Having surgery can be stressful enough without worrying about how you’re going to get home afterward when the hospital will not allow you to leave by yourself.
If you live alone, your significant other or partner is working, are new to Vancouver, have family who live out of town, or simply don’t want to ask anyone, you may be wondering, “What am I supposed to do now?!?!”
The good news is that you have options.
Miss Happy Helper, provides professional surgery accompaniment throughout Metro Vancouver and will be there waiting for you at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH), ready to accompany you home safely once you’re discharged.
Learn more about how the service works: Day Surgery Support.
Why Can’t I Just Take a Taxi or Uber By Myself?
The reason is simple: your safety.
Depending on the type of surgery you’re having, you may receive general anesthesia, IV sedation, pain medication, or other drugs that can temporarily affect your balance, coordination, reaction time, judgment, and memory. Even if you feel “awake,” those medications can continue affecting your body for several hours after you’re discharged.
For this reason, you have to leave with a responsible adult rather than taking a taxi, Uber, or public transit alone. This policy is designed to reduce the risk of falls, confusion, or other complications while you’re still recovering from the effects of anesthesia or sedation.
It’s About More Than Transportation
Having someone accompany you home isn’t simply about getting from one place to another. It’s knowing someone dependable will be there when you’re ready to leave.
Surgery schedules can change throughout the day. Procedures may run early, late, or take longer than expected. Having someone reliable and flexible means you won’t have to worry about coordinating last-minute rides or wondering whether someone will still be available if your discharge time changes.
About Vancouver General Hospital (VGH)
Located at 899 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Vancouver General Hospital is British Columbia’s largest adult acute care hospital and one of Canada’s leading teaching and research hospitals.
Operated by Vancouver Coastal Health, VGH provides specialized care to patients from across Metro Vancouver and throughout British Columbia. It is internationally recognized for trauma care, complex surgeries, medical research, and healthcare education.
Thousands of patients visit Vancouver General Hospital every year for outpatient procedures and day surgeries in specialties including orthopedics, plastic surgery, ophthalmology, urology, gynecology, vascular surgery, thoracic surgery, and general surgery.
Because VGH serves such a large geographic area, many patients travel into Vancouver for surgery without having family or friends nearby.
Planning Ahead Makes Surgery Day Easier
Once your surgery has been scheduled, it’s a good idea to make your transportation arrangements as early as possible.
Waiting until the last minute can create unnecessary stress and leave you scrambling to find someone who’s available. Having your discharge plans organized ahead of time allows your surgery day to go much more smoothly.
If you need someone to accompany you home after surgery at Vancouver General Hospital, contact me to request a quote. I’d love the opportunity to help make your surgery day a little easier.
Trina Leckie