topic Re: Hospital question in Among Friends

Hospital question

bargainsgirl — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 14:24:01 GMT

Do you remain in hospital while a loved one is having surgery or wait to visit later?

Re: Hospital question

Winkk — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 14:26:17 GMT

If it's an immediate family member I wait.

Re: Hospital question

tends2dogs — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 14:27:30 GMT

Probably different for everyone, but for me, I would wait in the hospital if it was my husband, my parents, a child, or a sibling. All others I would visit after they went home.

They don't keep people in the hospital very long anymore.

Re: Hospital question

Travone — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 14:30:12 GMT

It depends on who the loved one is and how serious the surgery is. For a friend that has family of their own,I'm visiting later.regardless of the type of surgery. If they are alone, I would be there for them..

For immediate family members, I am there, if it is heart, brain, major organ surgery. For something like a knee replacement only if I am the closest relative.

Re: Hospital question

Desertdi — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 14:52:44 GMT

I tell the hospital staff that I am a "half-sister". There is no way they can prove I'm NOT....so they let me stay in the "family waiting room".

Re: Hospital question

sunshine45 — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 15:08:48 GMT

it depends how long the surgery/recovery is. i sometimes come and go. i stay for the prep and wait until they are wheeled out of pre op. i then may meet someone for breakfast and then go back. i may run home to take care of things and then come back. the hospital staff always has my phone numbers.

Re: Hospital question

Estellee — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 15:39:54 GMT

Yes, absolutely wait.

Re: Hospital question

CelticCrafter — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 17:37:00 GMT

At least until the surgeon comes out with an outcome.

Re: Hospital question

matty liz — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 17:53:54 GMT

bargainsgirl, ask yourself, if you were having surgery what would make you feel loved and ease the outcome.

Re: Hospital question

JeanLouiseFinch — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 18:07:48 GMT

When I had my surgery, my family waited until it was over and they talked with the surgeon. I was in a post surgical recovery area for a period of time before being brought to my hospital room. During that in between period they went to get a bite to eat and were back when I woke up.

For immediate family, I'd stay.

When we brought my sister for outpatient surgery, we waited.

Extended family, I'd visit later whether in the hospital or when they got home.

Re: Hospital question

BlueFinch — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 18:47:42 GMT

For family and good friends, I always stay. I want to hear first hand, that the surgery was successful, with no complications. Then I'll come back and visit, after recovery, when they are in their room.

Many surgeries are sent home the same day. Usually the patient will have a designated driver and assistant to get home. But, I would still wait to make sure all was good before leaving the hospital.

Re: Hospital question

Texas Gray Wolf — Sat, 07 Feb 2026 15:27:26 GMT

I would ask the patient preferences....as for me, I prefer phone calls from friends....immediate family is a yes.....patients need rest while recovering/rehab. We all know that patients are constantly being interrupted by nurses, Dr.'s & meals....

Re: Hospital question

shoekitty — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 20:20:08 GMT

I had a couple surgeries, and several hospital stays 2 years back, I can share my feelings. I don't mind if people wait, especially husband. But I really don't want visitors after surgery when I am in room, til maybe next day. My kids might come in room and say hi, and leave shortly. That's what I prefer. My husband does stay, as the hospital is a long trip in Silicon Valley traffic gome. He goes to cafe, reads, etc then comes in room if I m awake. We don't talk much anyway, so he sits, reads does computer. Makes it peaceful, but he's there if I need something.

Re: Hospital question

rockygems123 — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 20:35:56 GMT

@bargainsgirl

When my son had open heart surgery at 8 years old I didn't leave his side. Slept in the hospital as he had complications after the surgery.

Left to go to Mass one early morning and the nurses called screaming into the phone he's ok, the issue he had was resolved.

He's a healthy 29 year old now, still wouldn't leave his side if in hospital.

Re: Hospital question

eddyandme — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 21:15:58 GMT

I had a couple surgeries in the fall. My BMF stayed with me until the pre-op stuff. The first time I was there, he was the only 'visitor' there. Right after surgery the surgeon called him to let him know how went and how I was. Before I woke up the nurses would call him so he'd be there when they wheeled me to the car. But this is for day-surgery; perhaps they have waiting rooms for other surgeries: it's a very large hospital ( two floors just for day surgery!) so that's in a separate area, I assume.

That's how they do it at that hospital. They did tell me many patients just take a cab/uber to get dropped off and after surgery someone comes to pick them up.

As for visitors, parking is very limited and expensive so I don't think there's too much of that.

Re: Hospital question

conlt — Sat, 07 Feb 2026 04:15:31 GMT

I always wait at the hospital.

Re: Hospital question

OKPrincess — Sat, 07 Feb 2026 09:24:43 GMT

DH is having surgery next Thursday and expected to spend a few hours in ICU for observation.

I won't leave the hospital until he goes to a regular room.

He's having a left carotid subclaven bypass to "fix" 98% blockage to left arm.

Re: Hospital question

CalminHeart — Sat, 07 Feb 2026 13:04:37 GMT

I wait. To me, it's the only kind thing to do. No one wants to wake up alone. Then I leave.

Re: Hospital question

Franklinbell — Sat, 07 Feb 2026 20:51:56 GMT

I wait. The last few family members and close friends have been on an outpatient basis. If I am not the one taking them, then I will visit when they get home.

Re: Hospital question

patbz — Sat, 07 Feb 2026 23:52:10 GMT

DH has been in a number of hospitals over the years; some weren't great, many were OK but our favorite was Mayo Hospital in Scottsdale. DH was air lifted there and it is 3 hrs from our home. He was there for 14 days in ICU. They had a unique arrangement for families. There was a large open area where we could stay overnite ( for a week or more if necessary ssary).We all brought in sleeping bags and air mattresses and Mayo provided toiletry kits and showers. They also had an excellent cafeteria onsite ( so good that DH and I sometimes think of dropping by for lunch).