How important is it to have a companion (family or friend) during and 2-3 days post op?

[Anks 5]

Hi,

I am planning to get sleeved sometime soon, but the issue with my situation is that my family doesn’t live in U.S. I have a few friends who are scattered throughtout states and are busy with their own families.

I wanted to understand how important is it to have a companion with you on the day of the surgery and for a few days afterwards? Why and for what chores do we need a companion? Have you gone through a surgery without a companion?

Regards,

Ankur

[orionburn 1,024]

It's going to come down to how well your surgery goes. For many they feel like they can do anything. Others are on lifting restrictions, deal with a lot of pain, and find they have little to no energy to do much. Once I was home (note I had a prolonged hospital stay due to complications) I was okay on my own during the day while my wife was at work. However trying to manage the house and dogs without her would have been a struggle that first week. I recall having a really bad dizzy spell in the shower one day and damn near passed out. Luckily I didn't and my wife was at home, but that could have easily turned badly for me in a hurry. Not trying to scare you...just things to consider.

I hate to give a non-answer but this is one of those things where it really will come down to how you feel afterwards. Hopefully you have somebody that could at least stop by to check on you or be able to ring somebody up in a jiffy if needed. An alternative would be to consider looking into having somebody short term. Kind of like that Visiting Angel service for seniors. Even if it isn't about the physical need for help have somebody check in on you.

Keep in mind as well that typically they (1) won't let you drive home from the hospital by yourself and (2) don't want you driving the first few days if you're on pain killers.

[MsTipps 314]

Having a companion sure helps - especially if you have kids to look after etc BUT it's entirely possible to get through this without one. Buy your Protein Powder etc before surgery and make sure your housework/laundry etc is up-to-date - that way you have a few days to just relax. I was fine going shopping etc within a couple of days but only lift light bags so I'm sure you'll do just fine x

[Sosewsue61 3,185]

I would look into some assistance as a precaution, it can't hurt to be prepared. Find an agency and check the cost, or place an ad for someone to come for a few hours the first three days and you definitely cannot drive home or drive for a few days.

I had an easy surgery and was up and about the day of surgery, stayed two days in order to meet liquid consumption goals, but at home I became tired quickly and my husband was a big help - taking trash out, cleaning up, taking care of the grandgirls, etc. It is super easy to be dehydrated and getting caught up is difficult, so be mindful of that. Dehydration makes you dizzy, fuzzy headed and tired, especially when nutrition is so little in that first week or two.

Good luck.

[Creekimp13 5,841]

Even though this is a very safe surgery, remember that it is major surgery and that complications happen. Having moral support around at a time like that is extremely helpful.

Clearly, you're gonna need a ride home. My doc was pretty stringent about having someone with you the first three days after surgery (so in my case, the first two days I was home). My hubby stayed home with me the first day and it was nice to have him around (I like having him around anyway...lol), and my mom came over the second day. After I brought her coffee and made her lunch and started picking up my house (all to her horror)...lol...I convinced her she could go home around 2pm. I felt perfectly able to take care of myself...but I was off all Rx pain killers.

Pain killers are the bottle neck. If you're on them...you really should have someone around. You should also use extreme caution and preferably use the stove/shower/anything potentially dangerous when you've got backup.. in the event you get dizzy or have an issue.

Lay in a good supply or all your Clear Liquids and Protein Drinks. Don't go too crazy, since your tastes might change. I loved cherry sugar free Jello before surgery and couldn't stand it afterward...who knew?

If you don't have someone physically with you....at least consider doing a telephone lifeline with a support person....someone you call or text just to touch base with several times a day on a schedule....so if you turn up mysteriously missing they know you need help.

Also, for the first few days.....hiring a nursing student from a community college is win-win. You get a helpful young person who works cheap, and they get a professional reference. You could ask an instructor for a recommendation. Any health profession student would work,,,physical therapy assistant, nurse, EMT, imaging tech, respiratory therapist, etc...

The short answer is....I could have easily been ok without any help. The long answer is that you never know when you're going to have complications, so it's good to be prepared...and it's nice to have someone there.

[Diana_in_Philly 1,426]

As others have said, everyone is different. My doc's rule was drive as soon as you have stopped taking narcotics for pain. I didn't use anything other than Tylenol after I left the hospital. I was in 1 night. Used 1 dose of nausea meds on the way home (felt a little car sick) and slept alot that day and the next. (Surgery Tuesday, Discharged Wednesday, Slept Thursday.) Friday, I did the grocery shopping, but made the family carry the bags because I had a 10 pound lifting restriction for 2 weeks post surgery and cooked dinner for my family. Did a couple hours of work from home that day as well. Monday, I was in the office for a full day - moving a little slower, but worked 9-5. So, it depends. To be honest, I would have rather my family been somewhere else and left me alone instead of asking me how I felt every three minutes. But that's just me. Best of luck.

[Creekimp13 5,841]

2 minutes ago, Diana_in_Philly said:

To be honest, I would have rather my family been somewhere else and left me alone instead of asking me how I felt every three minutes. But that's just me. Best of luck.

LOL...I feel this:)

[James Marusek 5,244]

You will need a way to get home. You will not be able to drive. Also the scripts for prescription medicine such as blood thinners are generally written on the day you leave the hospital and you will need to get those filled as you go home.

[KimTriesRNY 1,853]

I live alone and I was fine. I had my family coming over to do chores like my garbage and reaching into my washer. My sister visited everyday to do my cat box and vacuumed for me, ran me to the store and stuff. I was not able to lift more than five pounds and I did follow that.

If you have a few people that can swing by and help out and take you to the store if needed and of course to take you home from the hospital you’ll be fine I’m sure.

[briddle 10]

I w 68 when I had the gastric sleeve, hiatial hernia repair, hernia repair and gallbladder removal. The only things I needed people for was picking up a prescription and pick up and drop off at the hospital. Otherwise I did it all on my own. My family is all out of state but I wouldn't have wanted anyone there anyway.

Barbara

[Donna Martin Crouse 0]

I have had 5 back surgeries, two knee surgeries and I maintained very well. Of course, this time my husband wants someone to be with me the first 6 days.

Thank you Donna

[sleeved2win 79]

Laundry, cleaning the bath tub, anything with a lot of bending, stretching, reaching, or heavy lifting is out for at least a week or two. If you go through with it, might help to have a friend come by every day or every other day to help you with some odds and ends. Spread the duties out, ask a few different people; that way everyone is only coming by once a week.

Do you have a good relationship with your neighbors or landlord? Might be a good idea to have someone nearby for emergencies that you know, and who knows you.

And you will definitely need someone to drive you home. My ride home was bumpy and uncomfortable. I would not have been able to drive. You may have no pain at all, but better to be safe than sorry.