Re: Going through this on my own

[Guest guest]

> my question is : is it possible to do this on

> my own and not have someone with me all the time ? Or am I being

> unrealistic ? It's a very scary thought and I wish I wasn't in

>this situation, but I don't think I have a lot of other options...

>I'll be having upper-lower and genio on 8 May.Anyone out there in a

>similar situation ?

> Anjake

Anjake,

I had surgery July 2003 (Upper and Lower, along with a second

surgery 2 days later for Nasal Septomy).. I was in the hospital 3

days (Wed - Fri (being released Fri Night) ).. Even thou my 2 kids

(I'm a single mom) stayed with my parents (45 mins away) for the

first month of recovery. I was on my own. So it's not unrealistic to

do on your own, at least you will have someone popping in to check

on you. Just make sure you have LOTS of liquids and soft foods (if

allowed) stocked up. Make sure you have all your meds close by. Also

make sure your path to the bathroom and kitchen is clear (so you

dont trip on anything).. Just take your time moving around. Keep

your phone close by.. and if you have an answering machine (turn it

up so you can screen calls and take what ones you want, so you dont

have to answer every call)..

You'll probably spend alot of time resting and sleeping (at least I

did)..So you should be fine..Have lots of movies.. music.. and

anything else you like to do..

I'm sure you will do fine with surgery.. Just keep asking questions

to your doctors and to us (we'll try to give the best answers we

can, if we've dealt with it)..

Take care..

- Elizabeta

[Guest guest]

> my question is : is it possible to do this on

> my own and not have someone with me all the time ? Or am I being

> unrealistic ? It's a very scary thought and I wish I wasn't in

>this situation, but I don't think I have a lot of other options...

>I'll be having upper-lower and genio on 8 May.Anyone out there in a

>similar situation ?

> Anjake

Anjake,

I had surgery July 2003 (Upper and Lower, along with a second

surgery 2 days later for Nasal Septomy).. I was in the hospital 3

days (Wed - Fri (being released Fri Night) ).. Even thou my 2 kids

(I'm a single mom) stayed with my parents (45 mins away) for the

first month of recovery. I was on my own. So it's not unrealistic to

do on your own, at least you will have someone popping in to check

on you. Just make sure you have LOTS of liquids and soft foods (if

allowed) stocked up. Make sure you have all your meds close by. Also

make sure your path to the bathroom and kitchen is clear (so you

dont trip on anything).. Just take your time moving around. Keep

your phone close by.. and if you have an answering machine (turn it

up so you can screen calls and take what ones you want, so you dont

have to answer every call)..

You'll probably spend alot of time resting and sleeping (at least I

did)..So you should be fine..Have lots of movies.. music.. and

anything else you like to do..

I'm sure you will do fine with surgery.. Just keep asking questions

to your doctors and to us (we'll try to give the best answers we

can, if we've dealt with it)..

Take care..

- Elizabeta

[Guest guest]

Yes it is possible to do it on your own.

Ten days in hospital is great!

I was two months post partum - to the day when I had this done,

my dh went back to work the next day. I had two small kids at home

one breastfeeding. My dad came for the first few days but after

that it was okay and I was able to take care of the house and the

kids (there were alot of frozen dinners

Get together your 'warchest' before surgery, stock the kitchen full

of canned soups etc. Anything you might want or need. Get a number

of a pharmacy that delivers ANYTHING in case you need ibuprofin,

tooth brushes, whatever. Get some movies, tapes, music handy.

I found actually that recovery was easier without people around as

you have little energy and I really was tired sleepy and wanted

rest - you also can't really talk well so company can get stressful.

Also get some numbers of people to call in a 'pinch' or email.

Someone is also usually on line most of the time so you never wait

long if you have a question or concern. The nurse is also a great

idea. I thought about it for mine but for all the billing insurance

issues figured it wasn't really worth the hassle.

I think you will do fine.

The things you might need someone for after 10 days might be simple

things or things to make yourself feel better like if you feel dizzy

having someone in the house incase you want to have a shower etc.

The painkillers are good and I took mine with gravol so I slept ALOT.

And remember if after ten days you don't feel okay to be discharged

then speak up for yourself. I don't think they can send you home if

you can't feed yourself etc But ten days your stitches should be

out you should be clear for any infection. The hospital also might

arrange for a nurse to check in on you, there are usually community

health nurses around. (I am not sure where you live).

