Post op support

[jaimeb 1]

My husband's surgery date is coming up and I'm looking for advice on how I can best support him. How many days after surgery is best to have full time support? About how many days before he can drive? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks

[catwoman7 10,922]

my husband took a week off of work, but I really only needed him the first couple of days. I probably could have done it myself from the get-go if need be, but it really was helpful having him around those first couple of days I think I was driving within about a week.

[ColleenErin1974 195]

My husband's surgery date is coming up and I'm looking for advice on how I can best support him. How many days after surgery is best to have full time support? About how many days before he can drive? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks

Hello,
I'm preop RNY, but I have had a number of abdominal surgeries and was told not to drive for about 72 hours due to the drugs used to sedate you for surgery. Also, do not drive while on pain meds either. I would ask the Doctor about the driving, they will give you the info you need. Every surgeon is different when it comes to post op care.
Good luck!

[James Marusek 5,244]

I had RNY gastric bypass surgery 4 years ago. I was in the hospital for 2 days and then went home. My wife drove me home. When I arrived home I was able to manage myself at that point. My wife went back to her normal work routine. I had a weight limit restriction place on me by my surgeon. This I followed even though it was very restrictive. Generally you are restricted from driving until after you are off the prescription pain meds. Because of that reason, I took no pain medicine after I left the operating room.

[Sadiebug 206]

After my surgery I was in the hospital for a couple of days and then home for like 3 weeks. My husband couldn't take off work that first week so we had my parents come keep me company. I honestly would have been 100% ok without them there but it was kind of nice to have the company and the distraction. As far as driving - I waited about a week I think because I was still taking the occasional pain pill and also because I didn't really have a reason to drive.

[dawson62704 20]

I had surgery 6 months ago. The thing I appreciated the most was my husband staying with me in the hospital for two days and nights. My program required you to get up and walk every 4 hours. I'm a heavy sleeper so my husband set an alarm, got me up and walked with me. He also helped me keep track of my Fluid intake. This was a huge help for me to stay on course. He then stayed home the first day I was home just to make sure I could manage by myself. I did fine at home and didn't need pain melds more than Tylenol, so he went back to work. My doctor didn't want me to drive for seven days so I didn't. When he would get home from work, he'd walk with me and if weather was bad, he'd take me to A store or the mall to walk so I could get out for a little bit and not go stir crazy. For me, I think the walking helped me heal and get my energy back. I was able to go back to work in two weeks and have not had any issues. I hope this helps, best of luck to you both.

[ColleenErin1974 195]

1 hour ago, dawson62704 said:

I had surgery 6 months ago. The thing I appreciated the most was my husband staying with me in the hospital for two days and nights. My program required you to get up and walk every 4 hours. I'm a heavy sleeper so my husband set an alarm, got me up and walked with me. He also helped me keep track of my Fluid intake. This was a huge help for me to stay on course. He then stayed home the first day I was home just to make sure I could manage by myself. I did fine at home and didn't need pain melds more than Tylenol, so he went back to work. My doctor didn't want me to drive for seven days so I didn't. When he would get home from work, he'd walk with me and if weather was bad, he'd take me to A store or the mall to walk so I could get out for a little bit and not go stir crazy. For me, I think the walking helped me heal and get my energy back. I was able to go back to work in two weeks and have not had any issues. I hope this helps, best of luck to you both.

Your husband sounds fabulous! You're a lucky lady! By the way, does he have a brother? LMAO! Just kidding! Take care!

[blondie66 271]

Great that you want to be so supportive!! It really depends on what type of surgery and how big he is to start. If he's having laparoscopic surgery he won't need much support other then trying to follow the diet and getting the Protein and Vitamins. He'll need to walk everyday. And will probably not need any pain killers other than extra strength Tylenol and Gasex for gas pain. I brought some to hospital and took it while there. He should be able to drive about a week after surgery if he's off the pain killers and of course he won't be able to lift anything heavy for 6 weeks. It's best to check with Drs cause it really depends on his type of surgery and incision and health prior to surgery. From my experience the anesthetic always knocks me out the first 4 days and I don't feel normal till 4 weeks after surgery...but I didn't need a lot of support I just knew I was gonna feel sleepy and not myself for 4 weeks after general anesthesia.