Can you recover from surgery alone?

A private nurse is a good idea or a private ambulance. Another option is to stay an extra night.
You can understand their reasoning. I was very weak and dizzy a day after general.
An extra night in the hospital might be your best option, you won’t be alone, you’ll have access to pain medicine, by 48 hours. You’ll be fine.

With the restrictions on lifting and arm movement it’s hard. I had spine surgery on my neck. I bought lightweight plates and bowls and used a plastic drinking bottle and reusable silicone straws. I wore shirt dresses that buttoned down the front. M&S post surgery bras are soft and comfy, front fastening, with no VAT so cheaper. Look at CareCo or similar for a gadget to hold toilet paper to wipe your bum - it’s incredibly difficult with arm restrictions. Wype bum gel is very good for keeping clean using just TP and cheaper than a bidet toilet seat.

As it’s elective I’d check out Hannah Spearritt’s documentary on Breast Implant Illness and similar to be sure about possible contraindications.

I’ve gone home solo after unconscious sedation (not a GA) and just had to sign a waiver at one hospital, and in fact didn’t need to sign anything on two occasions at another hospital, but yes maybe after a GA hospital policy is different. If you don’t have anyone OP you could get a private nurse to escort you maybe just for the journey home? Hospitals offer these types of services, you can give them a call and ask. You won’t be the first person in this position. But once home I was ok solo at least after my particular type of breast surgery xx

The hospital is responsible for you leaving and getting to your home safely, with family or a close friend, they won’t allow a taxi driver, or anyone untrustworthy. If you are raped or collapse on route the hospital in liable.
I had a tooth out under sedation. I could not leave under sedation, there is no way they’ll allow you after a general anaesthetic.
Private hospitals are not allowed bypass the rule.

I’m not sure what surgery you are having but I had a breast augmentation and I think I would have gotten by solo. I would definitely have needed help getting home the day of the operation (well actually I was kept in overnight so it was the day after). But I’m sure the hospital porters can get you into a taxi and a nice taxi driver can take your bag to your door/ place it on a surface inside. The most painful is the first week and in particular getting up from lying down or the other way round, but I didn’t need help with this just was surprised how much that hurt. Before you have the op put things out on surfaces so you aren’t reaching or bending and stock up the fridge. The second week was a lot easier but I still took it easy, but felt completely fine pottering around at home. If you’re able to spend the first week between the sofa and the kitchen you should be fine xx

I live alone and recovered at home from a hip replacement too. I planned ahead and was fine. My friend collected me from hospital. I do have a cleaner and she came a bit more often in my early recovery. I took a taxi to physio. I was back doing some remote working after a week.

Make sure you have meals in that can be put in the microwave and things you need are in cupboards at eye level. If you have shopping delivered tell them you need help so you don't have to lift.

Also, an extra long charging cable for your phone/ tablet is a must for both hospital and home.

i also asked my little local hairdresser to just wash my hair for me using the back wash sink and they charged £3. It was such a help and made me feel so much better.

I did when I was younger! Over ten years ago now.

yeah it was tight for a few days, but I’d do it again if needed.

If it helps I was under the muscle, didn’t have any drains or anything.

I needed help putting my coat on when I went back to work 😅

I could absolutely move my arms! And they gave me antibiotics and naproxen to come home with but I didn't bother with the naproxen as I didn't have any pain 🤷🏻 it just felt like I'd done a bit of a chest workout, nothing dramatic. I had under the muscle implants which are supposed to be painful, but 🤷🏻

Ive had two hip replacements and Im going for a face and neck lift. Of course you can look after yourself. I have to. I live 5 hours drive from my nearest relative. It was fine I just had to prepare in advance.

I think you will be fine, I struggled getting off the bed but managed to shimmy, you might just have to go a few days with not washing your hair.

I had mine done on the Thursday and went back to the office by the following Tuesday. Just stock up on stuff and be prepared to have things in reach.

I was in and out same day ☺️

I've had surgery on a broken ankle and dental airer in

i planned ahead, where I could bot
for the ankle I got ready meals delivered and just struggled on

I had a C-section and and 3 kids to look after alone (single parent with no family or ex) and managed fine

Your 4 bottom bed sheets is genius @StarCourt
😊

It sounds as though you may have experience?

Could you give some suggestions?

I had surgery at the end of July and frankly, TMI, but the codeine meant that there wasn't any need to wipe for the first week!

I'd echo that you can set yourself up for this, but you're best off also physically setting up - clean clothes all laid out by day, clean towels for patting wounds dry, and everything up on the counters rather than in this cupboard or that cupboard.

Hospital did escort me to the lobby rather than expect my dad to find me, but I said, "oh, that's him, bye", and she was off that second! It was my dad, but could have just been any bloke.

My friend had breast cancer surgery and managed. Friends dropped around with a few meals and to keep her company. She was sore but managed her personal hygiene! I’m having cyst/ovary/fallopian tube removal soon and I’m going to ask my son to stay a few days - if a laparoscopy I’ll be sore but ok if a laparotomy then not so much. But I’ve had two caesareans and after second day was good to go (not drive though).

Good point. No it wasn’t.

It is unwise to go home alone after a GA. You are generally advised to have someone with you for 24 hours.
DP had a hernia repair (day surgery that took 20 minutes), and was not allowed to leave the hospital without someone getting him.... not even a taxi picking him up.

Multiple surgeries including c-sections , upper body, abdominal surgery as well as multiple fractures and dislocations. my DH had limited time off and although it would have been lovely for him to been home helping me it just wasn’t feasible if he was to keep his job.

had no option but to cope with both myself and the children.

it’s very much a case of when there’s a will there’s a way. You just prep as much as you can in advance and then do things slowly and carefully.

You adapt and find ways that work for you.

keep your phone in your pocket at all times in case of an emergency .

I’ve had a fair few surgeries and try as much as possible to make things easy for myself. I always buy in disposable plates bowls cups and cutlery so no issues with washing up. Either batch cook beforehand or buy ready meals in. I made my bed beforehand and put 4 bottom sheets on then just took one off when I wanted a fresh sheet to lie on.
I bought lots of small bottles of water and put them next to my bed with painkillers etc and a small bin for empties.
I also bought a SheWee type thing to keep and use in my room if needed. I bought a couple of grabbers and kept one in my bedroom and one in the living room . I put temporary grab rails in my shower too

I had GA surgery and each time had to stay in hospital overnight. The cat apparently was not suitable as someone at home in case of emergency. 😆