Waiting for someone in surgery?

KathrynMD · April 2011

My sister is going in for a boob job later this week and some lipo. She has to be there 2 hours before surgery, then 5 hour sugery, then 1-4 hours in recovery. My parents think they need to stay at the hospital the entire time and are dreading it. I said I'd probably leave during the prep and surgery and come back once she's in recovery - but still stay relatively close by. My mom was a little horrified by this concept, but seriously, what are they going to do for hours in a hospital waiting room? If it was some kind of heart surgery, I might feel differently, but its a boob job.

DH had outpatient surgery a few years ago (that took several hours) and they encouraged me to leave.

SarahKate31 · April 2011

I waited in the hospital when DH had a surgery, but that one was only expected to take 45mins-1.5hours so there wasn't much point leaving. Then he was in recovery another 1.5 hours. But I had the same surgery a few years prior and I know DH ran out to get some food and then came back.

For a 5 hour surgery, I might step out and grab lunch or whatever.

Kaiene · April 2011

When H had surgery, I stayed with him until he went back for the surgery, and then I went to lunch in the hospital cafeteria and read in the waiting room. It wasn't a very long surgery, though.

JennigoesUSA · April 2011

I would leave but keep my phone close and don't go further than maybe 20 minutes around the hospital so I could be there quick if need be.

My husband left when I had my boob job because he had to pick up the kids and it was just fine

2have2hold · April 2011

When H had surgery I didn't leave the waiting area. Luckily my MIL and sisters were also there so they were the ones making the runs to the cafeteria and stuff. The surgery itself took about 6 hours and the nurse would come out every hour to update. I didn't want to miss any update or just in case they came out looking for me in the event of an emergency.

xmaryrickx · April 2011

I had no idea a boob job and some lipo took so long! I would leave and come back. I did this when h had his shoulder surgery before we were married bc I was afraid his ex wife would show up (since she said she would). It was no big deal as I was right down the street. They can have someone call them when she is out of surgery.

jcsntms06 · April 2011

I know for my several surgeries DH ran to the Cafe to grab food, but there was always someone waiting. If it wasn't DH it was my aunt. Obviously my surgeries were not a boob job, but I don't think I would go to far, just in case something happened. You never know.

SweetCFly · April 2011

I think you could leave and come back if your parents are planning to stay. I think it helps the patient to feel better if they know there is someone out in the waiting room for updates, etc. But I think it's fine as long as you don't go far. It's very boring to sit in a waiting room. We did that last week when my aunt was sent to trauma... even if you bring stuff to do, 5 hours is a very long time to sit. Hope the surgery goes well.

daisyterp · April 2011

I would leave, but that's just me. My family is weird about this kind of thing- my dad had brain surgery on the West Coast when I was in grade school and my mom stayed home w/ us kids. My dad recently had spinal surgery and I am 99% certain my mom dropped him off and went to work and then came back when he was in his hospital room.

chrissyp18 · April 2011

I agree with some of the others - maybe if you can ensure one family member is there at all times? When my mom had back surgery (I think it was 6 hours), I was at work, but went there afterward. My dad was there the whole time. Uncle was there earlier but left when I got there. I mean, yeah her surgery was different than getting something cosmetic - there were other factors involved, so we were on pins and needles the whole time. It was so hard to see her in the ICU and how uncomfortable she was...she honestly didn't remember anything until the next day.

Good luck to your sister!

Waiting for someone in surgery?

Re: Waiting for someone in surgery?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards