Go it alone? No support persons...

[dl2418 0]

I am just curious if any of you have gone through the banding process without a key support person?

It is very likely that I will have to do this all on my own. There is no one here to drive me to the hospital or home. I am planning surgery for midweek so that the baby can go to daycare next door and my oldest will be in school. This will give me a couple days to recoop before having them both all day over the weekend.

My main concern is how long I will have to stay post surgery before I can drive home. I've had 3 other laparoscopic surgeries for other issues and could get by the day after surgery with Motrin. However, after going through the Emmi presentation, I realize Motrin may be a thing of the past for me. I live about 1 hour from where surgery will be taking place.

So if anyone has BTDT, I'd love to hear from you on how you worked it out. Thanks.

[MrsMAJL 0]

I went through my surgery alone (my husband is in Iraq and my family is not from where I am living now) and I would not suggest doing it. I did fly my mother in to be with my "kids" (my dogs) while I was gone and I took a taxi there and hired a car to bring me home. My mother has some vision impairment and could not drive me there and it was more important to me to have her watching my babies. Besides, your doctor should not allow you to drive home and be home alone. You have to remember that you have just had surgery and will still be under the influence of the anesthetic drugs and you never know when complications could arise. Also, my doctor would require that I stay overnight if I live an hour or more away from the surgical center.

Speaking from the emotional part, it was more stressful and upsetting to be alone and not have anyone I know there when I woke up from surgery. Good luck!

[cattoy71 0]

I've never had in hospital surgery before and was a little surprised to find out that my particular surgeon has a strict no driving for 14 days post surgery policy.

I could not even imagine how some people drive themselves to and from outpatient surgery!

Please try to find some support if you go thro with this. You will be pretty uncomfortable and could feel pretty naseaus post surgery, and there is absolutely no way I could have driven myself home.

[strikeuptheband 16]

I was able to drive myself home the next day. It was a 3 hr trip but it took me closer to 4 since I stopped 3 times to get out and walk. I was very sleepy. You only have a one hour drive so if you drive yourself home (I could not have done it the same day as surg), watch what pain meds you get upon checking out from the hospital and dont take anything that makes you sleepy till you get home. I just took it easy and got home without a problem. Also, went to work the next day (2 days after surg) for just a short meeting, went half a day the next day and then had a weekend to rest up. Try not to overdo things! Housecleaning and laundry can wait. Just get your rest and recouperate! If you want lapband enough, you will find a way. Good luck!

[dl2418 0]

I am in the same situation. DH is over in the sandbox and the closest family I have is a 12+ hour drive. I also have no real friends here. The closest I've got is my next door neighbor, who is our child care provider. I have a friend in Colorado who said she would try to be here for it, but she just started a new job and I'm not sure she'll be able to come.

So I'm just making a "Plan B" in case I do have to go it alone.

I went through my surgery alone (my husband is in Iraq and my family is not from where I am living now) and I would not suggest doing it. I did fly my mother in to be with my "kids" (my dogs) while I was gone and I took a taxi there and hired a car to bring me home. My mother has some vision impairment and could not drive me there and it was more important to me to have her watching my babies. Besides, your doctor should not allow you to drive home and be home alone. You have to remember that you have just had surgery and will still be under the influence of the anesthetic drugs and you never know when complications could arise. Also, my doctor would require that I stay overnight if I live an hour or more away from the surgical center.

Speaking from the emotional part, it was more stressful and upsetting to be alone and not have anyone I know there when I woke up from surgery. Good luck!

[dl2418 0]

I was able to drive myself home the next day. It was a 3 hr trip but it took me closer to 4 since I stopped 3 times to get out and walk. I was very sleepy. You only have a one hour drive so if you drive yourself home (I could not have done it the same day as surg), watch what pain meds you get upon checking out from the hospital and dont take anything that makes you sleepy till you get home. I just took it easy and got home without a problem. Also, went to work the next day (2 days after surg) for just a short meeting, went half a day the next day and then had a weekend to rest up. Try not to overdo things! Housecleaning and laundry can wait. Just get your rest and recouperate! If you want lapband enough, you will find a way. Good luck!

