anyone doing this alone?

Hi I'm pre op.  I've only gone to a couple information sessions and have the initial consult scheduled for July.   I've been lurking for a short while but haven't seen anyone ask this.   I see post after post talking about supportive spouses, parents, etc.   What about those of us who don't have anyone.   I'm single, have no family in the area and although I have friends they are busy with their own families. I have no doubt they would be there to take me to the hospital  and pick me up or even take me to the doctor in an emergency   I'm very independent and have managed through on my own so far.   Has anyone else gone home  alone after the surgery?   I'm kind of concerned that the doctor won't take me on due to this.    What do you think?

In the past when I've had outpatient surgery, I've been advised not to be alone for 24 hours.  You'll be in the hospital for at least 24 hours, maybe 48 hours or more, so I don't think it will be a problem for you to be alone when you get home.  You will need someone to drive you home, of course.  You won't be able to drive until you stop taking pain meds, so if you need to go anywhere the first few days at home, you'll need someone to drive you.  I think you'll be OK if you plan in advance, make sure you have all the things you'll need from the store for the first couple weeks, etc.  And maybe make arrangements with a couple friends to check in with you and see if you're doing OK and if you need anything.

 i had the support for almost a year after surgery (i'm from the philly area as well), and then moved to new york for school. i do have some family here, but it's my great-uncle (who would be no help), and my dad's cousins that i hardly know, so if i had an emergency situation now it would be hard, but i already went through that in chicago (not wls related as it was 6 years ago). 

you would likely need someone with you for at least a few days post-op, whether it be friends or someone from out of town stays with you. the day after i got home from the hospital my mom went back to work, but i was really only alone from like 7:30 am til 3 pm when my dad got home. 

what hospital are you looking at in philly? i went to upenn and love the program there. i also looked at chester-crozer and liked the program but my insurance wouldn't cover it there.

Hi Jen,   I'm in the Northeast.   I checked out Einstein and Abington and decided on Einstein.

Thanks for responding

 my friend was looking at einstein when she was considering the lapband. she decided to give working out and weigh****chers a chance and it's working for her. weird that we had the exact same insurance (we worked together) and they gave her them as a choice but not me.

 I did it alone and had no problems. I was back to work (easy short hour job within a week). I took a cab home from the hospital and was fine. Not everyone has it as easy as I did.

Hey There!

Totally completely did this by myself.  Although you do need someone to pick you up from the hospital.. I took a taxi to the hospital.  I made sure that I had pain meds and food etc at home before surgery.  When time to be release, I had a friend take me home and pick up my dogs from the kennel.  My doc would have kept me another night if I wanted to stay but I did not.  I was off of pain meds in 5 days so I could drive myself to doc appt.  I would have called a cab or 911 if I had an emergency.  My elderly dog who weights 25 pds needed to be picked up from bed and to the outside.   Hard to do but had no problem. 

Overall, I think that in some ways this was hard but easy at the same time.  If you are the type that are independent and can handle a self emergency .............. you will be fine.  If you are the type that are dependent and well ......... a drama queen .........this will be hard.  This is but a small event within a who lifetime that may be life changing for many.  For some, this is there life and identify themselves as a WLS pt for a long time.  I guess this is what you make of it.

That being said, you must be prepared for any difficulties that you might have along the way and use this board for support if you need it.  You can do it!

I'm pre-op also.  I don't know if not having a solid support system would be a deal breaker, but I can say that during my psych eval. I was asked multiple times about who would be there to support me.  I had to give quite a bit of info. on who they were, how I was related and/or new them, where they worked etc.  It sounds to me like you do have some people to call in case of an emergency, so I would think that it wouldn't be a reason for you to not get it.  That said, I personally think being alone, especially for the first week, is not a good idea.  Wish I could be of more help.

My ex- husband (you may be able to guess why) picked me up from the hospital and went back to work leaving me with an 11 month old at home ... I managed just fine!

I was off narcotics the day after surgery and so was able to drive and just had to get on with it - a case of needs must!

As Kasey said, if you are not a drama queen, and you are already self sufficient and independent minded you absolutely can do this on your own.

If the doctor asks, you can say you have friends who will be looking out for you - that should be sufficient information that you are not completely on your own in case of an emergency.

My doc has put patients into a rehab facility if need be. Not a deal breaker.