the nights to be the worst time.
   — Kathy J.

March 27, 2002
Make sure to check the hospital rules before hand. I didnt check, just assumed that my husband could stay. I was at BTC in Ypsi Michigan, and he had to leave at 8:00 pm. Good Luck
   — Missy M.

March 27, 2002
I should have added to my previous response. I ended up not needing my husband at all, and in fact slept most of the time. The nurses at BTC were right there for us whenever we needed anything. ( and even when we didnt)
   — Missy M.

March 27, 2002
I would have someone there, if you can. I went it alone, and it was h^%& for me. If you have to, hire a private duty nurse. I can assure you, you won't regret it. Donna in AL
   — Donna S. C.

March 27, 2002
I just returned from the hospital on 3/21/02. My mother stayed with me the entire time (including sleeping in a chair overnight). From an emotional standpoint it was good knowing she was there - knew I had an advocate watching out for me. From an physical standpoint - I really didn't need her there the entire time - I was out of it most of the time.
   — Yvette W.

March 28, 2002
Since I had a private room, they put a cot in my room and my husband stayed overnight with me for my entire 8 day stay. My parents lived nearby and would "relieve" him during the day so he could go take a shower and refresh. He was wonderful and even took on tasks such as wiping when I could not. It was a really great bonding time and I'm so thankful he was able to get time off work to be with me.
   — kylakae

March 28, 2002
I was far away from the hospital so my husband only came for a few hours after work then went back home to the kids. Also I get very grumpy when I am in pain so it was better that I just had the nurses there to endure me rather then taking out my frustrations on my hubby. I cant say that the hospital I was in was the greatest but the nurses were adequate. In my case I didnt see the need for a loved one to be with me 24/7.
   — Maureen P.

March 28, 2002
My husband stayed with me the entire time and I am very thankful for that! He even slept on the floor for the first two nights because he isn't very pushy and the nursing staff didn't seem that interested in finding him a cot or recliner. The man is close to sainthood in my book! The best part about having him there is that I didn't have to rely on the nursing staff for every minor detail. He would remind me to walk and would go with me encouraging me all the way. It was also helpful to have him there when the male nurse offered to help me take a shower. I said no thanks my DH can do that. (Now I know what male patients have felt like all these years with female nurses!) He was also helpful about getting the staff when the IV bags would run out and that stupid beeping noise would start from the pump - that noise drove me crazy and if you didn't bug the nurses they would ignore it for 5-10 minutes. He would also keep close track on how much pain medecine was left in the PCA pump and get them to change it as soon as it was empty. I would certainly suggest that you have someone with you for about the first 36 hours after surgery if at all possible.
   — georgiacarol

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