How long will I need help?

[Geeewhy 30]

Hi - I'm a newbie looking at getting sleeved hopefully the first of August. My question is how long will I need someone to stay with me? I'm a single guy that lives alone and really don't want to inconvenience any of my friends or family longer than I have to. I'm really uncomfortable with having people do things for me, so hope fully the answer is no more than a couple days?

[myrori 55]

Hi - I'm a newbie looking at getting sleeved hopefully the first of August. My question is how long will I need someone to stay with me? I'm a single guy that lives alone and really don't want to inconvenience any of my friends or family longer than I have to. I'm really uncomfortable with having people do things for me, so hope fully the answer is no more than a couple days?

Wow, that one differs for everyone. If you have had surgery before, then you might be a little more mentally prepped for what is to come. I too am more comfortable by myself and doing for myself. Other than needing someone to clean up a bit... Ie vacuuming, laundry I was fine on day 3 by myself.

I have prepared before hand and had all foods, clothes, medical supplies handy from the room I planed on spending most of my time in. I slept in the relcliner the first week. I kept my cell phone on my at all times just in case.

No mind you it was just me and my pets to take care of, kids would have been a whole different ball game!

[JackieOMonroe 123]

I was in a lot of pain and was sent home with non-narcotic pain meds so basically I just hurt all the time. I'm a giant crybaby when it comes to pain, and I was weak from lack of food and lack of fluids, so I really needed my husband to help me for the first week.

[DivaDee84 12]

I agree with Jackie! I'm 10 days post op & still need help b/c I still have stitches & it hurts to do certain things..

[lunarose 97]

It really depends on what kind of things you may need to do around the house. You won't be able to lift anything weighing more then 8-10lbs bending down is a chore, no driving. My husband was able to pretty much leave me to my own devices after a couple of days. I'd say depending on how you feel as long as someone can come over if you need them and will check in with you a few times a day you should be fine after a couple of days.

[Escape_Pod 358]

I'm just shy of two weeks post-op, and I've found the first weeks to be challenging, but I still think you'll be ok after a couple of days if you don't run into complications, as long as you've got friends you could call on for the occasional errand (you probably won't want to drive for at least a week, especially if you have a manual transmission). You'll have trouble picking up anything you drop on the floor, and getting in and out of bed, a low chair, or a low couch will be painful and hard to do without feeling like you're pulling a stitch. If you have trouble keeping down liquids and/or Proteins after surgery, or if you develop complications, you're going to be a lot weaker and may need help longer. That's my two cents. Good luck!!

[Infernored 5]

My mom came over the day or two after I got home, but I made sure my house was clean before surgery. Avoid any kind of heavy lifting, such as laundry or vacuuming. I was pretty funcional postop. I could take care of myself, and went back to work a week later.

[Rainydayz 27]

As long as you have everything set up before hand you should do fine after a couple of days. If you have no complications of course that it. DH was home until the 6th day but we have 3 small kids. After 2 days I was off the pain meds and i could do for myself as long as I didn't try to do too much (very tired very easy). The third day I made dinner for the family. Just keep someone on call if you need anything, but you should be fine. Good luck!

[SuperMom 33]

I tend to be very independent. Did so well at hospital I sent hubby home because he was making me nervous. He stayed home with me the first couple of days but I really did not need him. I had everything ready (broth, crystal light, chewable gas X, sugarfree popsickles, pain meds) and I just slept most of the first couple of days so he really did not have to do anything.

I felt so good I drove myself one hour away to 7 day post op.

Good luck!

[Geeewhy 30]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I'm thinking pain won't be a big deal, as I'm very familiar with it because of recurring diverticulitis and kidney stones, but the lack of energy may hit me. Hopefully it won't be an issue... I plan on going back to work from 5-7 days after surgery.