Question:
I will be home alone after surgery. How have others dealt with this?
I am having open RNY surgery on Oct. 4th. My surgeon--Dr. Choban is about 120 miles from where I live. Basically I will be alone once I get home. I have some folks who will check in on me, but I have no family or close friends close by. I am fairly independent but a little worried..... — Jeanne M. (posted on September 18, 1999)
September 18, 1999
i would definetly recommend that you have someone to stay with you at
first. i found i needed help with things like housework, dressing and he
also helped with the cooking.
sometimes i just found that after i got comfy finally, it was nice
sometimes to have someone be your gofer (go fer this and go fer that).
good luck
— julie S.
September 18, 1999
That is a valid concern...I most probably will be faced with the same
situation as my husband has difficulty taking time off....if that indeed is
your only option, I think being as well prepared as you can be will ease
the transition. Try cooking some meals ahead of time and freezing them,
stock up on staples such as jello and broth, give the house a super
cleaning and try to catch up on other chores such as laundry. For those
that will briefly check in on you, set up a system were you will call every
so hours and if they don't hear from you..they should call/come over. Keep
in touch with your Doctor...but try to see if someone can stay for a length
of time...You will be in my thoughts and prayers....
— Jackie S.
September 19, 1999
You should be fine. Just be sure to have someone you can call in case you
want to go out to the pharmacy or something, in the first few days post-op
as you'll be pretty uncomfortable and probably shouldn't drive. Maybe also
do a little cooking ahead of things you can have, and freeze them in ice
cube trays or little tiny servings so you don't have to try to do
everything at once. You won't be incapacitated, you need to remember to
get up and about walking and such so you won't end up with pneumonia or
clots and to build up your strength. Talk with your doc and dietician as
to what you'll be able to have for meals those first couple weeks so you
can have everything on hand. Best wishes! My thoughts & prayers will
be with you.
— Sherrie G.
September 19, 1999
I've noticed a couple of responses suggesting that you stock up on Boost
... Please double check with your Doc before using Boost post-op. Boost
contains a fair amount of sugar (unless there's a nutrasweet version out
there I haven't seen). Depending on the type of surgery you will have, you
may not be able to tolerate sugars, which would cause dumping syndrom. My
surgeon suggests protein supplements which have no sugar added, sweetened
with nutrasweet. Pro50, Designer Protein, GNC, Whey Protein, etc.
— Sherrie G.
September 19, 1999
Hi. I had open RNY on Oct. 8, 1998.
I was in the hospital for 4 days, everything went very smooth. I didn't
have any family or friends that could stay with me when I got home from the
hospital. My husband and I live about 39 miles from where I had surgery.
We live in the mountains and are pretty secluded, so I was alone. I just
took it easy and was very careful when I had to get up for anything. I
took showers and was able to go up and down stairs. I just took it slow
and easy. I was just off work for 2 weeks and it went fairly well. Good
luck.
— Kathy K.
September 19, 1999
I lived alone after the surgery, I had everything I was going to need at
close range. Lots of pillows on the bed and couch, easily prepared things
for meals and a phone close by, just in case. Good Luck.
— Mary Anne M.
September 21, 1999
i too live alone and understand your question. if possible try to have a
friend stay with you or you stay with them for at least a week.
unfortunately i had a vgb (the long incision alone makes it hard to move)
after i was truely alone in my house it wasn't that difficult even with all
the problems that i accrued (dog went through a window on my second day
back in my house. had to drive 30 miles to my vet so he wouldn't bleed to
death). but other than that little set back i really didn't have very many
problems. for me the first week out of the hospital is the worst.
i hope this helps!!!! good luck with every thing:)!!!!
p.s. i live in marysville,oh so i know about the drive somewhat to columbus
— deborah H.
January 7, 2000
I DONT KNOW IF THIS IS ANY HELP BUT WHAT ABOUT A HOME HEALTH AIDE?
SOMETIMES AFTER MAJOR SURGERY THE HOSPITAL WILL ASK YOU IF YOU ARE GOING TO
BE ALONE AND IF YOU WOULD LIKE A HEALTH AIDE TO COME BYE AND GIVE YOU A
HAND. SOMETIMES IT IS COVERED BY INSURANCE COMPANIES AND SOMETIMES IT IS
NOT. I AM NOT SURE IF IT IS COVERED AT ALL AS FAR AS GBS IS
CONCERENED...BUT YOU MAY WANT TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE IN THE HOSPITAL WHERE YOU
WILL HAVE YOUR SURGERY BEFORE HAND AND MAKE ARRANGEMENTS. ALSO IF YOU
BELONG TO A RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION THEY MAY BE ABLE TO HELP OUT FOR A FEW
DAYS. GOD BLESS YOU AND BEST WISHES!
— ginariso
January 7, 2000
Hi Jeanne!
This is a concern for me too. My doc won't do the surgery unless there is
home support in place during the hospital stay for the week following
surgery. They say it is also for "motivation" to get you to eat
when you don't feel like it, or to help you walk when all you want to do is
sleep. Everyone in my family knows that there is no getting me to do
something I don't want to do . . . so far no volunterrs -- everybody thinks
I'm miserable enough on a normal day!!!
— Toni B.
April 12, 2002
I don't know how religous you are or if you are affiliated with a church,
but that would be one route you could look into. Ask your pastor if the
women in your church would be willing to take shift for the first week. In
most cases they would have no problem helping out.
— Dawn V.
May 7, 2005
Hi, I am 2 weeks prior to surgery. I live at home alone. When I am sick I
am alone. I have family nearby, but they are often very busy. I was going
to come straight home from the hospital, but decided to call my late
husband's parents up and see if I could stay with them for a few days, as a
cushion until I felt stronger. They are gems! I know that they will devote
time and care to me. I believe I will need a few days of this before going
home. But I might not. I will let you know.
— spiritprism
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