Howdy folks

I’m scheduled for surgery on 3/24 and was wondering how much help I’m going to need to get around? I have a 7 month pregnant wife and just want to make sure I don’t need her to overexert herself to help me.

Thanks
Make

My wife and I both had surgery on the same day and we took care of each other for pretty much the entire week. We didn't need anyone else to help us with mobility. We also were able to take care of each other, so I wouldn't worry about overexerting your wife during her pregnancy.

Not sure which surgery you are having. With bypass, I was up and about within a day and could get around the house without any trouble. However, you will be exhausted and should not be lifting anything for a while, but your wife shouldn't need to take care of you.

I’m having VSG this coming Wednesday. I work in retail so I’m hoping to be back to work on Monday. That may not be doable but I’ll try my best. I’m glad to hear I won’t have to make my wife do anything that will stress her out.

How long were you guys in the hospital? My doctor hopes to have me out after a day. I wonder how much pain I’ll be in.

5 minutes ago, Mark P3 said:

How long were you guys in the hospital?

My wife and I were in the hospital for 1 night and went home at about 10am.

On 03/19/2021 at 20:35, Mark P3 said:

Howdy folks



I’m scheduled for surgery on 3/24 and was wondering how much help I’m going to need to get around? I have a 7 month pregnant wife and just want to make sure I don’t need her to overexert herself to help me.



Thanks

Make

Hey there. I believe the experience is different for every person but I’m happy to share mine so far. I just had my sleeve 3/18, two days ago. I am still in pretty intense pain. I stayed 1 night in the hospital and they sent me home but I felt like staying another night would have been beneficial. I cannot wipe myself after I urinate as it is extremely painful to bend/reach. I also cannot pick anything up off the ground or put socks or shoes on. I have to have someone help me pull up my pants after using the restroom as well. I highly recommend against returning to work so early. I couldn’t imagine trying to work in 1 or 2 days from today. I didn’t feel that anyone truly prepared me for the pain so it was quite a shock for me when it hurt as bad as it did. I don’t mean to scare you but i wish someone would have prepared me better. Best of luck on your journey!!!

15 hours ago, gabbyd said:

Hey there. I believe the experience is different for every person but I’m happy to share mine so far. I just had my sleeve 3/18, two days ago. I am still in pretty intense pain. I stayed 1 night in the hospital and they sent me home but I felt like staying another night would have been beneficial. I cannot wipe myself after I urinate as it is extremely painful to bend/reach. I also cannot pick anything up off the ground or put socks or shoes on. I have to have someone help me pull up my pants after using the restroom as well. I highly recommend against returning to work so early. I couldn’t imagine trying to work in 1 or 2 days from today. I didn’t feel that anyone truly prepared me for the pain so it was quite a shock for me when it hurt as bad as it did. I don’t mean to scare you but i wish someone would have prepared me better. Best of luck on your journey!!!

Oh no. Sorry that you are in so much pain. This seems different than what most people report on here. I hope that you are ok. I wonder if your surgery team needs to know that you are still in so much pain. I have my surgery in two weeks so I dont have experience with recovery yet. I just read a lot of postings on here. Good luck!

Hi mark,

you and I are surgery twins

I will be having my vsg on the 24th as well. I just had my pre op appointment on Friday and my dr told me that I should be good to handle basic “mom duties” by Friday after surgery. (I am having my kids stay elsewhere for a week just in case). I am planning for worst case scenario just to cover my bases.
I have been told my procedure will be outpatient. I will go home same day. I prefer sleeping in my own bed anyways. Hospital stays are the worst. The blood pressure cuff is my worst enemy.

good luck to you mark!

Everyone is going to be different with this one... but one important step to take is to make sure you get up and walk in the hospital with assistance before you even go home to get you started. My husband stayed and was able to walk with me. Did he have to hold me up? No... but he did need to help me stay steady. At home set up your room with something nearby your bed that you can use to help yourself stabilize before you start walking if you can. It is really the initial getting up and gaining stability that is the most problematic. I purchased a bedside table before surgery to go with my adjustable bed. I used the bed to sit up and I used the table to steady myself (just make sure the table is steady and won't move from under you.

Don't have an adjustable bed (like most people)? It is often easiest to roll on your side and lower your feet to the floor as you push yourself up. In leiu of a table maybe move your bed closer to a wall before surgery.

I had no problem getting say from my bedroom to the bathroom. On the stairs I held onto the rails. And when I went to the grocery store I grabbed a shopping cart in the parking lot to help me remain steady.

All this passes pretty quickly... from a few hours to a few days where you need some sort of assistance. And at 7 months pregnant... go out of your way to find other forms of support... she shouldn't be physically strained to help you.

On 3/20/2021 at 12:14 PM, gabbyd said:

Hey there. I believe the experience is different for every person but I’m happy to share mine so far. I just had my sleeve 3/18, two days ago. I am still in pretty intense pain. I stayed 1 night in the hospital and they sent me home but I felt like staying another night would have been beneficial. I cannot wipe myself after I urinate as it is extremely painful to bend/reach. I also cannot pick anything up off the ground or put socks or shoes on. I have to have someone help me pull up my pants after using the restroom as well. I highly recommend against returning to work so early. I couldn’t imagine trying to work in 1 or 2 days from today. I didn’t feel that anyone truly prepared me for the pain so it was quite a shock for me when it hurt as bad as it did. I don’t mean to scare you but i wish someone would have prepared me better. Best of luck on your journey!!!

Sorry you are in so much pain! But just following up to point out (to O.P.) that YES, this is definitely a different experience for everyone. While yes.. it was painful to wipe and such and to pull on pants... I was still able to do it on my own. And to add... get comfy stretchy pajama bottoms post op! Something that will be easy to pull up and have resting across your abdomen! I think I just stuck with slip-ons for shoes and skipped the socks lol