To leave him alone (for a couple of hours) 12 hours after general anaesthetic

[awsedrftghyh]

My (fit, healthy, 71 YO) father had a biopsy at 2pm today under general anaesthetic. It's a minor op obviously but the location (inside throat) means it will be done under general anaesthetic.
He has had the op and is now in recovery, I'm picking him up at 6pm.

The hospital told him the usual advice is not to be left alone for 24 hours after general anaesthetic.

I had something planned that means being out from 6-8am tomorrow morning. I really want to go but easily could and am more than willing to cancel.

He thinks I should still go because he will be asleep at that time anyway, and I obviously wouldn't be watching him sleep but would likely be downstairs, or asleep myself if I don't go out. He thinks it won't matter if I 'pop out'. I'm a bit more cautious.

What would you do?

YABU - don't go, too risky
YANBU - go, the risk is very negligible

Oh op, don't go. It's something you can easily rearrange so why risk it. Charged phones aren't any good if someone gets up disoriented and keels over.

Hospitals give these guidelines for a reason.

I wouldn't. The reason for the rule is that, rarely, something does happen. In the case I knew, the (young, previously healthy) person became delirious, and it could have been very serious if he'd been alone. Yes, it's rare, but happens. I get sometimes people really need to leave, but I personally wouldn't risk it if I didn't absolutely have to.

Is your 6-8AM appt. something he could join with you or 'wait' for you nearby?

I’m amazed at the number of people saying you should go. What’s the point of clinical studies and evidence-based care when you give guidance and people ignore it. If there’s no one who can be with someone post op then they stay in hospital 24 hours… not just to be over cautious. His age is irrelevant. Dh is 46 and had an op on Sunday. He had an adult with him for 24 hours because that’s the advice.

If something went wrong, how would you live with that?

This is like the threads we get from folk saying is it ok to leave my dc for 2 hrs I've got something very important to do and some people say go, the house won't burn down but if someone be it a dc or a post op patient needs supervision then you stay imo.

I can't think what gym class/run/hobby would make me consider leaving someone a few hours post ga particularly after an oral biopsy when swelling and bleeding is not uncommon.

I'm with you, I'm really shocked at these responses.

He'll need to rest not be carted about in a car for unimportant activities. GAs, even short ones, can really make anyone young or old feel shit for a good couple of days.

The advice is to be there for 24 hours, that isn’t given lightly. Same reason why you aren’t allowed to go home alone. It’s because the most likely complications happen during that period. If you could easily cancel as you say you can then I don’t see why you wouldn’t. It’s two hours out of your life to be there as a safeguard, which you’ve already signed up to do.

They said I could pick him up early so we just got home. He had the biopsy at midday, the amount of GA he was given was very small (20mins worth) and he is walking around and behaving totally normally. He got home and immediately jogged up the stairs to do some work in his office.
I'm still undecided. He is still saying go and that he is totally fine and not to 'fuss'

Nothing wrong with keeping mobile, it’s encouraged. But if you both think you know better than the NHS guidelines for the sake of a yoga class or whatever then crack on.

Guidance exists for a reason:
https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/general-anaesthesia/

Of course he's saying go. Just say your activity has been cancelled so he won't feel he has to persuade you to go. That's what people do when they feel they are putting someone out
What is the activity?

I’d listen to him, he knows best how he feels.

Me too. My rational brain says he'll be fine if he's been fine all night but I'd just worry the whole time so it wouldn't be worth it.

I fainted the day after a general - blood pressure went funny and I’m in my 30s, pretty fit (ish). Was on my own as I thought I’d be fine and farmed my DP off to soft play with the kids. Smashed my face against the toilet, bruised half my face and split my gum open. Lucky I didn’t knock my teeth out. Not a fun call from the bathroom floor telling my DP he needed get home pronto. Not to scare but this was nearly 24 hours post op.

Neither of you have any idea how he'll feel later on.

He's telling you to "go" because he doesn't want to be a burden but you should never have put him in that situation to begin with.

Patients aren't psychic and cannot predict how they will progress. Post op dizziness, faints all very common. He feels fine now as will have some remnants of meds giving him a buzz.

I've never known anyone say 'oh please stay,' no one wants to bother anyone so that is why the person with them tactfully says nooo it's fine I've got nothing planned.

I hear you. If I go, he'll be in bed the whole time and will have to promise not to get up (he doesn't typically at that time, I'm always up then and he never is, not even for the loo)

He might need a wee even if he doesnt normally at that time. He might be disorientated and as he doesn't seem bothered about following hospitals instructions he may well ignore yours too.

Throat surgery carries a risk of bleeding compromising his breathing. I wouldn't go anywhere.

Sorry you’ve never felt perfectly well and then in a matter of minutes fell ill or felt faint/terrible? You’d be about the only person alive who hasn’t had a bout of unwellness creep up on them in that case.

I mean I am not even sure why you are asking anymore. You’re going to go. You care more about a cancellable two-hour event than following the guidance of medical professionals which has been developed following the fact that some people have delayed effects of GA. If you then come home and he’s fine you’ll think everyone on here who warned you against it is daft/OTT. Or there is the alternative. If you want to gamble with the alternative then go for it I guess.

Okay, and what if he wakes up and feels unwell and you're not there?

The guidance is there for a reason.

This, just reschedule ffs

Slightly different view to most, but it’s the fact that he’s asleep would make me not go. I think it’s more likely that he will be groggy on first waking than if you were to leave him sitting downstairs in front of the TV in the middle of the day. You say he’s asleep but it’s quite likely that by 7 or 8 o’clock he may wake and need the toilet (for example).

OTOH It’s quite likely that he would be OK to be left later in the day, as he will be alert to any advice you give him around staying seated or to phone, rather than waking groggily and stepping in the bucket that he doesnt remember is there.

I'd go