Question:
How much help will I need post-hospital?
To prepare myself and my family, I need to know what to expect post-hospital. Granted, everyone is different, but it helps to be mentally and physically prepared since entire family works all day. I need answers like, except for the things i know (eq. don't lift anything more than 5 lbs, don't drive for 3 weeks and full liquids for several weeks), what do I not know? Will I need someone with a strong stomach to change the incision and drainage tube bandages? Will I be able to function, or will I need someone here to help? Any advise from your 'post' memories will help. Thanks, Stella ps...ins. approved after less than a week but will need to wait 'til Monday to schedule surgery. — Stella E. (posted on March 21, 2003)
March 21, 2003
After I got out of the hospital, it happened to be the weekend so my hubby
was home with me for one whole day. I did have Lap RNY, not open so I am
speaking from my experience. I was home during the day by myself 4 days
after surgery and was fine. My hubby would empty my drain and change my
bandages (because it freaked me out) before he left for work and did the
same when he got home. I never took a shower when by myself for a few days,
I waited until he was home just in case. Other than that, all was fine. I
wanted to rest and other than getting to the bathroom or walking up and
down the hall, I really didn't need anything else or help with anything. It
did take a little while to get going in the mornings but after I was up and
started getting in fluids I was feeling good enough to function without any
help.
— Dee ,.
March 21, 2003
my bandage was removed the second day in the hospital.(I had open rny so I
had a big bandage. I also had no drain at home. It was removed also. But
I know some docs leave them for two weeks. No bandage there.
— Delores S.
March 21, 2003
I didn't really need much help. I stayed with my parents for a week and my
mother cleaned around the G tube once. I did it myself after that. I had
steri-strips (tape) on my incision, so there was nothing to change or
clean. I also needed to be driven to my follow-up appointment. I had a
pretty easy time of it compared to others. My biggest struggle was with
the depression, but I had my surgery just before Christmas, so the holiday
blues probably added to my being down. Good luck to you. ~Cheryl
— Cheryl D.
March 21, 2003
Stella, I had open RNY and could basically take care of myself. My mom and
husband were here to take care of my kids but I pretty much took care of
myself. The first time I tried to lay down on the couch and found it
extremely uncomfortable, I needed help getting up. The only other times I
needed assistance was in putting my binder back on after a shower. It will
be nice to have someone around to help if you do get yourself into a
situation you cannot get out of but otherwise you should do great. Good
Luck RNY 8/02 324/220/?.
— Angela A.
March 21, 2003
I had open RNY and went home with no drains. I did need help getting up and
in the recliner. Its amazing how many stomach muscles you use getting up
and down. After the first couple of days, I would rock (mine is a rocker
too)in the recliner to help with my momentum to get me out of it. I'm sure
it was pretty funny looking! Take some pain meds before you want to get up.
THat helps. Its only the first couple of days that are tough.
— Kris T.
March 21, 2003
I had open RNY and the only thing I really needed help with was animal care
for about a week. I was too sore to keep getting up and letting the dog
out. Other than that I pretty much cared for myself during the day and
hubby and kids were gone. In the evening hubby took care of dinner (I
stocked the freezer with ready made meals he only needed to heat and serve
since he is lame in the kitchen :>) He helped me to bathe since I was
too weak to leave unattended standing in the shower for that long and
helped me to change clothes. But daytime I was fine alone.
— [Deactivated Member]
March 22, 2003
Stella,
I am almost 3 weeks post-op and the help that I needed the most was with
the little things. Like when I was comfortable on the couch and something
was just out of the way, I would call for someone and they would get it for
me. Much more better than enduring some pain to get something just out of
reach. I explained to my children that I was going to be a little lazy for
a while and ask them to do these things. Also, the mixing of protein drinks
and juices were done by my mom who came to help me out. Those were the two
biggest helps that I used for the first week home.
— Sandy P.
March 22, 2003
I am a little less then three weeks out, open RNY and have needed very
little help. I stayed at my parents until I could drive. The only things
I needed help with was the little things, like my mom brushing my hair
after I washed it, and that was because a shower would make me sooo tired,
not because I was unable too. I was capable of doing pretty much
everything I needed from the first day home, it was just a matter of having
the energy to do it.
— Marcy S.
March 22, 2003
I was Lap and only needed help showering. and getting out of bed. Early on
I was a bit shakey, on pain meds. So I needed my wifes help showering. I
added some pillows to the bed so I could get up. Overnight they moved
around and when I woke up I honestly was stranded. So I called for help
WHALE ON THE BEACH WHALE ON THE BEACH, looking back its was funny.
Fortunately jen was there. I drove after being off pain meds for a couple
days, and returned to work carefully at just over a week post op primarily
out of boredom. I did take it easy for about a month. If your open be very
careful to prevent hernias and do follow your docs orders.
— bob-haller
March 25, 2003
I had a Lap RNY 5 weeks ago and went home w/o drains or bandages, just
steri strips. I didn't take any pain meds at home. See my profile for the
reason. Anyway, Like Bob, I got stranded several times after I slid off my
pillows in the middle of the night and needed my husband to rearrange me.
My "MayDay" call was, "I've fallen and I can't get
up!!" I also did better when he helped me out of bed for the first
few days. After that, I left the drawer of my night table open and used
that to pull up. For the first days or so I asked my husband to bring my
food up to me in the bedroom so I didn't have to walk the stairs. I was
able to do my bathing and grooming myself, but I was really wiped out after
showering. He took off 3 weeks to help me, and I went back to work before
he did. LOL!!! I got a ride to work for the first week back. BIG help!
If you don't have complications, I think you should be ok after 5 days or a
week until you figure out your routine.
— Fixnmyself
Click Here to Return