Question:
I will be staying in a hotel alone after surgery ,any special preparations?

I will not have anyone to run out and get any forgotten items, so is there any thing special I need to pack ? I know I will probably need things like jello cups,bottled water,etc. but what else?    — kscott6260 (posted on April 14, 2003)

April 13, 2003
Ahh get someone to check on you at least a few times a day, even if its the hotel desk. For the first few day I had trouble getting up out of bed. I added pillows but overnight they moved and I was stuck. Fortunately my wife was home when I called WHALE OIN THE BEACH! It would be etter if someone could stay with you, as a helping habnd and moral support. Showering required assistance.
   — bob-haller

April 14, 2003
I, too, had to spend a couple of my post-op hotel days alone. One thing I would warn you about is the lonliness and depression...I had it badly. I cried a lot those first few days and being there alone didn't help one bit. Granted, this was around September 11, the one year anniversary of the attacks, so the ONLY thing on TV was 9-11 coverage and the food network...two things that weren't what I needed at a time like that. A bit of depression is normal following surgery, so do expect a bit of that. I'm sure you'll do fine, just don't let the blues take you by surprise as you pass the time alone in a strange environment following surgery. Best of luck to you.
   — Samantha S.

April 14, 2003
I had to stay in a hotel for 2 weeks after surgery. My Dr has lots of out of town patients and had a couple of hotels he had deal with. This meant that there were other post ops staying at the same hotel. We kept an eye on each other as we were in all phases of post op from new to almost ready to go home.Check with your surgeon's office to see if they can recommend a place. The only issue I had was learning how to get out of the bed. Lots of pillows helps. Good Luck!! Surgery 4/19/01 lost 150# and I'd do it again in a minute!
   — Janice B.

April 14, 2003
Kelli, We had to stay in a hotel 10 days after surgery seeing we had come from another state, What was really cool and my idea was that we brought an old VCR, IT was totally cool !, seeing I wasn't up to do anything, those first couple of days, we went and rented several movies...... It really worked out especially those first couple of days, post op.. Another thing you might want to bring is a heating pad, I had a epidurl and the only thing that made my back a little more bearable was the heat from it... Good luck and God Bless. Post op 11 months down 127 pounds
   — tannedtigress

April 15, 2003
Thanks everyone for all of your great advice! I will take everything into consideration when packing for surgery.
   — kscott6260