Will I be ok alone after my surgery?

In answer to your question: Well, maybe not--as long as you aren't trying to drive the day of surgery or the next. But it's not what I'd recommend. 

However, perhaps your primary focus needs to be setting up a way to meet the hospital's requirements so that you get the care you need. Hospitals are often concerned about liability as well as your well-being. There are options. Would you consider a short-stay admission (perhaps just overnight) to a rehab hospital or skilled nursing facility? In the US, your insurance may cover this, but only IF you are admitted directly from the hospital. Someone from the Canadian side may be able to advise you on the situation in your area. My real concern would be having your surgery cancelled. 

The simplest option may be to rethink your statement that "...if anyone should help, it should be family." IMHO, friends can become family equivalents. We all need help at some time or another. It's a sensible strategy to build a network of support--not that you have to do this--but I hope you will consider it. It also helps to have a fair number of people in that network, so that they don't feel pressured.

Your brother sounds like a sweetheart. I'm 'voting' with kamico3--take him up on his unhesitating offer! You might offer to take a taxi to the hospital but have him pick you up--hospital can call him when they figure you are within an hour of being ready to be released....and he could leave early the next day if all has gone well, which it probably will.

Hope you have an easy time of it, regardless of what you decide. Am wishing you well and a speedy recovery.

PS: FYI, in most cases, the outpatient surgical center RN will do a follow up phone call the next day. It's a good back up.

Christina,

I'm in Ontario too so assuming that your hospital follows the rules, you will not be released unless someone (and not a taxi driver) is there to pick you up.  As for having someone stay with you overnight, the reason that they have this rule isn't because you will need help after surgery - that's not really their concern.  The reason for the rule is just in case you have some sort of a bad reaction either to the anesthesia or from the surgery.  Chances are that you will be fine, but if you're not - you really will need someone. 

I do understand how you feel because at the time of my surgeries I lived alone too and I thought it was a pain in the butt that I had to impose on someone like this. I ended up staying the night with my brother and SIL and although I'm sure that I would have been fine on my own, I'm glad that I wasn't alone.  I didn't have any pain after surgery and I was completely mobile, but several hours after I got home, I had a nice spell of nausea from the anaesthesia and for most of that day & evening, I felt a just bit light headed and dizzy - that "not quite there" feeling.  So I was glad that I wasn't alone.  And while I'm fiercely independent, I also realized that if I'd had surgery and my brother wasn't there to watch over me for that first night, my family would have been worried.  So in the end it worked out for me and for my family.  By total coincidence, a couple of months later my brother had to go in for quick procedure under anaesthesia and he had the same rules.  I was able to return the favour - my SIL was there to stay with him overnight but I did the hospital pick-up and stayed with him all day.  Seeing him woozy after the anaesthesia, I was glad that I was there.  

I say  take your brother up on his offer. It's better to be safe than sorry and he seems to be willing to do it so don't feel guilty. That's what family is for after all and I'm sure you would do the same for him if he ever needed it. Just be sure to let him know how much you appreciate him.

I had to stay in the hospital overnight after after both  my lumpectomy and mastectomy but I felt fine and would have been ok at home.  My sister in law picked me up, drove me home and dropped me off.  I live alone and didn't have any problems staying alone, did not even need a pain pill after the mastectomy.  I did not have reconstruction and that can change things significantly.

Hi, Christina ~  You've already gotten great advice.  I just wanted to add that, while I know it's difficult to make a mind shift from being extremely independent to letting others take care of you for awhile, doing that would probably benefit your healing.  As women, we tend to think we can do it all, whether it's taking care of our families, or just being super independent.  It's in our nature!  But there are times in our lives, and surgery for bc is definitely one of them, when we really do need to ask for help, then relax and accept it.  And whomever you ask (other than maybe your clueless sister) won't be looking at it as a burden, but will probably get a lot of satisfaction from helping you.  Let the people who love you, whether it's family or friends, help you now.  If positions were reversed, you would want to be there for them, wouldn't you? 

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Java, I agree with the other ladies on the page.  It would probably be best if there is someone there with you.  I had the same surgery you are having, and I had no trouble at all.  But, it was nice knowing someone was there for me.  My husband went back to work the next morning, but I think it was important someone be there in case you have any complications.  I am sure your brother (or his wife) won't mind one bit.  Best of luck to you!

It sounds like you've received great advice, so I'll leave that topic alone, but I wanted to suggest another pre-surgical preparation for you. 

Since you live alone, you may want to consider movement/pain limitations you may experience and prep your home w/ that in mind.  Your surgeon or a staff member should be able to give you this information in advance--you don't want to wait to get this information as you leave the hospital. 

For instance:

1.  if you're told that you are not to reach overhead, and there is something you use regularly in the kitchen that is kept in a high cupboard, consider pulling it down onto the counter (or into a lower cabinet/drawer). 

2.  if there are weight limitations (and there usually are) consider how you can divide things up so that you can continue to function...for instance, if your laundry detergent is in a heavy bottle or box, consider pre-packaging some "single-use" portions for your recovery. 

3.  will you need to sleep w/ your arm elevated, you may want to consider what sort of pillows, etc. you have around the house and arrange to have what you'll need.   

4.  if you will want small ice packs for partial pain control, make sure you have them and they're in the freezer when you get home.

5.  are you advised to keep a small pillow or cushion between your arm and chest?  If so, make sure you'll have one (my breast center gave one to me at my pre-surgical planning session).

Those who live with others have the luxury of relying on them when something comes up...but if you live alone, you will need to plan things out in advance. 

Best wishes and luck to you!

LisaAlissa