Help! Getting TT with no caretaker immediately after!!! Can I do it???

esther660 7 Jun 2011

going for my surgery on june 10 at vanidades with dr careaga.i am a little anxi advice my doctous about the pain any advice

teachfish70 3 May 2011

Ladies,
Thank you for all your advice, but I'm all set!!!! My mom is going to stay with me for 6 days! I'm soooo relieved! I appreciate all of your support!

Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 3 May 2011

That is wonderful! Glad to hear the news!

BeyondBusyMomma 3 May 2011

I would have to also say 3 days of immediate help. Day 3 is where I was starting to get up and down by myself a little easier. Even then I would just get up to use the restroom or deal with the drains and binder while my help was doing everything else for me like getting drinks,food, medicine. Good luck to you!

KristenR. 2 May 2011

I'm sorry...if you lived in the OKC, OK area...I would totally help you. Best wishes!

teachfish70 31 May 2011

That is so sweet, thank you! But I my mom is going to stay with me for a week and I think we will do great! I apppreciate your kind thoughts :)

mixter 1 Jun 2011

Just having your mom there to get you what you need should be fine. I highly recommend that you have a notebook next to you and make sure you write down each medication you take and what time you take it. You will also need to take note of how much fluid comes out of your drains. You can definitely do that by yourself though.

You mom may have to wake you up the first few times for medication as you'll still be sleepy from the affects of the anesthesia.

When is your surgery scheduled?

teachfish70 2 Jun 2011

June 21st!!!!

Late for the sky 1 May 2011

I managed with 48 hours, one night in the clinic, and my doctor made arrangements for a nurse to stay with me the second night but easily could have kept her on for day 3. You absolutely will need someone the first night,to make sure you are OK, but also to change your bandages, help you get up and down to go to the bathroom. You will be worn out from the surgery and in pain, and for your own tranquility you should not be alone. I didn't think I would need help! but I did, and you can't know in advance. I would suggest you talk to your doctor. If he knows you have no one to help you maybe he will keep you overnight... or be able to suggest a nurse.

Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 1 May 2011

You need to have someone with you for the first three days at a minimum. What about calling a home health and asking for a CNA to come in and help you. Or maybe even call your doctors office. They may have a service they are able to recommend to you.

teachfish70 30 Apr 2011

Thank you so much ladies! I'm pretty sure I can get my mom to come and stay for at least the first 72 hours or so. It's just that she is 78 years old and I don't want to put her through too much. But if you say I can do what I need to do and just need her to watch over me and get me things then I think it will be okay. I know that I will not be able to take a shower until drains come out as well. Your support and advice has made me feel MUCH better!

i am mine 30 Apr 2011

Most doctors require you have someone to be with you for the first 24 hours. If you are having an outpatient procedure I highly recommend getting help. The anesthesia made it impossible for me to function semi normally for HOURS. I couldnt believe it... (first time under). Anyway, even if you feel you do not "need" help... it should be available to you just in case. You never know. I have read a couple of stories of women passing out, or getting sick. You do not want this to be you. I needed help getting out of bed for the first 24 hours. Maybe you can contact a home-based nurse service... and see what the price would be for a nurse or CNA even to be with you for atleast the first day and night. Its always better to be safe then sorry.

Barbie892 30 Apr 2011

SO sorry your help cancelled on you!

I did have help (my husband, personal assistant and housekeeper) but truly only "needed" them to watch over me that very first day home when post surgical complications are the most possible. I didn't need help getting around/showering/changing, etc. but it was nice to know they were home with me and they took care of the house and running errands while I just focused on healing.

Everyone is different and I was a very fast healer but at the very least I would still recommend having someone with you that first day/night you're home.

Best Wishes!

Columbus2941 30 Apr 2011

That sucks that your help cancelled on you.

I had lots of help at home (a husband and 3 teenage sons), but I didn't really NEED them for anything. I never needed help to go to the bathroom, and I wasn't allowed to shower until my drains came out (that was day 12) anyway. I would say as long as you are really prepared and have EVERYTHING you will need the first 2 days right beside your bed or recliner (or wherever you are recovering), then you should be okay.

I guess the only part that would scare me is the first day/night post-op in case you would run into complications with your incision,nausea and vomiting, reaction to meds, etc. Do you have a neighbor close by whom you could call and could be there ASAP in the event of an emergency?

Cat80 30 Apr 2011

So sorry that happened :(

Unfortunately you are going to need the help round the clock. For the first 72 hours someone needs to stay with you because you will be on narcotics plus you are still going to be recovering from the effects of the anesthesia. You are going to need help getting in and out of bed and with bathing.

I could've never done this by myself I am today 11 days post op and it was just last night that my mom was able to go home.

I really hope it works out for you!

Columbia Mo 26 May 2011

I have an idea of some assistance to your mother! There is a nationwide company called Sitter City and people sign up to babysit, nanny,pet or house sit, things along those lines. It would certainly be cheaper then a nurse if your mom needed any help caring for you. Just an idea if needed.