how much help?

i was wondering how much post-op help i will need.Dh can't take time off work,kids will be gone ,so after my 3 days in hospital i will be home alone.DH said he could come home at lunch and should get home by 6pm everynight.is this enough help or should i enlist a neighbor for more?

I was OK after the 3 day but can't walk too much - my husband took me to a shopping mall but put me on a wheel chair so he can wheel me around. The problem I have was GAS - it all occurred after a week of the surgery.

DH was great he helped on everything but think you may wish to enlist a neighbour (as a stand-by) in case you need help. You can't do too much and don't want to tear your incisions by over doing it - so becareful - learn that - it is not a shame to ask for help. You will be in more trouble if something has happened during those recovery period - that's why our surgeon said at least 6 weeks!!!

Your profile says you're having a TVH. That's what I had. If you're husband has to go to work, I would suggest that you have a phone, TV remote, meds, and maybe a cooler of bottled juices, water, etc near you so you don't have to get up and down so much. You can also have your husband include some snacks and/or sandwiches in the cooler. I was able to get up and down by myself ok afterwards even though my husband was home. Not having an abdominal incision made it a lot easier.

I hope everything goes well for you!

s, Deb

Emotionally I liked having people around to talk to. I made 1-4 my quiet time. Sometimes I slept, most times I just laid down & watched TV. I didn't answer the phone and requested visitors to come outside of those times.
You could arrange for a friend or neighbor to check in with you late afternoon (about midway between your DH being home) just in case you need something - or even just some human contact.

Hubby took off Monday & Tuesday and I had surgery Monday released from the hospital Tuesday. He went to work on Wednesday and I was fine home alone with two dogs. I was in bed the first day with remotes & laptop & cell phone next to the bed. You need to get up and walk to get things moving again so you won't be in bed the whole time.

I still can't drive just yet so hubby will take off when I need to go to the doc and get the staples out.