Recover on your own?

So, I was just wandering how much help you girlies needed after your op and for how long? Im at Uni atm and so living in a shared house with my friends. One of my housemates asked me yesterday how I was planning on managing after the op on my own becuase they've (as in my housemates) have all got uni.....I was completely stumped because I kind of assumed (maybe wrong of me to assume?) that they wouldn't mind helping me out after the op if I needed it......they are all medical students after all! But from the way she said It she seemed really like it would be a chore/wouldn't have enough time. Now I don't want to inconvienince any of the at all, I know they'll all have loads of work to do, so I was just wandering how much help you all needed afterwards and what in particular did you need help with?
Is it possible to recover completely on your own? Also just to add..Im having tissue expanders in both breasts, a lift on one and a fat graft on one so possibly face a bit of a longer recovery?!
Thanks girlies xxx

I think you'll need help Louise, things like dressing, flushing the loo, lifting anything, opening a bottle lid, can all be near impossible... I was ok personally but I had overs, and I presume your expanders will be unders so I'd really have a good think about who could help you out.
xxx

After my first BA I really needed help to do things I'd take for granted doing.
Would it be possible to go home for your recovery? Maybe arrange with uni to do your work there rather than attend any lectures you may have?

I think given that you've no other responsibilities other than to care for yourself you shoud be OK hun but it's going to take a lot of pre-op preperation!

Before your op ensure you have everything you might need within reach so you wont have to lift your arms and stretch.

Have a weeks clothing to hand, preferably button or zip front as you won't know if your going to have difficulty dressing yourself.

Prepare meals in advance, freezing as much as you can so all you have to do is pop something in the microwave or oven to heat through.

And arrange things to keep you entertained throughout the day - go the library and get any books you might want to read, get some DVDs in to watch, things like that.

Think that's about it really, I'm presuming you'll see your housemates at some point throughout the day so they can keep check on you if need be too... xxx

cookie wrote:I think given that you've no other responsibilities other than to care for yourself you shoud be OK hun but it's going to take a lot of pre-op preperation!

Before your op ensure you have everything you might need within reach so you wont have to lift your arms and stretch.

Have a weeks clothing to hand, preferably button or zip front as you won't know if your going to have difficulty dressing yourself.

Prepare meals in advance, freezing as much as you can so all you have to do is pop something in the microwave or oven to heat through.

And arrange things to keep you entertained throughout the day - go the library and get any books you might want to read, get some DVDs in to watch, things like that.

Think that's about it really, I'm presuming you'll see your housemates at some point throughout the day so they can keep check on you if need be too... xxx

This is what I thought....All i've got to think about is looking after myself so might be possible?! I can't really go home, cause I've got all my funding via my PCT at uni so have to have it in london now and it's a 5 hour drive to my home home and I don't really fancy that after the op!

Thanks cookie....you've made me feel a bt better now, I was having a bit of a meltdown about whethere im doing the right thing and not being able to manage! But surely theres ladies out there who have managed on their own, especially cause I've got no kids or anything to worry about. And im sure my housemates wont mind popping their head around the door to check im still alive.

Planning definately sounds like a good plan cookie!

My only concern would be the fact that I couldn't wash my hair without help and the first day home I got stuck in the bathroom because I physically couldn't pull the door open! Lol little things we take for granted, I couldn't lift the kettle or open the lids on bottles or tear packets open. Other than that, no probs! X

Hair can wait until either a friend can help or you're well enough to get to a hairdressers. If you're home alone there's no need to be shutting yourself in anywhere and as for kettles and opening stuff, yes, your arms will be VERY weak, but you do find ways of managing, as I said, I just ensured all was prepared for the day, I made sure the kettle was of a weight I could manage (a cup full refilling when needed with a cup) but if thats too much you can always heat your drink in a microwave in the cup if need be... just usuing common sense really.... you should be fine hun, but preperation is going to be essensial and as you say, you're not completely alone, I'm sure if you need help your room mates won't mind assisting you when they're home. xx

I completely agree with Cookie, I had to have help just because I have 2 small kids at home but once they were taken care of I was fine to fend for myself... Just prepare, have everything you will need in the house for the next week, have things that are high up put down at easy reach level, and have a good supply of DVD's to keep you occupied, oh and lots of pillows... they are a must to get comfy in bed!
xx

ANewMeToBe wrote:My only concern would be the fact that I couldn't wash my hair without help and the first day home I got stuck in the bathroom because I physically couldn't pull the door open!

I shouldnt laugh but hehehee ...

I'd say with a bit of preparation you should manage okay hun.

Thanks girls! I thought I would be fine aswell, but had a little panick when my housemate doubted me. I feel alot better about it now so thankyou! xxx

I've arranged to stay at my friends until I'm about a week post op which will be a great help, I'm having overs. The only thing I'm worried about is my hair (how vain) I just have hair that gets greasy very quickly I have to wash it everyday, Luckily my best friend is a hair dresser so she said I can pop into her salon for a hair treatment wash and blow dry to perhaps make me feel almost human. Apart from that I'm just going to make sure I have everything near me incase I can't move and have to slob out for a couple days. It's a long way off but I'm too excited... Feels like it's never going to happen?

K x