How long did you need someone to care for you?

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#1 Post by **marycotter5678** » Sun Apr 11, 2010 7:42 pm

For those who had double jaw surgery, how long before you could take care of yourself and didn't need to rely on someone else?

My OS says I should have someone with me at my beck and call for 1-2 weeks after but I don't know if my partner can take off of work for that long and my only other option is his mother and I dunno if she'll be happy sleeping over at our place for that long lol...

#2 Post by bb » Mon Apr 12, 2010 4:45 am

My mom stayed with me but she took over what I'd usually do- meals, dishes, getting kids off to school, homework etc.

As for actual "care", she crushed my pills (I couldn't stand the banging) and reminded me when to take my antibiotics. There's really not much for a caretaker to do- you feed yourself, you can walk around, get dressed, bathe...

So 1 week would be lovely- to help around the house.

#3 Post by **mamaneedsanewjaw** » Mon Apr 12, 2010 5:40 am

I too, am concerened about this as I have three little kids- they will be just 2, 5 & 8 when I have my surgery. My mom is coming to help but for how long? My two year old little guy is a bruiser and I am afraid he will accidentally bump into me. I am having upper & lower as well.

Maybe I should just check into a hotel by myself for a month! Yeah right! LOL

AHHH so many things to consider with this surgery!

#4 Post by **revolutionary** » Mon Apr 12, 2010 9:43 am

The first week is going to be pretty hard if you're having double jaw. You're going to be swollen like a basketball, it'll be hard to breathe and talk, you'll be dealing with a lot of gross drainage and god bless you if you have a bunch of little kids running around to take care of, because there is no way I would have been able to do that. That first week you are not going to feel like getting out of bed, let alone running around playing with/cleaning up after little kids.

It's not really a question of mobility, though. You're not going to need 24/7 constant care or help going to the bathroom or kitchen or anything like that. You'll just get exhausted/sore really easily doing normal household things like cooking, cleaning, etc... It just makes for an easier or faster recovery if you've got someone willing to say, make your blends for the first week or so, and take the bulk of the care of your kids.

Fortunately, my mom doesn't live too far from me, and since she's retired and a big worrier, she's been taking care of food for me, which has been really nice... But otherwise, by the end of the first week I was taking short walks, mid-second week I was going short distances on the subway, third week I was back in school, etc.

#5 Post by bb » Mon Apr 12, 2010 11:14 am

Oh yes, if you have young children then it'd be nice to have help for a minimum of 2 weeks but preferably more if it's possible!!

#6 Post by **trish222** » Mon Apr 12, 2010 12:49 pm

Hi Marycotter5678,
I had upper, lower and genio in July and I insisted that no one be in the hospital with me, I didn't want anyone to see me, nor did I want any help as I would be fine and able to manage-wow-what a mistake! Luckily my family lives right down the street from me and my sister was driving by as I was getting out of the car from the hospital. THANK GOD-she came right in, got a look at my gigantic head, and she and my mom took right over. I have 3 children that were 16, 13 and 12 at the time. While if I had to do it alone I definately could with my husband's assitance but boy what a relief. At 44 there is no one better to take care of you that your mom. If you can get the help for at least a week, go for it! After 1 week I was able to take care of things but they still kept popping over to help and it was still greatly appreciated. If you only have help for a week-simply rest and do as little as possible-it will speed up recovery if you need to be on your own for week 2. You are in my prayers and look forward to hearing about your experience. FYI-I'm so pleased with my results -tough journey-but worth it!

#7 Post by **ceanna** » Mon Apr 12, 2010 3:34 pm

I stayed at my mom's for a few weeks and she helped me a lot. She was amazing, making me my meals, making sure I was comfortable and had everything I needed. The first couple of weeks I had so little energy that I don't know what I would have done without her.

It's definitely a good idea to have someone there to help you out for at least the first two weeks.

#8 Post by **Davide** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 8:53 am

I didn't have anybody to take care of me at all, so I handled everything by myself. All the help that I got was a ride to the hospital by a friend, and a ride back from the hospital by another friend. That's it! With my whole family living overseas, I had nobody to take care of me at home. It was tough in the beginning, but I was able to pull it through. But again I didn't have any little kid to take care of like you do, just myself. In my case it was absolutely fundamental to be prepared logistically before surgery date. I stocked my apartment with everything I needed before I went under the knife. It took more than three weeks after surgery before I needed to go to the grocery store again.
Good luck with everything. Keep us posted with your surgery.

Davide