Conflicting information.

[KristiinSD]

I asked my surgeon about post-surgery recovery and the help I would need. His nurse said I wouldn't need 24/7 care, but would need 24/7 access to someone...He left the mssage, so I am not sure what he meant except that I don't need someone here with me all the time once I am home. In contrast it seems that most of you have needed someone there 24/7 post-surgery and my friend suggested that the surgeon "needs" to say that or else they have to provide you with that level of care...What do you all think?

Thanks,

Kristi
mr
surgery 9/8/05
17 more days to go...

 

[hensylee]

well that's confusing. You WILL NEED someone in the house with you 24/7 if you can get someone. You do not need them to hand you every little thing like water, going to bathroom, bathing you, or helping you dress. But you do need them close because you are weak and will be for at least another couple of weeks. You just might need them to pick you up if you fall! By end of two weeks you will be able to go to fridge and fix yourself something, etc, etc. Is there a problem for you to get help at home and you need something said specifically?

 

[Ross]

You will need someone with you for the first full week, preferably two full weeks 24/7. You won't even question this once you've gone through surgery. Plan on having someone there and available to help in whatever way you can be helped.

 

[Nancy]

You will need help for the first week, 24/7 and preferably the second week as well. You will be on many medications which will make you whoozy. And you will be very weak, plus you will have a lifting and driving restriction which last for several weeks. You may also need help getting up from a chair or getting out of bed, due to sternum and incision pain.

You will also need help in case you have to see a doctor or go to the ER during the first couple of weeks.

 

[samiam]

Yes, you absolutely must have someone readily available for the first week or two. You don't need to worry about the small stuff. Your only thing to think about during that period is getting better and resting and doing whatever exercises and breathing the doctor says. Let someone else help you with the food and the pills and moving around and washing and cleaning. And, let's hope not, a return visit to the hospital.

My wife has been absolutely fantastic in being by my side.

Good Luck!

 

[terryj]

My husbands doctor wrote me a doctors excuse to stay at home with my husband for three weeks. He was in the hospital 8 days and I was with him 24/7 and my job was then nice enough to let me use sick leave to stay home with him another 3 weeks. He definantly needed me in the hospital and the 1st 2 weeks home and it was nice to have the extra week. I work an hour away from our home. He had some nausea problems the 1st week home and he had to go for his INR tests every 3-5 days until he became stable. You will not be able to drive for at least 4 weeks.

 

[rbl1999]

Hi, I agree with the majority, I had AVR replacement surgery 4 weeks ago and had someone with me all the time for the first 2 weeks. Luckily we are retired so work was not a problem. I also had one of my children here for a week and that was nice to have not only the company but the extra help for my husband... GOOD LUCK!!!!! Rose

 

[hensylee]

i, TOO, HAD Nurse cousin at the hospital with me every single day. She slept in motel at night and was with me all day. The other nurses knew she was one, too and they were very careful with me - cousin was my guard and we ALL need one these days while in the hospital. Not that anyone means to neglect us, but they are so busy and so limited. We need our own advocate there to speak for us.

 

[Georgia]

You can get in trouble awfully fast that first couple of weeks home from the surgery. I can't imagine what the doc was thinking; you won't need someone breathing down your neck but you most surely need someone to reach, lift, and help if you get in a bad position. You certainly shouldn't get in the shower the first couple weeks unless someone is in the house with you (and you will want to be in the shower a lot - that medication is pretty smelly leaving your body ).

So ditto ditto ditto. Better to be safe than sorry.

 

[LLJ]

Kristi: Here are the things I couldn't do after surgery: Change my own bed sheets;(important becuase for some reason you sweat alot after surgery),Lift a 1/2 full tea kettle,reach above 90 degrees,(except with my left hand to wash my hair),drive,food shop,make a meal(you get pooped very fast),open a tight jar lid, vacumn,and do big loads of laundry.
It lasted about 2weeks before I could do this stuff more easily. So Let that guide you on if you need help. Good Luck!!!!!!
Laura

 

[bvdr]

I know what most of you mean by having someone there 24/7 for the first week or two but I really couldn't wait to have some "alone" time. I shooed my husband off to spend a few hours a day at work after about 3 or 4 days. I had my cell phone, had friends and family checking in on me, and I wasn't about to do anything foolish like taking a shower or anything like that without having someone else in the house. I was given clearance to drive at about 2 1/2 weeks post-op (remember I did have MVR via heartport access) but I really wasn't comfortable going more than short distances and with a pillow between the seatbelt and my chest (very sore rib cage).

It wasn't that everything went perfectly, since I did have a pleural effusion, some CHF, and problems with atrial fib, but I crave solitude at times and post-op I was somewhat foggy and could think better in the silence.

