Set Up Caregivers and Help
Having a helper after surgery increases your safety. If you do not have someone to help, tell your surgeon before your surgery date.
You will need someone to help you on the day of your surgery and as you recover. It’s wise to arrange this help now, before surgery. A family member, good friend, or neighbor may be able to fill this role, or perhaps several different people can be helpers.
You will need a helper to:
Drive you to the hospital and home
Do not plan on taking a taxi or ride share. If something happens on the way home the driver is not prepared to help. If you don’t have someone to drive you, tell your surgeon.
Stay at the hospital during your surgery
They will get information from your medical team to share with loved ones.
If you stay overnight in the hospital, helpers are NOT allowed to stay with you. For a list of lodging options, visit MaineHealth.org/mmcplodging.
Stay with you for 24 hours after you leave the hospital
They will help watch for side effects from medicines.
Care for children, pets, or others
If you have young children, pets, or are the major caregiver for someone else, you may need help with these tasks after surgery.
Help around the house
You may need help with cooking cleaning, or yard work while you are in the hospital and while you heal.
Important
Helpers should not bring children or others who may need supervision with them to the hospital. Children are not allowed in pre-op or recovery areas. If children are with you, your helper will need to look after them and will not be able to be with you before or after surgery.