Question:
What do you do if you are terrified of the hospital stay?

I have decided to have the surgery. I think I am able to handle the pain. It is the hospital stay I am dreading. I do not like to be touched and I do not like to be out of control. The thoughts of tubes everywhere and feeling exposed, and not wearing any clothes is sometimes too much to think about. Some people tell me that I will be drugged and it won't even bother me....bull! Just the minor stuff is bad enough...but then to have the thoughts of someone bathing me....I don't think so. I will have to stink...anyway, if anyone has thoughts to share with me, or has the same feelings p[lease let me know. Thanks JP    — Julie P. (posted on March 21, 2002)

March 20, 2002
I am sure that everyone was different, but my hospital stay was awesome! I had LAP RNY and was only in the hospital one day. I work up with no tubes at all ...only an IV in my hand. I needed no help to get to the bathroom or to wipe and at not time was exposed or embarassed. Because of the one day stay, I did not need a sponge bath. I think if you discuss these fears with your surgeon he will help out with instructions to the staff
   — Joelle B.

March 20, 2002
Julie,</p>I had open RNY, was in the hospital 5 days. My husband / friends and family took care of me in the hosital. The only time the nurses touched me was to take my vitals and my blood. I had a central line (made blood draw a LOT easier) and after my catheder was out and I was actively walking (about 48 hours post-op) my nurses disconnected my IV long enough for me to put on my own clothes (nightgown and panties). My husband washed me down, they had a cap with leave in shampoo in it for my hair, and I done the rest of my care. Ultimately you could look at it like this.. lap or open... the humility you may feel in the hospital, will by FAR pale in compairison that you endure every day you lead a MO life.. Good luck in your journey.
   — Elizabeth D.

March 20, 2002
I have to agree with the previous poster. My hospital stay was no big deal at all. I had Lap RNY also and I woke up with only the IV in my hand. I had a shower in my room and was able to shower and use the bathroom on my own. I was never exposed at all. I also think that you can decline the spongebath if they try to give you one. They cannot force you to do it. I hope everything works out for you.
   — Jennifer Z.

March 20, 2002
Hi Julie, I wasn't terrified of my hospital stay but I don't like to be touched either or having someone help me. I had open DS and was in the hospital three days. I got myself up and down out of bed, went to the bathroom on my own. (I had two drains, the IV pole and the pain buster.) The second day I could take a shower on my own. I had taken my own PJ's and robe but just stayed in the hospital gowns. It's been three months now. I'm down 68 pounds and 30 1/2 inches. Believe me, any small inconvenience we have in the hospital is minor to all the wonderful things that happen as the weight disappears. Good luck!
   — grammie5

March 21, 2002
I stayed in the hospital for 3 days and did not have to have help going to the bathroom or showering. I basically slept for 2 days and showered and watched TV for a half day while waiting to go home. Your vitals should be monitored by the "machinery" so the touching should be minimal unless you need help getting up and down. You may be able to go without a catheter if you ask. And if the hospital performs WLS surely they use oversized gowns. I never felt exposed.<p>BTW if that bothers you don't EVER have a c-section. After 1 day I had lost all shame! LOL And I think my daughter and I might STILL be there if it hadn't been for one extremely forward nurse who grabbed my daughter's head with one hand and my boob with the other and showed us how to nurse! (We had to be able to feed her to leave the NICU) =)
   — ctyst

March 21, 2002
I was a very lucky woman during my hospital stay! The nursing assistants were a great deal of help to me. Now, the nurses were a different story. One of my favorite assistants would help me get my binder and clean underware on every morning, and the other would wash my hair for me. They did offer to give me the "bath-in-a-bag", but, I saved that job for my dear, sweet husband, who never refused. I think he actually enjoyed seeing me naked and helpless! LOL My advise to you is have a family member, or husband, wash you and deal with the personal stuff. Its a more comfortable situation, for all involved. I kept my deoderant and body lotion close to me, in case I wanted to freshen up during the day while I was alone. When I had my catheder taken out, that was about the worst of my hospital stay. Not painful, but, kind of embarrassing. I wasnt used to having people looking at my crotch... except for my husband. : )~ Anyway, dont worry, your stay wont be as bad as you might think. Before you know it, youll be getting released. Good luck and God bless!
   — Kerry P.

March 21, 2002
Julie: I understand your emotions surrounding your hospital stay. I know, you start feeling like a human pin cushion after a while. At 407 lbs. (my pre-surgery weight), I dreaded being touched by the nurses and doctors who might be thinking I was disgusting or unacceptable. What saved my life was having my husband with me. I don't know if you're married, but having a spouse or close friend to help you will save you from being at the mercy of your hospital's nursing staff. My hubby helped me turn in bed, helped me bathe, helped me use the bathroom and made me comfortable the whole time I was in the hospital. Hope the advice helps. 171 lbs. later, I am SO grateful I had WLS. It gave me back my life.
   — Terissa R.