For many people coming to Vancouver for cosmetic surgery, dental surgery, eye procedures, or another outpatient procedure, booking an Airbnb or short-term rental can make a lot of sense. You may have more privacy, a kitchen, extra space and some of the comforts of home while you recover.
BUT… an Airbnb isn’t actually home – and that’s the part that’s easy to underestimate.
Once you’re discharged and dealing with exhaustion, swelling, discomfort or the lingering effects of anesthesia, suddenly figuring out an unfamiliar building, getting food and supplies, dealing with stairs or even finding where everything is can be a much bigger pain than you expected.
Choose Your Airbnb With Recovery in Mind
That gorgeous loft with the spiral staircase might look fantastic when you’re booking it. That said, it may look considerably less fantastic when you’ve just had surgery, lol.
Before booking an Airbnb for your recovery, think beyond the photos, cost, and location.
Consider things like:
• Are there stairs to enter the property?
• Is there an elevator if you’re staying in a condo?
• How far will you have to walk from where your Uber drops you off?
• Is the bedroom on another floor?
• Is there a comfortable place to sleep or rest?
• Is the bathroom easy to access?
• Is there a bathtub you have to step into to use the shower?
• Is there a kitchen and refrigerator?
• Are grocery stores, pharmacies or restaurants nearby?
• Will you be able to access the property easily when you return from surgery?
These details might seem minor when you’re feeling perfectly fine. After a procedure, they may matter a whole lot more.
Don’t Leave Airbnb Check-In Until After Surgery
This is a big one.
Whenever possible, get into your Airbnb and get yourself organized at least a day before your procedure.
Trying to locate a lockbox, remember an entry code, haul luggage around or contact a host because you can’t figure out how to get inside is annoying on a normal day. Doing it while you’re groggy, exhausted, and carrying your luggage after surgery? Hard pass.
Arriving beforehand also gives you an opportunity to learn the layout, unpack your things, and make sure you have what you’ll need for recovery.
Stock the Airbnb Before You Leave for Your Procedure
One of the advantages of an Airbnb is having access to a kitchen – but that doesn’t help much if the refrigerator is empty.
Before surgery, consider stocking up on:
• Bottled water and other drinks
• Easy meals and snacks
• Any foods recommended for your recovery
• Ice, reusable ice packs, or peas and plastic baggies that you can seal
• Prescriptions you’ve been able to fill beforehand
• Over-the-counter items approved by your medical provider
• Tissues and basic toiletries
• Extra pillows if needed
• Chargers within easy reach
• Comfortable clothing
Basically, think about what you might want during the first evening and following morning and have it within reach before you leave.
Future-you may be VERY grateful to pre-surgery-you!
Make Sure You Have a Plan for Getting Back
Depending on your procedure and the anesthesia or sedation involved, your clinic will likely require a responsible adult to accompany you when you’re discharged.
This is particularly important for people travelling to Vancouver by themselves. You may have successfully planned the flight, Airbnb, and procedure without realizing that the clinic also expects you to provide an actual pickup person.
If you don’t have someone travelling with you, arranging a surgery pickup and medical escort ahead of time, such as Miss Happy Helper, can solve that problem before it becomes a last-minute scramble.
An Airbnb Doesn’t Have Hotel Staff Downstairs
This is one of the biggest differences between recovering at a hotel and recovering in an Airbnb.
At a hotel, there’s usually a front desk. You may have room service, housekeeping, an ice machine, staff who can provide directions and someone downstairs if you suddenly realize you need something.
At an Airbnb, you’re on your own.
That privacy can be wonderful – until you need another bag of ice, realize you forgot something, need food brought in, can’t find something in the unit or simply don’t feel comfortable being alone after your procedure.
It’s worth thinking about that difference before deciding where you’ll recover.
Consider Whether You’ll Want Someone There the First Night
Even people who are normally extremely independent can feel differently immediately after surgery.
You may be sore, swollen, tired, emotional, nauseated, uncomfortable or simply not feel quite like yourself.
Depending on the procedure, there may also be practical things to manage such as meals, medications, ice packs, hydration, getting comfortable, picking up prescriptions or following your discharge instructions.
Some people therefore arrange overnight recovery support for their first night in an Airbnb, particularly when they’ve travelled to Vancouver alone.
Your Airbnb Can Be a Great Place to Recover – With Some Planning
Having your own quiet space, kitchen and privacy can make an Airbnb a comfortable option after surgery. The trick is setting it up for recovery, not just choosing somewhere you’d normally want to stay on vacation.
Get settled before your procedure. Stock what you’ll need. Think about stairs and accessibility. Confirm the clinic’s discharge requirements. And most importantly, figure out who will be there if you’re not permitted to leave alone or don’t want to spend that first night by yourself.
Surgery Escort & Airbnb Recovery Support in Vancouver
Miss Happy Helper provides non-medical surgery escort and post-surgery recovery support for people staying in Airbnbs and short-term rentals throughout Vancouver and surrounding areas. This means no IV management, catheter care, or injections.
Whether you need someone to meet you at discharge and accompany you back to your Airbnb, help you get comfortably settled, or stay with you during those crucial first 24 hours, Contact Trina → … you’ll be in great hands.
*Trina has received an Award of Achievement as a Supportive Care Assistant from VCC and holds a valid criminal record check, including for the vulnerable sector.