I am scheduled to have my surgery on March 16, 2012 and my husband will be with me all day for three days after surgery, but then he

has to return to work, so I will be by myself from about 4am til 4pm the days after. Will I be able to take care of myself. I have had major

surgeries before, but I did have some help. Also, how bad is the pain level the first week post-op?

I never needed any help. I went to Mexico by myself and was just fine. I was back to work one week after surgery. Cooking for my family and everything. The only thing I needed help with was carrying the laundry downstairs.

You will be just fine. You will mostly be resting anyway.

Julie

Yes, you'll be able to take care of yourself. You will hurt, but you won't be bedridden. You HAVE to get up and walk around. Starting the day after surgery I was walking down the street to the mailbox and back. It was slow going, but I knew if I didn't walk I was going to get gas pains.

I really hurt for about a week after surgery. If I moved certain ways, it felt like my insides were ripping. Others didn't feel this same way. Pain is somewhat subjective because some people have high thresholds for pain and others don't. I will say the pain wasn't as bad as my C-section. I had to have help getting out of bed and off the couch for a good week after that. For me, it was really only the first day after sleeve surgery.

My husband was with me for the day of surgery and then had to go back to work the next day. I got him back with me on the Friday before I was discharged. I was home for 2 weeks for work and was fine on my own. I was very sore, but I was able to get through that. The pain for me was when I was getting up. So, It was tolerable.

I was lucky, my husband works from home so he was with me. But by four days after surgery he pretty much stayed in his office because I was able to do pretty much everything for myself. At least the important things like getting up and down off the couch, going to the bathroom, and getting fluids.

The pain level really wasn't bad for me. I had some discomfort around the biggest incision (on the left side), but mostly that only bothered me when I was getting up or sitting down, once I was settled in either position I was fine, and it wasn't so bad as to be debilitating. By day three post-op I was only taking pain meds at night to help me sleep because I've had insomnia for years. That said, I have a pretty high pain tolerance and I am a bit masochistic in that I tend to enjoy pushing through it. So, I guess it depends on how well you tolerate pain.

It would be ideal if you had a friend or relative who could stay with you just in case, but if all is going well you will probably be fine.

I was fine by the third day. The first two days were uncomfortable but the third day was great. I have never had any substantial pain even at my incisions. Well, except last weekend when I thought it was a good idea to try to do planks to get rid of the hiccups. lol.

You will probably be just fine on your own by day four. Do you have a friend who you can call on if you need them? Or, can your husband come home if you have a true emergency?

You'll be just fine - you should be up and about and keep moving as much as possible.

Thanks guys! I do have a high tolerance for pain, I just wasn't sure about the moving around. I'm just a tab bit nervous

about surgery day, so I can use all the encouragement you guys can throw at me :D.

I was by my self too! unfortunately 2 people can't take off work and still pay mortgage!!! it was fine. you will be fine. don't be nervous, I talked to people on the phone alot and this type of support helped me get through the emotional part of the journey and feeling alone. also have friends stop by and visit if you can, that helps too.

You'll be fine. I found it a little uncomfortable driving and getting in and out of the car. But I was doing everything with the kids on my own by four days out even going to the barn and helping with the horse a bit and walking a lot. I was surprised. But I'd go to bed very early that first week.