Is somebody required during surgery and driving home?

[shirleyjohn001 13]

Hi,

My plan is to go to surgery alone and get out of the hospital alone. I have two kids ages 10 and 16 who go to school and my mom will take care of them while I am gone, so practically speaking I don't want them to miss school just for me and my mom is old and not healthy to accompany me to the hospital. Also, is it absolutely required for somebody to be there for you during and after the surgery. And if so what is the reason? other than moral support

Secondly, is it realistic for me to drive home after surgery or should somebody drive me home or should I take a cab ? Have anybody driven home after the surgery ? I live just 15mins away from hospital, so I am guessing it should be ok. The doc says that I will arrive at 5.30 in the morning on the day of the surgery and will leave the hospital the next day. So how long should we expect to be in the hospital ?

Any thoughts, recommendations, ideas or guidance are always welcome!

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

No, it's not realistic for you to drive home. You'll be woozy from all the pain meds you received during and immediately after surgery.

Put another way, you'll definitely be under the influence and driving-impaired.

Frankly, I wouldn't get into a cab alone drunk either.

So have someone you know / trust drive you home.

P.S. If your doc says you'll be in the hospital only overnight, believe him/her. That's how long I was there.

[provenzee 262]

I know at the hospital I am going to they won't allow you to drive after the surgery.

[wheezysmom 146]

For me it wasn't a requirement to have someone there during surgery but it was absolutely a requirement that I had someone drive me home. In my pre-op appointment I had to give them the name and phone number of the person that was taking me home. I probably could have driven myself but I would have side swiped some cars on the way home, I was still loopy from the medicine. If you have no one else, I would suggest taking uber or something like that.

[Babbs 14,680]

Yeah, get a ride home. I doubt the hospital will even discharge you without one. As a matter of fact, I'm positive they won't.

[NikkiDoc 312]

I didn't NEED somebody there during surgery. I just needed an emergency contact person & phone number. My husband was there until they wheeled me back for surgery. Then he ran out to download some books onto my Nook and get Breakfast. My hospital didn't have wi-fi and I had no books available on my Nook. He was back before I woke up. I did talk to him in my room afterwards but really just wanted to sleep.

Yes, you absolutely need somebody to drive for you. Plan on not driving for at least a few days after surgery. I also would recommend a friend rather than a cab. I took pain meds about 45 minutes before my car ride home so that I was sure I would be comfortable for my car ride. Now my ride is more like an hour to an hour and 15 minutes depending on traffic. I also used a small pillow between me and the seat belt. While it is very likely nobody will take advantage of you why take the chance.

[Babbs 14,680]

Did someone mention the hospital will require you to have a ride home??

Lol sorry guys...I was posting at the same time you all were....

[MrsRoboto 370]

I had nobody with me during my surgery or anytime I was in the hospital. That's fine, there's no need for that.

But you will definitely not be driving yourself home and most hospitals will not allow you to take a cab.

[shirleyjohn001 13]

Oh ok. I understand. The reason being that my husband is out of town and my daughter who is 16 just got her learners permit. So based on what responses I got, it is best to have somebody drive you home. So now tell me, can I drive on Friday(just to work and back) after my surgery was done on Wednesday ?

[cindyw41 761]

I have been told no driving for 2 weeks following surgery.

[Bufflehead 6,358]

You'll need to be off narcotic pain meds for at least 24 hours before driving. Everyone is different, but I don't think going back to work on Friday or driving on Friday is realistic no matter what your pain med situation is.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

So now tell me, can I drive on Friday(just to work and back) after my surgery was done on Wednesday ?

I think you missed the memo that you're having major surgery.

With general anesthesia.

And they're taking out 85% of your stomach.

Post-op for at least a week you're going to be experiencing some major physical sensations (for some people those are minor, for others they are major), struggling to drink 64 ounces of Water (which immediately post-op is an all-day gig), and probably some "interesting" emotional responses to having just changed your innards permanently. And you'll be required to spend much of your day walking to expel the surgical gas still inside your body. Oh, and during at least some of the first week, if not all of it, you'll likely still be in pain and taking pain meds.

[shellyd88 463]

I was told I would not be discharged without a person to drive me home besides u won't feel up to it also you may be woozy from pain meds I was told no driving for a week

[Michelle Tarver 62]

I was told my husband can just drop me off for surgery day and pick me up at discharge 2 days later.

I am told I will be in a MINIMUM of 2 nights.

I am NOT allowed to drive for 2 weeks. So yes i will absolutely need someone to pick me up from the hospital.

Desk job people usual go back at 2-3 weeks.

I will take a lot longer..I lift 50 lb boxes at work.

Best of luck to you!

[chasingpolaris321 214]

This might just be me but I was barely hobbling around three days after my surgery. I went on these fun little walks with my mobile IV and would try to get to the nurses station and back before falling to my knees. I think I had a rougher recovery than many here as I was in the hospital for a few days, but I wouldn't count on being able to move your leg enough to hit the brake pedal. You probably don't want to be the first one among us to simultaneously recover from bariatric surgery AND crashing into a pole.