Hi All,
Right now I am planning to have surgery with Dr. Nakaji on May 19th. The problem is the friend that was supposed to come with me all of a sudden can’t due to a family emergency. Has anyone had this surgery done and recovered the first week on their own without any help. Is it doable? I really don’t want to reschedule if I don’t have to.
-Paul
It is doable to recover on your own, however, you won’t be able to drive because of the pain meds & potentially stiff/sore neck which will limit head turning. In some states, a person having outpatient surgery has to have a family or friend do the post op pick-up. Uber/Lift/Taxi are not allowed so you’d need to find out if that same rule applies in AZ.
If you go solo, you’ll obviously need to have your ice packs, food & other essentials prepared prior to your surgery so you can stay put in your lodging for several days after surgery while you ice & rest. You can take Uber, etc., to your post op appt. & airport to fly home.
@pauld1635 I know things might be different now that Dr. Nakaji isn’t with Banner Health but I imagine you will still be spending the night at the hospital so you should be able to use a car service. Still as @Isaiah_40_31 suggested, you should check with his office about that. Are you planning to stay in AZ for a few days after the surgery? I stayed 5 days after the first surgery and based on my experience I cut that to 3 days after the second surgery. My husband and sister were with me but I was essentially doing everything for myself. I hope you are able to keep your surgical date. Best of luck.
What a shame your friend can’t help after all, that’s rough…
Caring for yourself once you’re home should hopefully be okay as long as you’re prepared with medication, soft foods, pillows etc., or get these ready if you’re staying in a hotel for a bit. But as the others have said it would be a good idea to look into transport & what you’re allowed to do. Others have asked for wheelchair assistance at the airport , which sounds as if it should be requested beforehand, I think this would be a good idea if you have to travel alone, here’s a link to @DeeCeeNorth 's discussion & info:
Day 3 post- op Bilateral w Dr Hackman - General - Living with Eagle
I hope that you don’t have to put the surgery off!
@pauld1635 Just to add on to what @Jules said about the airport…if you are flying in and out of the Phoenix airport it is pretty huge with a lot of walking from security to the gates so a wheelchair is a good idea especially if you won’t have anyone to carry your luggage.
I’ve hired helpers from places like care dot com. In Denver there’s a woman with a biz called Denver Aftercare - she specializes in helping folks after surgery. Maybe Nakaji’s office knows of something similar?
Hi Paul,
I am having surgery with Dr Nakaji shortly after your surgery date. He has a thorough pre op protocol, if you have already done these tests it would be unfortunate to delay your procedure. You may want to contact the hospital and ask if they have any post op care facilities. Like other people have noted after an inpatient discharge it is unlikely you can go hop in a uber. I have found it difficult to call his clinic and get questions answered, that is why I am suggesting contacting the health care group. I was concerned as I have no assistance when I get home and I live on a farm. This is what Dr Nakaji suggested for me, surgery on Wed- overnight in hospital and I can fly home the following Monday. I am going to try to fly home a day early on Sunday. I do have a family member in AZ to help after surgery prior to flying out. I really hope you can figure out something and proceed with the scheduled surgery.
@birdie1 - I’m sorry you have a challenge to face when you get home. I hope you have neighbors or friends who can give you a hand on your farm when you get home especially if you have livestock you’re having to manage. Lifting anything heavy will not be an option for several weeks after surgery especially w/ IJV decompression plus you’ll need to take it really easy for 2-4 weeks post op. I hope Dr. Nakaji has gone over that with you or will prior to your surgery.
What is your surgery date? I’ll pray for you then.
Thank you for your prayers, my surgery is in a couple weeks. I do have horses, and unfortunately I really will not have help after returning home. I feel fortunate to have someone caring for them when I am gone for surgery. So I will try to get myself “set up” with supplies to limit the work when i return home, and hope for speedy recovery.
@pauld1635 I don’t know about a ride to hotel after surgery, but I do have a friend in Phx that I can ask to come check on you, help you go out and get things you may need. I think he would be willing/able to do that. Let me know if you want me to ask him. 
I would come help you, but I live in Tucson. Like others have said, reach out to Nakaji’s office to see what contacts they have for after-surgery transportation. When I went to Cedars-Sinai in LA for CSF Leak imaging, I had a friend with me for all the driving (wasn’t allowed to drive myself). Several sources in the FB CSF Leak group mentioned a driver who was medically qualified to transport folks from Cedars to hotel. Maybe Nakaji’s office knows someone like that in Phoenix.
That’s difficult for you…could you hire someone to help for a bit or would that cost too much? Lifting was the worst thing for me after surgery… 
That’s really thoughtful of you!