Can this be done alone?

[MrBeeswax 6]

I'm still evaluating my options (Keep dieting with my RD exericing with my trainer and Zepboundng, Endoscopic Gastroplasty, SG, RNY). I've met with two different medical teams, and my RD. I'm in one surgical in take program. Nevertheless, while I continue to research procedures, I wanted to ask about something that I won't be in any study.

Is going through a bariatric procedure something people can do w/o support or consistent support. I have to plan to be on my own. How fragile are people after these procedures? How much help do people typically need? Can these procedures be done completely alone aftercare? Alone as in no one is available to help. Is it safe to be alone days weeks after the procedures?

[BigSue 1,428]

I had gastric bypass surgery and did everything alone. I live alone, no husband, no kids, no local family, and I didn't tell anyone other than healthcare providers that I was having surgery. I took a taxi to the hospital. Hospital policy does not allow taking taxis/rideshare or public transportation home, so I hired a home healthcare service to pick me up from the hospital (I was in for one night), take me home, and pick up my prescriptions. After that, I had no additional assistance.

The most limiting thing after surgery was not lifting more than 20 pounds for (I think) the first 6 weeks, and also not bending over, like when cleaning or doing laundry, so I had to be careful with household chores, but other than that, I didn't have any problems. I went back to work (desk job) after a week and I was fine.

I will say I had a very easy recovery with no immediate complications, but you won't know how your recovery will go until you get there. I would recommend to anyone without support to have a backup plan. Is there a friend or family member who could come if needed? Could you hire a home healthcare service if you needed help? Also, if there is any physical labor your normally do, like cleaning or landscaping, consider lining up someone to do that for a while.

[Arabesque 7,595]

I live alone too so I had no support in my home. I told a few people, one of which had had the surgery, but apart from phone calls to see how I was I really did it alone. I did get a lot of support and information from this forum and my GP was also supportive and interested in my progress.

In saying that, I’m pretty independent and organised & I was very confident and comfortable with my decision to have the surgery. I didn’t have any psychological or emotional issues, was very mobile & didn’t have any co morbidities before my surgery. My recovery was pretty smooth though slow as I had issues with low blood pressure & hypoglycemia. Both of these I had experiences with before but occasionally not regularly and o knew how to manage them. I had no issue getting in or out of bed and my pain was easily managed with the prescribed meds (for about 4 days) and then didn’t need anything.

I prepared well with all the over the counter meds my surgeon recommended (not that I needed them all) and had shakes, broths, Soups for the first two weeks on hand. So I didn’t have to go anywhere or get anyone to shop for me. I think looking back I probably would have got my groceries for purée and soft food stages delivered simply for the convenience and not having to deal with weight restrictions for carrying things and the lethargy. Grocery shopping can be exhausting, (I did it after my hysterectomy last year & wish I’d done after offer my sleeve and gall removal.) I had a cleaner and a gardener so I agree with @BigSue’s suggestion about that even if it is for just a couple of weeks or so.

Not everyone’s recovery is the same. We come in to it at different weights, with different medical histories and different existing medical conditions. There will be similarities but also variations. Do your research. Lots of people have shared their recovery and journey here to give you an idea of what you might experience and give you an idea of what you might experience.

All the best.

[learn2cook 627]

I agree with the above posters. I even drove home from the hospital the next day. The hospital staff told me that I could drive because I walked a lot and took no pain meds. I did order online for products and food more than normal. The surprise was it was much harder to get up from sitting or lying down, after a few days I got a rolling method. I bought a cheap toilet seat extender that added height. I was organized and stocked up ahead of time. It would depend upon how your personal health is. I’m also kind of stubborn and want to control my own healthcare based upon data, like peak flow and oxygen levels. I grew up with nurses and doctors in my family and they deal with strokes, heart attacks, and cancer. They don’t notice silent asthma until you’re blue. I did have my 14 yr old son as a helper. (He stayed with his dad during my surgery.) He could run out for TP at the corner store if needed. (To prevent the house burning down I still had to cook for him). I have dear neighbors who could help as a backup. Each person and situation is different, but it can be done.

[NeonRaven8919 584]

On 3/20/2025 at 4:58 AM, MrBeeswax said:

I'm still evaluating my options (Keep dieting with my RD exericing with my trainer and Zepboundng, Endoscopic Gastroplasty, SG, RNY). I've met with two different medical teams, and my RD. I'm in one surgical in take program. Nevertheless, while I continue to research procedures, I wanted to ask about something that I won't be in any study.

Is going through a bariatric procedure something people can do w/o support or consistent support. I have to plan to be on my own. How fragile are people after these procedures? How much help do people typically need? Can these procedures be done completely alone aftercare? Alone as in no one is available to help. Is it safe to be alone days weeks after the procedures?

I was alone. My family all live in the US, I live in the UK. It wasn't possible for anyone to come stay with me. What I did before I went for surgery was set up a space near my bed that I would be able to put all my medications and Vitamins, phone charger etc within arms reach so I wouldn't have to bend over or reach. When I came back home, ( I took the bus because I don't drive) I opened my medications and set everything out. They recommend you walk as much as possible. The pain meds helped and as long as you go slow, it's ok. After the first few days, I felt more normal and it was ok.