Shiloh

[Guest guest]

Yes it is possible to do it on your own.

Ten days in hospital is great!

I was two months post partum - to the day when I had this done,

my dh went back to work the next day. I had two small kids at home

one breastfeeding. My dad came for the first few days but after

that it was okay and I was able to take care of the house and the

kids (there were alot of frozen dinners

Get together your 'warchest' before surgery, stock the kitchen full

of canned soups etc. Anything you might want or need. Get a number

of a pharmacy that delivers ANYTHING in case you need ibuprofin,

tooth brushes, whatever. Get some movies, tapes, music handy.

I found actually that recovery was easier without people around as

you have little energy and I really was tired sleepy and wanted

rest - you also can't really talk well so company can get stressful.

Also get some numbers of people to call in a 'pinch' or email.

Someone is also usually on line most of the time so you never wait

long if you have a question or concern. The nurse is also a great

idea. I thought about it for mine but for all the billing insurance

issues figured it wasn't really worth the hassle.

I think you will do fine.

The things you might need someone for after 10 days might be simple

things or things to make yourself feel better like if you feel dizzy

having someone in the house incase you want to have a shower etc.

The painkillers are good and I took mine with gravol so I slept ALOT.

And remember if after ten days you don't feel okay to be discharged

then speak up for yourself. I don't think they can send you home if

you can't feed yourself etc But ten days your stitches should be

out you should be clear for any infection. The hospital also might

arrange for a nurse to check in on you, there are usually community

health nurses around. (I am not sure where you live).

Shiloh

[Guest guest]

Hi Anjake,

I am alone, too. I did it by myself. You'll need someone

to take you home from the hospital. But, if you prepare

beforehand you should be able to do it alone. Some things

I did not expect were congestion (I got a humidifier) and

the pain in my face while trying to sleep (a heating pad

helped me there).

Make sure you have plenty of soups, ensure (boost), milk,

chicken stock, etc on hand. Oh, and order those zip and squeeze

bags. they're awesome.

best of luck.

Hubbard

[Guest guest]

,

those zip and squeeze

> bags. they're awesome.

how many is a good idea?

shiloh

[Guest guest]

I think being in the hospital for the first 10 days will be a great

help since you'll be on your own. I was sent home the day after my

upper/lower/genio surgery, and I needed help at home for a few days.

I'm 10 days post-op now, and I can get around just fine. I could

easily be on my own.

My advice would be to have lots of food on hand, and even to have some

pre-blended. I find it kind of tiring to cook, blend, eat, clean my

mouth, clean the dishes, start all over again. It was helpful to me to

open the fridge and see containers and containers of pre-blended meals

and soups. All I had to do was heat and eat.

And I agree that you should have a humidifier.

Best of luck!

Eileen

> Hi everyone,

> It looks like I have to go through surgery and recovery by myself.

> I'll be staying in hospital for about 10 days, I'm hoping they might

> keep me a bit longer since I'll be on my own once I get home. I'm

> organising a Silver Chain nurse to check on me the first week at home

> and a friend will pop in every few days. I know this is going to be

> very very difficult, so my question is : is it possible to do this on

> my own and not have someone with me all the time ? Or am I being

> unrealistic ? It's a very scary thought and I wish I wasn't in this

> situation, but I don't think I have a lot of other options... I'll be

> having upper-lower and genio on 8 May.

> Anyone out there in a similar situation ?

> Anjake

[Guest guest]

I think being in the hospital for the first 10 days will be a great

help since you'll be on your own. I was sent home the day after my

upper/lower/genio surgery, and I needed help at home for a few days.

I'm 10 days post-op now, and I can get around just fine. I could

easily be on my own.

My advice would be to have lots of food on hand, and even to have some

pre-blended. I find it kind of tiring to cook, blend, eat, clean my

mouth, clean the dishes, start all over again. It was helpful to me to

open the fridge and see containers and containers of pre-blended meals

and soups. All I had to do was heat and eat.

And I agree that you should have a humidifier.

Best of luck!

Eileen

> Hi everyone,

> It looks like I have to go through surgery and recovery by myself.

