Do you need someone to take care of you after WLS?

[nikki78 0]

Do you need someone to stay with you to take care of you after weight loss surgery? I don't have any close friends that I could ask to take care of me and my parents live out of state and my dad has major health issues so I wouldn't want to worry my parents. Would I be ok to be at home alone after I get discharged?

[Sophie74656 1,572]

You definately need a ride home. After that it depends on your recovery. For me i would have been ok on my own. I had very little pain, just some soreness. But everyone is different

[Cervidae 2,389]

I would have been in serious trouble without someone to help me for at least the first 3-5 days or so. Then again, I was nearly 400 pounds and I carried most of my weight in my belly, so moving around was downright miserable and extremely painful in the beginning because the weight of my stomach would pull on the drain/stitches. I also have noticed that I generally have a tough time in the beginning after a surgery, as I had a similar experience when I got my gall bladder out a few years ago. So it definitely depends on the person! If I didn't have my wonderful boyfriend here to take care of me, there's absolutely no way I would have been able to drink/move/pee by myself.

[KristenLe 5,979]

What support/help I had at home post-op was one of the questions asked in my psych evaluation. Maybe if you have a few friends just stopping in to see if you need anything would be good.

[Proud2BMe 1,016]

I was good to go and didn't need any help. No real pain. They made me shower on my own at the hospital before I could check out. No catheter so was going the bathroom on my own from the start.

[mstolfi 10]

I was curious about this too ill have support for a few days maybe weeks but then will be driving cross country back to school anyone had to do some sort of traveling not long after surgery?

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[ocgirl15 667]

I was fine. I was in the hospital 1st day, came home the second, alone one the 3rd day. I was able to get the kids off the bus. 4th day got them ready for school and off the bus : ). I took care of myself 100%. Husband took care of the kids. That was all I needed just time to be able to focus on myself.

[BarrySue 602]

I needed help for about three weeks, which is more extreme than most, but then I was very large and carried all my weight on my stomach. Going from sitting/standing or standing/sitting required help, and getting in and out of bed required help as well.

On days 3 and 4 at home post-op, I was unable to straighten up due to pain and ended up on the floor. The fire department had to come lift me up. It was a humiliating experience, and not something you want to repeat, OP. I would have a backup plan/support system in place just in case you have serious issues post-op.

[AvaFern 3,516]

I drove myself home and did not need anyone to take care of me. I would advise against driving yourself home though. I stopped all narcotics 24 hours before I left the hospital so I would be safe to drive, but it still wasn't my finest driving skill on the way home. If you don't want to use someone as your taxi, call an Uber or a taxi or set up a call ahead car service. Past that, you're completely fine on your own.

[lifeofblair 308]

I was really tired/weak, but I could've managed by myself. Anesthesia really affects me, so I knew I would need someone there in case I needed help.

[Cervidae 2,389]

@@BarrySue oh wow, I'm so sorry you had to experience that. Something like that happening was a HUGE fear of mine for a long time. Glad you're okay!

[BarrySue 602]

@@BarrySue oh wow, I'm so sorry you had to experience that. Something like that happening was a HUGE fear of mine for a long time. Glad you're okay!

Thank you. It's not a common occurrence, I just drew a bad lot, I guess! Even though I was very large, I'm young, no mobility issues, incredibly healthy, and while I had no history of surgical/medical procedures, my pain tolerance was so high I routinely refused novocaine at the dentist ("just drill, I'll hold still!"), so I just didn't anticipate needing that kind of support. Ah, youth and inexperience!

Of course, some of my support group buddies were sixty year old women who were on treadmills a week after surgery, so it was just a pretty big personal blow. Ouch, my pride!

[Threetimesacharm 1,400]

I had no problem on my own at all. Unless you now have mobility issues you will be fine. Definitely take a taxi home from the hospital. Make sure your home is prepared for your arrival; all Protein drinks/ water/medicines ready and accessible. Keep things within arms reach, i.e. bowls/glasses on shelves lower in your cupboards(reaching level) nothing too high or too low. Think about this for everything in your home that you may need(shoes,clothes,toiletries). You will do great, good luck!

[TipTop in TX 81]

I'm 4 weeks post op and had a lower BMI (39). I did not need help after my surgery, but my husband did drive me around for the first two or three days.

The problem that I had was forgetting I just had surgery and trying to do regular housework like washing clothes. Me bending over suddenly after surgery to pick up thing was the only thing that hurt for a few days.

Edited April 14, 2016 by ExcitedAt55

[OKCPirate 5,323]

@@nikki78 - Age, weight, your level of physical fitness all play into this. I would have been fine leaving the next day, but I flew to Mexico for my surgery. It was done on Tuesday, and Wednesday I was walking to the mall across the street and Saturday morning I was at an OU football game. But I was really prepared, got in the best shape I could, had all my food ready for the first month. I prepared for the worst, but it went great.

Now, if they have to repair any hernias, that is a great deal more complicated on recovery.