Pre & Post Surgery. How do I tell sis no walk ins welcome?

Question

I'm having surgery, In the past my sister has just invited herself into the hospital rooms when she visits ppl; the Drs allows because she's family or acts concerned and like she belongs. When I'm distressed and coming around I will not get comfort from her pressence. How do I discreetly tell her stay in the waiting room till I'm moved to regular room? There is always a Dr or nurse that doesn't 'know' so that is not an option. She always finds a way to get to the center of activity in these types of situations. What to do/say? Any constructive words I could use to kindly say?

Answer 1

I would simply tell her, I am not comfortable with anyone being in the recovery room except maybe a parent or spouse and you would really rather visitors wait until you are ready to see them.
It's going to be who is going to give you comfort or if possible tell the nurses not to let anyone (her) in the recovery room.

Answer 2

Tell her that you would feel more comfortable if she would please give you the chance to get to a normal room before she visits. Remind her that you love her, but you just don't think you will feel much like company after surgery. It's hard to carry on a conversation or appreciate her company when you are out of it from the drugs they give you. You would like a little peace and quiet to recover and get back to a semi-normal mind frame. You would also like the chance for a quick nap since in many cases, you're up very early to get to the hospital for the procedure. You would also like a chance to change into a normal gown or robe before company; those hospital gowns are ugly and don't tie right in the back! She should understand.

If she doesn't, then get rude. Ask her how she would feel if people were hovering when she felt like dirt. Tell her point blank that she isn't welcome until you are ready to see her. Let her know that if she enters before you are ready, you will have her removed. Then on the day of the surgery, tell the nurses and doctors that you don't want visitors. They can put it in your chart for any professional to read so there is no confusion when they change duty.

If you have another family member that will be there, tell them how you feel. Ask if they could try to keep all visitors, especially your sister, out of the room until you are ready to see people.

Answer 3

Well, one way could be to tell the Dr.s and nurses that you are to have absolutely no visitors in the recovery room. You won't remember them being there anyway. The hostpital staff know what they are doing and can make sure you wake up just fine.

I assume you have already talked with your sister about this, but if you haven't, I would just tell her exactly what you just told us....that her presence isn't wanted until you are in your individual room because it doesn't comfort you. And if she does come around anyway....well, like i said, you won't remember it anyway....at least I know I didn't.
Your Sister loves you, I'm assuming, and wants to make sure you're ok...maybe she just needs to see physical proof that you're ok to know it. Give her a chance to heed what you say...then if she insists on coming around when you don't want her....then tell the hospital staff that NO ONE is to visit you in the recovery room.

Good luck on your surgery, and God Bless!

Answer 4

Just as you have the right to refuse medications and treatments in the hospital, you have the right to inform the staff of what visitors you do not want to see. I really think though that you should not leave it up to someone else to do the dirty work though. Sounds as if you and Sis need to have a heart to heart about whats really going on. Nothing is going changed by sugar-coating or by avoiding the situation. Let her know how you really feel.

Answer 5

Make sure your primary Dr puts it on your charts first off, that should make it much harder. Then before you go in take the whole family and tell them something like, "Thank you so much for your support right now, it means a lot to me. But right now if I could please during my pre op and post op I'd really like to be alone or just be with relative X." But make sure she's there. And then tell someone in the family who knows your concern to kind of run defense and act like they really want to talk to her or something the whole time that visiting hours are going. I think I've covered everything that wouldn't make it too obvious. I hope you pull through.

Answer 6

Just tell her that you prefer that she does not even come to the hospital with you. If she does, tll her in plain English! Make sure that you tell the nurses loud and clear that you do not want her to come in! Have it written on the chart and tell the OR nurses and everyone else. I am a nurse.....I know these things! The patient Rules!

Answer 7

I would try to tell her how you feel. But if thats not an option then try to stress to the hospital staff that you wouldnt like company. Or you could just tell her that the doc said you cant have visitors untill you are in a better condition. Then just stress it to your doc that you dont want her there.

Answer 8

Ya know, if you tell her straight up that you do not want anyone,, no body, no visitors in your room until your moved to your regular hospital room and ask her to help you keep them all out. Then explain that if she does that for you, then she can be the first visitor when you are ready for guests.

Answer 9

Most likely she cares about you, and feels bad that you are in pain. Tell her that you appreciate her kindness, but you like if it she waited for you to call her before she comes to visit. She probably thinks that you will be offended if she doesn't come over to see you ASAP after the procedure/surgery. You shouldn't feel mean about asking her not to come. Good luck!!!

Answer 10

Ask the doctor to order a no visitors sign for your door and have the nurse tell her you need your rest and no visitors for a few days---Doctors Orders! Good luck with the surgery.