Question:
How hard is it to recover alone?

I am a college student and I live in a dorm in Hawaii, my PCP in CA suggested seeing a doctor in Hawaii about having WLS (open RNY), since I am in hawaii a majority of the year. How hard would it be to recover alone. Is there anything in the recovery process that cannot be done alone? My dorm has a kitchen so food prep isn't a problem should it?    — Marleen M. (posted on July 30, 2001)

July 30, 2001
Recovery depends on whether you have any complications, and what kind, and also on your starting size. If you have a smaller BMI and no complications, you can probably recover without help. You can probably get in and out of bed, in and out of the chair, and use the toilet without help. My BMI was about 43 at the time of my surgery, and I think I would have been okay without help. I did have a Home Care Worker come in (mostly to ensure my mom was okay and to run her to the store or whatever). I think it would be good to at least have someone look in on you once or twice a day. And keep a phone very close. I wouldn't worry too much about meal prep as you really don't feel like eating much. Just be sure you stock up on the basics,(whatever diet your doc orders) beforehand. Good luck.
   — Anne G.

July 30, 2001
I know the first three days I would have been in trouble had I been alone. It was difficult to get up out of bed (we were considering renting a recliner, but after the first day, I changed my mind). I had trouble in the bathroom and the shower both within the first three days after returning home. Once I hit the fourth day, however, I was able to more much easier and didn't need constant help doing things. My starting BMI was 54.1, I'm two weeks post op and have lost 22 pounds so far.
   — Dee P.

July 30, 2001
Just to help answer your question, it would also depend which type of surgery you have open or lap. If the doctor in your area does not / will not do lap on you, then i would say it is impossable to go home alone. (though I can not promise you can go home alone after lap) I took care of WLS member Amie Vardaman upon her returning home, and like formentioned she had a lot of trouble getting out of bed, putting on her binder, dressing her wounds, she was stubbron to modest on the personal hygiene issue, though she would admit it was not easy. Bending over wasn't on her menu either, standing for any period of time, and they're not going to let you drive. Granted most of this only lasted a week or so, but it's still something to consider.
   — Elizabeth D.

July 30, 2001
I did it alone -- and took care of a toddler at the same time. Now, I did have friends come in every few days or so to do dishes, bathe my child, vacuum the floors, etc. I couldn't do those things alone, but the rest I did. I just had to think of every possible complication before surgery and try to think of a way to get around that. How to get my toddler in her crib? I bought step stools and held her hand as she climbed in -- I taught her how to do this before surgery. Had most of the things I needed in the kitchen already on the counter so I didn't have to bend and reach. There were some tricky times (falling asleep after taking a pain pill, waking up and not being able to get up and in pain -- and the pain pills down in the kitchen). If you have someone who can check in on you or help just a little, you might be okay. It was VERY VERY hard and quite depressing for me, but it can be done.
   — Beth B.

July 30, 2001
Assuming you don't have any complications, it really depends on you. I see a lot of posts from people who "couldn't have made it without (whomever)" or had friends come over and do chores, etc., but I didn't have any of that. I took care of myself and my 6-year-old from the day I came home because I had no choice in the matter. Bottom line: if you absolutely have to be alone (like I did), you'll probably find a way to get through it all. ;^) But if you <B>don't</B> have to be alone, it must be immensely better to have someone with you.
   — Suzanne B.