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Original poster

Can you go straight home after having GA? General Anaesthetic

224 replies

boysforyoueh · 23/01/2023 21:52

I'm due an op soon. It says 'you must' have someone with you to pick you up after surgery.

But I don't have anyone able to. H will be busy elsewhere. So I hope they don't cancel my surgery Sad simply because I have nobody

But my main question is, how soon after a short time under GA can you go home? Is it simply a case of blood pressure reading fine and then doing a wee? As they like to make sure you can wee

Can I just go after that? It'll have to be in a taxi but the booklet I've got is again saying you can't leave the ward alone

OP posts:
TheOtherBoleynGirls · 23/01/2023 22:00

Is there no one who can give you a lift home, if your DH will be there?

I had a laparoscopy recently. I was told I could go home about 4-5 hours after surgery, my friend came and collected me but I actually (waddled) walked out of the ward alone to meet her downstairs, then DH was home with the kids. Or even if you know someone who doesn’t drive but can come to the hospital and help you get a taxi back?

Original poster
boysforyoueh · 23/01/2023 22:00

@Blowyourowntrumpet no, no public transport and the taxi is £40 each way (not far but we are rural so taxi company charge what they like unfortunately)

So I'd need to get a taxi there, then H a taxi, then a taxi back again

I don't have £120 for it

OP posts:
Original poster
boysforyoueh · 23/01/2023 22:00

@Chowtime yes, my car

OP posts:

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romdowa · 23/01/2023 22:00

They will just rearrange for a time that someone is available to collect you afterwards.

Outfor150 · 23/01/2023 22:00

I’ve had several GA surgeries. You need to have someone pick you up, and you need someone with you for 24 hours afterwards. You also aren’t allowed to take public transport home.

Triflenot · 23/01/2023 22:04

I would be happy to give a friend or
neighbour a lift in this situation. I suggest you ask one of yours.

Chowtime · 23/01/2023 22:04

Could you ask your parents to pay for the taxi if you don't have the money? I'd do it for my kids.

In any case, they won't let you leave alone and be alone when you get home so instead of thinking of why it can't be done, i'd start thinking about how it can be done and get the ball rolling. It's one day. One lift. Come on.

Chocolateismyfavourite · 23/01/2023 22:04

I had a mastectomy three weeks ago. Was back on the ward at 230 and had to stay for four hours, wich was fine by me as was very sleepy, was home by 730.
I don't drive, my mum picked me up.

feelingrubbish2023 · 23/01/2023 22:05

Threads like this baffle me. Do you honestly not have any friends, family or neighbours that can collect you and take you home (presumably where dh will be?)

I'd do this for any of my friends in a heartbeat, and actually I'd also do it for acquaintances or colleagues if they were in your situation. You can always offer a bit of petrol money.

Original poster
boysforyoueh · 23/01/2023 22:06

It's awful. I'm stuck then. I don't have any friends in this area. I'm a carer and just about get a quick word in when I'm sorting out DS for school time etc

Family live miles away and NT with my own. This is a new area for us so we don't know anyone at all neighbour wise, and I'd be a cheeky fucker to ask! Sorry person I've met but fancy taking me home from hospital? Grin

My H had a stroke last year at 29, and he can't drive anymore.

OP posts:
feelingrubbish2023 · 23/01/2023 22:06

I do appreciate it can be difficult to ask for favours, but I'm sure people would be happy to help. Presumably you'll know the date in advance and you only need to call them when you need collecting.

Greybeardy · 23/01/2023 22:06

SockQueen · 23/01/2023 21:56

And given the current bed state in most hospitals, this may well mean the operation gets cancelled.

Yes, they can refuse to treat you - having someone to take you home safely is just as much a reason for delay/cancellation as if you hadn't followed the fasting instructions. Both are for your safety.

Show quote history

I know…I’m an anaesthetist!

Original poster
boysforyoueh · 23/01/2023 22:08

It's not something I'd do as I hate conflict. But what would they honestly do if someone lied, had their GA surgery and then came round and said they didn't have anyone to pick them up after all?

OP posts:
Spidey66 · 23/01/2023 22:08

Is there any way social services or the school can give advice on respite care for your child for a couple of hours so your husband can maybe come up by public transport and return with you in a taxi?

Soontobe60 · 23/01/2023 22:08

boysforyoueh · 23/01/2023 21:53

I don't have anyone so can they just refuse to treat me?!

Show quote history

Yes

Reugny · 23/01/2023 22:09

Triflenot · 23/01/2023 22:04

I would be happy to give a friend or
neighbour a lift in this situation. I suggest you ask one of yours.

This.

Ask anyone as they only have to turn up as requested and take you home.

When I had day surgery a guy in the cubicle next to me was arguing with the staff about them contacting his friend early. The friend turned up at the time required which for everyone after me was when they were in theatre. I was first for medical reasons and my accompanying adult was told to turn up slightly later.

BustaGrind · 23/01/2023 22:09

What's the surgery and where do you live?

Surely someone would help you out. I'd help a neighbour even if I didn't know them

Purplepinkfairy · 23/01/2023 22:09

You have to stay a minimum of 4 hours. You need blood pressure etc stable. Be pain-free. You must eat and drink and do a wee before you can leave. Yes you must have a adult to collect you.

Reugny · 23/01/2023 22:09

boysforyoueh · 23/01/2023 22:08

It's not something I'd do as I hate conflict. But what would they honestly do if someone lied, had their GA surgery and then came round and said they didn't have anyone to pick them up after all?

They wouldn't discharge you.

They also phone the person before you go into theatre to check they are coming to pick you up

Fluffluff · 23/01/2023 22:10

Can your partner and child come with you on the taxi and hang around. Canteen etc a walk around until you can go and then all taxi home.
Same cost as just you and you are accompanied home

Reugny · 23/01/2023 22:10

Purplepinkfairy · 23/01/2023 22:09

You have to stay a minimum of 4 hours. You need blood pressure etc stable. Be pain-free. You must eat and drink and do a wee before you can leave. Yes you must have a adult to collect you.

Depends on the surgery and if you have any underlying medical issues.

Blowyourowntrumpet · 23/01/2023 22:11

boysforyoueh · 23/01/2023 22:08

It's not something I'd do as I hate conflict. But what would they honestly do if someone lied, had their GA surgery and then came round and said they didn't have anyone to pick them up after all?

They take the contact details of the person collecting you before they go ahead.
When I lived rurally, there was a volunteer transport service. Might be worth seeing if you have something like this in your area?

cobblers123 · 23/01/2023 22:11

I had to stay overnight after having an operation as I live alone, they said I would have to stay as no one at home to watch over me.

Just as well as I had a sudden bleed at 11pm so if I'd been allowed to go home on my own I'd have been in a right mess.

Soontobe60 · 23/01/2023 22:11

boysforyoueh · 23/01/2023 22:00

@Blowyourowntrumpet no, no public transport and the taxi is £40 each way (not far but we are rural so taxi company charge what they like unfortunately)

So I'd need to get a taxi there, then H a taxi, then a taxi back again

I don't have £120 for it

How were you going to get there?

Original poster
boysforyoueh · 23/01/2023 22:11

@Reugny I suppose for some people they'll be desperate and just do that then

Nothing they can do really, just keep you in until it's safe for them to discharge you alone without support

Not much of a barrier as I doubt they wouldn't take you down for surgery if the person didn't pick up the phone, or the person could just lie and say yeah I'll be coming

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