> I'll be staying in hospital for about 10 days, I'm hoping they might

> keep me a bit longer since I'll be on my own once I get home. I'm

> organising a Silver Chain nurse to check on me the first week at home

> and a friend will pop in every few days. I know this is going to be

> very very difficult, so my question is : is it possible to do this on

> my own and not have someone with me all the time ? Or am I being

> unrealistic ? It's a very scary thought and I wish I wasn't in this

> situation, but I don't think I have a lot of other options... I'll be

> having upper-lower and genio on 8 May.

> Anyone out there in a similar situation ?

> Anjake

[Guest guest]

I think being in the hospital for the first 10 days will be a great

help since you'll be on your own. I was sent home the day after my

upper/lower/genio surgery, and I needed help at home for a few days.

I'm 10 days post-op now, and I can get around just fine. I could

easily be on my own.

My advice would be to have lots of food on hand, and even to have some

pre-blended. I find it kind of tiring to cook, blend, eat, clean my

mouth, clean the dishes, start all over again. It was helpful to me to

open the fridge and see containers and containers of pre-blended meals

and soups. All I had to do was heat and eat.

And I agree that you should have a humidifier.

Best of luck!

Eileen

> Hi everyone,

> It looks like I have to go through surgery and recovery by myself.

> I'll be staying in hospital for about 10 days, I'm hoping they might

> keep me a bit longer since I'll be on my own once I get home. I'm

> organising a Silver Chain nurse to check on me the first week at home

> and a friend will pop in every few days. I know this is going to be

> very very difficult, so my question is : is it possible to do this on

> my own and not have someone with me all the time ? Or am I being

> unrealistic ? It's a very scary thought and I wish I wasn't in this

> situation, but I don't think I have a lot of other options... I'll be

> having upper-lower and genio on 8 May.

> Anyone out there in a similar situation ?

> Anjake

[Guest guest]

I think being in the hospital for the first 10 days will be a great

help since you'll be on your own. I was sent home the day after my

upper/lower/genio surgery, and I needed help at home for a few days.

I'm 10 days post-op now, and I can get around just fine. I could

easily be on my own.

My advice would be to have lots of food on hand, and even to have some

pre-blended. I find it kind of tiring to cook, blend, eat, clean my

mouth, clean the dishes, start all over again. It was helpful to me to

open the fridge and see containers and containers of pre-blended meals

and soups. All I had to do was heat and eat.

And I agree that you should have a humidifier.

Best of luck!

Eileen

> Hi everyone,

> It looks like I have to go through surgery and recovery by myself.

> I'll be staying in hospital for about 10 days, I'm hoping they might

> keep me a bit longer since I'll be on my own once I get home. I'm

> organising a Silver Chain nurse to check on me the first week at home

> and a friend will pop in every few days. I know this is going to be

> very very difficult, so my question is : is it possible to do this on

> my own and not have someone with me all the time ? Or am I being

> unrealistic ? It's a very scary thought and I wish I wasn't in this

> situation, but I don't think I have a lot of other options... I'll be

> having upper-lower and genio on 8 May.

> Anyone out there in a similar situation ?

> Anjake

[Guest guest]

Hi there !

Long time no log on to Yahoo! Im 1 year post op on 27 Mar 04 and

doing great! Will update my photos today.

I had a bimaxillary osteotomy to correct and under bite & am soo

happy with my new face!

Anyway, back to the point. I was alone at home 10 days post op and

got on fine. Infact i was so desperate to go home I travelled 380

miles on a train alone to go home!

The first week is really when you need support most - ifyour going

to be in hospital for at least a week thats great. I found the

medication & eating very little made me sleepy all the time. Even

havin someone to talk to helped.

ok x speak soon all - its great to be back! my right side chin is

still got altered sensation but im getting there!

xxxxxxxx

> > Hi everyone,

> > It looks like I have to go through surgery and recovery by

myself.

> > I'll be staying in hospital for about 10 days, I'm hoping they

might

> > keep me a bit longer since I'll be on my own once I get home.

I'm

> > organising a Silver Chain nurse to check on me the first week at

home

> > and a friend will pop in every few days. I know this is going to

be

> > very very difficult, so my question is : is it possible to do

this on

> > my own and not have someone with me all the time ? Or am I being

> > unrealistic ? It's a very scary thought and I wish I wasn't in

this

> > situation, but I don't think I have a lot of other options...

I'll be

> > having upper-lower and genio on 8 May.

> > Anyone out there in a similar situation ?

> > Anjake