How long did you need help after DS

It sounds like your girls are older? If so you could get away with just having him for a week, I think. I am 10 days out and I am doing fine. Like ebean, I think I really only still need help just keeping my daughter occupied, she just turned 4 and is a bundle of raw energy.

Yes, my girls are older - 16, 7, and 6. I'm sure I'll be fine. I'm just being a brat wanting him here. He's a MUCH better caretaker than my mom. I really don't want her here unless something really goes awry. She is soooo stinking pushy and she thinks that since she took 1 semester of nursing school and knows how to google she knows it all (even though I've been a nurse for over 10 years and lemme tell ya - she knows notdammit.) CRAP, I bet I'll have to have her drive me to get my drains out won't I. Oh jeeze, I'm sure she'll come up with some exotic disease that someone 20 years ago had once their drains were removed or some other ridiculous **** like that  She's my mother and I love her dearly, but she would drive Job insane.

Thanks everyone!!

I am single so when I was recovering I stayed at my Dad's house (actually picked my surgeon 1/2 because of his reputation and 1/2 because he was close to my Dad's house). I stayed there because it made him feel better, he was worried about me being single and such a major surgery. With that being said, my dad is 70 and his wife is lazy, I cooked for all of us and did the dishes etc for most meals. I didn't clean any of the rest of the house and was there for 2 weeks(for his sanity, not mine). I was totally able to care for myself and rest when I needed to. If your kids are older and don't need constant supervision (or lifting) I think you will be fine. If you prefer a very neat home or have young kids or kids that need a lot of driving around or supervision, another adult would be great.

For the most part, I was tired for the first 2 weeks, not really sleepy tired, just worn out like I wanted to curl up on the couch. I napped here and there but not a ton. I didn't bother with putting on make up or doing my hair, it was too much effort for a while.

I think you have to think about how you do in these situations? I am used to being single and taking care of myself so it was no big deal to me. I have never had someone "do" for me so it wasn't a big deal to just do what I had to.

I think you have to consider how you do when you are sick (or just had a baby or something):
 
Did you sit around and want others to do for you (that is fine, you just have to know that). I can't stand people being around me when I am sick, it irritates me. (No wonder I am single... haha!) 

How is your pain thresh-hold? I took pain meds but was not really in hurting super bad, just a constant dull ache for the most part.

How do pain meds affect you, they put some people to sleep, they didn't bother me.

Do your kids need your constant monitoring?(can they fix a meal for themselves on occasion if you are tired?)  Will they need to be lifted (you can't lift them), will they need to be driven around (you can't drive while on pain meds).

Hope this helps and good luck!! Kj

KJ

I kind of feel the same way about people being around when I am sick. I want peace and quiet and noise drives me up the wall.

Oh hey,
 One additional thing I was thinking is, God Forbid, if you have a complication it would be nice to have your hubby around for the two weeks and then still possibly be able to take some time off between Xmas and New Years to be there with you. If you have the surgery on the 27th and he reports to training, when would the next time be that he can come back and see you?

I don't know, maybe I am leaning towards earlier rather than later... His job may miss him but ALL JOBS MISS YOU WHEN YOU ARE OUT. My boss tried to make me feel bad about taking time off when someone else was out on Maternity leave, she kept saying they would miss me so much and they were just fine.

Good luck! 

What about having the surgery before he comes home?

Time your hospital release to his arrival at home...if your Mom or Aunt can handle the kids while you are in the hospital, the nurses will take care of you in hospital.

This would protect the valuable family time with everyone at home and he won't have to spend the precious vacation days visiting you right after surgery.  I realize it may feel like a sacrifice not to see him during your first few days post-op but your priorities make this approach sensible.

Good luck!

 My daughter was 13 when I had my surgery and the man I was with at that time was worthless for anything.  He drove me the almost two hours home from the hospital and that was the only help I needed.  Your girls are old enough to help out.   Maybe make a couple of casseroles in advance and freeze them, or rely on heat and serve stuff for a couple of days.  You'll be fine.

 I was fine taking care of me.  But I had no kids.

I would do as Julie suggested.  Cook a bunch in advance and have a serious talk about them being available and helping to the best of their ability.

All I want to know is if I'm going to need someone to wipe my butt, or do I need to buy a BW stick?

Ok Bobbie,
 I will be honest, I was the most worried about this. I didn't want my Dad or Step-mom to have to help me. Some where on here someone suggested that you use a plastic pair of tongs wrapped in toilet paper to extend your reach and I totally tried it... but the TP kept coming off the tongs... NOT PLEASANT.

Turns out I didn't need it at all. I was sore when twisting but I was able to do what I needed to do, albiet it a little slower but I didn't need any help with my bathroom or any other personal habit. 

Good luck!