Re: Lost My Post-Op Support
You will be tired and definitely challenged but you can do it. The home health is a good idea. I had many patients when I was a home health nurse. It can be done. Ask your doc in if you are having surgery in the states if this a possibility and if insurance would cover it. Perhaps your co workers as work could be of help since they offered. Spread out the "needs" alittle so no one friend is overwhelmed. I did this because we move every 2 years and my dearest friend wasn't really available for me by her choice. It was disapointing to say the least she reluctantly came to visit me at the hospital which was .75 miles from her home 1 time.....anyway....
I asked one friend to be there for me incase I just needed to call if I was scared.
I asked another friend to be there for me if I needed to go to the doctor or hospital
I asked another friend to help me if I needed supplemental supplies.
I made a list of needs and then went through the list.
In the middle of the night after leaving the hospital I was having issues with the anesthesia in my body still depressing my lungs a bit. It was scary I called my friend who was oncall for "scary moments" lol, and she reminded me to use the insirometer and talked me through it. Even though I am a nurse, I was the patient and let myself be one. haha.
Perhaps your friend, who is able to not come to visit, would be a good phone support.
I wish you the best of luck. I felt at first as If I had lost my friend and I definitely did not understand her actions but over the course of the years she has been a good friend, it was not worth dumping her although I was very disappointed and hurt for awhile. Although we are not as close I am reminded every friendship has a season:) Hope this helps. You can do this with or with out her help. I promise:)
Hang in there.
Lori
Re: Lost My Post-Op Support
I live on my own with my dog, Lulu. She is my nurse :) I have been alone since I had my surgery with friends dropping by sometimes. You will do great. Just get yourself really stocked up on stuff because you're not going to feel like running to the store. I have had no problems recovering on my own and I sure hope that you will not either. :)
Re: Lost My Post-Op Support
David, I travelled to Mexico alone, 5+ hour plane ride each way...you CAN do it. Plan everything out before your surgery, including having everything you will need after ie: protein, fluids, gasX, sugar free jello, etc. You will probably want to sleep or rest for days following your sleeve. Take it slow and have phone support if you need it. Best of luck and keep us posted. We are all here for you!
Re: Lost My Post-Op Support
Thanks Everybody! Good to know others made it on their own.
Re: Lost My Post-Op Support
I was on my own also...just stock up on what you will need post op and you will be fine. Remember to get up and walk and sip...sip...sip your water. We are here for moral support. Good luck and lots of prayers.
Re: Lost My Post-Op Support
My doctor told me I needed someone at home to take care of me. Then he told me to resume my normal activities. I think he mainly wanted someone around to take care of my kids. I'd get some good Netflix to watch. I didnt' feel much like reading when I got home.
Re: Lost My Post-Op Support
having kids at home is a different ballgame!!!!!! You can take care of you but not you AND kids!!!!
Re: Lost My Post-Op Support
I did it alone, I bought all the things that I needed before surgery and stocked the shelves, didn't even use half! I stayed home and sat and watched a lot of tv, and used the computer, I was fine! you will not have any real problems with this surgery unless you have other complications. I came back from Mx, to Atlanta, and drove 3 1/2 hrs home, I was up and walking all over the place 1 day after surgery, I had no real problems. but again everyone is different. I know that it is major surgery but I feel that I did very well by myself. and Im 59 yrs old and had a bunch of co-mobidites, diabetes, hpb, gout, sleep aphnea, congetstive heart failure. but if your insurance pays for home health go for it!
Re: Lost My Post-Op Support
Don't let this get you down or scared. Just know if you do have any questions as you get home and recover, this is a great site for advice and not feeling so alone. I did have a very supportive husband at home & told a couple of close friends only, but just getting on this site and talking to others as I recovered made me feel so much better! Talking to people who have been through this is priceless. It's a great learning platform too because all of us have been through this with or without help and a lot of the things you might experience or questions you may have, get answered on this site pretty quick... Just a sense of, is this a normal thing or not, makes you feel better, hearing from others and what they did or might do... You may be alone physically but mentally, we're all with you! Best of luck!!!
Re: Lost My Post-Op Support
Girlmoose said it all! Personally, I didn't need anyone to help me with aftercare. My husband came with me to Mexico, but I didn't physically *need* him. I had stuff stocked up at home, and felt really good! I'm a fast healer, and I have a high pain tolerance. Recovering from having my gall bladder out a few years ago was much, much worse than this procedure. I firmly believe that having a positive attitude about this procedure helps, too.
I'm sorry your friend bailed on you. This forum is what helped me the most after surgery. It's a 24/7 support group. There is always someone available to answer your questions.
Good luck to you!!! :)
Re: Lost My Post-Op Support
Who is your Dr? Where is your surgery?
Re: Lost My Post-Op Support
Be strong, be tough, be independent! I did it alone too,, with the help of my two doggies...........I stocked up on every single thing, from Toilet paper, to freezer items, lots of lemonade packets, applesauce, apples (you will want those in the house for the second week after surgery.... they help get rid of the acid reflux you will have for the second week)............I paid all my bills in advance so I didn't have to worry about them, since I was off work with no pay..........I watched tv, did internet, and was on this site==ALOT! WE ARE THE SUPPORT GROUP FOR YOU. don't hesitate to ask questions, we've been through it, and we will help along the way!
I promise you can do this.................you don't need that person............it's just added stress anyway.
and yes, after the surgery, you will sleep a lot. Nothing wrong with that. But once I decided to get up, I was a moving' around fool!
I'm just waiting for warmer weather at this point!
Re: Lost My Post-Op Support
You will do fine alone. I did it alone and like Kris, i stocked up on everything i would need ahead of time. I even drove to and from mexico alone. I am a home health therapist and you won't qualify for HH. You will not be so limited in your function that you need it. Just rest and take it easy. It will be fine. I was back to work in less than a week and I'm 65 y/o.
Your energy needs to go into yourself and not into negative thinking about your friend. Be positive and you will succeed. Remember to take a hot pack or heating pad to the hospital with you. The gas pains in my neck and shoulders were the only thing that really hurt me after the surgery.
Keep checking in here and you will get support.
Re: Lost My Post-Op Support
Hiya, I am also on my own, havent had the surgery yet. But when I do I will be home by myself and my dog. I do have good friends nearby who are very supportive and have said to me to ring if I need anything or feeling unwell. I am starting to stock pile all the necessary things that I will need, including vitamins, etc. I am making sure that I have plenty of juices, jellies, soups etc on hand so I dont need to ask anyone to go out and get anything for me (though am sure they wont mind) And you always have this forum that you can ask questions on, get support from. :)