I am alone, no post op help. Anyone else been alone?

[RedE2Go 3]

I live alone, my children are far away, and I have no friends in my new home. I need to know what the first few days are like. I am thinking of staying in a motel for a few days after gastric bypass to be close to my surgeon. Any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions?

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[TJs_Dad2012 246]

I don't know if they'll sign off if you don't have any help. You may need to get one of your friends to come visit for a few days with you

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[RedE2Go 3]

Thank you, I did not think of that. I appreciate your input.

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[James Marusek 5,244]

Normally they will not let you drive until you are completely off the effects of the pain killers. That can take several days. I refused all pain meds after I left the recovery room and as a result, I was able to drive after a couple days after surgery.

I was in the hospital for 2 nights and then I went home. I was pretty mobile after that. But some people have a more difficult time.

[SweetPeas 117]

They will likely require someone drive you home at discharge. As for how you will feel, I think everyone's experience is different. I was in the hospital 5 days and ended up being up and about pretty quickly. Things tired me easily and I moved slowly but after about a week I felt human again.

[healthier&happier4life 86]

I definitely think you need to get someone there with you, at least for a couple of days. I felt okay when I got home and I could have taken care of myself. But, it sure was nice to have someone checking up on me... making sure I was drinking and getting my Protein in.

[KristenLe 5,979]

I live alone, my children are far away, and I have no friends in my new home. I need to know what the first few days are like. I am thinking of staying in a motel for a few days after gastric bypass to be close to my surgeon. Any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions?

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You will probably need a ride home from hospital. Do you have a neighbor who you could ask - maybe they could check on you the first few days too. Would one of your children come for a few days?

I'd rather be in the comfort of my own home rather than a motel.

If you can't find anyone - maybe you could get a nursing aide to come in once a day to make sure you didn't need anything.

Good luck!

[KristenLe 5,979]

Sorry for the duplicates - app is acting wonky

Edited July 17, 2016 by KristenLe

[RedE2Go 3]

Thank you for all the thoughtful responses. I will begin to work on a solution based upon your advice.

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[Nancydhu 13]

I couldn't have done it without help! I would definitely stay near my surgeon if I needed anything and was by myself...I really don't recommend you're being by yourself...if you could get a friend to help you out the first few days would be good.

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[RedE2Go 3]

Thank you, Nancydhu, I am working on it. My surgeon is 3 hours from my home and he anticipates me staying in the hospital one night. I thought I could do it alone, but the kind responses I have received have convinced me that I will need another. Thank you for you time and thoughts.

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[Daisee68 2,493]

You definitely shouldn't drive 3 hours home on your own (and as others said it is unlikely they will let you leave the hospital without someone driving). Having said that, I was in the hospital 1 night and then my mom stayed with me 1 night at home and then I was fine on my own. I did have people close by if I needed them and had to promise not to drive anywhere for a week but I drove myself to my post-op appt 10 days post op with no issues. Hopefully one of your children could come for just a couple of days.

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[RedE2Go 3]

Thanks Daisee68, I appreciate your thoughts. I am working on getting someone to help me. My children would love to help me but they are far away. I'm feeling much better with all the good advice I have received. Thanks.

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[Daisee68 2,493]

@@RedE2Go - One other thought. I am having plastics soon out of town and I won't be able to have someone with me the entire 2 1/2 weeks I will be there. I will be staying in a hotel and I will have people there some, BUT even with that, my dr recommended a home health care company that specializes in surgery rehab that I can hire to come by to check on me and take care of some tasks - drains, wound care, etc - even driving to dr appts and errands. I haven't checked in to the cost yet, but I wonder if you might be able to find a local company that could do similar for you? I don't know if that is something covered by insurance or not, but if you are under medicare and alone, it would be worth asking. Just a thought...

[robysrose 14]

My surgeon was 6 hrs from home so I did stay in a hotel for 2 nights. Just in case. I couldn't have done it alone, I was one of the ones that stayed sick for several months after. Had a bowel blockage so another surgery and another week in the hospital . My surgery wAs 10.5 hours I spent a total of 18 days in the hospital 6 hours from home. Was helicoptered out once and again by ambulance. It's been a very challenging journey. Now I'm 18 months out and it's still a daily challenge.