Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Anyone go into surgery alone?



Recommended Posts

I was alone by choice, I had travelled interstate. I wasn't nervous that probably helped. I wouldn't hesitate to go alone again, I think that is my preference generally.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

On 09/29/2020 at 21:35, Hellie1028 said:


I was told the same. It doesn’t matter how I arrive, but I can’t even take an Uber or taxi when I leave. It has to be family or friend.

They can tell you this all day long and most people just go along with it because “doctors” but you’re not in prison, they cannot confine you against your will. Worst case scenario they ask you to sign a waiver, but they can’t even force that. If they feel you’re a danger to others driving they can call the police on you but again they cannot legally confine you (there are exceptions for psych evaluation of course but that’s not what we’re talking about here). I had to do it once... “am in in custody?” “No.” “Bye.”

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My upcoming surgery in November will be alone because of COVID. I’m really upset that my partner won’t be allowed to be with me. I’m having the roux-en-y on November 3. Dreading it with everything in me. You are not alone in being concerned about having no one with you.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

On 10/01/2020 at 17:12, EllaKop said:



I had mine on September 25th and went in solo. Just breathe and relax. The doctors and nurses are there to care for you and you’ll feel their care. Ask them questions about themselves if you are feeling anxious. It helped me a lot. After the procedure I was so doped up I didn’t seem to mind being alone. You’ll sleep a lot. Stay calm and BREATHE. This is about you. Enjoy the trip!


I so agree. Because of Co-vid My husband dropped me off and picked me up late the next day. I was so doped up and sleepy, I don’t think I would have wanted anyone there. The nurses were wonderful walking me up and down the hall & the bariatric Coordinator came in and went over stuff & gave me info & then the nutritionist. I mostly slept & got used to sipping Water.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was alone as well due to the hospitals Covid-19 policy. The staff was great, and I kept my phone until I was wheeled in to surgery. Like others have said, too coped up and sleepy to want anyone around me. My surgery was at 10am, and the first time I even thought about my phone was after 6pm. I sent a quick text to my family and went back to sleep. On day two my focus was sipping and walking, no time to miss family. Again, the nurses are amazing, I never felt lonely.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My sister took me & stayed until the surgery was over.. she was allowed to come into the recovery room .. but not to my actual hospital room. She left soon after I was in recovery. Then I stayed the night by myself.. the next day she wasn't allowed to come in --- they wheeled me out to her car. I guess all hospitals have different protocol because of CoVid. I doubt many (if any) allow people to be in the patient's hospital room.

You really do not need anyone there. The medical staff will take care of you. I brought my laptop and extra long charging cord for my phone--- I did fine. In fact, I am glad I was alone.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had surgery alone as well. My daughter lives out of town. All I needed was a ride there and a ride home. There really wasn't anything for another person to do, other than sit there. You will be fine. The kind of care you will need in the hospital will be provided by the professional staff. I think it might be more important to have someone available when you get home.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

On 10/2/2020 at 8:58 AM, Slightly Less Fatty Matty said:

They can tell you this all day long and most people just go along with it because “doctors” but you’re not in prison, they cannot confine you against your will. Worst case scenario they ask you to sign a waiver, but they can’t even force that. If they feel you’re a danger to others driving they can call the police on you but again they cannot legally confine you (there are exceptions for psych evaluation of course but that’s not what we’re talking about here). I had to do it once... “am in in custody?” “No.” “Bye.”

I think the requirement to be taken home by/with a family member/friend is to ensure if you do become unwell on the drive home, your family or friend are better placed to make decisions about your health & can offer assistance if required. They will also get you settled back into your home. It is a lot to expect a stranger to make decisions about your state of health & needs. Many taxi/Uber drivers would be reluctant to touch you if you are sick or collapse especially if you are female. And they’re probably even more reluctant in the age of covid.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm an extreme introvert, and actually prefer to do stuff like this alone. I won't have to feel like I need to keep someone else... entertained isn't quite the right word, but, yeah. I'll likely sleep a lot, or do my color by numbers app on my tablet [emoji4]

If you're more of an extrovert, I guess make sure you bring something to chat with friends on, or engage the hospital staff in conversation. They're there to care for you [emoji3531]

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had to have my surgery in a hospital 5 hours away due to the lack of bariatric surgeons where I live. I had to go by myself since my husband is unwell and can't travel. I took an Amtrak train and stayed in a hotel a half mile walk from the hospital. I walked in the day of surgery and then after discharge I took an Uber back to the hotel and stayed another night. The hospital tried to say I couldn't take an Uber but it was either that or walk back to the hotel since I was alone. They finally okayed that after some phone calls.

As far as being alone in the hospital I actually prefer it. I like to be left alone and not have anyone hovering over me when I don't feel well. I love my hubby but I'm glad he wasn't there.

Good luck, you'll be OK if you have to fly solo!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was able to have my mother with me until I was taken to surgery (I was in a private room pre-op) after that I was alone until I was wheeled out to them on my discharge.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Husband dropped me off and plucked me up about 24 hours later. Being alone made it easier for me to concentrate on walking and getting some fluids in without any distractions.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

On 9/28/2020 at 3:28 PM, samiaam25 said:

I am just wondering if anyone had surgery alone with no family/friends there with you on surgery day? I am getting nervous about my upcoming surgery and won’t have anyone there at all. Is that really out of the ordinary? Will my surgeon and the nurses think it’s odd? Will I be okay without that moral support? Or am I worrying for nothing?

I did mine alone due to covid. I was in there for four days. I could see for the average person having someone there to be an advocate for you while you are groggy would be helpful. However, i recall sleeping an entire day so its not necessary. I would say helpful but not necessary

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Due to COVID, no one was allowed to go in with me. The doctor called after my surgery to tell them how it went. The nurse called when it was time to leave so they could meet me at the front door.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×