 

[rbl1999]

I just went thru surgery and absolutely agree that you need someone there at least the first week. I was very weak and could have easily taken a fall. And it is also nice to be pampered a bit, we sure have all earned it!

 

[tobagotwo]

It has a lot to do with your general physical condition, your age, what drugs and painkillers you may be on after surgery, and how you come through surgery. Unfortunately, there's no way to know until you go through it personally, as everyone's body handles it differently.

And other oddball things, like whether your only bathroom is upstairs, or you have a multi-step bilevel house, animals that need care, or a requirement to go to appointments by car (you won't be able to drive), and such.

It is a relatively small minority who do not need someone onsite for the first week. It just makes sense to have someone there. If you are still weak, more time may be needed. If you feel secure, then you may only need a readily available neighbor, and someone checking on you (or you checking in with them) on a regular basis.

When you come home from surgery, you can't pick up things off the floor, drive, carry groceries (a gallon of milk is over your weight lift allowance!), or carry almost anything, care for children, reach things that are up high, sneeze, or tie your shoes. Opening a heavy door or a car door is difficult. Some people get dizzy on stairs for a while.

Best wishes,

 

[perkicar]

I stayed at my brother's house for three weeks after my surgery. Well, 6 of those days were spent going back to the hospital for my effusion, but at any rate...When I came back to Louisville I had someone here with me all the time for 3 weeks, with the exception of when my niece came and her flights got messed up and she had to sleep overnight in LaGuardia!
BVDR, I know what you mean about solitude--fortunately the folks who stayed with me are friends who a) know that and b) are the same way. So Even though they were here, they didn't hover too much, which would have made me nuts.
Strangely, though, I think I got the "most" better when I was completely on my own and able to drive. Having to take care of myself 100% seemed to accelerate my recovery; I'm not sure whether it was coincedence or all my meds getting in synch. I was sure glad when my SOB got better and my ankles stopped looking like globs of bread dough.
One thing to ask your doctor about--a temporary handicap sticker. I know we're supposed to walk alot but initially even walking to the lobby of the grocery store, or into the doctors office can wear you out. I got one that is only good until October. I don't need it now but it was definitely handy at times, especially when I first went back to work. That walk in from the parking lot to the hospital was good exercise but in the heat--yuck!

 

[Innercalm]

conflicting information

conflicting information

Carolyn: I am interested in your experience having as your surgeon Dr. Lytle who is a very prominant surgeon. Is it difficult scheduling an appointment with him? What do you think of the Cleveland Clinic? I am getting ready to make an appointment there (we are in Phoenix) and want to know as much as I can about the cleveland clinic. Thank you. Susan Frfeeman

 

[Lisa in Katy]

I guess it depends on your age (I was 36), independence (very, in my case), etc. You will probably sleep a great deal for the first couple of weeks, so it's not really 24/7 care. Other than occasional visitors, I was alone during the day at the hospital, although the nurses were just a button away. As soon as I was out of CICU, I was moving around the hospital freely and only took pain meds for sleeping (a couple of times a day). My mom came and went around her work schedule and my husband and children were there in the evening. My mom was at my house for about 3 days after I came home, mostly preparing my meals and keeping me company. After she left, I was alone during the day and spent the evenings with the family. My church group provided dinner for 2 weeks, but I prepared my own meals during the day. The biggest issue for me was not being able to drive, so if you need/want to go anywhere, you have to find a chaffeur.

 

[Old clicker]

When I got home, my wife went back to work. I would get up with her in the morning, and sleep in my recliner, which I didnt need help getting out of. I fixed my own meals, and got around pretty well. I needed help getting in and out of bed, and not much more than that. She did all the shopping and stuff like that, but I was alone for 8 to 10 hours every day, and didnt have any problems. Maybe I was just lucky, I suppose something could have gone wrong.

 

[T-Money]

Hi Kristi.
I think for the 1st day or 2 it would be wise to have someone close by. Keep in mind that each day you improve and feel better. After the 1st 5 days after surgery I was fine by myself.
T

 

[hiker]

I and my friends stocked my freezer before surgery. I didn't eat much the first week post surgery so I didn't need much help with meals. One of my friends organized a helpers' list. My friends and adult out of town children took turns being available if I needed help. They actually drew up a schedule. That way the tasks were spread around and I didn't feel that I was a imposing on anyone. Mostly I needed someone to walk my Yorkie the first week. I could actually do the walking by the middle of the second week. I was a lot foggier in my thinking than I thought those first 2 weeks and certainly needed someone do the driving errands. I actually tried to work at home, but what I cranked out was pretty pitiful. You will do lots of sleeping and healing. I didn't have any one there 24/7 after the first week but I had them available if I needed them.