I am assuming if I do have to go it alone, that I will have to stay overnight before I'd be allowed to drive the 1 hour home. If that is the case, my next door neighbor would likely keep the kids for me or I could have the neighbor across the street pick them up from next door and stay here with them.

I tolerate surgeries fairly well. My laparoscopies I've recovered quickly and only after the first did I receive morphine. The others I left with just Motrin. After an emergency C-section with DS, I was up and walking after 3 hours. The only reason it wasn't sooner is because the day shift nurse wouldn't let me. He was born Monday, we were discharged Wednesday, I had my staples out on Friday morning and by Friday afternoon we were on our way to Indiana from Oklahoma. Once there we celebrated Christmas Eve and Christmas with our families and the day after was spent walking around the outlet mall.

I'll be sure to ask my surgeon for something non-drowsy for pain relief, such as tramadol.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

[terilynn112 1]

I was home alone with my 3 children (two are not school aged yet) the day after my surgery. Was home with them the same night, with my neighbors on call if I needed help (and family 4 miles down the road). I have twin 2 yr olds, one totally dependent on me for everything, and one independent (walking, talking) and a 12 yr old. I did it, and have more energy than most of my friends that had it at the same time (local friends). Also I drove 2 days after my surgery. My surgeon said I could as soon as I felt up to it. I tired real quickly, but I did it. I did much the same as you. Except my last csection was scheduled, and I was discharged the next morning, because I had to get to the NICU hospital 2 hours away.

teri

[dl2418 0]

Thanks for sharing your story. I have an almost 2 year old and a 7 year old. They would only spend the night with a neighbor if I have to stay overnight at the hospital due to not having anyone to drive me.

Just curious, how did you manage the no lifting anything heavier than a gallon of milk if one of your twins was totally dependent on you? Did you have any complications from doing so much so fast?

I was home alone with my 3 children (two are not school aged yet) the day after my surgery. Was home with them the same night, with my neighbors on call if I needed help (and family 4 miles down the road). I have twin 2 yr olds, one totally dependent on me for everything, and one independent (walking, talking) and a 12 yr old. I did it, and have more energy than most of my friends that had it at the same time (local friends). Also I drove 2 days after my surgery. My surgeon said I could as soon as I felt up to it. I tired real quickly, but I did it. I did much the same as you. Except my last csection was scheduled, and I was discharged the next morning, because I had to get to the NICU hospital 2 hours away.

teri

Edited November 2, 2008 by dl2418

[mica 0]

I did it alone as well.

I had to travel to and from Tijuana, mexico, a trip with stopovers etc... of about 12 hrs or so. Okay on the way there,but the way back was complicated by a cancelled flight due to severe weather, so the impromtu overnighter in Calgary and all the issues that come with finding a hotel room and then trying to rebook a flight etc.... were not fun! But, I survived! Mostly it was the gas pain that was an issue, and sitting was not the best position for me.

So, I think that you could manage that drive home, unless you are still too sedated.

It really depends alot on your pain-tolerance.

Good luck!

[terilynn112 1]

Thanks for sharing your story. I have an almost 2 year old and a 7 year old. They would only spend the night with a neighbor if I have to stay overnight at the hospital due to not having anyone to drive me.

Just curious, how did you manage the no lifting anything heavier than a gallon of milk if one of your twins was totally dependent on you? Did you have any complications from doing so much so fast?

I had only one minor complication, but I think that is something with me. With my last csection, and hysterectomy I got skin infections. The one incision, became slightly infected. They said it had nothing to do with lifting the boys. I had pain a little longer than they expected, but they knew I would have the twins to handle. I did tire, and did have to take a "Rest" when they rested in the afternoon. That really helped.

teri:thumbup:

[dl2418 0]

Thanks for being so candid, terilynn. I really appreciate it.

[flowers 0]

I went thru it alone. I flew to El Paso and crossed the border there to self pay in Mexico .... alone. Flew back the next day instead of staying the extra day and drove myself home.

My mom is 82 and my dad is 90 and both are too thin, my dad is on a feeding tube, so they havent any idea about having to lose weight and not supportive. Im single and live alone.

You can do it.

[dl2418 0]

Kudos to you! Definitely sounds like one heck of an adventure. Thank you for sharing your story.

I talked to my out of state friend today and it sounds like she will be able to be here to help me out. I am so thankful!