I am scheduled for surgery on April 3rd and am not very good at asking for help (even when I need it). Therefore, I am starting by asking for help in compiling a list of ways friends and gamily members can be helpful. A few dear friends are asking and I don't know what to say.

Suggestions and ideas are very welcome!

What are things your friends/family did or you wish they had done?

Thanks!

Well you might need someone to help you out with chores like laundry and dishes (lifting and bending over)

Pre-op here, but I've had my gall bladder out and I remember what I needed help with the most and I'm anticipating the same with this surgery -

Bending was very hard for me. For nearly a month post op. I have a cat, so I have a friend of mine willing to come over every few days to clean out the litter box for me. Even if sitting in a chair, leaning forward is painful.

Also, you shouldn't lift anything heavier than 10lbs for 2-4 weeks. This means laundry for me, as I have my washer/dryer in the basement, so I have a friend who's agreed to help me with that as well. And with groceries. Basically, I have a very good BFF who's willing to do most of what I need done, and I'm quite grateful to have her.

Besides bending and lifting, I also had discomfort when walking for extended times. I would go to the grocery store and walk around leisurely, but after 25-30m (seems all grocery stores around here are H U G E mega-stores), I would ache in my stomach and find myself hunched over the shopping cart to make myself more comfortable. You just have to remember to take it very easy for the first month - go even slower than you think you need to.

Oh, and get yourself a good pair of slip-on shoes. I'm getting my surgery in May, so I'm hoping I won't need socks most days and can just slip on some flats for work!

I'm also quite independent and don't like asking for help. Figure out who your most supportive friend is and ask them how much they are willing to help you. Remember that it's just for a few weeks. I plan on thanking my friend by taking her to the movies or something when I'm feeling better. A true friend is the one willing to help you when you're down, not just be with you when it's all fun and games.

Good luck! You might be pleasantly surprised when you see the genuine kindness of the people you love!

I got around really easily once out of the hospital. Just having someone kind of wait on you hand and food for a few days is nice. But other than that, I didn't really need much help. Good luck!