Advice for preops and good luck wishes

May I suggest 1 that you have someone in the recovery room with you. 2 that you hire help for after surgery. Ask your surgeon to write an order for a private duty nurse or aide. Then go to the nursing office and they will arrange for an aide. Sometimes you have to call an agency directly but usually the nursing office can do it. Once you are in your room they can help you sit up, walk, bring you water to rinse your mouth. The regular nurses go absolutely crazy if you say the word "water" - they can't figure out that you might just be smart enough not to drink it. They can also do a number of small but helpful things for you. In NYC the cost for an aide was $110.00 for a 12 hour shift - cash. Insurance does not cover the cost--but it is well worth it. Good luck and best wishes to all of you having surgery this week. Louise

Louise -- Good thoughts, and I appreciate your personal situation, BUT... 1) Not all facilities will ALLOW people in recovery with you. There's too much going on with your immediate PAR care, and 'visitors' can get in the way. You can sure request this, but don't be disappointed if they flat out say "no can do...". 2) Very few can afford private duties. I, for one, couldn't even THINK about it. This entire WLS experience from the start is a VERY costly venture for most, and by the time the actual surgery comes around, MUCH money has already been expended. I had to cash in savings bonds to pay for some stuff...well worth it, but that's how expensive it can get. I know of some who've taken loans and one gal even re-financed their home. I've had conversation/email with many who can barely even afford the protein supplements and vitamins required. Many have families and small children and could never even DREAM of private duty. Most are not financially capable of hiring private duty staff. Again, nice thought, but way out of reach for most WLS folks. I had no trouble whatsoever with my nursing care, and in fact, most were so eager to help it made my head spin. When I asked for water to "swish out my mouth" in post-op, they brought a souffle cup with an emesis basin and I did it right there in front of them, no problem, and it felt great. I was on a general medical floor and I never lacked for ANYTHING. The nursing staff was so incredibly pleasant and they were at my beck and call, and only one time did I have to ask twice for something...and that was because I didn't realize the order had been put in and the aide was just waiting for it to arrive. I felt silly when I found that out. But I can only give the highest of praise for the professional compassionate care that I received while hospitalized. I guess it all depends on the hospital one goes to, and this is why I researched so thoroughly pre-op...I asked my surgeon's post-ops about both him AND the hospital, and they sang their praises...and now I'M part of that choir. I received the most incredible care all around, and I had to opt for the "basic" plan, not the "deluxe". Hope things go better for you...time heals all wounds. Kimmer Queen of the Niners, Instigator to All Marchers, High Priestess of Giggles

A close friend or family member can do what an aide can do for free. I agree that, paricularly on the day after surgery, everyone who can make ANY arrangement, financial or otherwise, would be wise to do so. Then (with friend or family) you can just call them up and say don't bother if you're feeling great. Gano

Yes, unfortunately, good advice but not what all can afford. The water thing brought back a pleasanter memory of the hospital though...glad you did it, because it is helping me....maybe you should charge! they let me "swish and spit" they even let me use a wet toothbrush and also wet swabs....actually in the holding room they must not have known I shouldn't have any and I had ice chips.....oops! BUT what was fun, was I always would try to trick a new nurse..."Hi is there anything you need?" why, yes some water would be great. "Ok, be right back" and then dum dum de dum dum Head nursie would come back and shake her finger again....I tried that quite a few times so that we were laughing. That was right BEFORE my poor roomie got sooooo ill.

I think having a family member there with you would be sufficient (and cheaper)! I didn't have any problems getting what I needed. The nursing staff was very attentive. Having to do a little for myself was good for me too! Karla

I just wonder what kind of facility/ hospital you were in where you had to bring your own nurses???? I suppose if you don't have anyone you're close to and you can't trust the staff to take care of your needs this is good advice.. although very costly... The Surgeons I consulted with stressed independence and I doubt they would have allowed you to bring your own staff... Unless you were like .. Mick Jagger or something..

Yeah, but Mick didn't need WLS...he needs WAS (Weight ADDITION Surgery). But he sure could use a couple of private duties to hold his lips as he walked down the hallway... And I'm sure HE could afford 'em! Kimmer Queen of the Niners, Instigator to All Marchers, High Priestess of Giggles