Make plans for having help after surgery

Description

Make sure you will have enough help to ensure a quick and safe recovery. You will likely go home from the hospital when:

You can drink liquids and keep them down.
Your pain is being controlled by medicine taken by mouth.

For the first few days, you may need help with:

Bathing
Grooming
Getting dressed
Changing wound dressings
Fixing meals
Running errands (you will NOT be allowed to drive right after surgery or while you are taking pain medicine)
Doing exercises
Emotional support

If family and friends are not able to help, talk with the hospital social worker or discharge nurse. Sometimes, they will arrange for someone to come to your home and figure out what help you may need.

Types of home care

Home care providers can come to your home to help with wound care, movement, exercises, and the tasks of daily living.

If you need it, get a referral from your doctor to have home health care nurses or therapists visit your home. Your insurance plan may pay for these visits if you have a referral. Check to make sure home care is covered before you have surgery.

Home health care nurses can help manage your wound, other health problems, and any medicines that you may be taking. They can assist with blood thinner injections that your surgeon may prescribe.
Physical and occupational therapists can teach you exercises and how to take care of yourself when you first get home.

You may be able to receive help with tasks or issues that do not require the skills of nurses and therapists. Sometimes, your plan may pay for these professionals as well:

Home Health Aide (HHA)
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Caregiver or Direct Support Person
Personal Care Attendant

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Review Date: 1/30/2018

Reviewed By: John E. Meilahn, MD, Bariatric Surgery, Chestnut Hill Surgical Associates, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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