post-op ..home care

[jdonnajay 0]

my surgery for the lapband is may 18 2010. i was wondering how much or if any you need help from you spouse. my husband wants to take off the whole week. dont get me wrong, i appreciate that he wants to be with me but i was just wondering how much a lapband patient needs help at home. another question, (meeting w/surgeon may 5) even tho i will ask him at that appt. but do you stay overnight or is this done as outpatient? thank you donna:thumbup:

[Katy517 1]

That's really sweet that your husband wants to stay home with you for after-care. I stayed overnight at the hospital and was pretty much cared for by family the day I came home from the hospital. After that I was on my own and dealt with it pretty well. Good luck.

[Stacey627 0]

Hi - I am getting banded on May 19th! I was told I would be staying over for 1 night! I also heard people were walking outside and stuff on day 3! That is nice of your hubby - but from what I have seen on here so far - you should be ok by day 2 or 3! Good Luck!

[LoserHeather37 5]

My surgery is scheduled for May 10 and is done as an outpatient. I have to be at the hospital at 5:15 am and have been told that I'll be home by noon. My friend had it done by the same doctor and she took the whole week off but was fine on her own the 2nd day. I am only taking 3 days off from work, so I'm hoping that I do as well. Good luck...

[AllieKat 0]

Hi there. I was banded 3/31, My surgery was at 9a, and I was home by 2p. I did need some help on the first day, but after that, I was fine. Actually, I was up walking around the house the same day to help disperse the surgical gas, because it is painful! I began an excersize program on day 7.:thumbup:

[banded2010 0]

I was banded on 4/19. My husband would have loved to stay home with me for a week too, but he had just returned to work 2 days before my surgery. He had been out of work for almost 3 weeks recovering from prostate surgery. He was quite worried about me! I had to spend the night in the hospital because my insurance required it. I went home the next morning and after he got me settled at home he went to work. Then for the next few days he went in to work a few mins late so that he could stay home in the morning to get our son ready for school and off on the bus so that I didn't have to worry about that in the mornings. I personally didn't have any problems with that but that was just me. The experiences here vary so greatly that it is hard to say just how you will feel when you come home. It also has alot to do with how much you tolerate pain. I wish you the best on your surgery and a speedy recovery!

[monkeymama 0]

I'm two days post op now and feel fairly independent. The only thing I have not done is drive... so if you have all you need at home then you should be ok after the first 1-2 days.

[LarraineM 6]

Tell hubby thanks but................you can do this,you won't be confined to a bed or need potty assistance. You will need a ride home from the hospital and love. Maybe he just wants to take some time off hehehe ? remember lapbandtalk has a chat room that can be very helpful to you when you need reasurance. Good Luck !

[BetsyB 9]

what a sweet husband!

Mine picked me up at the hospital--but was relatively busy for the rest of the day. I didn't need him at all, except to handle dinner for himself and my son.

The following day, he was back at work as usual, and I was fine.

Re: the overnight stay. This seems to be driven by surgeon preference and insurance requirement. My doctor does keep patients overnight, always. My insurance also requires it. I was grateful for the time---I sort of eased back to my usual level of consciousness under their watchful eyes, got up and really mobile, etc. before going home.

Edited April 29, 2010 by BetsyB

[khath0620 20]

My husband is the same way...very supportive. I have heard the first few days are a little rough but after that it is smoother. I hope so because I am alone with my 2 and 4 year old after day 2! I am having my surgery May 18th as well and I am really nervous and really excited!!!

[singand_dance 8]

My husband is the same way...very supportive. I have heard the first few days are a little rough but after that it is smoother. I hope so because I am alone with my 2 and 4 year old after day 2! I am having my surgery May 18th as well and I am really nervous and really excited!!!

Any chance you'll have help with the kids? You're not going to be able to lift either child for a while. Talk to your surgeon about lifting restrictions after surgery. Even something like your child sitting on your lap is going to be difficult... those little elbows will get you right in the port, it's magnetic or something!

[khath0620 20]

My mother-in-law is more than willing to take the kids during the day while my husband works during my post-op phase. I am really lucky. I am a little worried about the "little elbows" or knees, or heads, or whatever. My kids are very affectionate so to not have them on top of me all the time will be an adjustment for the both of us. I know that I will not be able to lift for a while so we will have to have a talk with the kids to help me out after I get home from the hospital. I think we may play that I am a pretend patient and they are my pretend doctors who need to take care of me...get me a drink, pick things up off the floor, etc I am hoping it will work out for a few days.

Thanks!

:thumbup: Katie

[anglov 0]

I'm getting banded on May 12th. I took off 7 days. I took of the day before surgery because I have to do a clear liquid diet and the next 6 work days. I just want to be comfortable with the band before I go back to work. Plus I have to give myself Lovenox shots daily and want to get that down pat before I go back to work as well. I have a high stress job and don't want to have to worry or dwell on my band. My husband is taking off the day of surgery and the day after to look after me. I have to be at the hospital at 5:30 am and will go home that afternoon. They said I will be up walking right after surgery and must walk every hour.

[Manda87 3]

I let my mom do most of the driving for the first couple of days. Also, I couldn't really bend down so if something was on the floor or I dropped something, I would have to have someone pick it up for me. Also, use slip on shoes. That way you won't have tie anything. Also, I got "stuck" on the bed a couple of times (hahahaha) and I had to have my mom help me. Other than that, everything was ok.

[Manda87 3]

Tell hubby thanks but................you can do this,you won't be confined to a bed or need potty assistance.

I will have to say that make sure that you have something to hold onto when you sit down and get up from the toliet. You'll have to use your arms because it will hurt if you try to get up or sit down the "normal" way.