Going to surgery alone

[Youngdeadpeener]

How many have you gone to this surgery alone? More specifically traveling far for the surgery/out of state. And how was that experience? I ask because I have the opportunity to get this surgery next week but don’t have anyone to go with me as my dad who originally was supposed to go has to give his job a two week notice that he will be gone. Other than that I’d have to wait to probably November to get the surgery done but at that time my father would be able to go with me. Should I go alone or wait longer but have my dad go with me?

[Bigdave]

I think you're going to want someone with you for the first few days.
Obviously, you cannot drive yourself to/from surgery, and I don't think a hospital is legally allowed to operate on someone unless they have a driver waiting.
I know it sucks to wait, but it would've been very difficult to take care of myself completely right after surgery.
Good luck and God Bless.

[Txagq8]

Bottom line up front: I think I’d wait til dad can get off in November and do it then. In fact, see if they can do it the week right before Thanksgiving. You can eat, lounge in sweats, and watch football on TV for a few days.

I say this as somebody who did go it alone (for the most part) and it wasn’t a big deal.

I live in a small town of 700, 84 miles from the hospital where they did it. The doctor’s office is 75 miles (just over an hour drive).

I found out on 12/17 that they could do my surgery 12/31. My wife had already planned to go with daughter to Louisiana to see family, leaving 12/28. We had discussed me having a surgical procedure for the ED. We didn’t mention implant. Just a surgical fix.

I told her the day after she left that my procedure was gonna be done on 12/31. Naturally, she thought she ought to come back, but I talked her out of it. I assured her it was minor surgery, might even be a local with sedation, no need to disrupt her trip.

I drove to the hospital at 4 AM for a 5:30 check in and was on the table at 7. I took a buddy to drive us back. Everything went fine and by 11:30 I was having Chik-Fil-A on the way home. I got comfortable and sent him home by 4 pm.

Next day I got up and drove 90 miles each way to pick up son coming in for New Years, he was having car trouble. I was bruised pretty bad and sore so I suggested he stay at his grandma’s (my mother) and visit her. She’s a great cook so he jumped at that.

Three days later I drive myself to and from doc to get drain removed. I was sore, some swelling, but nothing extraordinary. I could cook, eat, go to toilet, shower. College football was in bowl season so I had plenty of good TV. I got a high school Ag kid to help feed livestock (50# feed sacks were off limits for a while) but I drove the pastures, checking water in the stock tanks/troughs.

I don’t think I’m especially tough. I just didn’t have any issues. With any luck, neither will you. But yeah, if you can have your dad close by in the unlikely event you have a complication it would be good.

Bodies are pretty remarkable the way they heal after a surgical insult but if you can ice, rest, eat good food the healing is going to go faster. If I had run into problems I had my mom and son right down the road and any number of friends/people from church I could’ve called. I was incredibly fortunate.

In the big scheme of things November isn’t far off. Do some vacuum therapy if you can to stretch things out so they can fit you with the biggest implant they safely can. Lots of doctors suggest that in cases where the patient has the time. A little patience and time spent getting ready will be time well spent. And you might not need him, but having your dad might be worth a hell of a lot if you have any complications.

Just my $.02. Good luck.

[Chintu]

I got my surgery done 10km distance from my home. i got my surgery done all alone and returned alone after discharge. All i did until discharge was lie down on bed. So, i didn't need much help. Mine is malleable. I don't know if inflatable care may be more complex.

[ThailandBound]

I traveled 1/2 way across the country via airplane, from Florida to Houston and was entirely alone the entire time.

Depends how how bad you want this done. For me, i was ready to fix my ED sooner rather than later. The waiting period is hard because one anticipates the surgery and dwells on the potential unpleasantness of surgery and recovery. Basically, you’ll have to struggle with the usual fears longer. Like most things in life that take you out of your comfort zone, it’s best to just face the discomfort directly and go for it.

Which is what i’m suggesting you do. The contrarian to the above posts.

Start by watching Dr. Clavell’s youtube videos on this very subject to give you confidence that many have traveled solo, sometimes 1/2 way around the world, to have it done. About what to expect….at least from him.

You can click or search the forum names of myself and at least 2 other members here who traveled alone for a successful experience and who documented their experiences having the surgery alone.

Me: Thailandbound
Jage64
Tokyo_123 (who traveled from Japan)

Best wishes friend.

[Lost Sheep]

How many have you gone to this surgery alone? More specifically traveling far for the surgery/out of state. And how was that experience? I ask because I have the opportunity to get this surgery next week but don’t have anyone to go with me as my dad who originally was supposed to go has to give his job a two week notice that he will be gone. Other than that I’d have to wait to probably November to get the surgery done but at that time my father would be able to go with me. Should I go alone or wait longer but have my dad go with me?

Is there any chance the two-week notice can get waived? Beg, cajole, bribe, threaten...

Hire a caretaker/nurse? The surgeon's office may have contacts they could share with you. There have been plenty of men stay in a hotel near the surgery center for a few days until travel is easier.

With my implant surgery overnight at the hospital, catheter removal before leaving (never admitted to hospital - just the 23.5 hours to stay below the one-day requirement for admitting). Friend drove me home and changed wound dressings for me, brought me meals and sat with me a while. A couple of days and I would have been able to take care of myself. I had prepared frozen meals (casseroles) ready to reheat and eat.

On the other hand, November is not that far away.

[implantguy1]

I got my surgery done 10km distance from my home. i got my surgery done all alone and returned alone after discharge. All i did until discharge was lie down on bed. So, i didn't need much help. Mine is malleable. I don't know if inflatable care may be more complex.

Brother can you check your inbox? I have sent a PM.

[newbie443]

How many have you gone to this surgery alone? More specifically traveling far for the surgery/out of state. And how was that experience? I ask because I have the opportunity to get this surgery next week but don’t have anyone to go with me as my dad who originally was supposed to go has to give his job a two week notice that he will be gone. Other than that I’d have to wait to probably November to get the surgery done but at that time my father would be able to go with me. Should I go alone or wait longer but have my dad go with me?

I did and just make sure you go with enough time to have everything set up in you room. All your meals and everything for wound care and on your discharge instructions. Meds may be a problem unless some way is figured to get your pain meds for after surgery. Ask your doctor about what they do for men who are alone. Just have plenty of meals made up ahead of time and drinks. Motrin, gauze pads and Bacitracin ointment were on my doctors list. Stool softeners were also but I took no narcotic pain meds until I was ready to fly home.

[Old Guy]

For me that would be a NO. However, I was much older for my surgery. I didn't see an age but if your dad is still alive you're way younger than me. Maybe a friend? Hire a part time nurse? The only thing I'll add is best of luck because I was down for a few weeks.

[Antonio1010]

How many have you gone to this surgery alone? More specifically traveling far for the surgery/out of state. And how was that experience? I ask because I have the opportunity to get this surgery next week but don’t have anyone to go with me as my dad who originally was supposed to go has to give his job a two week notice that he will be gone. Other than that I’d have to wait to probably November to get the surgery done but at that time my father would be able to go with me. Should I go alone or wait longer but have my dad go with me?

When I go I m going alone.....I m going to travale 6 hrs all the way to Huston Texas. Huber will take me to the surgery center and to my hotel room. I don't see the big deal of going alone. My wife offers but I said no its ok...this is something I ha e to deal with. Are we big boys or what?