Recovery..... do you really need someone the first few weeks?

[patticake1448 78]

I was very blessed to have had a pretty easy recovery. I live alone and had no problem being alone after surgery. Friends called to check in, which was very nice. I had my recliner and all my supplies ready, so I was good to go!

[mg22fpb 6]

I was fine a few days after surgery. Took one dose of rocket at home and 2 nights of liquid Tylenol.driving but not far by day 6. Very bloated and easily tired...did my walking but rested during the day. Surgery 8/14/14

[julez 32]

8-25 I had surgery. Even that first night in the hospital I buzzed the nurse because I had to pee but got up myself. When I got home I had my daughter home but did a lot myself. She helped like put the laundry on the drier so I could wash it and took it out of the drier for me I did the rest.

I am going back to work with 2 weeks off.. If I didn't have the sterile strips still I wouldn't have thought i had the surgery. I feel awesome!!

[melimo1002 16]

My husband was with me the whole way but after the first day of soreness i really didnt need much help.. the company and someone to talk to and also someone to lift the trash and take it out was nice since there are lifting restrictions. If you dont have any complications i think you will do fine, but a week of mom would probably be nice since the first week is when you are weak and adjusting.

[lwprice 6]

I would definitely have someone there to help you. You are limited to what you can do for the first couple of weeks...no lifting over 10lbs, no pushing/pulling, no house cleaning, things like that. No driving for a week. Plus you are pretty weak from the surgery itself. And you may have pain...mine has been pretty moderate and I'm thankful my mom has been around. Everyone is different but I would suggest having someone there for you the first couple of weeks.

[Thinkingthinner1109 485]

My husband never left my side he stayed with me both nights at the hospital too. It was just nice having him there. His work have him time off (sick leave) for me having surgery and was not required to take FMLA. I wouldn't say I had to have him there but it was nice when I woke up to have him there and not have to wait for anything. I had surgery on the 25th he just went back to work last night and I have to go back on Monday. It's been nice spending time with him!

[tamg26k 479]

Hi! Good luck with your surgery!

I had my surgery on a Tuesday and spent 2 nights in the hospital. (Tuesday and Wednesday) Like you, I live alone. I spent one night with a family member then went back to my own house on Friday. I did fine by myself. I actually went back to work the following Monday! My best advise would be to walk as much as you can in the hospital. It really makes the recovery a whole lot easier! I started walking about 1/2 hour after getting in my room then was up every few hours. You will definitely know how well you are doing. Everyone's recovery is different. It is really nice that your mom is able to help out in such a grand way. Good Luck!

[WL WARRIOR 690]

Is it ridiculous to think that I can still take care of my 9 year old son (I'm a single mom) after I get home from the hospital? My surgery will be next month and I'm not telling anyone about it. I just want to do the surgery and get on with my life. I don't want to be taken care of nor do I want to give others something to worry about. I've been very independent all my life and have been through a lot. I just see this surgery as a time to toughen up and carry on.

[playlikeworldchamps 595]

I had sleeve surgery on a Wednesday, went home on Thursday, went grocery shopping on Saturday with my daughter to lift things and was back to work on Monday. yes there was pain the first few days but nothing intolerable. mostly had fatigue the first few weeks.

there is no reason to have help from your mom for a month. she could do 4-7 day trip at most. my mother is in heaven but I don't think either of us would have wanted a month in each other's company. your mom can come again when you are further out and enjoy each other's company when you have more energy.

[Wallflower7522 328]

Could your mom maybe help out for the first few days? It will be a lot easier if you don't have a drain. The drain wasn't that bad, but it just made it harder getting up and down and showering.

My husband took a week off and was home with me the 1st 4 days I was home. but I was fine when he went back to work. You will at the very least need help getting to your first preop appointment although I suppose you could take a cab.

[alyhamilton 0]

I am post bypass for 2 months. I only needed 2 weeks off from work but everyone is different. I deff needed my hubs the first week but after the first week I was able to do most day to day things on my own. just go slow and listen to your body.

[allielee 263]

I was fine to be alone day after surgery. I was up walking and had no complications and I was a revision from band to bypass.

[playlikeworldchamps 595]

I drove myself to my post op appt a week after. in fact I drove myself to the grocery store 3 days after.

everybody different but help for about a week should be more than enough. if you have kids it's nice to have someone to cook their meals and get them off to school but you don't really need any personal help for yourself.

[terry1118 1,274]

I had sleeve surgery on a Wednesday, went home on Thursday, went grocery shopping on Saturday with my daughter to lift things and was back to work on Monday. yes there was pain the first few days but nothing intolerable. mostly had fatigue the first few weeks.

there is no reason to have help from your mom for a month. she could do 4-7 day trip at most. my mother is in heaven but I don't think either of us would have wanted a month in each other's company. your mom can come again when you are further out and enjoy each other's company when you have more energy.

My team said that if you drive to your first post-op appointment and they find out they will not clear you to drive so I chose to follow their instructions. I am a rule follower - what else can I say? :-)

[playlikeworldchamps 595]

I didn't have any rules against driving. Every doc is different.