Would you expect your spouse to accompany you for a operation with a general anaesthetic?

[LucyLoo1972]

Had my gallbladder out and my husband just went to work as normal. Should I have expected him to come with me for the operation, I was quite anxious as I ahev a lot fonhealth anxiety and don’t like hospitals. I’d never had an operation before. Would you expect them to be with you?

I would expect him to drop me off but not to stay.

I recently had a long operation under general anesthetic.

In my hospital there is a drop off point for people getting operations. You wait there at an allocated time and are then picked up by a nurse, at which point no visitors are allowed to go further. I waited for about 15 minutes.

Now my husband came with me because he happened to have the day off, but I would have been happy with a drop off.

No.

No, drop off yes, but I wouldn’t expect or want someone waiting for me whilst I had it done.

I would expect them to stay. I have had a few ops and even the day surgeries, that he wasn't allowed to stay for, he waited in the car. Its a good job really because one I lost lots of blood in one an needed to be admitted. He visited me on the ward and then went home got me clothes and come back.

Drop off and pick me up, yes. It’s keyhole surgery, yes? How long does it take? Is it an overnight stay?

Drop off and collect absolutely. I would have stayed for one dh had recently, but wasn't allowed - no space in the waiting bit which is fair enough.

Did he bring you home, @LucyLoo1972 ?

No. Just to drop me off and pick me up. I think that's fairly usual for relatively minor surgery.

Yes, and he has done three times in our 20 year marriage. I have always been asked if someone will be accompanying me - I don't think they like discharging you to make your own woozy way home. I don't drive anyway, but I'm always told not to drive for 24 hours after the GA.

Mine drops me off and picks me up. I wouldn't expect him to sit at the hospital waiting.

Depends on the situation / surgery. But in your case, as you say you were anxious and hasn’t had an operation before, then yes I would.

I’ve had numerous operations, and there can be lots of waiting round. Which if you’re nervous already, can make it even more worrisome, so it can be reassuring to have someone with you to help you feel calm.

No but I’d expect him to pick me up. I never expect him to attend medical stuff, no point in it taking up both our time

He would have picked me up because the hospital said soembody had to. Something went wrong in a minor way in the operation and I had to be admitted and I had a drain inserted. So nobody needed to take me home that day after the general anaesthetic.

Also, drop off and pick up but not stay.

Depends on how you feel and what you need, plus I suppose his ability to take the time off.

I've recently had investigations for a breast lump, DP came to the initial clinic appointment because I was petrified.

My lumpectomy was day surgery under general.
DP dropped me at the hospital and picked me up afterwards.
I was happy with this, but if I'd asked him to stay he would have.
I've never had an operation before, but expected it would just be a lot of waiting around, and I'd rather just read on my own.

There were a significant number of people who had someone with them.
The lady in the bed opposite me, who was in her 40s, had both parents.
Another lady had her husband.

He should have offered, OP, I bet he'd want you to do it if he was having the operation

I'm not sure tbh. I'd be happy to just make my way back in a taxi if it was a day surgery. If it was overnight stay then I'd want visitors.

If I wanted someone with me I'd hope I could ask them and they'd accept.

When DH had his out I took him and picked him up but I couldn’t stay as I had a baby. He was in surgery and recovery for about 8 hours.

DH had surgery a little while ago and it never occurred to me to drop him off and leave. I went to the hospital cafe and waited until he was back on the ward and then went and sat with him.

I'm having a hysterectomy - I hope - in the not too distant future and just assumed DH would take the day off and come and wait at the hospital while it's done. I won't need him there but it will be a comfort to know he's in the same building and actively waiting for me.

Yes.

Drop off and pick up. I’ve only had day surgery and there was no where for anyone to wait and tbh I think anyone trying to wait would have been asked to leave.

I would expect to be picked up, after an anaesthetic.

I wouldn’t expect to be dropped off, but I’m in walking distance of the hospital so I would just take myself. I wouldn’t expect DH to stay with me.

I had minor surf last year and DH did not want to pick me up because he had stuff to do. I was very anxious and very hurt. A few months later he had his wisdom teeth out. I took the day off, drove him there, waited and bought him home. Then it hit me that I wouldn’t be anywhere else but he didn’t give a hoot when it was me. There was a waiting area in both hospitals.

I think if you were worried he should have waited.

How's he been after the operation @LucyLoo1972