Advice for surgery?

Jeanne C.

Hi - it’s been a minute since I’ve posted. I hope everyone is doing as well as they can. I’m here because I could use a little advice.

I’m going to be having surgery later in the spring. There is a 4-6 week recovery period, including up to 2 weeks of bed rest. My husband is well cared for in his facility. What I’m trying to figure out is what to do for myself. My sisters, who have been incredibly helpful to me as I’ve been managing my husband’s care, both live more than an hour away and have jobs and kids. My parents have offered to come stay, but they’re in their 80s and have their own health issues (and I would struggle with trying not to take care of them). Is it feasible to have a CNA come in a few times to help me? Will it even be necessary? I’m just feeling out of my depth because I’ve never had to navigate something like this on my own. The last time I had surgery, my doting husband took incredible care of me and had my mom (20 years younger than now) to help. It’s so weird being on my own.

JeriLynn66

If you are going to be on bedrest for 2 weeks…. absolutely. If your insurance will cover home health, that could mean an RN visit weekly, a CNA visit weekly or more. Especially if there will be dressing changes involved, you want someone to help.

ronda b

Is it possible to go to rehab for a couple of weeks ? They have it for dressing changes and bed therapy.

Carl46

If you are expecting two weeks of bed rest, you definitely should consider the rehab wing of a nursing home. A CNA every couple of days won't cut it.

The best rule I know, if you have surgery, is to find the best doctor you can and do exactly what they tell you to do. It is the difference between rapid recovery and lifelong debilitation.

harshedbuzz

@Jeanne C.

In your shoes, I would be planning on 1-2 weeks in a skilled nursing rehab if 2 weeks bedrest is expected. IME, surgeons want patients up and moving as they are able asap. If mobility support, dressing changes or pain meds are involved, I expect you to need a grown up on hand to help with that. Plus, you'll need to have a plan for meals to support healing.

If you want to avoid rehab, maybe you could cobble a plan with your parents handling the meals and have a daily CNA for showering/dressing assistance. My mom is generally discharged with "home health"— they order RNs to visit 2 x a week. IME, the service isn't enough to replace help in the home but would be good to watch for complications.

HB

H1235

I wonder if they would even do the surgery if there is no one to care for you when home. I have had out patient procedures where they ask me who will be caring for me upon release. I think there is some kind of hospital rule that patients need to be discharged to a safe environment (or something like that). Might be something to bring up with the surgeon.

MN Chickadee

A rehab facility would solve most of these issues if that is possible. 2 weeks is a pretty average stay in them. If you are on Medicare it requires a 2 night hospital stay to pay for rehab, but many doctors can arrange for that to happen. I'm not familiar with private insurance and rehab but if that is your situation you could call the ins company and ask what is covered. Otherwise I would contact a home health agency to arrange CNA visits and nurse visits.

jfkoc

Get as much help as possible!

Jeanne C.

thanks everyone - you’ve given me great info and several questions to ask when I meet with the surgeon. As always, you’re the best.

HollyBerry

One more thought: a friend was able to find a group of women who do home health care, private pay. A couple of them are CNAs and the others are sisters and friends, who do the non-medical parts as well as some housework. I had no idea this sort of thing exists! My friend was able to cobble together her friends, her pet sitter, and friends-of-friends to stay overnight when she was non-weight-bearing after surgery and then graduated to visits from "the women" once she was a little more mobile. Not sure how she found them, but maybe start asking around?