Anyone ever need rehab center post-op?
I had no help in the hospital or once I got home except I did have someone to drive to go get scripts filled and pick up things I thought I would want to try to eat/drink. Do you have anyone who can run errands for you (or better yet TAKE you to run errands)?
There isn't much difference in recovery between open and lap that I can see. You'll be walking and sipping and resting. And that is really a full time job.
~Becky
Most people do fine without need for a rehab center. It would be an option if you had any untoward complications, though. (Stuff that takes longer than an extra day or two in the hospital to resolve, I mean.)
If all you have to take care of is your basic personal needs, that's doable. You need to be able to get to the bathroom and the kitchen, stand/sit/lie down (you could sleep in a recliner if needed for a couple days, I suppose, or rent a power adjustable bed if you have space for it--that's what I did, but I was very impaired preop), and eventually into the shower.
It's a whole different ballgame from a joint replacement. If you have an open procedure, the incision will be in your upper abdomen, and while that will be sore, it will hinder movement less than you might think. There are some tricks you can do to make getting up and down easier.