time off

[mom2twins 0]

First let me say that I know everyone is different. Now, how many days do I need to have someone here to help me after surgery? My hubby saiys he would need a letter from the doctor to get time off from work. Do I really need to have him here or would my two 9 year old girls be able to help me enough? This is really a big issue for me since my hubby isn't a nuturing type of person (ok, he is an angry man waiting for an argument). I need some input on this from people that have been there. I would love for him to be here to help, but if he gets upset at anything he will blow very quickly.

Any advice????

[Michee 2]

I am single and live alone. I had my surgery at 1:00pm on a Wednesday and was released at about 4:30 later that afternoon.

I had a friend pick me up at the clinic, and stay overnight. She left my house at 7:00 am the next morning to go to work. An hour later I walked the dog.

I did not have any complications other than a hiatal hernia that the doc found and repaired.

I felt like crap for the first 48 hours or so, but honestly I have felt worse with the flu. By friday I was at the spa getting a mani and pedi

As you say, everyone is different.........based on my experience you will be just fine without someone hanging around and annoying you

[innwtitdtity 57]

my hubby took me home from the hospital and went to work the next day. I was able to get around on my own. Only limitation was not to lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk. I think your twins could help you out enough.

[lafrogura 0]

Hi. I am 8 days post-op and I have not physically needed anyone else's help. I am able to get up and down and shower alone, etc. I think you will be ok. Good luck!

[AliNSanDiego 1]

If there are no complications your 9 year olds should be able to help you with what you need. My 12 year old son has been able to do a ton for me. :seeya:

[Lottie 0]

I think your girls will be able plenty of help to you. When I left the hospital we drove for an hour so I could be with my niece who was having surgery. She was diagnosised with breast cancer and we stayed at the hospital until 9:00 pm that night. This probably not the norm but I was never in a lot of pain. I never took pain med after I got home. I was up taking walks the night before I was released and the following day.

Everyone is different but I think you'll do well. The coordinator told me to eat plenty of Protein prior to my surgery. She said the Protein intake will minimize the pain afterward. I ate the protein and didn't have hardly any pain.

Take Care,

-Lottie

[CaliGirl626 0]

I had the surgery 2 months ago. I had my surgery in the morning, got home by 2PM and I was able to get in 2 hrs of walking time on the day of the surgery (Post Op).

It depends on your physical also. I would suggest to start walking more, add about 45 mins to an hour to your daily exercise. The more weight you lose prior to the surgery, the faster you will recover.

Also, age does play a role. I have read one of the post about the person who is a bit older that had more difficult time recovering, and when I said "a bit older" I meant the person was 55+.

My husband took 2 days off work for me (the day of the surgery and one day after). After that I was okay. I didn't start driving until about 4 days out though. I spent a lot of time (and money, hahaha) at the mall, walking, getting my 2 hours a day of exercise. After one week, I was able to go back to work.

Just get everything ready before you go in for your surgery. Get your groceries for a week, vacuum, do all the big chores. If your hubby can take 2-3 days off, that should be enough.

[justmel1957 1]

I was required to spend the 1st nite in the hospital, but even then I was up without help and walking the halls pretty easily. My only restriction was no driving til my post op visit, and not to lift anything heavier than a gallon of millk.

[gingerbug 3]

I think you will be fine. In my opinion, an unhelpful hubby will just hinder the healing process.

[Melody2006 1]

You can do this with out depending on your hubby past a ride home from the hospital. If you don't want to do that just arrange another ride home. He really doesn't need to take any time off of work.

Past that you have have all your major stuff done (foods ready for 2-3 weeks, post-opt scripts filled tell the surgeon your situation, or get them called into a pharmacy by the nurse at the day of surgery and get them on your way home from the hospital.) so you can have a few days down time and you won't need much help at all from the girls even. Set yourself up now to get thru this! If you do that it will go smooth with no extra help. :thumbup:

[mom2twins 0]

Thanks everyone. I have a fairly high tolerance for pain so I should be ok. I'll just let him know that after I talked to the doctor (I will call for their advise also) they said I would be fine with the cell phone for emergency and the girls to help with everything else. However, I do value the opinions from this group a little higher than the doctor's office, to them we are just a job. It will make them feel better if they can help me as they are getting a little nervous about the whole thing also.

[Northwest_Nance 0]

Well I'm 55 and I did great! I think recovery can depend on your age sometimes, but I've heard of some in their 20's who had a much harder time than I did in their recovery. It also can depend on your size.

I had my surgery at 1:00, was home by 5:00 and alone by 5:30. I did keep my cell phone handy and I had a friend available if I needed to call him for help. I also had him ready to give me a call and check on me the next morning if he hadn't heard from me. I took walks, played on the computer, and stayed up until 11:00 p.m.

I woke up in the middle of the night in some pain, which would have been alleviated if I'd taken some pain meds before I went to bed. I felt better when I got up that morning and did fine by myself for the rest of my recovery.

It really is an individual thing though. Some people have a harder time after surgery, as far as pain goes. Some people just like having someone take care of them.

Good luck to you!

[haffdime 0]

Nance,

I have not had my surgery yet. I have to go to the group meeting on Aug 2nd and then I can get my surgery date. I am 59 and have a lot of problems with my knees and legs. I use a walker when out and about. I am so anxious to know if some of this will ease as I lose some of this weight.

Do you have any input on this subject?

Thanks

Haffdime

[CapitolChick 1]

Yah, I have one of those DH types too. Don't yah just want to strangle 'em. My DH only lastest 3 days then I had to start taking care of him (he felt sick b/c he wasn't getting any sleep!!!OMG!) What a bunch of babies.

Anyway, if your girls are little mothers they would be enough. I can tell you that yesterday I WISHED my DH was not here.

Give your girls lists and instructions for meds, Water, etc.

Both of them could help you up to go to the bath room etc.

How dedicated would your girls be? I was (and still am majorly bunged up).