Post-op/child care

julesmck · April 29, 2006

Hi, I'm having my surgery done about 5 hours from where I live (in Mississauga, ON), so I'll be staying at a hotel for 24 hours after the surgery. The pre-surgery form states that one should arrange for alternate child-care in the 24-hrs after surgery since the person who takes charge of you after your surgery should be completely devoted to your needs for a day following the surgery. I am planning to go down with my husband and three-year old, and am assuming I won't need so much "care" that my husband won't be able to look after DS, taking him to the mall across the street to burn off some energy. What has the experience of other people been? Have you needed someone devoted to your care immediately after surgery? I figure that as long as my husband has his cell phone on and is nearby I should be ok that first day in the hotel room by myself.

Thanks.

JanetC · April 29, 2006

I don't have a kid... but I could have done ok without Mikey there. On the other hand, heh, I HURT & wanted his hand to comfort me... big case of the poor me's. :eek:

But if I'd known he was taking care of our children... I think I would have been fine. Especially after that first nap... then the world is a much kinder place. :eek:

Anwyn · April 29, 2006

My DH took care of me and our two children (2 and 5) without any problems at all. Once you're home you'll be napping and asking for the occasional sugar free popsicle... I'm sure he can handle it. :eek:

Tricia K. · April 29, 2006

My husband and I don't have any children together (yet), but like JanetC, I would have been ok on my own.

Jachut · April 29, 2006

I pretty much hit the ground running, I stayed in hospital 24 hours during which time yep, I did need help but once I was home, we all went for a walk, I was fine. I wasnt running marathons but was up and down getting my own drinks etc.

julesmck · April 29, 2006

Thanks for all your replies!

Jachut, you say you did need help the first 24 hours - while you were in the hospital? That's the period of time I'm worried about. The surgery is scheduled for 11am so I suppose I'll be released to my husband around 1pm (?) and I'm really hoping I won't need much help because we don't have anyone who can look after our son while I'm convalescing.

Jachut · April 30, 2006

Really only for a couple of hours though. I had my surgery at 8.30 am was in recovery by 9.30 and back in my room a bit later. I was dopey from the anaesthetic for a few hours and slept on and off but they would keep you in hospital for that anyway, surely (I'm in another country).

They came in at 1.10 pm I remember to have my barium swallow, and I swanned back on the pillows expecting to be lifted out of bed, lol, but no such luck, I had to get up myself and to my surprise I could, so that's less than 4 hours later. I dont know that I could have out of a normal bed though, I had the back up and a mountain of pillows. For the rest of that day and overnight, I got up to go to the loo, I walked around the room because I was uncomfortable lying on my back and I sat up in the chair, I would definitely have been OK on my own as long as I had access to pain relief if I'd needed it.

In fact I was pretty much left alone apart from regular obs and I did buzz and request a sleeping pill at about 1 am because I'd tossed and turned for 4 or 5 hours, there was shite on TV and I just wanted to sleep but was too sick of being in bed on my back to do so easily.

Alexandra · April 30, 2006

Julesmck, if your surgery is at 11:00 a.m. you probably won't be released for several hours afterwards. My surgery was outpatient too and it was at about 8:00 a.m, and I got home around 2:00. If your DH needs to be somewhere with your son after work, say, you will need someone ELSE to pick you up from the hospital.

Once you're all home, though, one competent adult is more than enough to care for you and your child. Really, you're just going to be sitting around. Everyone heals differently, of course, but unless there's some problem you won't require any special care. I would have been fine by myself, too.

Iluvharleys · April 30, 2006

I was fine all by myself, but I didn't have a child. I got up and got the things I needed though. You DH will be able to handle it I am sure, you'll be wanting to do a little sleeping right after surgery.

Good Luck!

julesmck · May 1, 2006

I just called the clinic and they said that although I would probably be released between 2-3 in the afternoon (surgery at 11am), I absolutely must have someone with me at all times during the first 24 hours after surgery in case of fainting, to help with toileting, etc. They gave me the name of a nurse I could stay overnight with that first night (at her home) if I want to. Sheesh, this is such a pain.

Alexandra · May 1, 2006

Jules, it makes sense for you to have someone around, I agree. But you shouldn't need anyone else if your husband is within easy reach. You'll know how you feel pretty quickly, and if you don't want him to leave he can hang around. It's only one day, and there's lots to do in a hotel with a kid!

CCBSTX · May 1, 2006

Jules, you may just PREPARE to have someone around the first 24 hours. We all react do differently to pain and surgery. Just in case, be prepared. If it's that you are sleeping and want peace, than they can do the running around (with cell phone in tow).

Shawn