Alone After Surgery

[Erikita 9]

Hi everybody! So I'm single and live alone (not counting my dogs). I'm schedule for surgery on 9/26. So my question is this: did anybody tough it out alone right after surgery? I really don't want to stay with anyone and I think I'd be much more comfortable in my own place. However I am worried about needing helping a day or two after surgery. Anybody have any advice? Thanks!

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[faithlove 25]

I am a caregiver and usually see a lot of jobs in a categiver's websites of people requesting help for 1-3 days after surgeries including pick up from hospital. Just something to consider.

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[Introversion 1,876]

1 hour ago, Erikita said:

So my question is this: did anybody tough it out alone right after surgery?

I recovered alone. I'm single and my extended family lives out of state. A friend offered to help, but I gently declined.

My recovery was swift and uncomplicated. I no longer needed pain medication after the 4th day post-op and felt fine enough to go grocery shopping on the 5th day.

[Busman20 38]

I'm married but still somewhat of a loner. I stocked the fridge, freezer, and pantry before surgery with several weeks worth of the liquids and even solids I would eventually need. Milk is really the only thing I have needed in the month since my surgery due to its shelf life. It's still not a bad idea to have someone around to check on you but I would have been ok but you never know. The hospital required someone to take me home which I had anyway. My doctor seemed surprised that I drove to my 1 week follow up but I had already gone back to work anyway. But a lot of folks on here have had some complications that if you have them you might really want some help or at least someone to check on you.

[Airstream88 361]

After any major surgery (applies to all WLS) I think it's advisable to have someone around for at least a few days just in case something happens. I had my sister and my husband. For the first few days, my sister made my shakes for me and made sure I always had Water for sipping.

[Gabbee 53]

How long are you staying in the hospital for? My surgery was outpatient, so I was home the same day. I absolutely needed help getting in and out of bed (it's painful to use your abs at first), and up and down from the recliner. I'm single too but luckily my mom is around and supportive so she stayed with me he first 3 days. After that I was much more independent!

[James Marusek 5,244]

After surgery, you will not be able to drive. So you must rely on someone to get you home and to take you to the pharmacy to pick up the prescription medicines you will need. I took no pain medicine after I left the operating room. As a result I was able to drive much sooner than most. But it was still several days after surgery before I drove anyplace.

[Erikita 9]

Thanks for everybody's responses! My dad is more than willing to help get me to and from the hospital as well as pick up any meds for me. He also offered to let me stay at his place but like I said I think I would feel more comfortable on my own couch and my own bed. I'm planning to stock up on the essentials like Protein Shakes and broth so hopefully I won't be required to drive anywhere. I think I'm going to try and tough it out alone but let me dad know I might change my mind if I'm feeling bad when I get released or if I'm experiencing any complications. Hopefully, if I just take things slow and easy (like getting up and down from my bed/couch) then I should be ok, right?? haha I'm just nervous about surgery stuff!

[Erikita 9]

Thanks for everybody's responses! My dad is more than willing to help get me to and from the hospital as well as pick up any meds for me. He also offered to let me stay at his place but like I said I think I would feel more comfortable on my own couch and my own bed. I'm planning to stock up on the essentials like Protein Shakes and broth so hopefully I won't be required to drive anywhere. I think I'm going to try and tough it out alone but let me dad know I might change my mind if I'm feeling bad when I get released or if I'm experiencing any complications. Hopefully, if I just take things slow and easy (like getting up and down from my bed/couch) then I should be ok, right?? haha I'm just nervous about surgery stuff!

[sleevedshereen 524]

12 hours ago, Busman20 said:

I'm married but still somewhat of a loner. I stocked the fridge, freezer, and pantry before surgery with several weeks worth of the liquids and even solids I would eventually need. Milk is really the only thing I have needed in the month since my surgery due to its shelf life. It's still not a bad idea to have someone around to check on you but I would have been ok but you never know. The hospital required someone to take me home which I had anyway. My doctor seemed surprised that I drove to my 1 week follow up but I had already gone back to work anyway. But a lot of folks on here have had some complications that if you have them you might really want some help or at least someone to check on you.

LOL I was basically the same. Live with my boyfriend but he owns a bar so his hours are polar opposite of mine...so I've always been a little bit of a loner and really independent so I stocked my fridge before surgery. I put all my cans of broth on my kitchen counter so I wasn't lifting my arm in the pantry or bending down to get it if I left it in the grocery bag...everything was at hip level lol. Getting in and out of bed the first week was rough for me though. Still did it on my own. Honestly, after surgery, the last thing I wanted was to be bothered in the hospital room. Constantly needing to pee because of the IV fluids, dry heaving a little because of the anesthesia, and constantly being bothered by the nurses...oh and gas pain lol. My boyfriend stayed the night with me but he also stayed out of my way...the whole time I was recovering at home (2 weeks) he was there on his phone playing games lol so he was"there" but not really. I did everything on my own. You can do it! <3

[heycrystal2052 430]

I wasn't alone, but if I were, I don't think it would have been impossible to manage. Ahead of time, I stocked the fridge and supplied everything I felt would be needed. The only thing I really needed my boyfriends help with, were the shots of my blood thinner, I had to do that for a month after the surgery.

[XYZXYZXYZ1955 675]

I recovered at home alone after my hysterectomy, although there was a visiting nurse who checked in on me. And I'll recover at home alone after this, which I expect will be easier by far. Asking my sister for a ride home from the hospital is as far as I want to go in asking for help. This isn't even on my radar in terms of things I'm worried about!

[hmills653 365]

I had my teen girls. But I was pretty good afterward. I just had gas pain and to sore to bend over. I'd say buy yourself some bottled Water just in case also bc since surgery I can taste the chemicals more in my tap water and drink mostly bottled water now. If you tell your nurse that you'll be home alone maybe they can call and check in on you each day for a few days.

[crocodoxie 223]

Can you get a dog sitter or kennel for a few days? That was the biggest helper for me during the first week. Two lap dogs who like to climb on me, I bend to pet, feed, let in and out, etc...Otherwise, with pain meds (hubs was here), I think I would have been slow/but okay to do it gently on my own. The dog part...honestly, huge help.

[Erikita 9]

1 hour ago, crocodoxie said:

Can you get a dog sitter or kennel for a few days? That was the biggest helper for me during the first week. Two lap dogs who like to climb on me, I bend to pet, feed, let in and out, etc...Otherwise, with pain meds (hubs was here), I think I would have been slow/but okay to do it gently on my own. The dog part...honestly, huge help.

Yes, definitely! My sister agreed to watch my dogs for a few days as needed. I would really like them back after a couple of days though. They are great motivation to do some walking after surgery and I know the surgeon encourages light walking right after surgery. It will definitely be lonely without my babies for those couple of days.