Question:
Will I need someone to help me at home after Lap RNY?
My husband will be a work during the day when I come home - do I need to make arrangements to have someone come in and stay with me during the day? I'm having lap RNY. If so, how long will I need help? — Gail L. (posted on August 20, 2003)
August 19, 2003
Probably not. My husband stayed with me for a couple of days before going
back to work and there was not a whole lot I needed him to do for me.
— Cathy S.
August 19, 2003
You should be OK alone. The only thing that really gave me a problem was
doing the liter boxes (I asked a neighbor kid to help me). You really won't
be able to bend over for a while, and of course that's when you drop
everything! If you've got a low/deep couch, I'd advise you to stay off that
for a while, too. But you'll be fine.
— lorien
August 19, 2003
Showering and getting out of bed. I was a bit shakey for a few days. I
added extra pillows under my upper body to make it easier to get up.
Overnight they moved around and I yelled whale on the beach whale on the
beach to get my wifes help:) If your going to be all alone have someone
check on you and do lots of walking to minimize the bloodclot risk.
— bob-haller
August 19, 2003
Hi...I agree with Bob. The only time I really needed someone there was
when I showered or got in or out of bed. The first few showers, I was
really weak, and everytime I took bandages off, I got very queasy, almost
passing out, and I would be exhausted afterward. I stayed with my mother
the first 7 days afterwards, but probably could've have stayed by myself as
long as someone was there for the showering...Good luck! Denise 316/158
— lily1968
August 19, 2003
Hi Gail. I had LAP RNY on 4/2 and I was home on 4/3, no complications. My
mom stayed at the house, but I really didn't need for her to help me. I
slept alot in the day. My husband helped with my shower in the evening. I
was back to work after 6 days. The first 3 days I just had my mom set up my
water near me, in glasses so I wouldn't have to lift a pitcher. You
shouldn't need assistance for toilet trips or wandering a little around the
house. If you have someone home, you may be tempted to lay around and let
someone else do things for you instead of getting up and walking which is
very important. My mom is an RN, and she became my drill sargeant :-) Walk
2...3...4....
— M B.
August 20, 2003
I had lap RNY surgery on a Tuesday, came home on Thursday. I had no one
there with me, and I was perfectly fine. Family or friends stopped by each
evening, but I didn't need anything (except to clean the litter box, and to
drop off some items in the mailbox down the street). If you have someone
living with you, who will be there in the evening, I can't imagine that you
would need anyone during the day. I was perfectly well able to take care
of myself (including showering and getting myself up and down). Just
remember to drink, drink, drink, and walk, walk, walk. With no one home to
push you, you have to take responsibility to do these things.
— Vespa R.
August 20, 2003
I had surgery on Tuesday, came home on Thursday. I got up before my DH left
for work on Friday so he would be there while I showered. He went on to
work and I was fine. Actually, it was nice to be left alone! I really was
able to rest and concentrate on just taking care of me the first day or so.
— koogy
August 20, 2003
I DID need help after my lap RNY. I went home on the third day post-op,
and was sooooo weak and in sooooooo much pain that I wasn't able to do much
of anything. I went for a short walk every hour or so, but it just wore me
out. My mother stayed with me, and thank God she did. She took care of my
two year old, made his meals, put him in bed, etc...she also did the
laundry and housekeeping for me. It took about 10 days before I could do
those things myself, and it took a good two weeks before I could care for
my son without feeling pain or severe fatigue.
— Kelly B.
August 20, 2003
Gail,
Good question. It is one I asked and wondered about before my surgery. I
had lap 6 weeks ago. I didn't need anyone as I could take care of all of
my basic needs. You will not want to have any children in the house. My
son drove me nuts for a couple of days, even though it ws just in the
evening. You may want to have someone who can come over in case, but I
didn't need anyone, drove myself to get a mincure and then come home the
third day home from the hospital!
Good Luck!
— Michele B.
August 20, 2003
I had help from my husband for about 3 days after I came home. I had to
start doing things for myself. He did the heavy cleaning.
— dolphins94
August 20, 2003
I had excruciating back pain following surgery. (All that time on the
table aggravated my bad back.) As a result, I needed my husband at home
for about 3 days following my hospital stay. If it hadn't been for my
back, I probably would have been okay alone. However, I think I would have
still wanted him to be there to bring me my water, protein drink sips, etc.
— Kathy J.
August 21, 2003
I had Lap Rny, but then had complications after the initial surgery
(intestinal obstruction), and after spending three weeks total in the
hospital, I am glad to be home and glad to have my hubby arounnd during the
day. Since I am on pain and nausea meds, he is very helpful with
reeminding me to take meds and eat at regular times. He also cooks for me,
makes my protein drinks, and helps to keep me steady during our short
walks. He's a real angel and I don't know what I would do without him
right now. Without the complications, I don't think I would have needed him
as much, but do try to plan for all posibilities just in case.
— Beth B.
August 21, 2003
You should be fine, Gail. I live alone and went to stay with my mom when I
got out of the hospital "just in case". But she was working
during the day so I was pretty much on my own anyway. You'll be stiff and
not so flexible so it's nice to have someone around to give you a hand when
you get out of a chair or if you drop something on the floor but you should
be able to manage the basics on your own. You'll probably end up napping a
lot during the day anyway!
— sandsonik
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